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Shaping Software

Enduring Ideas in the Realm of Software

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Agile

Extreme Programming (XP) at a Glance

Extreme Programming (XP) is a lightweight software development methodology based on principles of simplicity, communication, feedback, and courage.   I like to be able to scan methodologies to compare approaches.  To do so, I create a skeleton of the activities, artifacts, principles, and practices.    Here are my notes on XP: Activities Coding Testing Listening Designing Artifacts …

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MSF Agile at a Glance

I like to be able to scan process methodologies so I create skeletal views that let me quickly see the key activities, artifacts, principles, and practices of a methodology.  MSF for Agile Software Development is a scenario-driven, context-based, agile software development process.   Here’s my notes on MSF Agile circa 2005, which might be somewhat dated, …

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A Functional Skeleton of the System as a Whole

How do you create a candidate architecture in XP?  The solution is to pick a set of stories that force you to build a skeleton of the system as a whole in your first iteration.  If you can’t find the stories that force you to create the architecture you need, then you either put as …

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Fixed Price in XP Development

How can you leverage XP practices in a fixed-price contract?   One approach is to fix the price and the schedule, but somewhat vary the scope.  You reduce risk by fixing the cost and schedule.  Flexing the scope means that you can respond to the customer’s changing needs as you deliver value.  You can think of …

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Give Up Explicit Preparation for Change

How can you be prepared to go in whatever direction the business or the system demands?  Do you need to prepare for every possibility?  No.  Instead, you give up explicit preparation for any change.  In Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change (2nd Edition) (The XP Series), Ken Beck writes that if you expect nothing, you can …

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