pair programming prep

What can we do before pairing to make it more effective?

• Make sure both peers focus on productivity to get the ego and flowery phrases out of the way
• Agree on a game plan. What problem are we solving? What type of pairing is this going to be? (ball and board or coder/navigator or ping pong)
• Understand the benefits/costs of pairing
• Negotiation: Roy Miller of RoleModel Software offers a suggestion:

  One of the best tricks I've ever used when pairing is to start each pairing session with some 'negotiation.' I lay out what I like and don't like when I pair with someone, things I do well and things I don't do well, things I need help on, things that bug me to death. Then I listen while the other person does the same. This takes less than five minutes, usually, but the results are staggering. Both members of the pair then can use the pairing session as a time to get work done and to help the other person. I think 'pairing as negotiation' is a key concept.

• Read more: Pair Programming Illuminated