Agile

Agile methods emphasize flexibility and adaptability, and the Agile framework lends itself well to projects where requirements and solutions evolve with time. Scrum, with its inherent simplicity and lightweight processes, is the most popular way of introducing Agility to a project.

The course content is designed to be flexible to suit different needs. The core course modules can either be supplemented with optional modules, exploring Agile topics in more detail, or by further practical Scrum exercises to embed the methodology more firmly.

Core Course Outline:

Agile vs Traditional methodologies

• Group exercise – highlighting differences in methodologies
• Overview history of software development methodologies since 1960s
• Discussion on weaknesses of predictive approaches to software delivery
• Benefits of adaptive (Agile) approach, in the current technological world

Agile Manifesto and Principles

• Overview history of Agile methodologies
• Discussion on Agile Manifesto statements
• Group exercise – applying the Agile principles to own context

Scrum Foundational Principles

• Scrum origins
• Scrum teams
• Empirical process control

Scrum Framework and Techniques

• Overview of the Scrum Framework
• Scrum roles and responsibilities – Scrum Master, Product Owner, Team
• Scrum events – Release/Sprint Planning, Review, Retrospective, Scrum meeting
• Scrum artefacts – Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Burndown charts and Taskboards

Group exercise– Practical application of Scrum to a development project consisting of a series of iterations

• Pitfalls to avoid when transitioning to Scrum
• Practical Scrum Exercises/Optional Module 1
• Practical Scrum Exercises/Optional Module 2

Retrospectives

• The Deming Cycle – Continuous Improvement
• Retrospective Framework
• Group Exercise – Retrospective

Optional Modules

• Agile Teams
• Agile Testing
• Estimation and User Stories
• Project Management and Scrum
• Scaling Agile
• Lean and Kanban