Developing an Agile Team

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/developing-agile-team

Introduction

**Course Review: Developing an Agile Team on Coursera** **Introduction** In today's rapidly evolving business environment, the ability to adapt and embrace change is vital for team success. The Coursera course, *Developing an Agile Team*, offers a comprehensive guide to understanding team dynamics, leading people through change, and implementing Agile methodologies effectively. This course stands out due to its psychological foundation and practical approach, making it a valuable resource for current and aspiring team leaders. **Course Overview** *Developing an Agile Team* is designed for those who wish to foster resilience and agility within their teams. By focusing on social psychology, this course empowers leaders to understand the intricacies of human behavior in a team setting. It emphasizes empathy, understanding, and mentorship, which are essential for guiding team members through personal and professional change. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Social Psychology** - This module delves into the principles of social psychology, highlighting its importance in change management. It provides students with the tools to better understand how interpersonal dynamics can influence individual behavior, which is crucial when implementing change within a team. This foundational knowledge enriches a leader's approach, laying the groundwork for effective strategies in navigating team behavior. 2. **Agile Team** - In this section, the focus shifts to practicality. Participants begin with the basics of forming an Agile mindset. The creation of a team working agreement and empathy map serves to foster early collaboration and understanding. Introducing Scrum concepts allows leaders to establish a framework for agile practices, creating a structured yet flexible environment for their team. 3. **Agile Team Collaboration** - This module picks up momentum by exploring the tools and terminology integral to Scrum. Participants learn how to implement sprint planning, daily scrums, and retrospectives. The course encourages leaders to view these methodologies as a collaborative journey with the team, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement. 4. **Agile Team Leadership** - Effective leadership is an art that combines knowledge with the ability to facilitate. This final module focuses on enhancing facilitation skills, helping leaders to break down psychological barriers and stimulate innovation. By learning strategies for both in-person and virtual facilitation, participants are equipped to nurture their team's creativity and collaborative spirit. **Why Recommend This Course?** 1. **Psychological Knowledge**: The course emphasizes understanding the psychological underpinnings of team dynamics. This insight helps leaders tailor their approaches to suit the unique needs and behaviors of their team members. 2. **Practical Applications**: With tools and methodologies directly applicable to various industries, learners will walk away with actionable skills that can be immediately implemented in their current roles. 3. **Holistic Development**: This course encourages a more empathetic and inclusive style of leadership, fostering an empowered and engaged team environment. 4. **Flexibility and Accessibility**: Hosted on Coursera, the course offers flexibility to learn at one’s own pace, making it accessible to busy professionals seeking to upgrade their skills. **Conclusion** Overall, *Developing an Agile Team* is a highly recommended course for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills in an Agile context. It provides valuable insights into the psychological aspects of teamwork while equipping participants with practical tools and methodologies. Whether you are a seasoned leader or new to the field, this course serves as a pivotal step toward fostering a resilient and responsive Agile team environment. Embrace the journey; your team deserves a leader who understands the nuances of collaboration and change.

Syllabus

Social Psychology

When we lead change, we typically rely on change management theories for help. They bring structure, ease, and they provide context for the psychology of an individual and also organizational psychology. This leaves a gap, which manifests in how others influence individual behavior, or, in other words, social psychology. Even though the domain of social psychology is often overlooked, it provides key insights for the successful execution of change management theories. In this module, you will learn the basics of social psychology, which is instrumental as you begin implementing change management theories at the team and organizational levels.

You have a team and you’d like it to become Agile. Where do you start? You start at the beginning by developing a team working agreement, empathy map, and introducing the basic concepts of Scrum to your team, which you will work through in this module.

Scrum is a lightweight Agile framework. It can be applied across different industries, it is simple, and it can be adopted fairly quickly if the team is open to it. In this module, you will learn Scrum terminology and tools for transforming your team into an Agile one. You will be introduced to the concept of sprint planning, daily scrum, work velocity, and retrospective. As you begin implementing these tools, invite your team to take a learning journey with you. You can suggest it as a “pilot” and see if it works well for your industry, company, and your team.

When leading a team, a lot of key moments are discovered through the art of facilitation. It’s a key skill for any leader, regardless of rank. In this module, you will learn tools for facilitating teams virtually and in-person. You will learn how to break down team psychological barriers, facilitate brainstorming sessions, and cultivate the culture of innovation in a sustainable manner.