This sounds like horrible advice for anyone who wants to excel at their work.

From a management perspective, 1 and 2 are no good and will result in 3.

Programmers I know are pretty good and have multiple opportunities. If you suck and just want to hang on, then you could do this.

But if you’re good, then it’s best to avoid a PIP. Or if you get on one, figure out why and correct it. Or, easiest, just take one of the other offers and work somewhere where you’re in better sync with management.

Of course, you’d never want to quit without a new job lined up.