Reply to: IR35 and Agile (XP)

[rob s]

Will the pair test be purely functional or also include some kind of standards assessment?
Beyond a general solution architecture, will the choice of how something is developed be your choice?

[Jatra]

Using Windows XP is clear evidence of being told what to do. If you really want to look independent, use Vista.

Good advice I'm think of switching to Windows 3.1 to really prove my independence. Anyone got a 3.5inch drive I could attach to my macbook?


I note that a few replies have assumed Scrum. That's probably due to the way most companies seem to think Agile implies Scrum, so a fair assumption (although not in this case). With any luck, companies will soon move on. Using a fixed methodology to achieve agility seems to me to be oxymoronic. I've often been in retrospectives where it's been obvious that a more ad hoc process can be beneficial.

In terms of D&C, however tasks are allocated, there's still the "how" that's significant. But I'm guessing it's standard that contractors within a team have to follow team practice!

[SueEllen]

What teams don't do that? None that I've ever been part of.

There is a common theme there...

[VectraMan]

IR35 has nothing to do with what version of Windows you are using... Really.. some people. Sheesh

Using Windows XP is clear evidence of being told what to do. If you really want to look independent, use Vista.

[VectraMan]

Scrum teams are self organising which means you all come up with the tasks. Then you all decide, based on various criteria which are team dependent, how they are to be tackled.

The product owner should be saying what they want done in the sprint but its up to the team to sort out the finer detail.

What teams don't do that? None that I've ever been part of.

My experience of Scrum/Agile is that you spend the first hour of every meeting arguing over what Scrum/Agile means.

[d000hg]

Joining a dev team as a contractor to bulk up the numbers short term does not make you inside IR35. You're still vulnerable to the client's whims "oh, there's nothing to do this week", etc.

[SueEllen]

Pretty sure that's not true. Unless you mean that given tasks a-z you get to choose which one you want to do first, assuming theres a choice left.

Scrum teams are self organising which means you all come up with the tasks. Then you all decide, based on various criteria which are team dependent, how they are to be tackled.

The product owner should be saying what they want done in the sprint but its up to the team to sort out the finer detail.

In cases where you have to work where people aren't following the process properly and you have to pair, pair with more inexperienced people or other contractors.

In short there is lots of room in scrum teams to avoid D&C as long as you are proactive.

Also no company will want to admit their agile/scrum process is incorrect. If they aren't allowing the team enough autonomy then be proactive....

[kingcook]

IR35 has nothing to do with what version of Windows you are using... Really.. some people. Sheesh

Errrrrr......

[SpontaneousOrder]

as one of the key agile/scrum principles is that you are not tasked and choose what work you want to deliver.

Pretty sure that's not true. Unless you mean that given tasks a-z you get to choose which one you want to do first, assuming theres a choice left.

[northernladuk]

IR35 has nothing to do with what version of Windows you are using... Really.. some people. Sheesh

[SueEllen]

If you're doing Scrum properly you can argue as the team is self organising there's no D&C. It's all a question of perspective.

This as well.

[minestrone]

Break down the points you have raised, put each one onto a post it, stick them up on the information radiator on the correct lane, feel free to notify the team tomorrow morning at the stand up.

Feel free to identify the most senior agile proponent in the client co organisation your Ltd is helping and kick the living crap out of them.

[Lockhouse]

If you're doing Scrum properly you can argue as the team is self organising there's no D&C. It's all a question of perspective.

[minestrone]

Yes, do as the permies do. Oh and don't forget your paid holiday, free pension, sickness, private medical, employee share scheme, and redundancy package too.

Your're a permie after all, tax man says we all are, so we must be.

And while your at it, stop paying into that ISA, since it shelters your earnings from tax, which can't be fair can it?

PS with regard to being cut out for contracting, no, way too spineless and pathetic. Have you thought of a career in politics?

And your wife divorced you on what grounds?

[Jatra]

Yes, do as the permies do. Oh and don't forget your paid holiday, free pension, sickness, private medical, employee share scheme, and redundancy package too.

Your're a permie after all, tax man says we all are, so we must be.

And while your at it, stop paying into that ISA, since it shelters your earnings from tax, which can't be fair can it?

PS with regard to being cut out for contracting, no, way too spineless and pathetic. Have you thought of a career in politics?

Very droll. Especially the bit about politics followed by "Vote for UKIP"