Is It XP?

People often ask us if its still XP if we dont have a customer with us, or work in cubes instead of together, or dont pair program, or dont write many tests. Its natural to ask this question, but in fact it isnt that helpful.

Software development is a complex business, and it requires all the skill we can bring to bear and all the good practices we know. The Extreme Programming practices represent important skills in software development. They are richthey represent many skills, not just a dozen . They work together in ways that are fairly obvious, like the way that testing supports improving the design without breaking things. They also work together in subtle ways, ways that youll recognize only when you encounter them. People who learn and use all the practices, together, all the time, often report that the development experience has been one of the best of their lives.

My advice to you is to try all the practices, mindfully, until you are skilled with them. Use them in all the combinations you can, and integrate them fully into your skill set. Eventually, it wont matter then whether youre doing XP or not. Youll be better equipped to do the best work of which you are capable in a style that is what it should be: a style all your own.