Once programmers have attended classes in the new practices, they are ready to start trying new skills on a real project. And that's where the real challenge begins. How do you roll out TDD in a data-heavy application where the database itself might need refactoring? How do you enforce emergent design in an environment where architects produce big up-front designs, and don't write any code themselves?

Like seedlings hit by an early frost, new coding habits are easily killed by the technical complexities and political pressures of real-world development. Adaption's mentoring services are designed to ensure that fragile new skills are given the chance they need to root themselves deeply in the local programming culture, no matter what the challenges.

We help choose good candidate pilot projects. We help adapt the practices where necessary, and keep everyone on process. If new testing or process tools or frameworks are required, we can also help design and write them.

Over a few weeks of such mentoring, programmers begin to prove to themselves that they can use the new practices every day. A critical mass is eventually reached, ensuring that local agile culture will survive. How much mentoring/coaching you need depends on many factors, but even a very small amount is vastly better than none at all.

To find out how agile practices can flourish at your shop, contact us.