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Managing an Agile Team

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 1,361 ratings
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Alex Cowan

While agile has become the de facto standard for managing digital innovation teams, many wonder if they’re doing it ‘right’. Twitter is full of jokes about how teams say they do agile but don’t ‘really’ do it. The reality is that getting the most out of agile is less about observing specific procedures and more about how a team focuses and measures their progress.

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While agile has become the de facto standard for managing digital innovation teams, many wonder if they’re doing it ‘right’. Twitter is full of jokes about how teams say they do agile but don’t ‘really’ do it. The reality is that getting the most out of agile is less about observing specific procedures and more about how a team focuses and measures their progress.

Rather than just boring you with an accounting of agile methodologies, this course focuses on helping you better charter your team’s focus, definition of success, and practice of agile. While learning about agile mainstays like Scrum, XP, and kanban, you’ll also learn to help your team ask the right questions about how they’re working and facilitate good answers on how agile can help.

This course is supported by the Batten Institute at UVA’s Darden School of Business. The Batten Institute’s mission is to improve the world through entrepreneurship and innovation: www.batteninstitute.org.

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Syllabus

The Agile Team
This week we’ll introduce the four fundamental jobs of software development to help you define what’s important to your team and, hence, which of the many agile practices might make the most sense for you to try out. Then we’ll talk about achieving alignment with your company while maintaining autonomy through an agile team charter. We’ll close by stepping through the leading agile methodologies--Scrum, XP, and kanban. You’ll finish the week with an understanding of how to pair what’s important to your team with the best of what agile has to offer.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a framework for understanding the four fundamental jobs of software development, helping learners define what's important to their team
Incorporates principles from Scrum, XP, and Kanban, providing a comprehensive understanding of agile methodologies
Teaches how to prioritize learning and focus on outcomes, enabling teams to drive better user outcomes
Covers specific coding practices from XP, offering guidance on how to incorporate these into agile development
Designed for teams with experience in digital innovation, requiring learners to have background knowledge in agile concepts
Emphasizes team charter and autonomy, fostering alignment with company goals while maintaining team independence

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Reviews summary

Understanding and applying agile principles

According to learners, this course offers a practical approach to managing agile teams, emphasizing the 'why' behind agile principles rather than just the mechanics of methodologies. Students appreciate the focus on outcomes over output and find the frameworks and tools provided to be immediately applicable to their work. The course covers core concepts like Scrum, XP, and Kanban effectively, making it suitable for those new to managing agile teams or seeking a deeper understanding. Some reviewers noted that while it provides a strong foundation, more experienced practitioners might find it introductory. The peer-reviewed assignments are frequently mentioned as a valuable way to apply learning, though some found the process occasionally inconsistent. Overall, the course is seen as a valuable resource for navigating the complexities of agile team management.
Assignments help apply learning, despite issues.
"The peer-reviewed assignments forced me to think about applying the concepts to my specific team context, which was very helpful."
"I really appreciated the opportunity to put theory into practice through the structured assignments."
"While the peer review part could be hit or miss depending on the reviewer, the assignment itself was highly relevant."
"Applying the course material to my own project was key to solidifying my understanding."
Provides a solid base in key agile concepts.
"It covers the essential concepts of Scrum, XP, and Kanban in a clear and understandable way."
"For someone transitioning into an agile environment, this course is a perfect starting point."
"I gained a solid understanding of the core principles needed to effectively manage my team agilely."
"The structure logically builds foundational knowledge before diving into practices."
Focuses on practical application, not just theory.
"The course does an excellent job of focusing on the practical application of agile principles rather than just theory."
"I found the frameworks and tools discussed to be incredibly useful and something I could apply immediately in my team."
"This course cuts through the dogma and explains *why* agile works, which is far more valuable than just describing processes."
"It provided tangible strategies for shifting my team's focus towards outcomes."
May be basic for those with extensive agile background.
"As someone with several years of agile experience, I found some parts of the course to be a bit basic."
"If you're looking for deep dives into advanced agile techniques, this might not fully meet your needs."
"Good overview, but perhaps not enough depth for seasoned practitioners."
"Felt like a good refresher, but didn't introduce many entirely new concepts for me personally."
Quality of feedback varies among peers.
"The quality of feedback I received on assignments varied wildly depending on who reviewed my work."
"Sometimes the peer reviews weren't very constructive or didn't seem to understand the assignment."
"Hoping the peer review process could be improved for more consistent feedback."
"Had a few instances where peer grading seemed unfair or rushed."

