XP CONFERENCE 2001

THE CONTRACT

Frank ChanPartner

Hesketh Henry

This powerpoint presentation was prepared by Frank Chan, Partner of Hesketh Henry, for the

XP Conference 2001 9-10 October 2001.This presentation is an overview of the legal

issues relevant to an XP contract.Frank is working with the New Zealand XP Users

Group to develop an XP Contract. If you have any comments, questions or ideas please contact

Frank Chan by email at:

frank.chan@heskethhenry.co.nz

User’s Expectations

• What do I get?

• When do I get it?

• What will it cost?

Developer’s Obligations

• What do I do?

• When must I do it?

• What will I get paid?

Common Contract Problems

• Mismatch of expectations

• Cost overruns

• Wrong/defective delivery

• Deadline not met

Inherent Contract Problems

• Capacity to perform

• Financial integrity

Competing Interests

Certain vs Flexible scope

Fixed vs Variable cost

Fixed vs Managed timeframe

XP is

• A culture

• A process

• A contract ?

Key XP features ?

• Confidence in developer

• Interactive capability

• Discrete releases

• Regular payments

User has less risk

• Sees work in progress

• Small at risk component

When is XP an option?

• Project nature

• Educated users

• Symbiotic relationship

But What About -

• Programming “blocks”?

• Unforeseen problems?

• Quality?

Is an XP contract

• Open-ended?

• Pay as you go (t & m)?

Converting the 4 XP values into a contract

• Communication

• Simplicity

• Feedback

• Courage

Communication

• Availability

• At the right level

• Decision-making

Simplicity

• Project management

• Processes

• Decision-making

Feedback

• Regular communication

• Constant flow

• Action focused

Courage

• Flexibility vs certainty

• Risk & return

• Confidence & capability

XP Contract Components

• User stories

• Prioritised

• Agreed form

• Customer on site

• Authoritive feedback

• Regular meetings

• Timesheets at approved rates

• Approval

• Payment

• Regular & short releases

• Customer’s acceptance

• Developer’s role

• Termination at any time