Scrum Master Capstone from Coursera

This course enables learners to apply the knowledge and skills of a Scrum Master that they have acquired throughout their participation in the IBM IT Scrum Master Professional Certificate (PC) or the SkillUp Scrum Master Specialization.

In this Capstone course, you will gain practical knowledge, including understanding the initiation of project launches and the formation of effective Scrum teams. Additionally, you will acquire skills in developing working agreements, User Stories, curating the Product Backlog, conducting relative estimation, creating the Sprint backlog, generating a burndown chart, and facilitating retrospectives.

Throughout this course, we will present numerous real-world project scenarios and provide templates and instructional guidance to help you participate in hands-on activities to build a portfolio of artifacts. This portfolio will serve as proof of your expertise and readiness to take on more advanced Scrum responsibilities.

What's inside

Syllabus

Program and Course Introduction

In module one, you initiate the project you will be working on during this course. This involves reviewing an Agile project charter and exploring the product roadmap for a commuter support business application. You will learn how to perform a Stacey Analysis using dedicated tools through a hands-on lab. In lesson two, you learn about stakeholder identification and engagement methods and meet your team members. Also, you develop a working agreement in a guided process and create one with your team in the second hands-on lab of this module.

Product Backlog and User Story Development

Module two consists of two lessons. In lesson 1, you learn about and create user stories and a product backlog for your project. In lesson two, you learn about and create an Agile risk register with the Force Field Analysis tool. You will also review and perform relative estimation for your user stories to determine story points and calculate velocity for the next Sprint.

Sprint 1 Planning and Execution

Module three focuses on Sprint planning and execution. In lesson one, you plan for the first Sprint by creating a Sprint backlog for your first Sprint of the project. From this backlog, you develop a Kanban board and a burndown chart to document and follow the team’s progress during the Sprint. In lesson 2, your team conducts a Sprint Review and demo. You evaluate Sprint One, make recommendations for improving daily Scrum meetings, and determine the actions required following the review.

Sprint Close Out and Analysis

Module four consists of closing out the Sprint and conducting some analysis. In lesson one, you hold the Sprint retrospective meeting where you recommend changes in how to conduct the upcoming Sprints based on how you and your team believe the Sprint went. Then in lesson two, you close out the Sprint and prepare a game plan for the next Sprint by developing another user story, updating the product backlog, and creating another Kanban board.

Sprint 3- MVP Launch

In module five, you launch the minimal viable product (MVP). In lesson one, you analyze Sprints 1 and 2 in preparation for the launch, including the launch burndown chart and customer feedback. Based on the review, you developed a Sprint 3 execution plan and defined course corrections for launch goals. In lesson 2, you summarize the end-to-end product launch and final demo feedback for Sprint 3. You review and refine the product backlog and develop User Stories for a Release Sprint, which supports version 2 of the product.

Final Submission and Evaluation

Module six contains two lessons and a bonus lesson. In lesson one, you read the project submission requirements and submit your final project. Lesson two wraps up the course and provides a reading on Scrum Master certification opportunities. In the bonus content lesson, you learn about personal portfolio development and tips on creating a great Scrum Master resume. A personal portfolio is a great way to share who you are, showcase the work you have accomplished, and demonstrate that you have the skills to excel in a potential new role.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches you to apply the concepts and methodologies of Scrum, making you more effective in your IT role

Guided by seasoned Scrum Master Daniel C. Yeomans from the Skill-Up EdTech Team

This capstone course enables you to apply the knowledge and skills of a Scrum Master to real-world projects

Helps you gain practical experience in initiating project launches and forming effective Scrum teams

You'll acquire skills in developing working agreements, User Stories, curating the Product Backlog, conducting relative estimation, creating the Sprint backlog, generating a burndown chart, and facilitating retrospectives

You'll build a portfolio of Scrum artifacts to showcase your expertise and readiness for more advanced Scrum responsibilities

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 Scrum Master Capstone with these activities:

Review Agile values and principles

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Refreshing your knowledge of Agile values and principles will help you better understand the Scrum framework and its application in software development.

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Read the Agile Manifesto and its principles.
Review the Scrum Guide and its key concepts.
Discuss Agile and Scrum with a colleague or mentor.

Read "Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great"

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This book provides insights into conducting effective retrospectives, which are crucial for continuous improvement in Scrum teams.

View Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Identify practical techniques for facilitating retrospectives.
Prepare to apply these techniques in your own Scrum team.

Conduct a sample sprint planning session

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Practicing sprint planning will enhance your understanding of the process and help you develop the skills to effectively plan sprints in real-world projects.

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Gather a team of 3-5 people.
Define a project goal and create a product backlog.
Estimate the effort of user stories.
Create a sprint backlog and burndown chart.

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Develop a personal Scrum Master portfolio

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Creating a portfolio will showcase your Scrum Master skills and experience, making you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

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Gather artifacts from your Scrum Master projects, such as sprint plans, retrospectives, and case studies.
Create a website or online portfolio to display your work.
Highlight your accomplishments and skills in Scrum and Agile methodologies.
Seek feedback on your portfolio from peers or mentors.

Complete the Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM) I assessment preparation course

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Completing this course and assessment will provide you with a recognized certification and validate your Scrum Master knowledge and skills.

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Enroll in the Scrum.org PSM I assessment preparation course.
Study the course materials and complete the practice assessments.
Take the PSM I assessment and earn your certification.

Volunteer as a Scrum Master or Agile coach

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Volunteering will allow you to apply your Scrum Master skills in a real-world setting and contribute to the Agile community.

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Identify non-profit organizations or community projects that need Agile support.
Contact the organizations and offer your services as a Scrum Master or Agile coach.
Provide guidance and support to teams in implementing Agile practices.

Participate in an Agile or Scrum competition

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Participating in competitions will challenge your Scrum Master skills and provide an opportunity to network with other Agile professionals.

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Research and identify Agile or Scrum competitions.
Form a team or collaborate with others.
Develop and submit your project or solution.
Attend the competition and present your work.

Career center

Learners who complete Scrum Master Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Scrum Master

Scrum Masters are responsible for the successful implementation of Scrum in an organization. They work closely with the development team, product owner, and other stakeholders to ensure that the Scrum process is followed and that the team is productive. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Scrum Master. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to facilitate Scrum ceremonies, and how to work with stakeholders. You will also gain practical experience in using Scrum tools and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Product Owner

Product Owners are responsible for defining the product vision and backlog, and for working with the development team to ensure that the product is built to meet the needs of the users. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Product Owner. You will learn about the role of the Product Owner in Scrum, how to create a product vision and backlog, and how to work with stakeholders. You will also gain practical experience in using Scrum tools and techniques.

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Agile Coach

Agile Coaches help organizations adopt and implement Agile practices. They work with teams to improve their productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Agile Coach. You will learn about the principles of Agile, how to coach teams, and how to help organizations adopt Agile practices. You will also gain practical experience in using Agile tools and techniques.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, timelines, and budgets, and they lead teams to deliver projects on time and within budget. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Project Manager. You will learn about the project management lifecycle, how to plan and execute projects, and how to work with stakeholders. You will also gain practical experience in using project management tools and techniques.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and to develop solutions to meet those needs. They may also be involved in project management, requirements gathering, and testing. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful Business Analyst. You will learn about business analysis techniques, how to gather and analyze requirements, and how to develop solutions. You will also gain practical experience in using business analysis tools and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop software solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Software Developers who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test software applications to identify and fix defects. They work with developers to ensure that software applications are of high quality and meet the needs of users. This course may be useful for Quality Assurance Analysts who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software applications and other technical products. They work with developers and other stakeholders to gather information and to write documentation that is clear, concise, and accurate. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design the user interface and user experience for software applications and other products. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to design products that are easy to use and enjoyable to use. This course may be useful for User Experience Designers who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics, including business strategy, operations, and technology. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Consultants who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop data-driven solutions. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Teacher

Teachers teach students about a variety of subjects, including math, science, history, and English. They work with students to help them learn and grow. This course may be useful for Teachers who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing IT systems and services. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and to develop IT solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for IT Managers who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They identify opportunities, develop products and services, and market their businesses to customers. This course may be useful for Entrepreneurs who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They work with patients and their families to help them get well and stay healthy. This course may be useful for Nurses who want to learn more about Scrum and Agile practices. You will learn about the Scrum framework, how to work in a Scrum team, and how to use Scrum tools and techniques.

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