What is the best way to implement pair programming in Agile?

2 Define clear roles and goals

The second step is to define the roles and goals of each pair. The driver and the navigator should have a clear understanding of what they are expected to do and achieve. The driver should focus on writing clean and functional code, while the navigator should focus on reviewing and improving it. The pair should also agree on the scope, duration, and deliverables of their task. They should use tools like Jira or Trello to track their progress and communicate with the rest of the team.

4 Follow coding standards and best practices

The fourth step is to follow coding standards and best practices. The pair should adhere to the same coding style, conventions, and rules as the rest of the team. They should use tools like Prettier or ESLint to format and lint their code. They should also follow the principles of clean code, such as naming variables clearly, writing short and simple functions, and commenting when necessary. They should also use tools like Git or GitHub to manage their version control and code reviews.

5 Use pair programming tools and techniques

The fifth step is to use pair programming tools and techniques. The pair should use tools that facilitate their collaboration, communication, and coordination. For example, they can use tools like Visual Studio Code Live Share or CodeTogether to share their code editor and terminal. They can also use tools like Zoom or Slack to share their screen, audio, and video. They can also use techniques like ping-pong programming, where one developer writes a test and the other writes the code to pass it, or mob programming, where more than two developers work on the same code.

6 Evaluate and improve your pair programming process

The sixth step is to evaluate and improve your pair programming process. The pair should solicit and provide feedback to each other and the team. They should use tools like Retrium or Sprintlio to conduct retrospectives and identify what worked well and what can be improved. They should also measure and monitor their pair programming outcomes, such as code quality, productivity, learning, and satisfaction. They should use tools like Code Climate or SonarQube to analyze their code metrics, and tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to collect their feedback.