Strong-Style Pairing, a Suggested Rotation
I first learned Strong-Style Pairing during my introduction to Mob Programming from Woody Zuil and the mob at Hunter.
Here is an example of it:
- http://katrinatester.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/using-strong-style-pairing-and-coding.html
I have always seen it introduced such that in following the rotation an individual goes from navigator (directing the action) to driver (following instructions).
I have seen that create difficulty when introducing individuals to the format, as it can be challenging enough to understand the channelling concept of the driver role without having just given up the directing role of the navigator.
I propose shifting the rotation so that an individual goes from mob to driver (following direction) to navigator (giving direction).
This seems a more natural progression as it allows an individual to enter the pairing arrangement under the support of a navigator’s direction, then graduate to the navigation role after having been oriented into the flow, language, domain, etc while driving.
I suspect this may also allow lessons learned while driving about what kinds of communication from the navigator work more and less well to be applied directly.
Of course, your personal mileage may vary with respect to this aspect of rotating if not with the entire notion of Strong Style Pairing as a technique. As Woody is fond of saying, I don’t recommend that anyone work this way, only that it has worked for me and I’m happy to share.