ExtremeLego

AndyPols and BenHogan are organising a session demo for Xtc20021003

Other lego presentations are documented in ExtremeLegoWorkshopOffsite.

We have noticed a similar thing with XP - our early attempts to balance all of the XP values were a struggle because we weren't used to what it felt like to be extreme. After several experiments with different teams, we have found that in a "doing" environment, developers can experience extreme programming and this gives them a headstart when they apply it to their projects.

This session will allow programmers to feel what it's like being extreme. Rather than sitting around discussing problems and experiences, we will be actively working on a project in pairs, in parallel. Practitioners will have to collaborate, trust each other and use short iterations to accomplish the problem. As it is often difficult to achieve these goals in a short period of time when using computers and different programming languages - we have hit upon a unique way of sharing this feeling through the use of LEGO Mindstorms. As everyone knows how to use LEGO - it is a great level playing field that gives us the ability to concentrate on the XP values rather than the merits of different programming languages.

Benefits:-

Participants who attend this workshop will:

• Have fun being extreme and playing with LEGO Mindstorms
• Learn by "doing" and arguing through tests
• Experience paired programming, and the knowledge exchanged by rotating partners
• Understand how to work in extremely short iterations

This simulation will:

• Briefly introduce the XP values
• Cover our experiences with these values and some of the approaches that we have found useful
• Quickly move on to letting the attendees roll up their sleeves and actively try out the approaches
• Reflect on how things worked with the aim to documenting approaches for future XP developers

Audience:-

Attendees should be familiar with the Extreme Programming material, but do not have to have practiced the ideas. It is also necessary to know how to use LEGO <grin>, but not necessarily Mindstorms. Advanced XP practitioners should not attend this session (they can play with the LEGO afterwards).