How do great teams build better software?

In this episode of Distributed, host Jack Hannah speaks with Josh Kerievsky, founder and CEO of Industrial Logic and one of the earliest pioneers of Agile software development. Josh shares insights into the practices that help teams thrive, including sufficient design, pairing, ensembling, and continuous deployment. He also advocates for a balance between in-person and remote collaboration, the evolving role of AI in software development, and why a focused approach is what matters most for success.

Highlights:

• The concept of sufficient design and why perfection isn’t always necessary
• How pairing and ensemble programming improve knowledge transfer and help develop stronger teams
• The role of continuous deployment in elevating software delivery practices
• Balancing in-person and remote collaboration to support team mental health
• The potential and challenges of AI in software development

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Josh Kerievsky

(03:00) – The Origins of Agile Software Development

(07:00) – Sufficient Design: Balancing Perfection and Practicality

(12:00) – Navigating Remote and In-Person Collaboration

(15:00) – Pairing, Ensembling, and Knowledge Transfer Benefits

(20:00) – Lessons From Building High-Performing Teams

(25:00) – AI’s Role in the Future of Software Development

(30:00) – Final Takeaway: Advice for Building Great Teams

Referenced:

Agile Manifesto: https://agilemanifesto.org/

Where to connect further:

Connect with Josh Kerievsky on LinkedIn

More about Industrial Logic

Follow @tuple

Want to hear more? Check out distributed.fm

Connect with Jack Hannah