Agile Planning for Software Products from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Planning

Welcome to the first module! In this module, you will be learning some basic principles that you will need for effective planning. You will start this module off with an introduction to planning. You will then learn about how planning, and the approach you take to planning, can reduce uncertainty in your project. We will then move onto learning how to breakdown a project into small, manageable pieces, and how to organize those pieces. Finally, we will go over the differences between estimates, targets, and commitments. Together, these lessons will build a good base for learning planning techniques at both the release and iteration level.

Module 2: Project Planning

Welcome to module 2! Now that you’ve gotten your feet wet with general principles in project planning, let’s talk about some specific ways that you can use to implement those techniques. We’ll first discuss the concepts of story points and velocity, then move into how time boxing can be used to improve your project efficiency. We’ll then introduce the Gantt chart, a basic tried and true method of visualizing project tasks. We’ll finish off with techniques for planning your project at a release level, which will set the stage for iteration planning in the next module.

Module 3: Iteration Planning

This module will be focusing on planning techniques at the iteration or sprint level. You will start by looking at various techniques for estimating task time. You will then look at task dependencies in more detail. This will come in handy when you learn two visual planning charts--the Critical Path Method chart, and the PERT chart. Finally, you will learn the process for creating an iteration plan. By the end of this module, you will have the tools you need to plan sprints or iterations for development.

Module 4: Risk Planning

You’ve made it to the last module, congratulations! Here, we’re going to talk about what can cause projects to fail. We’ll start off by discussing common causes of failures, including anti-patterns. Then, you’ll learn how to assess risks, looking at their likelihood and potential impact on the project. We’ll end on an optimistic note by leaving you with strategies for intervening when risks present themselves and avoiding those risks to begin with.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the process for creating an iteration plan

Examines how to breakdown a project into small, manageable pieces

Taught by Kenny Wong, who is not recognized for their work in software development planning

Covers the techniques required to break down and map requirements into plans that will ultimately drive software production

Develops skills in applying velocity-driven planning techniques

Provides an introduction to planning

Reviews summary

Practical agile planning

Learners say Agile Planning for Software Products is a course by Pluralsight that provides helpful information and good practices for planning software products using Agile methodologies. This course is well received by learners despite having mixed reviews. Learners appreciate the practical and easy-to-understand content.

Practical and easy to understand

"Helpul information and good practice!"

Mixed reviews but overall positive

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Agile Planning for Software Products with these activities:

Follow a tutorial on how to use a project management tool.

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Following a tutorial on how to use a project management tool will help you learn how to effectively plan and execute software development projects.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Choose a project management tool.
Find a tutorial on how to use the tool.

Read 'Agile Software Development' by Robert C. Martin.

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of agile software development methodologies, which can help you enhance your planning skills.

View Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes.
Summarize the key concepts of agile software development.

Discuss project planning techniques with your peers.

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Discussing project planning techniques with your peers will help you gain different perspectives and learn from others' experiences.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Find a peer to discuss project planning techniques with.
Discuss different project planning techniques.

Five other activities

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Compile your module notes.

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Compiling your module notes will help you better organize and retain the information you have learned.

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Gather your notes from each module.
Organize your notes by topic.
Summarize the key points of each topic.

Attend a workshop on project planning for software development.

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Attending a workshop on project planning for software development will help you learn about best practices and gain hands-on experience.

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Find a workshop on project planning for software development.
Attend the workshop.

Estimate project durations.

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Estimating project durations will help you develop a better understanding of how to plan and execute software development projects.

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Read the project description and identify the key requirements.
Break down the project into smaller tasks.
Estimate the time required to complete each task.

Volunteer as a project planner on an open-source software project.

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Volunteering as a project planner on an open-source software project will give you practical experience in planning and executing software development projects.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Find an open-source software project that you are interested in.
Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in volunteering.

Develop a project plan for a software application.

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Developing a project plan for a software application will help you apply the planning techniques you have learned in the course.

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Identify the project goals and objectives.
Define the project scope.
Create a work breakdown structure.

