Agile Innovation and Problem Solving Skills from edX

Innovative products and services change lives, and having the right innovative process creates an competitive advantage. Ultimately, innovation is about one thing: problem solving.

As an agile problem solver, you'll need to expand your critical thinking skills to address the key sources of risk in developing best solutions for your new products and business lines. The Problem-solving techniques covered begin with problem definition, beginning with job descriptions and applying the right soft skills to enhance requirements gathering. This ensures you're targeting a good problem to solve, and that you understand the business model. The course then moves on to practices such as "brainstorm and storm drain" to target new creative solutions. You will learn how innovation works on fast feedback cycles to test possible solutions and target root causes of defects. Creative thinking isn't a straight line, and neither should the problem-solving process be a straight line. Each course of action needs early and frequent testing.

Key lessons taught in this course are:

Delivering business value, not technical scope with User Stories
Why innovating is the key to risk management and gaining a competitive advantage
The best innovation process for startups in new markets or disruptive innovations, versus sustaining product and process innovations
How to employ an innovation process that fits your business model and situation
Using Cross-functional teams and user stories to gather accurate requirements
Leveraging constraints to apply tested solutions to new technology and new innovations
Applying Test-Driven Design (TDD) to deliver better designs with less designing

By following best practices of Agile, including timeboxes, constraint-based thinking processes, and empathetic problem solving, you'll learn how to provide a sustainable innovation environment for your teams.

While this course will not make you an agile certified practitioner (PMI-ACP), or certified scrum master (CSM), it offers a more fundamental agile certification based on agile principles and how agile innovation is accomplished in industry today. You'll finish this course more than ready to continue your agile journey, which we hope takes you to the next course in the series on “Agile Leadership Principles and Practices.”

Upon successful completion of this course, learners can earn 10 Professional Development Unit (PDU) credits, which are recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PDU credits are essential to those looking to maintain certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP).

What's inside

Learning objectives

How agile manages solution risk and return more effectively
Accurate, effective requirements gathering that avoids delusional "perspective taking"
Paradox of structure, aka "how constraints drive creativity and luck!"

Test-driven development for faster, better solutions in complex systems
How to target scope to meet performance objectives via the theory of constraints

How agile manages solution risk and return more effectively
Accurate, effective requirements gathering that avoids delusional "perspective taking"
Paradox of structure, aka "how constraints drive creativity and luck!"
Test-driven development for faster, better solutions in complex systems
How to target scope to meet performance objectives via the theory of constraints

Syllabus

Week 1: The first week of Innovation revisits concepts of capability delivery from technical perspective; asking how do we achieve a project's purpose to innovate? What are the risks and methods to be successful in delivering a defined output under uncertain conditions? Here the Theory of Constraints (TOC) is used to target innovation for maximum impact.

Week 2: The second week dives into the requirements gathering and validation process, and the science behind the most powerful requirement tool, a User Story, and how it forms the basis for Test-Drive Development (TDD).

Week 3: The third week looks at how adding constraints to solutioning unleashes creativity, luck, and productivity towards solving hard, uncertain problems.

Week 4: The fourth week culminates with the application of the TOC Thinking Processes, User Stories, and Constraints along with the use of the powerful system engineering solutioning techniques (isolation, absorption, acceleration, etc.) and tools like TRIZ.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a sustainable innovation environment for teams

Taught by recognized leaders of innovation

Teaches the best innovation process for startups

Examines how constraints drive creativity and luck

Delves into structure, aka "how constraints drive creativity and luck."

Develops skills in using Cross-functional teams

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 Innovation and Problem Solving Skills with these activities:

Review Agile Terminology

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This course is taught from an Agile perspective, which uses a unique set of terms and concepts. Use review time to build your vocabulary to ensure all course materials and communication with peers can be truly understood.

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Consult online dictionaries for Agile definitions
Review past Agile coursework
Reference Agile books

Review TDD Concepts

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In the fourth week of the course, TDD will be covered. To ensure comprehension, take some time to refresh your knowledge on the topic before that week begins.

Browse courses on Test-Driven Development

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Review your notes from previous TDD coursework
Study materials on TDD online
Participate in online TDD forums
Complete short online TDD tutorials
Optionally, read a TDD book or take a TDD course

Learn Kanban Practices

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Kanban is a subset of Agile, and its methodologies are covered in the third week of class. Participate in this tutorial to expand your understanding of the popular practice.

Browse courses on Kanban

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Search online for Kanban tutorials
Watch multiple tutorial videos
Complete hands-on online Kanban practice excercises
Optionally, take a paid online course on Kanban

Four other activities

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Peer Team Brainstorming

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Problem solving and innovation are the focus of this course. Team up with a peer to brainstorm and solve a problem of your choosing related to course content.

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Meet with a classmate to form a team
Decide on an innovative problem to solve
Conduct thorough research on the problem
Brainstorm multiple solutions and select the best
Present your solution to the class

Resource Compilation

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Throughout the course, you may find various useful tools, resources, and articles online. Take some time to collect them for easy access in one place.

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Create a spreadsheet or notebook
Categorize the resources into folders
Search online for additional resources
Review and add resources on an ongoing basis
Share or transfer the resource collection to peers

Scenario-Based Practice

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This course provides case studies to aid in learning, but additional scenario-based practice will further increase your ability to apply class content to real world situations.

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Review previous scenario-based excercises
Search for additional online scenario-based excercises
Attempt multiple scenario-based practice drills
Compare your solutions to others provided online
Optionally, purchase a study guide with scenario-based questions

Manage a Simulated Project

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To truly master Agile principles, you must use them. Use this simulated project opportunity to apply your knowledge of Agile practices while gaining experience to demonstrate your skills in a portfolio.

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Brainstorm a suitable project idea
Form a small team of peers
Create a project charter and begin planning
Hold regular team meetings following Agile protocols
Complete the project and present findings

Career center

Learners who complete Agile Innovation and Problem Solving Skills will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for leading the development and launch of new products. This course can help Product Managers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to identify and solve customer problems, how to create and manage a product roadmap, and how to measure the success of a product launch. The course also provides an overview of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which is essential for Product Managers to understand in order to effectively manage a product development team.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help Project Managers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to define a project scope, how to create and manage a project plan, and how to track and manage project progress. The course also provides an overview of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), which is a valuable resource for Project Managers.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for eliciting, documenting, and analyzing business requirements. This course can help Business Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to conduct requirements gathering interviews, how to create and manage a requirements document, and how to analyze and validate requirements. The course also provides an overview of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK), which is a valuable resource for Business Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for designing, developing, and implementing information systems. This course can help Systems Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to conduct a system requirements analysis, how to design and develop a system, and how to implement and test a system. The course also provides an overview of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which is essential for Systems Analysts to understand in order to effectively design and develop an information system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course can help Software Developers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to write clean and efficient code, how to debug and test software applications, and how to work with other developers on a software development team. The course also provides an overview of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which is essential for Software Developers to understand in order to effectively develop software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst

Quality Assurance (QA) Analysts are responsible for testing and verifying the quality of software applications. This course can help QA Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to write and execute test cases, how to use testing tools, and how to report and track defects. The course also provides an overview of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which is essential for QA Analysts to understand in order to effectively test and verify the quality of software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help Information Security Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to assess and manage information security risks, how to develop and implement information security policies and procedures, and how to respond to information security incidents. The course also provides an overview of the information security process, which is essential for Information Security Analysts to understand in order to effectively protect an organization's information systems.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects are responsible for designing and implementing cloud-based solutions. This course can help Cloud Architects to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to design and implement a cloud-based solution, how to use cloud-based tools, and how to manage and maintain a cloud-based solution. The course also provides an overview of the cloud architecture process, which is essential for Cloud Architects to understand in order to effectively design and implement a cloud-based solution.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating and maintaining technical documentation, such as user manuals, software documentation, and white papers. This course can help Technical Writers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to write clear and concise technical documentation, how to use technical writing tools, and how to work with subject matter experts. The course also provides an overview of the technical writing process, which is essential for Technical Writers to understand in order to effectively create and maintain technical documentation.

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Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Business Intelligence (BI) Analysts are responsible for designing and implementing BI solutions to help organizations make better decisions. This course can help BI Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to design and implement a BI solution, how to use BI tools, and how to communicate BI results. The course also provides an overview of the BI process, which is essential for BI Analysts to understand in order to effectively design and implement a BI solution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Database Administrator (DBA)

Database Administrators (DBAs) are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course can help DBAs to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to install and configure a database, how to create and manage database objects, and how to troubleshoot and maintain a database. The course also provides an overview of the database administration process, which is essential for DBAs to understand in order to effectively manage and maintain a database.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining computer networks. This course can help Network Administrators to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to install and configure network devices, how to troubleshoot and maintain a network, and how to secure a network. The course also provides an overview of the network administration process, which is essential for Network Administrators to understand in order to effectively manage and maintain a computer network.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course can help Data Analysts to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to collect and clean data, how to use data analysis tools, and how to communicate data analysis results. The course also provides an overview of the data analysis process, which is essential for Data Analysts to understand in order to effectively collect, analyze, and interpret data.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing machine learning solutions. This course can help Machine Learning Engineers to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to design and implement a machine learning solution, how to use machine learning tools, and how to manage and maintain a machine learning solution. The course also provides an overview of the machine learning process, which is essential for Machine Learning Engineers to understand in order to effectively design and implement a machine learning solution.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course can help Data Scientists to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to collect and clean data, how to use data analysis tools, and how to communicate data analysis results. The course also provides an overview of the data science process, which is essential for Data Scientists to understand in order to effectively collect, analyze, and interpret data.

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