A framework for understanding the factors influencing pair programming success

  • Authors:

  • Mustafa Ally;Fiona Darroch;Mark Toleman

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Information Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia;Department of Information Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia;Department of Information Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia

  • Venue:
  • XP'05 Proceedings of the 6th international conference on Extreme Programming and Agile Processes in Software Engineering
  • Year:
  • 2005

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Pair programming is one of the more controversial aspects of several Agile system development methods, in particular eXtreme Programming (XP). Various studies have assessed factors that either drive the success or suggest advantages (and disadvantages) of pair programming. In this exploratory study the literature on pair programming is examined and factors distilled. These factors are then compared and contrasted with those discovered in our recent Delphi study of pair programming. Gallis et al. (2003) have proposed an initial framework aimed at providing a comprehensive identification of the major factors impacting team programming situations including pair programming. However, this study demonstrates that the framework should be extended to include an additional category of factors that relate to organizational matters. These factors will be further refined, and used to develop and empirically evaluate a conceptual model of pair programming (success).