Career center

Learners who complete Agile Planning for Software Products will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

Utilize the concepts and techniques learned in Agile Planning for Software Products to excel as a Software Engineer. With this course, you'll build a solid foundation in effective planning for software development, mapping user requirements to developer tasks, assessing project risks, and optimizing velocity through planning techniques. This strong understanding will help you excel in the field, enabling you to plan and execute successful software development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Project Manager

Complement your Project Management skills with the knowledge gained from Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides invaluable insights into breaking down requirements into plans that drive software production. By mastering effective planning, mapping user requirements, assessing risks, and applying velocity-driven planning techniques, you'll enhance your project management capabilities, ensuring successful project delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Product Manager

Enhance your Product Management expertise by enrolling in Agile Planning for Software Products. This course empowers you with the techniques to translate user requirements into actionable plans for software development teams. By effectively mapping requirements, assessing risks, and applying velocity-driven planning, you'll drive product development success, ensuring alignment between stakeholder needs and software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Elevate your Business Analyst skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course equips you with the techniques to bridge the gap between business requirements and software development. By mastering effective planning, mapping user requirements, and assessing risks, you'll enhance your ability to gather, analyze, and translate stakeholder needs into actionable software requirements, ensuring successful project outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Scrum Master

Enrich your Scrum Master knowledge with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of agile planning techniques, enabling you to effectively guide teams through the software development lifecycle. By mastering effective planning, assessing risks, and applying velocity-driven planning, you'll enhance your ability to facilitate successful sprints, resolve impediments, and ensure team productivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Quality Assurance Analyst

Enhance your Quality Assurance Analyst skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides valuable insights into effective planning and risk assessment techniques, enabling you to contribute to software quality from the planning stages. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll strengthen your ability to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Technical Writer

Complement your Technical Writer skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a solid foundation in effective planning and documentation techniques, enabling you to create clear and concise technical documentation that supports software development teams. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll enhance your ability to translate complex technical information into user-friendly documentation, ensuring successful software adoption and usage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Analyst

Enrich your Data Analyst skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a foundation in effective planning and data analysis techniques, enabling you to contribute to data-driven decision-making in software development. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll enhance your ability to analyze data, identify trends, and provide valuable insights that drive software product improvement.

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IT Consultant

Enhance your IT Consultant expertise with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides valuable insights into effective planning and project management techniques, enabling you to provide expert advice and guidance to clients in the software industry. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll strengthen your ability to assess client needs, develop tailored solutions, and ensure successful software implementations.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Software Tester

Elevate your Software Tester skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a solid foundation in effective planning and testing techniques, enabling you to contribute to the delivery of high-quality software products. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll enhance your ability to design and execute test cases, identify defects, and ensure software reliability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Systems Analyst

Complement your Systems Analyst skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides valuable insights into effective planning and systems analysis techniques, enabling you to excel in the design and implementation of software systems. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll strengthen your ability to gather requirements, analyze systems, and design solutions that meet business needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

DevOps Engineer

Enrich your DevOps Engineer skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a foundation in effective planning and DevOps principles, enabling you to contribute to the seamless integration of development and operations. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll enhance your ability to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and ensure continuous delivery of software products.

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Solution Architect

Complement your Solution Architect skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides valuable insights into effective planning and solution design techniques, enabling you to excel in the design and implementation of software solutions. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll strengthen your ability to analyze business needs, design scalable solutions, and ensure successful software implementations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solution Architect

Database Administrator

Enhance your Database Administrator skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides a foundation in effective planning and database management techniques, enabling you to contribute to the efficient and reliable operation of software systems. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll enhance your ability to design, implement, and maintain databases, ensuring the integrity and availability of data.

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Network Administrator

Complement your Network Administrator skills with Agile Planning for Software Products. This course provides valuable insights into effective planning and network management techniques, enabling you to excel in the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer networks. By understanding software development processes and mastering effective planning, you'll strengthen your ability to analyze network requirements, design and implement network solutions, and ensure network reliability and performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator