Teaming Helper

Role Allocations

Role Descriptions

Role 1: The Driver:

  • Ask a clarifying question about what to type
  • Type something you disagree with
  • Use a keyboard shortcut
  • Learn something new about the tooling
  • Ignore a direct instruction from someone who isn't the navigator
  • Cross your arms and look sad when you don't have anything to type

Role 2: The Navigator:

  • Ask for ideas
  • Filter the group's ideas and tell the driver exactly what to type
  • Tell the driver only your high-level intent and have them implement the details
  • Create a failing test, make it pass, refactor.

Role 3: The Nose:

  • Point out repeated code
  • Point out a long line of code
  • Point out a complex conditional
  • Propose an action for removing a code smell
  • Identify a missing test case

Role 4: The Researcher:

  • Find and share relevant documentation
  • Find and share relevant information from a blog
  • Find and share relevant information from a coding forum
  • Find and share a keyboard shortcut for the tool

Role 5: The Robot:

  • Point out a repeated task in a tool
  • Point out a repeated aspect of the team process
  • Point out possible boilerplate code
  • Propose automating a repeated task
  • Propose pipeline improvements

Role 6: The Archivist:

  • Draw up a plan on a visible chart/whiteboard/task list
  • Express an idea as taking shape using a visual medium
  • Articulate the current task at hand and make it visible to the group
  • Encourage and update the ReadMe

Role 7: The Cop:

  • Make sure the tests are run and green
  • Point out when the team violates a process or working agreement
  • Capture design decisions and other technical details for the team
  • Watch out for fatigue or disinterest and bring people back into the group
  • Call out when people are not being heard or allowed to finish
  • Encourage naming conventions