Even in XP there are things you need up front. These include: * Appropriate tools to the problem domain. * A team skilled with those, and willing and able to go XP. * Customers willing to commit time to their involvement in the process. * A SystemMetaphor. * StarUnit and an SCM appropriate for your tools. * At least one satisfactory SpikeSolution. * An initial CommitmentSchedule full of UserStories. All these things are architectural.