How to prepare a company for Extreme Programming (XP)

Wojciech Biela asked in his blog about the steps for preparing for XP process. Here’s my take on the issue based on personal experience:

• First give him a simple Powerpoint presentation explaining the high level details of XP process and benefits. You can start with my XP presentation (dated). This will make him inquisitive and warm up to the subject. At this stae he is likely to have quite some reservations and concerns about risks.
• Select a friend’s company who extensively practices XP (if he is on Java choose someone who uses Eclipse as it can make an awesome impression) and take him and other key executives to demonstrate what XP looks like in real world. Arrange so that they can ask few questions and gets their doubts clarified. At this stage expect significant enthusiasm from the group.
• Slow down. Instead of taking a full-blown project with XP, choose one or two small projects as test-bed. Take projects which will not have significant impact on bottomline in case of failure. It nicely addresses the risk concerns of management while allowing the team to mature with XP process.
• Choose XP coaches from within (you could be a good candidate if you are already exposed to XP and confident enough to address day-to-day questions about processes and practices) or from outside the company. Professional coaches will normally be available for hire in your locality. Expect resistance from some key developers at this point. Be patient.
• Have few good XP books in-hand to refer to.
• On completion make realistic evaluation of the process and present to management.
• Present your case to management. You are likely to get marketing as your mosty vocal supporter.
• Further down the road feel comfortable to make minor changes to systems and processes to make XP suit to your own special requirements.
• Ask questions on XP mailing list and communicate with the key persons if so required.

That’s all.