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The Forest and the Desert is a metaphor for occupied with software program
growth processes, developed by Beth Anders-Beck and her father Kent Beck.
It posits that two communities of software program builders have nice issue
speaking to one another as a result of they reside in very totally different contexts, so
recommendation that applies to at least one feels like nonsense to the opposite.
The desert is the frequent world of software program growth, the place bugs are
plentiful, ability is not cultivated, and communications with customers is tough.
The forest is the world of a well-run group that makes use of one thing like Excessive Programming, the place builders swiftly put adjustments into
manufacturing, protected by their exams, code is invested in to maintain it wholesome,
and there may be common contact with The Buyer.
Clearly Beth and Kent desire The Forest (as do I). However the metaphor is extra
about how description of The Forest and the recommendation for the way to work there usually
sounds nonsensical to these whose solely expertise is The Desert. It reminds us
that any classes we draw about software program growth follow, or architectural
patterns, are ruled by the context that we skilled them. It’s doable
to alter Desert into Forest, however it’s tough – usually requiring folks to do
issues which are each laborious and counter-intuitive. (It appears sadly simpler for
The Forest to undergo desertification.)
On this framing I am undoubtedly a Forest Dweller, and search with Thoughtworks
to domesticate a wholesome forest for us and our purchasers. I work to elucidate The Forest to Desert
Dwellers, and assist my fellow Forest Dwellers to make their forest much more
plentiful.
Acknowledgements
Kent Beck equipped the picture, which he might have painstakingly drew pixel by
pixel. Or not.