Why ensemble working builds stronger engineering teams with Clare Sudbery | The Digital Lighthouse
Shownotes
In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, host Zoe Cunningham talks with Clare Sudbery — independent technical coach, consultant, and international speaker with over 25 years in software engineering. Clare has worked across healthcare, insurance, and travel, and now helps technical teams boost performance through clarity, alignment, and collaboration.
Together they explore ensemble working — also known as mob programming or software teaming — and why it’s a powerful shift from solo coding to true collective problem-solving. Clare explains how ensemble working speeds up delivery, reduces risk, and builds stronger, kinder teams that learn faster and work better together.
Discover:
What ensemble working is and how it extends pair programming
Why complex systems demand collaboration, not heroics
How agile and XP principles shape ensemble practices
The hidden costs of handoffs and meetings — and how to remove them
Why onboarding, training, and new features are ideal starting points
How kindness and fast feedback drive high performance
See Clare live on 16 October at Outpace Conf Manchester → outpaceconf.com