Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/agile-development-and-scrum

Introduction

### Course Review: Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum on Coursera In an era where rapid response to market changes and customer needs is paramount, mastering Agile principles and Scrum frameworks can significantly enhance project management efficiency. The course "Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum" available on Coursera serves as an excellent gateway into the world of Agile methodologies. #### Course Overview This self-paced introductory course provides learners with the foundational knowledge needed to implement Agile concepts effectively. Upon completion, students will develop a robust understanding of adaptive planning, iterative development, and continuous improvement, enabling them to deliver value to customers at an accelerated pace. #### Syllabus Breakdown The syllabus is structured into several comprehensive modules that progressively build on your understanding of Agile and Scrum: 1. **Introduction to Agile and Scrum** - This initial module lays the groundwork by exploring the philosophy behind Agile methodologies and their characteristics. You'll get a comparative overview of Agile in relation to other methodologies such as Waterfall, Extreme Programming (XP), and Kanban. The module also addresses the five essential practices of working Agile. It introduces Scrum as an effective framework, explaining its significance through defined roles, events, and artifacts. This foundation sets the stage for understanding how Agile can foster team alignment and improve system development. 2. **Agile Planning** - The Agile Planning module dives into the nitty-gritty of iterative planning methodologies. Here, you'll gain skills in crafting effective user stories, estimating and assigning story points, and managing a product backlog. The focus on building and refining a sprint plan equips you with practical tools that are immediately applicable in real-world settings. 3. **Daily Execution** - In the Daily Execution module, the focus shifts to the operational aspects of Agile. You’ll learn about the daily workflow involved in executing a sprint plan, including how to manage team updates effectively through daily stand-up meetings. The insights into using burndown charts to track progress and conducting sprint reviews and retrospectives are invaluable for any project manager looking to enhance team performance through actionable metrics. 4. **[Optional] Honors Project - Create an Agile Plan with ZenHub** - This optional project allows you to apply the concepts learned throughout the course by developing an Agile plan using the ZenHub platform. While optional, engagement in this project provides a practical application that can solidify your learning experience. #### Pros of the Course - **Comprehensive Content**: The course covers a wide array of topics essential for understanding Agile and Scrum methodologies. - **Flexible Learning Pace**: The self-paced nature of the course allows you to learn at your convenience, making it suitable for working professionals. - **Practical Applications**: The course emphasizes real-world applications, helping you implement what you learn directly into your work environment. #### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for: - **Beginner Project Managers**: If you’re new to Agile, this course will provide a solid grounding in its principles and practices. - **Professionals Transitioning to Agile**: Those looking to transition from traditional project management methods like Waterfall to Agile frameworks can greatly benefit. - **Teams Seeking Improvement**: If you are part of a team looking to enhance collaboration and project delivery, understanding Agile is key. #### Conclusion In conclusion, "Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum" on Coursera is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to harness the power of Agile methodologies. With its well-structured syllabus and practical focus, you are equipped to understand and implement Agile concepts that can lead to significant improvements in project delivery and customer satisfaction. Dive in and take the first step towards mastering Agile today!

Syllabus

Introduction to Agile and Scrum

In this module, you will be introduced to the philosophy and characteristics of Agile. You will learn about other methodologies including Waterfall, Extreme Programming (XP) and Kanban, and how they relate to Agile. You’ll explore the five practices of working Agile. Next, you’ll get an overview of Scrum as a framework for applying Agile principles to project management. You’ll learn how Scrum benefits the project management process by advocating defined roles, events, and artifacts. You’ll learn how companies can organize for success using Agile, and how team alignment and autonomy contribute to building better systems. You’ll also learn how to recognize and avoid Agile anti-patterns and measure Scrum team health.

In this module, you will learn more details about Agile iterative planning. You will also learn how to create good user stories, estimate and assign story points, build and refine a product backlog, and build a sprint plan.

This module describes the daily workflow for executing a sprint plan, including how to determine which story to work on and how to keep the team updated on progress. You will learn what a daily stand-up is and how to run one. You’ll learn how to use burndown charts to forecast the team’s ability to achieve the sprint goal. You’ll learn how to conduct the sprint review and the sprint retrospective. And you’ll find out how to measure success and use actionable metrics to improve the team’s performance.