Kent Beck
2004-10-25 20:13:30 UTC
Informative Workspace
Make your workspace about your work. An interested observer should be
able to walk into the team space and get a general idea of how the
project is going in 15 seconds. He should be able to get more
information about real or potential problems by looking more closely.
Many teams implement this practice in part by putting story cards on a
wall. Sorting the cards spatially conveys information quickly. If the
"Done" area isn't collecting cards, what does the team needs to improve
in its planning, estimation, or execution? I'll also wonder what
customers need to be involved so the slipping scope has minimal business
impact.
Figure 4: Story Wall
Figure 4 shows an idealized story wall with spatially sorted stories.
The workspace (Figure 5) also needs to provide for other human needs.
Water and snacks provide comfort and encourage positive social
interactions. Cleanliness and order leave minds free to think about the
problems at hand. While programming happens in a public space people
also need privacy, which can be provided by separate cubes or by
limiting work hours.
Figure 5: Floor Plan
Another implementation of the informative workspace is big, visible
charts. If you have an issue that requires steady progress, begin
charting it. Once the issue is resolved, or if the chart stops getting
updated, take it down. Use your space for important, active information.
Copyright (c) 2004, Kent Beck and Cynthia Andres, All rights reserved.
Make your workspace about your work. An interested observer should be
able to walk into the team space and get a general idea of how the
project is going in 15 seconds. He should be able to get more
information about real or potential problems by looking more closely.
Many teams implement this practice in part by putting story cards on a
wall. Sorting the cards spatially conveys information quickly. If the
"Done" area isn't collecting cards, what does the team needs to improve
in its planning, estimation, or execution? I'll also wonder what
customers need to be involved so the slipping scope has minimal business
impact.
Figure 4: Story Wall
Figure 4 shows an idealized story wall with spatially sorted stories.
The workspace (Figure 5) also needs to provide for other human needs.
Water and snacks provide comfort and encourage positive social
interactions. Cleanliness and order leave minds free to think about the
problems at hand. While programming happens in a public space people
also need privacy, which can be provided by separate cubes or by
limiting work hours.
Figure 5: Floor Plan
Another implementation of the informative workspace is big, visible
charts. If you have an issue that requires steady progress, begin
charting it. Once the issue is resolved, or if the chart stops getting
updated, take it down. Use your space for important, active information.
Copyright (c) 2004, Kent Beck and Cynthia Andres, All rights reserved.