Computer Science Christian H. Becker Using eXtreme Programming in a Student Environment: A Case Study Master’s Project E2010:05 To Steffi and Emil © 2010 The author(s) and Karlstad University ii Using eXtreme Programming in a Student Environment: A Case Study Christian H. Becker iii v This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters degree in Computer Science. All material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and no material is included for which a degree has previously been conferred. Christian H. Becker Approved, 10th of June 2010 Advisor: Donald F. Ross Examiner: Thijs Holleboom vi vii Abstract With the advent of shorter time to market of software products there an increasing requirement for techniques and methods to improve the productivity levels in software development together with a requirement for increased flexibility and the introduction of late changes. This in turn has lead to the introduction of a set of techniques known as “Agile methods” which include one methodology known as “eXtreme Programming”. This is a collection of values, principles, and practices. Since these methods are becoming more common in industry, is has become more important to introduce these ideas in the undergraduate curriculum. This case study analysed whether or not it is possible to teach eXtreme Programming at a university by means of a course that presents a mixture of theory and practice within eXtreme programming. In this context, a case study was carried out to determine which of the practices of eXtreme Programming are more appropriate to university projects. The case study indicates that it is worth investing the effort to teach eXtreme Programming to students to enable them to apply eXtreme Programming or at least some of its practices in future business and university projects. viii ix Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor Donald F. Ross for his patience, support and continuous interest in improvement. I would like to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity of spending an unforgettable time at Karlstad University in Sweden. x xi Contents 1 Introduction...................................................................................................................1 2 Background....................................................................................................................3 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................3 2.2 Students Programming Background........................................................................3 2.3 Evaluative Research ...............................................................................................5 2.3.1 Surveys and Interviews ............................................................................................................ 7 2.3.2 Observation.............................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.3 Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 9 2.4 Case Study .............................................................................................................9 2.4.1 History of Case Studies............................................................................................................ 9 2.4.2 Description of Case Studies ....................................................................................................10 2.4.3 Qualitative versus Quantitative Methods ................................................................................10 2.4.4 The use of Case Study in the Experiment ...............................................................................10 2.5 eXtreme Programming in a nutshell......................................................................11 2.5.1 An overview of eXtreme Programming..................................................................................11 2.5.2 Applying eXtreme Programming in a Student Project Environment ......................................12 2.6 Review .................................................................................................................15 3 The analysis model.......................................................................................................17 3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................17 3.2 Hypotheses...........................................................................................................18 3.3 Survey 1 ...............................................................................................................19 3.3.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................19 3.3.2 Terms of reference for Survey 1 .............................................................................................19 3.3.3 Items of Survey 1 ....................................................................................................................20 3.3.4 Summary.................................................................................................................................23 3.4 The tools ..............................................................................................................23 3.5 The observation protocol ......................................................................................25 3.5.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................25 3.5.2 Terms of the observation.........................................................................................................26 3.5.3 The measurement of each observed practice...........................................................................28 3.5.4 Summary.................................................................................................................................31 3.6 Survey 2 ...............................................................................................................31 3.6.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................31 3.6.2 The terms of reference of Survey 2.........................................................................................31 3.6.3 Items of Survey 2 ....................................................................................................................32 3.6.4 Summary.................................................................................................................................36 3.7 The sample...........................................................................................................36 3.8 Summary..............................................................................................................37 4 Empirical Study...........................................................................................................39 4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................39 4.2 Survey 1 ...............................................................................................................39 xii 4.2.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................39 4.2.2 Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................39 4.2.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................44 4.3 The Tools .............................................................................................................45 4.3.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................45 4.3.2 Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................45 4.3.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................50 4.4 The observation protocol ......................................................................................50 4.4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................50 4.4.2 Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................50 4.4.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................53 4.5 Survey 2 ...............................................................................................................54 4.5.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................54 4.5.2 Evaluation ...............................................................................................................................54 4.5.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................63