Pair Programming: the building block of ‘cutting edge’ teams'

Pair programming has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Large organizations like Microsoft, Facebook, Vimeo, Github, and, of course, numerous other firms – small, medium, and large – use pair programming as part of their development process, so you should know that you are on the correct track if you are contemplating it for your company.

Pair programming is an Agile approach in which two engineers work on the same piece of code simultaneously. The idea is to get people to communicate, develop better ideas and solutions to an issue, or generate a better solution for their work.

The benefits of pair programming for businesses

It is creating a more resilient code that's the main benefit. By having several eyes on a project's code, businesses can boost the efficiency of the process and the final product's quality.

Furthermore, while working alone has its benefits, working in groups fosters the kind of inventiveness that leads to cutting-edge solutions. Working in pairs, the developers would have to explain their decisions and procedures, which may lead to a discussion about how to improve things and produce a better-designed product.

Also, on the one hand, those with little experience would get a "hands-on" introduction to software development, which would help them gain confidence and skill. On the other side, pair programming can allow two developers with similar levels of expertise to up-skill one other and generate additional ideas.

Best practices of pair programming

While working in pairs depends on human nature and organizational culture, several general guidelines ensure the technique's success, regardless of scale.

1. Pick the correct pairs for the job

There are three types of teams in standard pair programming: expert-expert, expert-novice, and novice-novice, each with benefits and obstacles.

The key is to eliminate negative bias by making collaborative work a choice rather than a necessity. A core group of employees prepared to work in pairs might set an example of a quick, efficient outcome for the rest of the company. People would rush at the chance to increase their skillset and produce better work since good news travels quickly.

2. Select the appropriate tool

It's critical to work on a tool that the developers are familiar with. Coding can be exhausting and demanding, but adding another element of frustration with their devices will only slow them down. Take your time, search for the correct tools, ask experienced programmers for advice, and make the best decision.

3. Plan ahead of time and be flexible

Because pair programming isn't a 'one size fits all type of thing, staying in touch with the team is critical to its success. Knowing what works and what doesn't is essential because every agile technique, including this one, must make work lively and rewarding.

The overall pair programming schedule should be basic, with no rigid hours or schedules; giving people a reasonable amount of time to solve an issue provides the discipline needed for larger tasks.

Should I pair or not?

Finally, pair programming should not be viewed as a silver bullet that will instantly improve customer service and allow you to create innovative products. It's a great tool with many features that developers can use when they need it. Some teams make better use of it than others.

Put another way, give it a shot, invest some time to implement pair programming, test it on a few projects, listen to the developer's input, and decide whether this is the best method for your company.

We can only tell you that if you can implement pair programming at your company in the same way as the other companies mentioned above have, you're in for a treat.