Goal-Centricity and Beyond Test First with Kyle Griffin Aretae

The Mob Mentality Show

In this exciting episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we are joined by Kyle Griffin Aretae to dive deep into the nuances of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and the crucial concept of "Goal-Centricity" in Agile practices. Kyle breaks down why TDD is so much more than just "test first" and challenges common misconceptions about this widely used development practice. If you're a software developer, Agile enthusiast, or just someone looking to refine your team's development processes, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

We explore why treating TDD as merely writing tests first misses the larger picture and how adopting a broader, more progressive approach can help your team build better, more maintainable software. Kyle shares his thoughts on the primary value proposition of TDD, focusing on **fast feedback loops** and the **refactor step** at least every 5 minutes. He explains how smaller, healthier TDD cycles allow developers to stay nimble and avoid the trap of feedback loops that last 30 minutes or more. Thus, when fast feedback loops with constant refactoring are in place as the foundation, then the "test first" aspect of TDD really shines.

Kyle also sheds light on common pitfalls, such as the misunderstanding of what it means to "do TDD" when developers claim they have 8 unit tests on 50,000 lines of code. We discusses the difference between **Cargo Cult XP (Extreme Programming)** and the real deal, as well as the critical role of **decoupling code** so tests can run in 5 seconds or less.

A key takeaway from this episode is the impact of **social programming**, TDD, and **CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery) pipelines**. We explain the importance of the "Pipeline First" principle when writing new code.

We then dive into Kyle's most controversial take on TDD: the idea that creating a **mini-plan** (a rough roadmap of what to do next) before writing tests might actually be more beneficial than strictly adhering to "test first." This, Kyle argues, leads to more robust code when integrated into strong social programming practices. We also touch on the application of **Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs** to TDD and the importance of satisfying basic development needs (like fast feedback and clean code) before tackling more complex issues.

The episode continues with a discussion on the intersection of **Goal-Centricity** and Agile. Kyle questions whether Agile methods are effective without first agreeing on a clear goal. We explore scenarios where goals are unclear or where methods are imposed without understanding the desired outcomes. Kyle shares a fascinating example of a code freeze during "Black Friday" and the unintended consequences of such decisions. We also reference a powerful quote by **Deming**, "A goal without method is cruel," explaining how the opposite can be just as problematic.

Throughout the conversation, we dive into the importance of aligning goals between management and development teams, avoiding the common trap of blindly delivering fixed requirements for bonuses, and how real Agile success comes from alignment on solving customer problems, not just ticking off tasks. Kyle emphasizes the need to start with a clear understanding of what you're trying to achieve before applying any method, whether it's Scrum or TDD.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode filled with actionable insights on TDD, Agile, and effective software development. Subscribe today and tune in to hear Kyle Griffin Aretae's unique take on how to elevate your development practices!

Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/S7K8lSibmII