Thoughts from ThoughtWorkers

Topic: Women and Agile

It's been asserted in the blogsphere that Agile methods, and extreme programming in particular, are a reflection of a white male development culture. Some find Agile practices such as self-organizing teams and pair programming uncomfortable and assert that these practices are a result of catering to or protecting a project from the traits of male developers.

It is certainly true that some folks have trouble with pair programming. It is also true that XP has its share of zealots that accept nothing less than strict adherence to XP dogma. However, I find it disturbing that practices that are, in my view, empowering to teams could be seen as male-centric or at all hostile to women. The drafters of the original Agile Manifesto were indeed all white males. However, many of the early signers of the manifesto are women and women are quite prominent in the Agile community.

The movement towards lean and Agile techniques in software development emphasizes cooperation and generalist skills. These aren't traits typically associated with the classic 'macho developer'. Agile teams actually make it more difficult for misbehaviour to go un-noticed. Strict role definitions and rigid specifications can provide a security blanket of sorts, but this protection is only as effective as the enforcement mechanisms employed to ensure compliance. This approach seems no more encouraging of diversity of perspective and different working styles than Agile approaches.

There is no approach that will consistently protect a team or a project from blatant misbehaviour or incompetence. Agile zealots are no more or less dangerous than any other individuals who zealously require things only be done their way. Agile methods properly applied provide a mechanism to adapt to the skills, needs and preferences of the full team, including the customers and the development team, to ensure the most effective project delivery. To me, this focus on the outcome and the individuals is empowering.

Rebecca Parsons

The iterative cycle of Agile project and iteration management gives women the opportunity to leverage the ongoing direct and open communication skills that are a cornerstone of successful Agile projects. I believe women excel in environments where there are direct and constant feedback loops and where individuals, collaboration and trust are core values.

However, iterative cycles can lend more pressure in environments where the consultant/client relationship is still developing. The visibility Agile provides into a given project is much higher than other methodologies, and any individual (including women) may have difficulty with the increased, direct pressure to make changes that may not be conducive to the teams.

Jen Stille

It seems that some women are unwilling to fully embrace Agile due to lack of knowledge around practices such as pair programming. When women hear about the intense level of communication that can often go along with pairing, they think it may be overbearing and self-deprecating.

I believe that the opposite is actually true for women who choose to embrace pairing and other Agile practices. Agile helps us become comfortable with the fact that 'it's ok to be human'. This is an important first step toward true success in the industry -- by being comfortable in sharing our experiences, including failures, with teammates we learn and are better prepared for the future.

I am quite certain that my development skills have grown faster than ever before by pairing with other developers. As a woman, I often doubt my skills and question my abilities. Pairing gives me the chance to realise that I am continuously growing, along with the opportunity to share and learn, thus it is a great boon to my self-esteem.

Wendy Istvanick

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