Pairing to get un-stuck

I loved Ady Stokes' post on getting stuck, and ways to get unstuck, https://www.ministryoftesting.com/articles/how-to-get-unstuck-a-guide-for-testers-or-anyone-else-who-feels-stumped . It prompted me to remember my own favorite way to get un-stuck - pair!

Pairing for any kind of task works better for me. Automating tests, writing a book, navigating an exploratory testing charter - all better with more than just myself. If I get stuck on the task, my pair is likely to be able to move us forward, and vice-versa. It's fun, it's a great way to learn, and more than twice as productive.

If you haven't tried it before, ask a friendly person to work with you on something for 30 minutes. At the end of your session, have a mini-retro. What went well? What could be better? Do we want to try this again?

I wrote an article a few years back about my experience pairing on a workshop for TestBash with Abby Bangser: https://www.ministryoftesting.com/articles/what-i-learned-pairing-on-a-workshop?s_id=19020789. I learned so much working with her. And, it created a fabulous learning experience for our participants. We shared the materials with others who conducted the workshop for their own teams. Many wins by working in a pair.

I also blogged about an experience automating tests for an iOS app with JoEllen Carter. The technology we refer to has moved on, but the experience is the same. https://lisacrispin.com/2014/10/12/mission-pair/

If you have some good pairing memories, please share them here! And/or create new ones!