Jonathan Rasmusson wrote: > > --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Kent Beck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > >>The point system is not nearly so accountable. "I expect this > story is a >>3 pointer," obscures accountability. If I don't get it done this >>iteration, hey, I guess the team's velocity just wasn't as high as >>expected. We'll slow down planning for next week. >> >>Kent Beck >>Three Rivers Institute > > I am torn on this a bit.
I, for one, am not. It is not hours or points that leads to accountability; it's the attitude of the practitioners. I see velocity measured in points as a way to measure past performance and give an indication of likely future performance that avoids one common problem: manager treats programmer estimates as predictions and commitments. Whether we measure velocity in points or use clock time (back to load factor!) the team can care about its velocity or not care. When Kent writes, "Hey, I guess the velocity just wasn't as high as expected," I have heard that said in places where velocity is measured both in points and in hours. The unit of measurement is not key; but rather, the desire of the team to improve its own performance. If the Customer is dissatisfied with the team's pace -- measured in points, hours or gummi bears -- then either the team resolves to improve productivity or the Customer fires the team. If the team decides not to improve, that is a reflexion of its attitude, and not its unit of measurement of velocity. Is there a correlation between measuring in points and "I guess we weren't fast enough"? I think you'd have to convince me. -- J. B. (Joe) Rainsberger Diaspar Software Services http://www.diasparsoftware.com :: +1 416 791-8603 Predictable, repeatable, quality delivery To Post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ad-free courtesy of objectmentor.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extremeprogramming/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
