On knowledge transfer skill in pair programming

Abstract

Context: General knowledge transfer is often considered a valuable effect or side-effect of pair programming, but even more important is its role for the success of the pair programming session itself: The partners often need to explain an idea to carry the process forward. Goal: Understand the mechanisms at work when knowledge is transferred during a pair programming session; provide practical advice for constructive behavior. Method: Qualitative data analysis of recordings of actual industrial pair programming sessions. Results: Some pairs are much more efficient in their knowledge transfer than others. These pairs manage to (1) not attempt to explain multiple things at once, (2) not lose sight of a topic, (3) clarify difficult points in stages.