Agile Planning for Software Products

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/agile-planning-for-software-products

Introduction

**Course Review: Agile Planning for Software Products on Coursera** If you are looking to enhance your skills in software project management, the "Agile Planning for Software Products" course on Coursera is a worthwhile investment of your time. Whether you are a budding project manager or a seasoned developer stepping into a managerial role, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of essential planning techniques that can bolster your team's productivity and overall project success. **Overview of the Course** This course focuses on breaking down and mapping user requirements into actionable plans that ultimately drive software production. By the end of the course, participants will have the tools necessary to craft effective development plans, map user needs to developer tasks, assess and plan for risks, apply velocity-driven planning techniques, and provide precise work estimates for software products. **Syllabus Breakdown** The curriculum is structured into four well-defined modules, each building on the previous one to create a cohesive learning experience: 1. **Module 1: Introduction to Planning** This foundational module introduces the basic principles of effective planning. Participants will learn how to minimize project uncertainty by breaking down complex tasks into manageable pieces and understanding the distinctions between estimates, targets, and commitments. It sets a solid groundwork for the more advanced planning techniques that follow. 2. **Module 2: Project Planning** Building on the first module, this section delves into the practical aspects of project planning. You’ll explore story points and velocity as vital components of Agile methodologies. Time boxing techniques and Gantt charts are introduced here, giving students the visual tools needed to enhance project efficiency and planning at the release level. 3. **Module 3: Iteration Planning** This module focuses on the nuts and bolts of planning iterations or sprints, which are crucial for Agile methodologies. Participants will learn how to estimate task durations, understand dependencies between tasks, and leverage visual aids like the Critical Path Method and PERT charts to streamline their planning processes. 4. **Module 4: Risk Planning** The final module addresses one of the most challenging aspects of project management: risk. Participants will identify common pitfalls that can cause project failures, assess risks based on likelihood and impact, and equip themselves with strategies to mitigate these risks. This module ensures you leave with a proactive mindset towards potential project issues. **Why You Should Enroll** 1. **Skill Development**: The course armors you with practical skills that can be directly applied to real-world scenarios, enhancing both your personal productivity and your team's overall efficiency. 2. **Comprehensive Coverage**: The structured approach ensures you not only understand the "how" but also the "why" behind each technique, making it easier to apply them in your projects. 3. **Expert Instruction**: Coursera partners with reputable universities and organizations, so you can be confident that the insights gained are grounded in industry best practices. 4. **Flexible Learning**: As an online course, it allows you to learn at your own pace, fitting your studies around your busy schedule. 5. **Networking Opportunities**: Engaging with a community of fellow learners allows for knowledge exchange and support, further enriching the learning experience. In conclusion, if you aspire to manage software development projects effectively using Agile methodologies, "Agile Planning for Software Products" on Coursera is a highly recommended course. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will not only empower you as a project manager but will also contribute to the success of your software products in the dynamic tech landscape. Enroll today and take the first step toward mastering Agile planning!

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Planning

Welcome to the first module! In this module, you will be learning some basic principles that you will need for effective planning. You will start this module off with an introduction to planning. You will then learn about how planning, and the approach you take to planning, can reduce uncertainty in your project. We will then move onto learning how to breakdown a project into small, manageable pieces, and how to organize those pieces. Finally, we will go over the differences between estimates, targets, and commitments. Together, these lessons will build a good base for learning planning techniques at both the release and iteration level.

Welcome to module 2! Now that you’ve gotten your feet wet with general principles in project planning, let’s talk about some specific ways that you can use to implement those techniques. We’ll first discuss the concepts of story points and velocity, then move into how time boxing can be used to improve your project efficiency. We’ll then introduce the Gantt chart, a basic tried and true method of visualizing project tasks. We’ll finish off with techniques for planning your project at a release level, which will set the stage for iteration planning in the next module.

This module will be focusing on planning techniques at the iteration or sprint level. You will start by looking at various techniques for estimating task time. You will then look at task dependencies in more detail. This will come in handy when you learn two visual planning charts--the Critical Path Method chart, and the PERT chart. Finally, you will learn the process for creating an iteration plan. By the end of this module, you will have the tools you need to plan sprints or iterations for development.

You’ve made it to the last module, congratulations! Here, we’re going to talk about what can cause projects to fail. We’ll start off by discussing common causes of failures, including anti-patterns. Then, you’ll learn how to assess risks, looking at their likelihood and potential impact on the project. We’ll end on an optimistic note by leaving you with strategies for intervening when risks present themselves and avoiding those risks to begin with.