Final answer:
Pairs of developers are tasked with working on all parts of the software to facilitate collective ownership, encourage shared responsibility, knowledge sharing, and reduce the risk of a single point of failure, which are essential aspects of agile software development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pairs of developers are tasked with working on all parts of the software because this approach facilitates collective ownership, which is a key principle in agile software development methodologies. This strategy allows for multiple perspectives to be considered, reduces the risk of a single point of failure, and enhances knowledge sharing within the development team. When pairs of developers work on all parts of the software, they can ensure consistency in coding practices, quality assurance, and can more easily maintain and extend the software over time.
Moreover, collective ownership encourages all team members to contribute to every part of the project, which fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability. This can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving as various expertise and skills are combined. Additionally, having multiple developers familiar with all parts of the codebase makes it easier to manage personnel changes without disrupting the workflow.