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Integrating pair programming as a work practice
NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
Blekinge Institute of Technology, Faculty of Computing, Department of Software Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7391-4194
Blekinge Institute of Technology, Faculty of Computing, Department of Software Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2669-0778
Blekinge Institute of Technology, Faculty of Computing, Department of Software Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1744-3118
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2026 (English)In: Journal of Systems and Software, ISSN 0164-1212, E-ISSN 1873-1228, Vol. 234, article id 112730Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Context: Pair programming (PP) is more relevant than ever. As modern systems grow in complexity, knowledge sharing and collaboration across teams have become essential. However, despite well-documented benefits of PP, its adoption remains inconsistent across software teams.

Objective: This study aims to understand the factors that facilitate or hinder team members' adoption as well as lasting engagement in PP.

Method: We have conducted an exploratory single-case study in a mature agile company in Norway. We collected data through two rounds of interviews with team members in different roles and performed a thematic analysis of the interviews.

Results: Our key finding is that multiple factors, related to the perceptions of how PP contributes to daily work, social dynamics and learning, efforts associated with engaging in PP sessions, company and team attitudes, resources, infrastructure, and task characteristics, affect PP engagement.

Conclusion: Long-term engagement in PP requires expected benefits with the practice being confirmed in firsthand experiences. Adapting the practice to each unique team, with insights drawn from collective learning, is also beneficial. Our findings will be beneficial for software practitioners seeking to make PP an integrated part of their team's workflow.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2026. Vol. 234, article id 112730
Keywords [en]
Pair programming, Work practice, Agile, Software engineering
National Category
Software Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:bth-29023DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.112730ISI: 001642402700001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105024668638OAI: oai:DiVA.org:bth-29023DiVA, id: diva2:2024928
Projects
Vertical sustainable platform organizations (VertiGO)
Funder
The Research Council of Norway, 309344The Research Council of Norway, 346563Available from: 2026-01-02 Created: 2026-01-02 Last updated: 2026-01-02Bibliographically approved

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Tkalich, AnastasiiaMoe, Nils BredeŠmite, Darja

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