Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management from edX

Scrum and Agile are often considered synonymous, and there is a good reason. Scrum embodies the simplest and most pure approach to managing project work at the team level. Scrum is employed by over half of all Agile practitioners across all industries. While agile may have started in software development, many industries now use an agile methodology to deliver their work. The basis for agile, the agile manifesto, extends well beyond its origins in extreme programming and agile software development. Development teams around the world are now using kanban boards and assigning strong product owners to direct self-organizing teams to deliver on prioritized product backlogs. And nearly every new product has some sort of IT component and goes through an agile development lifecycle.

Today nearly 100% of IT organizations use Agile and many other industries are quickly following;
The likelihood of being on a Scrum or Scrum-like project is quickly approaching 50/50 or better over time.

While the Mastering Agile Professional Certificate program emphasizes principles at the heart of all Agile frameworks, in this course we start by learning the key project management processes, roles, mechanics, and philosophies behind Scrum. This will provide the basis for all understanding Agile in its purest form over four weeks exploring Why, Who, How, and finally What Scrum looks like applied in the real world. From understanding the agile team members, like scrum master and product owner, to the important differences in lean and agile processes.

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 scaled agile is applied in industry today. You'll finish this course more than ready to begin your agile journey, which we hope takes you to the next course in the series on “Sprint Planning for Faster Agile Team Delivery.”

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

Why agile is taking over: history, case studies, and proof agile works better
Who uses agile based on industry scale, stakeholders, and engineering
How to run a successful scrum team for speed, innovation, leadership, and control

Scrum team makeup, user story writing, sprint planning, execution, and retro tools
What scrum looks like at scale, its alternatives, and how to avoid pitfalls over time

Why agile is taking over: history, case studies, and proof agile works better
Who uses agile based on industry scale, stakeholders, and engineering
How to run a successful scrum team for speed, innovation, leadership, and control
Scrum team makeup, user story writing, sprint planning, execution, and retro tools
What scrum looks like at scale, its alternatives, and how to avoid pitfalls over time

Syllabus

Week 1: The first week starts with Why agile methods are used - based on case studies that prove its effectiveness and the history of getting to Scrum.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Supports learners who work across industries

Ideal for current or aspiring Scrum team members

Focuses on Scrum, which is the simplest and most pure approach to managing project work at the team level

Introduces Scrum in its purest form and explores its methodology, roles, mechanics, and philosophies

Provides practical knowledge for running a successful Scrum team in various contexts, including speed, innovation, leadership, and control

Offers PDU credits recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which are essential for maintaining PMP certification

Reviews summary

Applied scrum for agile project management

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to Agile and Scrum principles, focusing on core mechanics, roles like Scrum Master and Product Owner, and practical application. Many find it beneficial for gaining foundational knowledge and appreciate the relevance to real-world project management. The course structure is generally well-received, offering a clear overview week-by-week. It's frequently highlighted as useful for earning PMI PDU credits, which is a significant draw for PMP professionals. However, some students with existing experience found the content too basic, suggesting it's best suited for beginners or those new to Agile. While it covers key concepts effectively, it may not be sufficient for advanced certification preparation on its own.

Foundation, not full prep for CSM/PMI-ACP.

"While it gives a good overview, this course alone isn't enough to pass the CSM or PMI-ACP exams."

"Sets the stage for understanding Agile certifications, but requires further study."

"It's a good starting point but won't certify you as a Scrum Master."

"Learned the basics, but need more in-depth resources for formal certs."

Clearly explains Scrum Master, Product Owner roles.

"The roles of the Scrum Master and Product Owner were explained very clearly."

"Helped me understand the responsibilities within a Scrum team."

"I now have a better grasp of how the different team members contribute in Scrum."

"Clarified the distinct roles in an Agile team setting."

Concepts directly applicable to professional roles.

"I can immediately apply many of the concepts learned to my current project management role."

"The practical examples were very helpful and showed me how Scrum works in a real business environment."

"This course helped me understand how Agile is used in the industry today."

"Gave me insights I could use right away at work."

Earns valuable credits for PMI certification.

"Excellent course and earns 10 PDUs for Project Managers. Thanks for this course."

"I took this course specifically for the PDU credits, and it was a straightforward way to get them."

"The PDU credits offered are a major plus for maintaining my PMP."

"Great content and helps fulfill continuing education requirements for PMI."

Provides a great intro to Scrum for newcomers.

"This course is a great introduction to Agile Scrum for someone who is new to the topic."

"The course provided a solid foundation in Scrum principles and practices."

"I found this course to be very helpful for learning the basics of Agile and Scrum methodologies."

"This was a good primer on Scrum that explained the key concepts clearly."

Content may lack depth for those with prior knowledge.

"If you have prior experience with Agile or Scrum, much of the content will feel like review."

"Found it a bit too introductory; was hoping for more advanced topics."

"This course is good for beginners, but if you already know Scrum basics, it might be slow."

"Not much new information if you've read the Scrum Guide or worked in an Agile environment before."

