I have been running a series of TDD-focussed coding dojos for a while now, mainly using the brilliant cyber-dojo platform developed by Jon Jagger.

I'm hoping to be a lot more regular with them over the next few months but at present they are just infrequent enough that I always seem to forget something in the setup to the session.

Checklists to the rescue! This is the current checklist I run through before starting a coding dojo session. Hopefully it will be useful to someone else.

Once you decide to run a dojo use this checklist:

• Find interested attendees
• Agree a venue and date
• Check venue has enough space for all attendees and a few spares
• Check wifi and network coverage for venue.
• Check electrical outlets for venue.
• Book venue for correct date.
• Book food, projector and other "extras".
• Write the agenda
  • Expectations for the session
  • How long the session will last?
  • What equipment participants need to bring (if any)?
  • Which programming language(s)?
  • What experience level is required?
  • Which problem/kata to try?
• Send invitations and add date to calendar
• Print instructions and/or cheatsheets for everyone

Immediately before the dojo starts use this checklist:

• Check cyber-dojo is online
• Bring personal laptop
• Bring projector
• Bring Instructions/Cheatsheets
• Bring Biscuits!