Agile Scrum
Agile/Scrum is an iterative and incremental approach to project management and software development. It focuses on flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, promote adaptive planning, regular feedback, and the delivery of working software in short iterations called sprints. The Scrum framework consists of key roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team), artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment), and ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Review, and Retrospective).
Module 1: Agile Basics
Introduction to Agile
Agile is a set of principles for software development under which requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of self-organizing cross-functional teams. Agile promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary development, early delivery, and continuous improvement, and it encourages flexible responses to change.
The Agile Manifesto
The Agile Manifesto, established in 2001, forms the foundation of Agile. It articulates four key values: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools, Working software over comprehensive documentation, Customer collaboration over contract negotiation, Responding to change over following a plan.
Agile Principles
There are 12 key principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. These principles emphasize customer satisfaction, flexibility, collaboration, and producing high-quality software.
Module 2: Introduction to Scrum
What is Scrum?
Scrum is an Agile framework that helps teams work together. It encourages teams to learn through experiences, self-organize while working on a problem, and reflect on their wins and losses to continuously improve.
Scrum Artifacts
Scrum defines three artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment. The Product Backlog is a list of all things that need to be done within the project. The Sprint Backlog is a list of tasks to be completed in the current sprint. The Increment is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint.
Scrum Roles
Scrum has three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product. The Scrum Master ensures the team follows Scrum principles. The Development Team designs and delivers the product increment.
Scrum Events
Scrum defines five events for inspection and adaptation: The Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. These events are time-boxed events that provide regularity.
Module 3: Implementing Scrum
Starting a Scrum Project
A Scrum project begins by creating a vision for the product and building a Product Backlog. The Product Backlog is a list of features, enhancements, and fixes for the product, and it serves as the primary input to Sprint Planning.
Running Sprints
In a Sprint, the Development Team works to deliver the highest-priority items from the Product Backlog. The goal of each Sprint is to create a potentially releasable Increment of the product.
Tracking Progress
Progress is tracked visually using a Scrum Board and/or a Burn-down Chart. This transparency helps the team inspect and adapt their progress toward the Sprint Goal.
Module 4: Advanced Scrum Topics
Scaling Scrum
Scrum can be scaled for large projects that involve multiple teams. Frameworks like Nexus and SAFe provide guidance on scaling Scrum.
Common Scrum Pitfalls
Common pitfalls and challenges in implementing Scrum include neglecting the importance of the Product Owner role, not giving the team enough autonomy, and misunderstanding the purpose of the Daily Scrum.
Continuous Improvement
One of the key principles of Scrum is the commitment to continuous improvement. The team should be regularly reflecting on how to become more effective and then adjusting its behavior accordingly.