The Mob Mentality Show

Join Jason Swett, an author and Rails testing expert, as he dives into the world of automated testing. He sheds light on common misconceptions about Test-Driven Development (TDD) and discusses why many developers struggle with testing. Jason emphasizes the importance of understanding the essence of a test versus mere verification. He also explores how to improve software testing practices and the role of automation in development, sharing insights on transforming testing into a more effective process. Prepare to rethink your testing strategies!

How often should Agile teams reflect and adjust? Is your team on a road with switchbacks but they are not turning the wheel? In this episode of The Mob Mentality Show, we take a deep dive into Agile Principle #12, which states: "At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly." From a Mob Programming perspective, we explore what "tuning and adjusting" really looks like in high-uncertainty, high-interdependence work. Is it like steering a car, constantly making small adjustments, or is it something that requires far less steering? How do different approaches—Waterfall, 2 Week Scrum, and Mob Programming—each handle batch size and feedback loops with continuous improvement? In This Episode, We Discuss: ✅ Agile Principle #12—How it drives continuous improvement in teams ✅ "Regular Intervals"—Comparing Waterfall, 2-week Scrum sprints, and healthy mobbing ✅ Batch Size & Effectiveness—How small adjustments impact team agility ✅ Single vs. Double Loop Learning—Which leads to deeper team growth? ✅ Diversity & Focus—Does learning together accelerate improvement more than learning separately? ✅ The Cynefin Model—Navigating uncertainty and complexity in Agile work ✅ Liminal Thinking—How belief structures and assumptions impact team reflection Many teams go through the motions of retrospectives, but are they truly adjusting their behavior effectively?  Join us for this insightful discussion where we challenge assumptions, explore deeper learning, and uncover the best ways to reflect, adapt, and improve as a team. 🎧 Subscribe & Listen: Don't miss this episode! Subscribe on your favorite platform here: 🔗 https://www.mobmentalityshow.com/ 📩 Connect with Us Let us know your thoughts in the comments! How does your team reflect and adjust? Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/ikmWgj44g28 

How do you balance small, iterative progress with the vast unknowns of research and development (R&D)? Can test-driven development (TDD) literally or "in spirit" still provide value when you're navigating uncharted territory? In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive deep into the intersection of R&D Mobbing and software development, exploring real-world scenarios, strategies, and challenges teams face when innovating under uncertainty. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔬 Chris's Journey with Mob Randori & R&D: From "we don’t know what we’re doing" to "we know what we’re doing"—how mob programming helped transform uncertainty into effective delivery. 🛠️ R&D vs. CD? Can teams practice continuous delivery (CD) even when tackling complex, unknown problem spaces? If so, is there a change in what is "delivered"?  📌 Keeping Small Steps & Feedback Loops in R&D: TDD is known for its rapid feedback and endorphin kicks—but how do you retain those benefits when exploring an unfamiliar landscape? 🔄 Adjusting Your Mobbing for the Task at Hand: When should you modify your mob programming approach to fit the nature of research-driven work versus production-level development? 🧗‍♂️ Clean Code Spelunking & Navigating the Unknown: Techniques for digging deep into existing codebases while ensuring safety and maintaining forward momentum. 🚩 Feature Flags & Safety in R&D: How to experiment with new ideas and do Trunk Based Development (TBD) without introducing instability to production. 📊 Transparency, Visualization & Business Buy-in: Addressing stakeholder fear of an "infinite problem space." 🧠 The Inverse of ZOMBIES in R&D Mode: How do you maintain focus, momentum, and value delivery when dealing with high levels of uncertainty? ⚡ Real-Life R&D Success Stories & Lessons Learned: Practical examples of mob programming driving R&D innovation in high-unknown environments. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep experimentation structured, learning fast, and delivery continuous—even when dealing with complex unknowns—this episode is for you! 📌 Watch More Episodes & Subscribe on Your Favorite Platform: https://www.mobmentalityshow.com/ 🔔 Don’t miss future episodes—hit the subscribe button! Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/nipbhFopqMM 

Discover whether having a full-time domain expert in a Mob truly embodies the DDD dream. Explore the trade-offs of quick access versus full immersion and hear real-world stories of product owners that illustrate the impact on team effectiveness. Delve into the advantages of faster decisions and deeper collaboration paired with potential downsides, such as staying current in their field. The discussion also highlights the synergy of domain expertise with agile mob programming and the critical role effective naming plays in enhancing software development clarity.

Can a combo of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) streamline development by automating repetitive patterns across teams? In this Mob Mentality Show episode, we dive deep into the intersection of AI-driven automation, code generation, and lean software development. Join us as we explore: ✅ The "Generator for the Generator" Concept – How AI-powered tools and Mob Programming can create DSLs that automate code generation at scale. ✅ Handling Cross-Domain Development with DSLs – How DSL arguments can be leveraged to generate applications across multiple domains while maintaining usability. ✅ Serverless Infrastructure as Code (IaC) & Auto-Generated Apps – How to use DSLs to automate cloud deployment with Angular or Streamlit apps. ✅ The Challenge of UI/UX in Generated Code – When UI is too generic, does it hurt usability? Can a DSL strike the right balance between automation and user experience? ✅ Regeneration vs. Continuous Development – Should teams work exclusively in the DSL, or also refine the code it generates? How to handle sync issues when regenerating applications. ✅ Turning Docs into Code with a DSL Converter – Automating workflows by transforming team documentation into executable code. ✅ Mob Automationist Role Inception – Is the next evolution of Mob Programming automating the automation? ✅ ZOMBIE Test Generation & Nested Python Dictionaries – How automated testing fits into the DSL-driven workflow and whether a DSL can be as simple as a structured Python dictionary. 🎯 Whether you’re a software engineer, an agile practitioner, or just fascinated by AI-driven development, this episode is packed with real-world insights into DSLs, LLMs, and the future of lean automation. 🔔 Don't miss out! Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show on your favorite platform: 👉 https://www.mobmentalityshow.com/ Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/0q3jaX6_bfw 

Aaron Griffith, a software developer and mob programming expert, teams up with Parker Barrett, a fellow developer focused on AI integration and test-driven development. They delve into how AI is revolutionizing software development by enhancing mob programming practices. The duo discusses the powerful synergy between human teams and AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. They also explore AI-driven test development strategies, address the quirks of AI hallucinations, and share real-world applications in collaborative coding, making for an engaging and insightful conversation.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into the world of extreme ownership within a multi-mobbing environment. What happens when a mob/team wants to make a decision, like extracting a method, refactoring to a new pattern, or reorganizing code boundaries? Should that decision wait for approval from outside teams? Or does extreme ownership mean trusting the mob to act autonomously for maximum flow efficiency? Topics Discussed: Autonomy vs. Consensus: Should mobs prioritize quick decision-making or seek input from external teams? Multi-Mob Context: Exploring the dynamics of multiple mobs interacting and how to handle shared ownership of repositories and projects. Inverse Conway Maneuver: Can designing your organization’s team structures to match the architecture you want your systems to have prevent this problem? Lean Thinking and Efficiency: How waiting for approvals from external owners can create lean wastes. Boundary Flexibility: Should code and team boundaries be rigid or adaptable to changing circumstances? The Monolith vs. Microservices Debate: Is the real issue a technical architecture debate or is the root problem found elsewhere? Scenarios and Examples: A hypothetical comparison of shared ownership in MS Word vs. MS Excel. The impact of Joe Justice’s Law on decision-making and team interactions. The challenge of managing too many communication nodes in multi-team environments. Key Questions Discussed: Is it more valuable to reduce the number of teams interacting with a repo? Should boundaries of ownership evolve with time? How can we balance flow efficiency with healthy collaboration across teams? How does "Nothing in Tech Matters Except XP" impact this discussion? Subscribe and Stay Connected: Don’t miss this insightful episode as we unravel these questions and more! Discover how the principles of extreme ownership and mob programming can transform team dynamics and decision-making processes in software development. 📢 Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show on your favorite platform: https://www.mobmentalityshow.com. 🔔 Like, comment, and share to join the discussion and stay updated on upcoming episodes! Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/rAT-EurLnrI 

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into Sustainable Pace, a core principle of the Agile Manifesto ("Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely"). From software development to youth sports, we explore the massively destructive effects of an unsustainable pace and highlight the transformative benefits of a culture grounded in sustainable practices. 🔥 Key Topics Covered 1. The Massively Destructive Results of Unsustainable Pace How the relentless work rate leads to burnout, dropouts, injuries, and errors. Insights from academic and medical studies showing the devastating effects of unsustainable workloads. Real-world connections to coding bug rates, over-specialization, and emotional exhaustion. Tim Urban's TED Talk ("Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator") and its ties to the procrastination monkey, panic monster, and unsustainable pace. Why misalignment between expectations and reality (e.g., unrealistic deadlines) breeds toxicity. Radical Candor's "obnoxious aggression" and it can join forces with unsustainable pace to form a diabolical duo.  2. The Positive Results of a Sustainable Pace Building high-quality, continuous delivery without chaos or burnout. The connection between psychological safety, inclusivity, and long-term success in both teams and individuals. Benefits of diverse experiences, low stress, and personal peace from a sustainable pace. Practical strategies to avoid contributing to toxic work or play environments. Stories from youth sports coaching and tech leadership that illustrate how sustainable pace leads to lasting excellence. 3. Actionable Insights for a Better Future How to shift from a culture of "run fast, burn out" to one of balance, productivity, and joy. The systemic changes needed to foster sustainable pace in tech teams and youth sports organizations. Why adopting sustainable practices isn't just about survival—it's about thriving. 🎙️ Why Listen? Whether you're a tech leader, Agile practitioner, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking discussions. Learn how sustainable pace can unlock continuous learning, higher quality results, and a more fulfilling life. ✅ Subscribe to Stay Updated Don't miss other enlightening discussions! Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube channel: https://www.mobmentalityshow.com 📢 Join the Conversation What’s your experience with unsustainable pace? How have you built or experienced sustainable practices in your work, team, or community? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s talk! Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/bTvjoGosBnw   

In this exciting episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with Martin Christensen, a product transformation coach, to explore the pivotal power of mobbing in product discovery. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Mobbing Product Discovery What is Product Discovery? Understand the fundamentals user value, business value, and technical feasibility. Mob Style vs. Solo User Interviews: Learn how mobbing on user interviews enhances insights through diverse perspectives and how it contrasts with traditional solo interviews. The Benefits of Diversity: Discover why the mantra “Mob Anything” unlocks innovation, faster UI/UX iterations, and fewer lines of code while maintaining focus on user experience. Collaboration, Psychological Growth, and Transformation Barriers to New Methods: Dive into the psychological and organizational obstacles that can hinder teams from adopting mobbing or trying new approaches. Adult Development and Teaming: Martin shares insights on how stages of psychological development and life events can break down egocentrism and foster stronger collaboration. The "No Pain, No Gain" Paradox: Can growth happen without trauma? Discover the nuanced relationship between challenges, growth, and maturity in collaborative environments. Impact of Complexity on Happiness: Unpack how the complexity of problems and overall team happiness affect the ability to work effectively as a mob. Why Watch This Episode? If you’re passionate about product development, user experience, or team collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights and relatable stories. From understanding the power of mobbing in product discovery to overcoming barriers to psychological maturity in teams, this conversation will leave you inspired to experiment and grow. 🎙️ Don’t miss out! Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show today to catch this episode and explore other topics at the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. 👉 Watch here or on your favorite platform: https://www.mobmentalityshow.com/ Video and show notes: https://youtu.be/IPYXElnuBns    

Have you ever wondered who else is adopting mob programming? Or perhaps you’re curious about the diversity of organizations that practice ensemble programming? In this Mob Mentality Show episode, we take a deep dive into the Companies That Mob/Ensemble Program Board, a powerful tool for tracking and sharing insights about organizations, coaches, and educators engaging in mobbing practices worldwide. Join us as we explore the story behind this invaluable resource and its broader implications for the mob programming community. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Track Mobbing? Discover why Chris Lucian started documenting companies and organizations that practice mob programming, beginning with a simple blog post. From Blog to Trello: Learn how this tracking effort evolved from a personal blog to a comprehensive Trello Board, making it easier to manage and share. Uses of the Board: Explore the board’s practical applications, including showcasing the diversity of mobbing practices across countries, industries, and contexts like IoT (Internet of Things), eCommerce, hardware, firmware, software, government, and private sectors. Related Resources: Uncover the connections between this board and other similar initiatives, such as the Software Professional Resources Board and the "We Do TDD (Test-Driven Development)" website. Anecdotal ROI: Hear how this board can serve as anecdotal evidence of the return on investment (ROI) for mob programming from a "just sharing" perspective ( https://justsharing.dev/ ), helping promote its adoption in the software development community. New Categories: Find out about Austin’s updates, which include categories for coaches and professors who practice mobbing. Call to Action: Get inspired to contribute by adding new companies, organizations, or individuals to the board to help grow the global mobbing network. Why This Matters: The Companies That Mob/Ensemble Program Board isn’t just a list—it’s a living resource that reflects the growing diversity and diffusion of mobbing practices worldwide. It’s a tool for saving time, building community, and promoting the Just Sharing mindset. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to mobbing, this board helps you connect with others and find inspiration for your own mob programming journey. Get Involved: Want to see the board in action? Check it out here: Companies That Mob/Ensemble Program Board. Subscribe for More Episodes: Don’t miss out on future episodes of the Mob Mentality Show! Subscribe on your favorite platform today: Mob Mentality Show Website. Tune in and discover who else is mobbing—and why it’s transforming the way we work and learn! Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/yCB4n-0nxQk