Introduction to Agile Learning Objectives
Introduction to Agile is designed to leave delegates more confident in five key areas:
- The intention behind agile ways of working including the Agile Manifesto.
- Managing the flow of requirements from vision to reality.
- Organising requirements with user stories and backlogs.
- Roles and interactions.
- Putting agile ways of working into action.
Audience, pre-requisites and assumed knowledge
As an introduction-level course there is no assumed knowledge in agile principles, technology, or product delivery.
Typical delegates may have the following backgrounds and roles:
- Members of development teams with specialisms in software engineering, testing, analysis and design.
- Project managers seeking to adapt to agile ways of working.
- Product owners and product managers.
- Stakeholders or users of products who need a good working relationship with agile teams.
- Non-software teams such as marketing or finance, seeking to apply agile principles to their own work.
When delivered as a private class, the course may be pitched at an appropriate level, for example:
- Experienced teams can quickly re-establish the basics and then spend more time considering the detail of their approach.
- Non-technical teams may prefer less of an emphasis on software engineering.
Approach
We are a friendly team of practitioners and we like to provide a personal level of support, before, during and after the class:
- Pre-course reading designed to expose questions so that they can be explored in class.
- Contact details allowing delegates to ask questions to the trainer before and after the class.
- Access to a comprehensive set of guidance after the course so that delegates apply what has been learnt.
- Digital course effectiveness surveys with results sent out to delegates and sponsors straight after the class.
Introduction to Agile Course Content
Product delivery simulation
As part of the Introduction to Agile active workshop, delegates deliver product to a customer in an engaging, easily understandable simulation.
In doing so, many of the issues associated with more complex product delivery are surfaced and can be related to the agile principles discussed throughout the course.
Delegates are likely to experience:
- Requirements ambiguity.
- Quality issues.
- The effect of collaboration rather than working in silos.
- Problems with large batches of work.
- Whole team accountability.
- The need for continuous improvement.
Agile and agility
We introduce the intent of agile practices as a business capability that delivers competitive advantage.
The agile manifesto and the Lean principles of software delivery are explained while delegates are invited to relate these ideas to their real working practices.
Scrum and Kanban
The two mainstream agile delivery frameworks and methods are outlined at a high level. We discuss how, when used effectively, these techniques can help to realize the competitive advantages of business agility. Consequently delegates are able to consider which delivery framework may be most appropriate for the work they are managing.
Scrum framework
Roles in an agile team
We explore the roles of scrum master (or agile coach), product owner, and development team. Clarifying the responsibilities and activities of these roles often throws up some surprises or differences between the theory and what is currently being practiced. This lively debate helps to establish the intent behind the roles and clear up any myths.
Product workshop
Delegates take a product idea and develop it into a plan for delivery using the principles that have been taught throughout the day. During this workshop, delegates gain practical experience with:
- Establishing a product vision.
- Creating an initial backlog.
- Identifying a minimum viable product.
- Writing user stories and epic user stories.
- Estimating size and complexity.
- Creating a release plan with forecast delivery dates.
Introduction to Agile Outcomes
Delegates leave the introduction to agile training course with a shared experience of the terminology, intended benefits and practical application of agile practices. In addition, the delegates can immediately apply the techniques and exercises to their own real world product delivery.
