The Velocity x Legacy Problem

Siobhan Baker, Senior Software Crafter, 8th Light - Agile Scotland October 2020

Transcript

1. The Velocity x Legacy Problem
2. Senior Software Crafter @8thLightInc Community & Relationships @codingblackfems @sohbaker
3. A little about me ▪ Career switcher ▪ Arts & Philosophy background ▪ Experience in data and project management ▪ Intern > Apprentice > Engineer @sohbaker
4. What we’ll cover Methodologies ▪ Which method/s are we talking about? Challenges ▪ What’s difficult about legacy code? Strategies ▪ How do we make it more manageable? @sohbaker
5. Velocity How does Agile help us to move quickly? 1.
6. ‘agile’ @gasya @bahayogi @by_elr
7. More on Agile ▪ Number of methodologies ▪ Agile manifesto: 12 key principles ▪ XP: extreme form @sohbaker
8. XP always keeps the system in deployable condition. Problems are not allowed to accumulate. - Kent Beck
9. Our Approach ▪ Roots in XP ▪ Focus: □ Test-Driven Development □ Continuous Delivery □ Whole Team @sohbaker
10. The Legacy Problem The challenges of legacy systems. 2.
11. Challenges - code ▪ Technical Debt ▪ Not many or unhelpful tests ▪ Flaky system @sohbaker
12. Challenges - team ▪ Isolated teams ▪ Pockets of knowledge ▪ Limited documentation @sohbaker
13. Challenges - allies ▪ Resistance to change ▪ Need for clear, visible progress @sohbaker
14. Learnings & Strategies What has made it more manageable? 3.
15. Strategies - code ▪ Solution-focused ▪ Not perfect, but better ▪ Introduce tests @sohbaker
16. Strategies - teams ▪ Open up communication ▪ Empower your teams ▪ Document valuable discoveries @sohbaker
17. Strategies - allies ▪ Ask questions ▪ Improve visibility ▪ Estimates and expectations @sohbaker
18. Recap What have we covered? 4.
19. Recap: we covered Methodologies ▪ Rooted in XP Challenges ▪ Complex code ▪ Isolated teams ▪ Buy-in from allies Strategies @sohbaker
20. @sohbaker
21. This is software, not hardware. - Andrea (my mentor)
22. What has helped you? Tell me more: @sohbaker in/sohbaker