From XP to TCR & Limbo • Kent Beck & Daniel Terhorst-North • GOTO 2025

This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted. #GOTOcon #GOTOunscripted https://gotopia.tech Read the full transcription of this interview here: https://gotopia.tech/articles/355 Kent Beck - Software Engineer & Creator of Extreme Programming @KentLBeck Daniel Terhorst-North - Originator of Behavior Driven Development (BDD) & Principal at Dan North & Associates @daniel-terhorst-north RESOURCES Kent https://bsky.app/profile/kentbeck.bsky.social https://www.kentbeck.com https://github.com/KentBeck https://twitter.com/KentBeck https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentbeck Daniel https://bsky.app/profile/tastapod.com https://twitter.com/tastapod https://www.linkedin.com/in/tastapod https://github.com/tastapod https://mastodon.social/@tastapod http://dannorth.net/blog Links https://youtu.be/tgaKAF_eiOg https://youtu.be/k9lwn-RqEsE https://youtu.be/Saaz6D1azlU https://youtu.be/lOcXdXRxFgA https://youtu.be/klqo1oPdbpM https://youtu.be/ShAzlhS_TCg https://youtu.be/86-Dy5U2p5Y https://youtu.be/yuEbZYKgZas https://youtu.be/-4Ybn0Cz2oU https://youtu.be/XShcmCBK93E DESCRIPTION Kent Beck and Daniel Terhorst-North reflect on the evolution of Extreme Programming (XP) and its lasting impact on agile software development. They explore the importance of short feedback loops, iterative learning, and adaptability in different phases of product development, as outlined in Beck’s 3X model (Exploration, Expansion, Extraction). Kent introduces radical techniques like Test && Commit || Revert (TCR) and Limbo, which challenge traditional coding and collaboration practices by emphasizing tiny, safe iterations. The conversation ties in psychological safety, a key factor in high-performing teams, as outlined by Amy C. Edmondson. Kent envisions a future where software development scales in real-time, pushing teams to embrace faster experimentation, responsibility, and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. TIMECODES 00:00 Intro 00:53 Extreme Programming (XP) 03:09 The power of feedback & Continuous Delivery 07:44 Evolution of XP: From practices to people 11:39 3X Model: Managing risk through software evolution 25:02 TCR, Limbo & the future of software development 33:28 The importance of psychological safety for high-performing teams 39:32 Outro RECOMMENDED BOOKS Kent Beck • Tidy First? • https://amzn.to/4gscjjK Kent Beck & Cynthia Andres • Extreme Programming Explained • https://amzn.to/3sBASDG Amy C. Edmondson • The Fearless Organization • https://amzn.to/3Q5QPxu Amy C. Edmondson • Right Kind of Wrong • https://amzn.to/3CRbiTD Jez Humble & David Farley • Continuous Delivery • https://amzn.to/452ZRky https://bsky.app/profile/gotocon.com https://twitter.com/GOTOcon https://www.linkedin.com/company/goto- https://www.instagram.com/goto_con https://www.facebook.com/GOTOConferences #XP #EmpiricalDesign #ExtremeProgramming #Explore #Expand #Extract #3X #TDD #TCR #Limbo #PsychologicalSafety #Programming #SoftwareEngineering #KentBeck #DanNorth #DanielTerhorstNorth CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUS Join this channel to get early access to videos & other perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/join Looking for a unique learning experience? Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket at https://gotopia.tech Sign up for updates and specials at https://gotopia.tech/newsletter SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL - new videos posted almost daily. https://www.youtube.com/user/GotoConferences/?sub_confirmation=1