XpGuilt

One thing ExtremeProgramming seems to be about is overcoming guilt over doing the right thing.

Examples:

• On the FoldedZipperedProcess page, RogerLipscombe mentions feeling guilty about writing code to meet QA's test suite.
  • XP says always write to the tests.
• PairProgrammingMisconceptions page discusses feeling guilty about programming with someone else.
  • XP mandates it.
• DoTheSimplestThingThatCouldPossiblyWork and YouArentGonnaNeedIt seem to be about overcoming guilt over not being clever enough to do something the complicated way.
  • Again, XP mandates the simplest possible design at all times.
• People feel guilty when they aren't spending lots of unpaid overtime on a floundering project.
  • FortyHourWeek says this isn't your problem, it's a symptom of a broken project.
• Nobody ever reads DesignDocumentation, but everybody feels guilty about not reading it.
  • How about replacing it with a simple SystemMetaphor?
• Programming teams frequently get guilt-tripped into committing to more than they know they can do.
• The PlanningGame, and in particular the YesterdaysWeather rule give programmers the courage to say when something can't be done with the time and resources allocated.

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"Overcoming the guilt over doing the right thing" because you're reducing fear early. I think your point ties in very nicely to ExtremeHumility, and ExtremeHumilityAndHowWeAchievedIt. -- MiroslavNovak

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CategoryExtremeProgramming