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 Managing an Agile Team with these activities:
Review 'Agile Software Development with Scrum'
Undertake a comprehensive review of 'Agile Software Development with Scrum' to solidify understanding of agile principles and practices.
Show steps
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Engage in group discussions or forums to share insights and clarify understanding.
  • Apply the concepts to a personal or work project to gain hands-on experience.
Explore Agile Case Studies and Best Practices
Delve into real-world examples of agile implementation through guided tutorials, gaining valuable insights from industry leaders.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources for agile case studies.
  • Select a case study that aligns with your interests or industry.
  • Follow the tutorial and take notes on the key takeaways.
  • Discuss the case study with peers or mentors to exchange perspectives.
Develop a Presentation on Scaled Agile Frameworks
Craft a captivating presentation on scaled agile frameworks, exploring their benefits and implementation strategies.
Browse courses on Agile Management
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on various scaled agile frameworks.
  • Identify a specific framework to focus on.
  • Develop a clear and engaging presentation outline.
  • Design and create visually appealing slides.
  • Practice and refine the presentation to enhance delivery skills.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Kanban Board Management
Engage in repetitive exercises to master the techniques of Kanban board management, improving workflow efficiency.
Browse courses on Kanban
Show steps
  • Set up a Kanban board for a personal or work project.
  • Create cards and assign them to different columns based on status.
  • Practice moving cards through the workflow stages.
  • Monitor the board and identify areas for improvement.
  • Experiment with different Kanban techniques and tools.
Attend a Workshop on Agile Estimation Techniques
Develop proficiency in agile estimation techniques through a practical workshop, improving your ability to accurately forecast project timelines.
Browse courses on Agile Estimation
Show steps
  • Research and select a reputable workshop on agile estimation.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises.
  • Apply the techniques to real-world projects to refine your skills.
  • Share your knowledge with team members to improve estimation practices.
Build a Personal Agile Management Platform
Initiate a practical project involving the creation of an agile management platform, providing a tangible application of course concepts.
Browse courses on Agile Management
Show steps
  • Define the scope and requirements for the platform.
  • Research and select suitable tools and technologies.
  • Design and develop the platform, incorporating agile principles.
  • Test and iterate on the platform to ensure functionality and user-friendliness.
  • Deploy the platform and monitor its usage to identify areas for improvement.
Contribute to Open-Source Agile Tools
Engage in the open-source community by contributing to agile tools, gaining hands-on experience and enhancing your understanding of agile principles.
Browse courses on Agile Development
Show steps
  • Identify a reputable open-source agile tool to contribute to.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase.
  • Identify areas where you can make valuable contributions.
  • Create and submit pull requests with your contributions.
  • Collaborate with other contributors to improve the tool.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing an Agile Team will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Agile Project Manager
Agile methodologies are essential to the work of an Agile Project Manager, who is tasked with planning, organizing, and managing software development projects. This course will introduce you to agile methodologies such as Scrum, XP, and Kanban, and help you learn how to apply them to your work. You will also learn how to facilitate team collaboration and communication, and how to track and measure progress. If you are interested in a career as an Agile Project Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Project Manager
Software Development Manager
Software Development Managers are responsible for leading and managing software development teams. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to create and manage agile teams, how to track and measure progress, and how to communicate effectively with stakeholders. You will also learn about the latest software development trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Software Development Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Manager
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating agile software development teams. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to facilitate team meetings, how to track and measure progress, and how to remove obstacles to team success. You will also learn about the latest agile trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Scrum Master, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for defining and managing the development of software products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to define product requirements, how to prioritize features, and how to track and measure product success. You will also learn about the latest product development trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Product Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn about the latest software development trends and technologies, and you will gain experience in agile software development practices. If you are interested in a career as a Software Engineer, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between software development and IT operations. This course will introduce you to DevOps principles and practices, and help you learn how to apply them to your work. You will also learn about the latest DevOps tools and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a DevOps Engineer, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for understanding business requirements and translating them into technical specifications. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to gather and analyze requirements, how to create user stories, and how to communicate with stakeholders. You will also learn about the latest business analysis trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Business Analyst, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for ensuring that software products meet quality standards. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to test software applications, how to identify and report defects, and how to work with development teams to improve product quality. You will also learn about the latest quality assurance trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Quality Assurance Analyst, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make better decisions. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to gather and clean data, how to perform data analysis, and how to communicate your findings to stakeholders. You will also learn about the latest data analysis trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Data Analyst, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers are responsible for designing and developing user interfaces for software products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to conduct user research, how to create user personas, and how to design user interfaces that are both usable and aesthetically pleasing. You will also learn about the latest user experience trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a User Experience Designer, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Technical Writer
Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for software products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to write clear and concise documentation, how to use technical writing tools, and how to work with development teams to produce high-quality documentation. You will also learn about the latest technical writing trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Technical Writer, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for software products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to create marketing plans, how to conduct market research, and how to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. You will also learn about the latest marketing trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Marketing Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams for software products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to create sales plans, how to motivate sales teams, and how to track and measure sales performance. You will also learn about the latest sales trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Sales Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing software development projects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. You will learn how to create project plans, how to manage project budgets, and how to track and measure project progress. You will also learn about the latest project management trends and technologies. If you are interested in a career as a Project Manager, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
IT Manager
IT Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing IT departments for software companies. This course may be useful if you are interested in a career as an IT Manager. You will learn about the latest IT trends and technologies, and you will gain experience in agile software development practices.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Managing an Agile Team.
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It introduces the Lean Startup methodology, which is based on the idea of testing ideas quickly and cheaply, and then iterating based on the results.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
Explains why large companies often fail to innovate. It argues that large companies are too focused on protecting their existing businesses, and that they are therefore unable to see the potential of new technologies and business models.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
The Phoenix Project
Save
Novel that tells the story of a team of IT professionals who are trying to save their company from disaster. It provides a practical guide to implementing DevOps, a set of practices that can help companies improve their software development and delivery processes.
The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and...
Paperback
$$
The Phoenix Project
Paperback
$$
The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Power of Regret
Save
Provides a new understanding of what motivates people. It argues that the old carrots and sticks approach to motivation is no longer effective, and that companies need to find new ways to engage their employees.
The Power of Regret
Paperback
Check
The Power of Regret
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Art of Agile Development
Save
Practical guide to agile development. It covers all aspects of agile development, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement. It valuable resource for anyone who is looking to learn more about agile development.
The Art of Agile Development
Paperback
Check
The Art of Agile Development
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
A Scrum Book
Save
Provides a practical guide to Scrum. It covers all aspects of Scrum, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
A Scrum Book: The Spirit of the Game
Paperback
$$
A Scrum Book: The Spirit of the Game
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Discovering Kanban
Save
Provides a practical guide to Kanban. It covers all aspects of Kanban, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
Discovering Kanban: The Evolutionary Path to...
Paperback
$$
Discovering Kanban: The Evolutionary Path to...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Functional Design
Save
Provides a practical guide to agile development using C#. It covers all aspects of agile development, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
SAFe 5.0 Distilled
Save
Provides a practical guide to agile development in large enterprises. It covers all aspects of agile development, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
SAFe 5.0 Distilled: Achieving Business Agility with...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The DevOps Handbook
Save
Provides a practical guide to DevOps. It covers all aspects of DevOps, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
The DevOps Handbook: How to Create World-Class...
Paperback
$$
The DevOps Handbook: How to Create World-Class...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Wild West to Agile
Save
Provides a practical guide to agile project management. It covers all aspects of agile project management, from planning and estimation to sprint retrospectives and continuous improvement.
Wild West to Agile: Adventures in Software...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
11 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Virginia
Instructor
Alex Cowan
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
Managing an Agile Team belongs to the following collections:
  1. Agile Development
  2. Digital Product Management
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a framework for understanding the four fundamental jobs of software development, helping learners define what's important to their team
Incorporates principles from Scrum, XP, and Kanban, providing a comprehensive understanding of agile methodologies
Teaches how to prioritize learning and focus on outcomes, enabling teams to drive better user outcomes
Covers specific coding practices from XP, offering guidance on how to incorporate these into agile development
Designed for teams with experience in digital innovation, requiring learners to have background knowledge in agile concepts
Emphasizes team charter and autonomy, fostering alignment with company goals while maintaining team independence
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