September 27, 2004

The downside to Agile

A client recently emailed (quote included here with his permission):

> It's funny but I think I can only work on Agile/XP projects now. I don't think I can "go back" to the old way. Thanks for the brain washing......

This got me thinking. I feel the same, and have done since soon after I got into XP in 1999. I've heard lots of people say the same over the last few years.

This causes a problem. Once converted to Agile/XP, you'll be dissatisfied if you have to work on a non-Agile project. Currently only a minority of jobs are working on Agile/XP projects, so if you want to be happy in your work your job opportunities become more limited once you've worked on an Agile/XP project.

Fortunately, Agile/XP projects are becoming more common now, so the situation for converts is improving.

Through careful selection of employer, and plenty of good fortune, I haven't had to "go back" to the old way and hope I never do.

Posted by ivan at September 27, 2004 2:37 PM
Copyright (c) 2004-2008 Ivan Moore
Comments

Sad but true, I have to adjust to write code on my own nowadays.

It's quite a revelation doing an XP "conversion" and watching the team just light up when it's succesful. It's like an oppresive weight of guilt and responsibility has been lifted from their shoulders.

Posted by: Steve Freeman at September 27, 2004 9:00 PM

I have this pattern but I seem also to have what I call the "Return of the King" pattern.

Elrond: I give hope to men.
Aragorn: I keep none for myself.

Posted by: Jason Yip at September 27, 2004 11:08 PM

Even hearing about waterfall projects upsets me now:

http://geekbeers.blogspot.com/2004/08/too-much-xp-bad-for-perspective.html

Ben

Posted by: Ben Hogan at September 27, 2004 11:30 PM

There's plenty of agility for the company, but I don't see much agility in XP for the employee. It pretty much limits you to on-site working in rigid hours. The company may well get it's truck number down to zero, but I doubt there'd be a great hurry to reduce notice periods... Apart from letting us get our work done without stress and blame, I don't see developers getting much flexibility out of XP.

Posted by: Dafydd Rees at November 27, 2004 2:53 PM