For the three certifying organizations, pick the one or two certifications that you are most likely to pursue at one point in your career.
· Why do you want to obtain the certification?
· How will the certifications benefit you?
· When might you obtain the certification?
In this unit, we will focus on agile certifications. Obtaining one of the certifications in agile is an indication that you have mastered agile competencies and can function as a Scrum Master. A Scrum Master, a facilitator, and coach of the agile framework is highly sought after by organizations implementing agile. There are three primary certifications in the agile domain given by three different organizations:
Scrum Alliance – Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
PMI-ACP – Agile Certified Professional
This course is designed to help you pass the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification, and the knowledge gained in this class is also applicable to other certifications, such as CSM and PMI-ACP.
2.1
After having the opportunity to complete the course, what would you change and why? What topic particularly caught your interest and what do you want to know more about? Last, but not least, if you could share with the next class one piece of advice about this class, what would it be? Please note that this pertains to the class, the materials, flow/organization, etc.
Over class
Overview of Agile & Scrum Development Methodology
Welcome to Unit 1. In this unit, you will be presented with an overview of the agile methodologies that exist today. This understanding will help you evaluate how Agile Scrum is similar and different from other agile methodologies. Some of the questions that will be explored and discussed this week are:
· What are the fundamental features and benefits of Agile Project Management?
· How does traditional project management (Waterfall) compare with Agile?
· What are the principles and values of the Agile Manifesto?
· What are the differences between Lean, Kanban, Extreme Programming, Crystal, Dynamic Systems Development Methodology, and Feature-Driven Development?
· What are the fundamentals and benefits of the Scrum method?
· What is the methodology of the Scrum process?
· What are the Scrum roles, activities, artifacts, and rules?
Objectives:
· Compare and contrast the differences between traditional project management versus agile framework.
· Evaluate and discuss agile adoption in project management.
Activities:
· Review the Course Information page.
· Download/save the course syllabus.
· Introduce yourself in the Introduction discussion forum.
· Read, view, and engage with Readings and Resources.
· Actively participate in Unit Discussions.
· Complete and submit the Quiz.
· Complete and submit the Unit 1 Assignment – Frameworks & Methodologies.
Readings and Resources
Textbooks:
Rubin, K., (2013). Essential Scrum: A practical guide to the most popular agile process (1st Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.: https://www-oreilly-com.postu.idm.oclc.org/library/view/essential-scrum-a/9780321700407/
· Chapter 1: Introduction
· Chapter 2: Scrum framework
Cobb, C. (2015). The project manager’s guide to mastering agile. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: https://www-oreilly-com.postu.idm.oclc.org/library/view/the-project-managers/9781118991046/
· Chapter 1: Introduction to agile project management
· Chapter 2: Agile history and agile manifesto
· Chapter 3: Scrum overview
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
The following videos are required for your success with this week’s discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Be sure to take good notes.
You will need to set up a free account with Agile Videos to view them. This is a simple process. As soon as you click on a video link, you will be prompted to sign up. Fill in the form and your account will be secured. – Alternative Formats PMG652 Unit 1 Video Links.docx PMG652 Unit 1 Video Links.docx – Alternative Formats
Supplemental Resources:
The document below provides some supplemental resources to explore more on agile frameworks. These are not mandatory readings for the class and are to help you expand your knowledge.
· PMG652 Supplemental Resources
Textbooks:
Rubin, K., (2013). Essential scrum: A practical guide to the most popular agile process (1st Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
· Chapter 10: Agile Principles
Cobb, C. (2015). The project manager’s guide to mastering agile. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
· Chapter 3: Scrum Overview
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
The following videos are required for your success with this week’s discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Be sure to take good notes.
· Agile Roles – Product Owner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJwEKldQ-gU
· The Role of Business Analysts in Agile Scrum? – Quick, Simple, and Very Important: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL0l0ZiIpDc
· Team Characteristics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-MlqoqMCsM&t=80s
· Agile Leadership in a Nutshell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwRbJWWxdDs
· Six Traits of an Agile Leader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uli1vviD-EY
Supplemental Resources:
The document below provides some supplemental resources to explore more on agile frameworks. These are not mandatory readings for the class and are to help you expand your knowledge.
· PMG652 Supplemental Resources
Rubin, K., (2013). Essential scrum: A practical guide to the most popular agile process (1st Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
· Chapter 5: Requirements and User Stories
· Chapter 7: Estimation and Velocity
· Chapter 19: Sprint Planning
Cobb, C. (2015). The project manager’s guide to mastering agile. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
· Chapter 7: Agile Estimation
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
The following videos are required for your success with this week’s discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Be sure to take good notes.
· Building the Project Backlog – Agile Project Management Training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUYUIj1t10Q
· Splitting User Stories – Agile Practices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDT0HMtDwYI
· Non-Functional Requirements Add Value to User Stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnD7UhnIsNc&t=212s
· MoSCoW prioritization for your product backlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzruAbBhY0Q
· Scrum Training: Backlog Grooming Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKX1bU8V7Xk
· Agile Requirements: Tips for Stakeholder Interactions and User Story Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COUMeGNggbw
· What are Story Points?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsSaolMtkKU
Supplemental Resources:
The document below provides some supplemental resources to explore more on agile frameworks. These are not mandatory readings for the class and are to help you expand your knowledge.
· PMG652 Supplemental Resources
Textbooks:
Rubin, K., (2013). Essential scrum: A practical guide to the most popular agile process (1st Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
· Chapter 11: Development Team
Cobb, C. (2015). The project manager’s guide to mastering agile. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
· Chapter 8: Agile Project Management Role
· Chapter 13: Adapting an Agile Approach to Fit a Business
· Chapter 15: Scaled Agile Framework
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
The following videos are required for your success with this week’s discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Be sure to take good notes.
· Hybrid-Agile IT Project Management Methodology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zULchdzY5UE
· SAFe 5.0 Overview in Five Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW2m-BtCJyE
Supplemental Resources:
The document below provides some supplemental resources to explore more on agile frameworks. These are not mandatory readings for the class and are to help you expand your knowledge.
· PMG652 Supplemental Resources
Textbook:
Cobb, C. (2015). The project manager’s guide to mastering agile. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
· Chapter 19: Case Study-Valpak
Articles, Websites, and Videos:
The below website provides background on how Valpak implemented agile and some of the lessons learned.
· Kilby, M. (2015, March 13). Agile roadtrip to Valpak . Agile.