mob programming - put down the pitchforks and pick up a keyboard

Put down the pitchforks

and pick up a keyboard

Mob Program

ming

“All the brilliant people working on the same thing, at the same time, in the same space, and on

the same computer”- Woody Zuill

Concerns in a nutshell• It’s wasteful/inefficient• You’re using [x] people to do 1 or 2 people’s work!• We don’t have the resources to work that way

Concerns in a nutshell

There’s more to programming than code…

• Implement a ‘walking skeleton’• Decide if it’s fit-for-purpose• Agree on refactoring• Reviewing with stakeholders

• Analysing requirements• Deciding how to solve a problem• Agreeing on an approach• Creating examples/scenarios

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

CODE REVIEWCONSISTENCY

DEBATE

LEARNING

INCLUSIVE

EMERGENT DESIGN

Driver NavigatorsCentral Monitor(HDMI / DVI / VGA)

Tea and biscuits

Similarly-specced machines(plus a wireless keyboard/mouse)

Pens, paper,whiteboardsfor sketching

Monitor and webcam

Isolated from noise(incoming and outgoing!)

Tricks of the trade• Line numbers• Sidebar• Mobbing remotely

MOBBING: THE CHALLENGES

NOT EVERY TASK IS SUITABLE

SPLITTING ISN'T A SIN

BEWARE RABBIT HOLES

DON’T MAKE ONE PERSON DRIVE FOR TOO LONG

SUPPORT THE DRIVER

TRUST REQUIRED

DON'T FORCE IT

Conclusion• Can be more productive (in the right situations)• Knowledge-sharing means less ramp-up time on related tasks• It’s worked for us – it might work for you• It’s easy to try• Contact us if you’d like some advice

#MobProgramming