Columns: Dev How-To and Advice


Agile Testing Heresy: Are You Testing Too Much?

Our Agile Architect commits heresy by suggesting that developers are writing too many tests. Perhaps the question should not be, "Do I have a test?" It should be, "Do I have the right test?"

How I Won the Battle but Lost the War: An Agile Saga (Part 2)

How does a project get late? One day at a time. Our Agile Architect shares some common pitfalls plus 15 sometimes seemingly contradictory tips that will help you win the war.

How I Won the Battle but Lost the War: An Agile Saga (Part 1)

There is a common expression that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Our Agile Architect shares such a tale.

Delegated Authority: An Agile Trust Experiment

Our Agile Architect experiments with Delegated Authority. How far do you trust your team to make decisions?

Agile Coaching the Wrong Way!

Our Agile Architect shares his blinders and blunders as an agile coach.

Agile Advice: Don't Be Elite, Be Obsolete!

Our Agile Architect explains why you should work hard to make yourself obsolete in your job.

The Agile Tailor and Other Stories

There's nothing like a humorous column. And trust me, this is nothing like a humorous column. Our Agile Architect pokes fun at all things agile.

The Survivor's Guide to Agile

You just found out your company is going Agile. Our Agile Architect offers his top tips on how you can make this transition successfully.

Finding the 'Simple' in Agile

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but simplicity takes hard work to create. Our Agile Architect gives his take on "simple."

In Agile, Simple Is Not...

In agile, we have the saying "Do the simplest thing possible." Our Agile Architect explains why simple is not so easy.

Yes, with Agile There Is Time To Think!

There is a misconception about Agile that the team is so focused on development that there is no time to think about how to solve complex problems. The reality couldn't be more different.

Conducting the Agile Interview

Finding the right people to work in an agile shop takes just as much energy and enthusiasm as it does to actually work there. Our Agile Architect shares some of his thoughts and techniques for a more-than-the-normal interview.

Want To Really Be Agile? Swarm!

The Agile Architect explains how to increase productivity significantly while also increasing code quality with a simple process change.

To Be Agile, Beware the Comforts of Ritual

Ritual is a comforting and seductive mistress. But how do you prevent it from holding you back? Our Agile Architect shares his thoughts.

Protecting Your Fragile Agile Culture

An agile development culture is both precious and fragile. Our Agile Architect points out some warning signs that yours may be breaking down.

An Agile Holiday Open House

In the spirit of the holiday season, our Agile Architect welcomes you into his workspace and shares the ambiance of the agile experience.

Agile Expressionism 101

Our Agile Architect explains some of the expressions you'll hear in an agile environment.

True Quality Assurance in an Agile World

Quality Assurance is not just about testing a system. The role of QA on an agile team is much greater than that, elevating the QA engineer to a god among men.

Breaking Through Development Project Barriers

We often find ourselves surrounded by barriers, both real and imagined, that prevent us from doing our job. Our Agile Architect explains why it's important to break down these barriers and how agile practices can help.

Measuring the Business Value of Projects with Agile

Measuring business value is a challenge regardless of the methodology you use. Our Agile Architect explains how agile principles and practices can be used to ask the right questions.