The Forest and the Desert is a metaphor for fascinated with software program
growth processes, developed by Beth Andres-Beck and hir father Kent Beck.
It posits that two communities of software program builders have nice issue
speaking to one another as a result of they dwell in very completely different contexts, so
recommendation that applies to 1 seems 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 modifications into
manufacturing, protected by their checks, code is invested in to maintain it wholesome,
and there may be common contact with The Buyer.
Clearly Beth and Kent favor The Forest (as do I). However the metaphor is extra
about how description of The Forest and the recommendation for how one can 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 apply, or architectural
patterns, are ruled by the context that we skilled them. It’s doable
to vary Desert into Forest, however it’s tough – usually requiring individuals to do
issues which might be each arduous 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 shoppers. 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 provided the picture, which he could have painstakingly drew pixel by
pixel. Or not.