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 Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management with these activities:

Agile Resource Library

Show steps

Gather and organize valuable resources, including articles, videos, and templates, for quick reference and ongoing learning.

Show steps

Create a central repository using tools like Evernote or OneNote.
Collect relevant materials from reputable sources, including industry blogs, whitepapers, and online forums.
Categorize and tag resources for easy retrieval.
Regularly review and update the library to ensure its relevance.

Review Scrum Fundamentals

Show steps

Recall the basic principles and terminologies of Scrum to strengthen your understanding of its applications.

Browse courses on Scrum

Show steps

Revisit your notes from previous courses or resources on Scrum.
Attend a Scrum webinar or online workshop to refresh your memory.
Read a Scrum guide or article to stay up-to-date with the latest practices.

Daily Scrum Simulations

Show steps

Consistently conduct daily Scrum simulations to enhance your facilitation skills and improve team communication.

Show steps

Gather a group of colleagues or peers.
Take turns playing the roles of Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers.
Conduct daily stand-up meetings, focusing on progress, challenges, and action items.
Provide feedback and reflect on the effectiveness of the simulations.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Scrum Simulation Role-play

Show steps

Engage in a simulated Scrum environment to gyakorlatilag experience the roles, ceremonies, and challenges of agile development.

Show steps

Form teams and assign roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Developers).
Define a project goal and create a product backlog.
Conduct a sprint planning session, including backlog grooming and sprint goal definition.
Facilitate a daily stand-up meeting and track progress on the sprint backlog.
Hold a sprint review and retrospective to evaluate outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

Agile Project Plan Template

Show steps

Create a customizable template for agile project plans, ensuring effective and efficient project execution.

Show steps

Identify essential sections and elements for an agile project plan.
Develop a structured template using a tool like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Include sections for project definition, backlog, sprints, and retrospectives.
Make the template accessible and share it with your team for feedback and implementation.

Scrum Certification Preparation

Show steps

Enroll in an online or in-person course to prepare for the Scrum Master or Agile Certified Practitioner certification, enhancing your credibility and expertise.

Show steps

Identify reputable certification providers and training programs.
Enroll in the chosen program and allocate dedicated study time.
Attend live sessions, complete assignments, and engage in discussions.
Utilize practice tests and simulations to assess your understanding.
Take the certification exam and achieve the desired credential.

Agile Transformation Workshop

Show steps

Attend an industry-led workshop to gain insights into real-world applications of agile methodologies, best practices, and potential pitfalls.

Show steps

Research and identify reputable agile transformation workshops.
Register and prepare for the workshop by reviewing relevant materials.
Actively participate in the workshop, engage in discussions, and take notes.
Network with other professionals and exchange experiences.
Implement the learnings from the workshop in your own agile projects.

Career center

Learners who complete Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Agile Project Manager

Agile Project Managers plan and manage Agile software development projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Agile Project Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to create and manage Agile teams, and how to track and measure Agile project progress.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Project Manager

Scrum Master

Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating Agile Scrum projects. They work with the Agile team to ensure that the team is following the Agile Scrum process and that the project is on track to meet its goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Scrum Master. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to facilitate Agile Scrum teams, and how to track and measure Agile Scrum project progress.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Product Owner

Product Owners are responsible for defining the vision and goals of Agile Scrum projects. They work with the Agile team to create and prioritize the product backlog, and to ensure that the product is meeting the needs of its users. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Product Owner. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to create and manage Agile Scrum product backlogs, and how to work with Agile Scrum teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner

Agile Coach

Agile Coaches help organizations to adopt and implement Agile Scrum. They work with teams and individuals to improve their Agile Scrum practices and to achieve their Agile Scrum goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Agile Coach. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to coach Agile Scrum teams, and how to help organizations to adopt and implement Agile Scrum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Coach

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Software Developer. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to design, develop, and test software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test software applications to ensure that they meet the required quality standards. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Quality Assurance Analyst. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to test software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts gather and analyze business requirements to ensure that software applications meet the needs of their users. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Business Analyst. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to gather and analyze business requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and manage projects of all types. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Project Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to plan and manage projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers plan and manage programs of projects. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Program Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to plan and manage programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers plan and manage portfolios of projects and programs. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Portfolio Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to plan and manage portfolios.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Change Manager

Change Managers help organizations to adopt and implement change. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Change Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to help organizations to adopt and implement change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers help organizations to identify, assess, and manage risks. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Risk Manager. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to identify, assess, and manage risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Consultant

Consultants help organizations to improve their performance. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Consultant. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to help organizations to improve their performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Trainer

Trainers teach individuals and groups about new technologies and processes. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Trainer. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to teach individuals and groups about new technologies and processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Trainer

Writer

Writers create content for a variety of purposes. They work with Agile teams to implement Agile Scrum projects. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Writer. You will learn about the Agile Scrum framework, how to work with Agile Scrum teams, and how to create content for a variety of purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer