Agile and the evolution
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This document discusses principles for building software organizations and practices that endure over time. It suggests that adopting practices like testing, continuous integration, pairing, and focusing on quality from the start helps create a "gene pool" of diverse skills and prevents repeating mistakes. Drawing parallels to nature, it argues this approach allows organizations to adapt and survive like wasps or other species. The document advocates evaluating each sprint and ensuring quality, focus, and involvement of testers to build software that is meant to last.
![In 18 months of C++ development, this [heinous] bug
was our hardest challenge. It represented the longest
time that we failed to make forward progress.
We put one pair on it. It took us 6 hours
Arlo Belshee , Promiscuous Pairing and Beginner’s Mind, 2006](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/agileandtheevolution-120208165441-phpapp02/85/Agile-and-the-evolution-18-320.jpg)
Agile and the evolution
- 3. The wasp behavior is not intelligent But it is purposeful How about the cumulative behavior of all wasps? How does this apply to us? When should we apply logic? When should we practice routines?
- 4. Name: Ilan Kirschenbaum Profession: Agile Coach Co-founder of Previously: Programmer, Product Support, Designer, Architect, Product Manager, Project Manager http://fostnope.com , @kirschi_, ilan@practical-agile.com
- 5. What makes these creatures last? Nature ‘designed’ them to endure Darwin revised ‘Natural Selection’ to Source: ‘Survival of the Fittest’ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon Implying (among others) the unconscious ability to adapt
- 6. Successful organizations are driven by values they commit to: “Everyday low prices” “Provide superb customer experience” Good values help organizations endure How does this translate to everyday life of a software organization?
- 7. Is this sprint Built to Endure? Is quality adequate? Are we focused? What I have learned in pre-natal course When do we involve testers in the process?
- 8. Ahhhhh…. …but a mother cat must also make tough decisions sometimes Photo by danizen24 http://www.flickr.com/photos/39311243@N05/4272639675/
- 9. Writing good stories is hard (but it gets easier with time) Backlog grooming is also hard (and it always remains that way)
- 10. What makes a good story? INVEST CCC If both PO and Team share the same understanding of what should be delivered Consider the story review when writing the story
- 11. Why placenta/egg? Decoupling Distinction Separation Protection Short-beaked Echidna, a Monotreme, egg laying mammal. Source: wikipedia
- 12. Protect existing code from poisoning Get early feedback on defects in new code With local builds, get better decoupling between new code and existing codebase
- 13. Introduce new code in a ‘placenta’ Not affecting existing code New code can be checked in without affecting existing functionality Existing code does not interfere with new changes Incorporate into codebase only when safe
- 14. Use tests approach to improve design and architecture Once done, tests continue to run in CI Once deployed, tests become part of the teams’ DNA
- 15. Back to our Sphex Wasp The wasp behavior is not intelligent But it is purposeful Adopting practices requires practice to assimilate into the daily work Once ‘in the DNA’, intelligence is replaced with common sense So intelligence can be used on more important things
- 16. A large gene pool indicates extensive genetic diversity, which is associated with robust populations that can survive bouts of intense selection. Meanwhile, low genetic diversity (see inbreeding and population bottlenecks) can cause reduced biological fitness and an increased chance of extinction Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_pool
- 17. Individual programming is similar to reduced gene pool Repeating similar mistakes/pitfalls Returning to similar patterns With pairing the “Gene Pool” is increased Common pitfalls are identified on the fly More patterns are shared New patterns are generated
- 18. In 18 months of C++ development, this [heinous] bug was our hardest challenge. It represented the longest time that we failed to make forward progress. We put one pair on it. It took us 6 hours Arlo Belshee , Promiscuous Pairing and Beginner’s Mind, 2006
- 19. What if nature did testing only at the end? DEV TEST
- 20. ברירת מחדל 1. Default, a preset setting or value 2. A Canadian post-grunge and alternative rock band 3. Choice of neglect
- 21. By choosing to test at the end, quality is neglected By doing quality from the start, testing is less of an issue Some argue that quality starts from RFx
- 22. Built to Endure Quality is intertwined throughout the process Requirements should be created with quality in mind – Definition of Done CI - Testing must be executed continually Coding Practices – generating high quality code Unit tests – testing the code generates better design Pairing – Testers can also pair with programmers!
- 23. It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory Prof. Deming