BONUS: What the UK COVID App Project Taught Us About Remote Agile Collaboration | Giovanni Asproni

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BONUS: What the UK COVID App Project Taught Us About Remote Agile Collaboration: A Conversation with Giovanni Asproni

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In this special BONUS episode, Giovanni Asproni, CTO and co-founder of Launch Ventures, takes us behind the scenes of his work on the UK government's COVID-19 app project. Giovanni shares insights into the rapid development process, the adoption of remote pairing and ensemble programming, and valuable lessons on leadership in large-scale, high-stakes projects. Giovanni also offers practical advice for teams embracing remote collaboration and agile methodologies.

The Start of a Crucial Project

"When we got the call from the UK government, we knew this was a mission to help stop the spread of the virus." Giovanni kicks off the episode by recounting how his team at Zühlke Engineering got involved in the development of the UK’s COVID-19 app. Tasked with the challenge of building a solution that could help prevent the spread of the virus, they were under immense pressure to deliver quickly. Giovanni explains how they tackled technical hurdles, such as using Bluetooth technology to assess contagion risks, despite the lack of existing APIs on iOS and Android at the time.

"Speed was essential, but we also needed a robust design—Bluetooth was key to evaluating contagion risks, even though we didn’t have the APIs we needed."

Overcoming Rapid Release Challenges

"We had to move fast, but accessibility and coordination were non-negotiable." Giovanni discusses how the team, which consisted of around 60-70 members spread across the globe, used agile methodologies to stay organized and on schedule. By fostering open communication and using a clear team structure, they were able to streamline development. Agile planning and strong leadership, including cross-team coordination, were crucial to staying on track.

"Agile was our backbone—every team knew their responsibility, and clear communication meant we could deploy with confidence."

The Power of Remote Pairing and Ensemble Programming

"Pairing allowed us to maintain quality under immense pressure." Giovanni dives deep into the practices of remote pairing and ensemble programming (or mobbing), which were introduced to enhance code quality and resilience during the project. With team members working remotely and under heavy scrutiny, mobbing provided a social outlet and improved problem-solving, while tools like Tuple made remote collaboration seamless. He reflects on the success of these practices, highlighting their impact on efficiency and team morale.

"We embraced mobbing not just for resilience, but to stay connected in a time when social contact was scarce."

Advice for Remote Pairing Beginners

"Don’t overthink it—just start and take breaks!" For teams new to remote pairing or ensemble programming, Giovanni offers simple but effective advice: give it a serious try, take breaks to avoid burnout, and don't overcomplicate the process. He emphasizes that these practices can dramatically improve productivity and team cohesion if executed well.

"Take the plunge—remote pairing can feel awkward at first, but the benefits are worth it."

Key Lessons on Remote Work and Collaboration

"Don’t try to recreate the office—remote work offers unique advantages." Reflecting on the lessons from the COVID-19 app project, Giovanni explains how remote work is not just a substitute for office work but an entirely different mode of collaboration. He warns against trying to replicate office dynamics remotely, and instead, encourages teams to embrace the benefits of remote settings, such as easier scheduling and fewer distractions from management oversight.

"Remote work isn’t about replicating the office—when done right, it’s a whole new way to collaborate."

Resources for Learning More

"Explore the power of mob programming with these great resources." To wrap up, Giovanni shares a few key resources for listeners who want to dive deeper into remote pairing, ensemble programming, or leadership in software engineering. He recommends "Software Teaming" by Woody Zuill and the Remote Mob Programming website, which offers comprehensive guides and tools.

You can also find out more about Giovanni’s work at his company website: https://www.asprotunity.com.

During the episode, Giovanni mentions a network of consultants, which you can access at: https://www.clockwork.ing.

And the podcast Giovanni hosts is the Software Engineering Radio podcast.

About Giovanni Asproni Giovanni Asproni is a consultant, CTO, and co-founder of Launch Ventures. He is an expert in agile development, software design, and modern software engineering practices. Giovanni is a host for the Software Engineering Radio podcast and a frequent speaker at international conferences.

You can link with Giovanni Asproni on LinkedIn.