Agile Leadership Capstone from Coursera

This capstone project course takes you through a guided journey of putting together a comprehensive agile transformation packet. To create this packet, you will be creatively applying the concepts and tools we have covered in the first four courses of this Specialization.

In the capstone course scenario, you were hired as a Senior Scrum Master at Nike. You will understand what a Fortune 100 company would be looking for in a candidate by analyzing a real Nike job posting. If you aspire to work in a similar role, this exercise should give you an idea of where you stand today and what skills you might want to hone on in the future.

You then will be completing a probationary assignment as a part of the requirement of this new role. Your plan should help you answer the question of what steps you will take in your first 30 days at Nike to develop yourself, your team, and the enterprise.

The packet you will be developing consists of the following four elements:

Transformation roadmap

One-month-long Sprint Plan for personal development

One-month-long Sprint Plan for developing a brand new Agile team

Change management plan to strengthen Nike’s internal culture, support innovation, and fend off intense competition (alternatively, you may choose to create a plan for the company you are working for)

The capstone project will provide you with a hands-on experience of strategically planning for change and applying Scrum tools. Don’t forget to have fun with it!

What's inside

Syllabus

Planning for Personal Transformation

In the first module, you will focus on your personal transformation. Your completed Agile Leader Workbook will be your starting point. You will complete the personal transformation section of the roadmap, develop a Product and Sprint Backlog, or, in other words, plan a Sprint. Even though this exercise is focused on you, you can easily apply the same steps and planning process to mentoring and coaching situations.

Planning for Team Transformation

In the second module, you will focus on training your newly formed team you will be leading at Nike on principles of Agile and Scrum. How would you teach someone who has no experience and knowledge about agility, change resiliency, and Scrum? In this module, you will prepare for leading this change based on the background information presented in the case study. You will complete the team section of the transformation roadmap, and develop your Product and Sprint Backlog for training your team to become Agile. This part of the exercise will give you the experience of planning a transformation of a brand-new-to-Agile team.

Planning for Enterprise Transformation

In the third module, your goal is to develop a change management plan for advancing Agile within Nike. You will develop your plan based on the information about the company and where it stands on its Agile journey presented in the case study. Needless to say, there are some opportunities, and it’s your job to help capitalize on these opportunities that will propel Nike to the next level of Agile adoption. You will complete the last section of the transformation roadmap, and create a 4-5 page transformation plan by applying change management theories and tools you have previously learned. You may choose to create a plan for the company you work for, or do both! If you choose to do both, use Nike case study as a practice opportunity.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores essential Agile concepts and tools necessary for leading Agile transformations

Teaches hands-on experience in strategically planning for change and applying Scrum tools

Provides a structured approach to Agile transformation, covering personal, team, and enterprise levels

Involves a real-life Nike case study, offering practical insights into Agile adoption in a large organization

Taught by Oxana Trotsenko, an experienced Agile transformation consultant

Requires extensive background knowledge in Agile principles and Scrum, suitable for intermediate to advanced learners

Reviews summary

Agile leadership capstone: practical skills

Learners say this course provides a strong foundation in Agile principles and helps them apply them practically in their work. The course covers a wide range of topics, from leadership to change management, and includes real-life case studies. Students particularly appreciate the practical projects and interactive exercises, which allow them to apply their learning in a hands-on way. Overall, learners find this course to be engaging, informative, and helpful in their leadership development.

Instructor (Oxana) is praised for her expertise and guidance throughout the course.

"Thank you who contributed to building this course. I benefited from it a lot of valuable information"

"Another amazing, well lead class by Oxana! This course did a great job in applying the lessons into a real life project!"

"Oxana is an excellent instructor. Very thorough, gives great examples."

Covers a wide range of topics related to Agile leadership and change management.

"Provided a thorough understanding of agile and change management theories which will help me as I pursue a new career path in this direction."

"Excellent overview of Agile that doesn't focus on Scrum (only), but to overall change management. Excellent approach!"

"I have very much enjoyed this Specialization. Although it is geared more toward project management I find many of the principles are very useful when managing a sales team."

Includes real-life case studies and projects that help learners apply their knowledge.

"Excelent way of wrapping up concepts and practising with a reak case example"

"what a journey :) honestly, I recommend a whole specialisation.- a good package of knowledge - self workbook -great idea - a lot of newishes that are in need in the market - and really go and take capstone to put everything in the work on the project."

"Provided a thorough understanding of agile and change management theories which will help me as I pursue a new career path in this direction."

Provides practical tips and tools for applying Agile principles in the workplace.

"Provided a thorough understanding of agile and change management theories which will help me as I pursue a new career path in this direction."

"Content was extremely engaging and has provided resources I can reference over the course of my career."

"Constructing a full transformation plan and sprint planning helped me to feel confident for my personal upcoming agile transformations."

Some learners express a desire for peer review to assess their progress.

"The assignment was not 100% clear and was not certain. I like courses with peer-review."

"The only downside: no peer rated reviews so it was difficult to judge how I was doing."

"I like that this specialization is approachable for all levels. I took this course to assess it for recommendation for other leaders within my organization and thankfully I learned something and feel confident others will as well."

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 Leadership Capstone with these activities:

Read 'Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great'

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Review this book to gain insights into effective Scrum retrospective practices.

View Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Attend a workshop or webinar on retrospective facilitation
Facilitate a retrospective for your team

Review Agile Scrum Principles

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Review the basic principles of Agile and Scrum to refresh your understanding before starting the course.

Browse courses on Agile

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Read the Agile Manifesto and Scrum Guide
Watch introductory videos on Agile and Scrum
Participate in an online discussion forum on Agile

Learn Scrum Planning with Jira

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Follow online tutorials to learn how to use Jira for Scrum planning and tracking.

Browse courses on Jira

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Sign up for a Jira account
Create a Scrum board for your project
Add user stories and tasks to the board
Configure sprints and track progress using Jira

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Join a Scrum Study Group

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Join a study group to connect with other learners and discuss Scrum concepts and practices.

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Find a study group online or at your local library
Attend regular group meetings
Participate in discussions and share your experiences

Develop a Sample Transformation Roadmap

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Create a transformation roadmap to outline your plan for implementing Scrum at Nike.

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Define the goals and objectives of your transformation
Identify the key stakeholders and roles involved
Develop a timeline and milestones for your transformation
Create a communication plan to keep stakeholders informed

Simulate Scrum Sprints

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Participate in simulated Scrum sprints to practice planning, executing, and reviewing work.

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Form a Scrum team with other learners
Select a project to work on
Plan and execute a series of sprints
Hold sprint retrospectives to evaluate progress

Mentor a Junior Scrum Master

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Volunteer to mentor a junior Scrum Master to share your knowledge and experience.

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Connect with junior Scrum Masters through online platforms or local meetups
Provide guidance and support on Scrum practices
Share your insights and experiences to help them grow

Career center

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

Scrum Master

As a Scrum Master, you will be responsible for leading and facilitating Agile teams. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to plan and execute Sprints, track progress, and resolve conflicts. You will also learn how to create a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within your team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Agile Coach

As an Agile Coach, you will be responsible for helping organizations adopt and implement Agile methodologies. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to assess an organization's Agile maturity, develop and implement Agile transformation plans, and coach Agile teams. You will also learn how to create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Coach

Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to create project plans, track progress, and manage risk. You will also learn how to lead and motivate teams and stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for gathering and analyzing business requirements. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to conduct interviews, write user stories, and create prototypes. You will also learn how to work with stakeholders and understand their needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will be 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, including how to write code, test code, and work with version control systems. You will also learn how to work in Agile teams and deliver high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to conduct market research, create product roadmaps, and manage product teams. You will also learn how to work with stakeholders and understand their needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining technical documentation. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to write clear and concise technical documentation, use authoring tools, and manage content. You will also learn how to work with subject matter experts and understand their needs.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

As a Quality Assurance Analyst, you will be responsible for testing software applications and ensuring their quality. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to write test cases, execute tests, and report defects. You will also learn how to work with development teams and understand their needs.

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UX Designer

As a UX Designer, you will be responsible for designing the user experience of software applications. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to conduct user research, create prototypes, and evaluate user feedback. You will also learn how to work with development teams and understand their needs.

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Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to use data analysis tools, create reports, and present findings. You will also learn how to work with stakeholders and understand their needs.

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Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for generating new business opportunities. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to identify and qualify leads, develop sales proposals, and close deals. You will also learn how to work with customers and understand their needs.

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Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to conduct market research, create marketing plans, and manage marketing budgets. You will also learn how to work with creative teams and understand their needs.

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Sales Manager

As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to set sales goals, develop sales strategies, and manage sales teams. You will also learn how to work with customers and understand their needs.

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Operations Manager

As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to plan and execute operations, manage resources, and improve efficiency. You will also learn how to work with employees and understand their needs.

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Human Resources Manager

As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing the human resources function of a business. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to recruit and hire employees, develop and implement HR policies, and manage employee relations. You will also learn how to work with employees and understand their needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager