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Software Processes and Agile Practices

Kenny Wong

4.7

Based on 5,260 ratings

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Kenny Wong

This course delves into a variety of processes to structure software development. It also covers the foundations of core Agile practices, such as Extreme Programming and Scrum.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Processes

Are you someone who likes to see the big-picture? Being a forward thinker who knows what’s coming next is an invaluable trait as a software product manager. This module will prepare you to become this asset for your team. A software process organizes development from beginning to end. We are going to walk through each step of the development process. This will allow you to become familiar with the entire development process so that you can effectively organize product development and foresee upcoming steps--even if you’ve never worked in software development before!

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines Agile practices, which include popular industry practices

Taught by Kenny Wong, who is an expert in Agile practices

Explores various software process models from throughout history

Develops foundational knowledge of software development processes

Teaches Lean Software Development and Kanban, which are widely used in industry

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Reviews summary

Solid introduction to software processes and agile

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to various software processes, including Waterfall, Unified Process, and especially Agile methodologies like Scrum, XP, Lean, and Kanban. Students found the explanations clear and concise, with practical assignments that effectively reinforce concepts. Many feel it offers valuable tools applicable immediately in a professional context, making it highly recommended for beginners, project managers, or team leads looking to understand the fundamentals. However, some reviewers note that while comprehensive in breadth, the course can sometimes lack depth for experienced practitioners, and a few mention that some materials or resources could benefit from updating. Overall, it is seen as a great starting point for understanding software process fundamentals.

Concepts are reinforced with practical work.

"Assignments were practical and reinforced the concepts well."

"Learning about Scrum and Kanban gave me practical tools I could apply at work immediately."

"The assignments were okay, but I wished for more hands-on coding examples related to process implementation."

"I learned tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Good coverage of key Agile frameworks.

"The modules on Scrum and XP were particularly insightful."

"Really enjoyed the module on Agile practices. Learning about Scrum and Kanban gave me practical tools I could apply at work immediately."

"I appreciated the overview of Lean and Kanban, which aren't always covered..."

"The section on Lean and Kanban was a bit rushed compared to Scrum and XP."

Provides a solid foundation in concepts.

"This course provides an excellent foundation in software processes and Agile methodologies."

"A solid overview of different software development processes... Good starting point..."

"Fantastic introduction! Explains complex concepts like Scrum roles and ceremonies very clearly."

"Loved this course! It demystified Agile for me..."

Some links and materials need updates.

"Found some of the material outdated, especially the focus on Waterfall and older models."

"Some links in the resources didn't work."

"Resources could be updated."

"I noticed a few broken links when trying to access external resources."

Best for beginners, less for experts.

"The content is clear, but sometimes feels a bit introductory. Good starting point, but might need more depth for experienced practitioners."

"Decent overview. It touches on many process models but doesn't go deep into any."

"If you need practical skills for a specific role... you'll need more training."

"I felt the course provided breadth but not significant depth on any single topic."

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 Software Processes and Agile Practices with these activities:

Review basic software development concepts

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Refreshing your understanding of basic software development concepts will provide a solid foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Review online resources on software development concepts.
Complete practice exercises on software development concepts.

Complete practice exercises on Agile principles

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Practice exercises will reinforce your understanding of the fundamental principles of Agile development.

Browse courses on Agile Principles

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Find practice exercises online.
Complete the exercises.

Watch video tutorials on Agile methodologies

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Video tutorials will provide another perspective on Agile methodologies, helping you to better grasp the concepts.

Browse courses on Agile Methodologies

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Find video tutorials on Agile methodologies.
Watch the tutorials.

Five other activities

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Read 'Agile Software Development: Principles, Patterns, and Practices'

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This book will provide a comprehensive overview of Agile software development methodologies, providing a strong foundation for understanding the course material.

View Clean Architecture on Amazon

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Read the book in its entirety.
Take notes on key concepts and principles.
Identify areas where you need further clarification.

Create a blog post summarizing an Agile practice

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Writing a blog post will help you synthesize and reinforce your understanding of the Agile practices covered in the course.

Browse courses on Extreme Programming

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Choose an Agile practice to focus on.
Research and gather information about the practice.
Write a clear and concise summary of the practice.

Participate in a study group with other students

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Study groups will provide an opportunity to discuss and reinforce the course material with peers.

Browse courses on Agile Development

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Find a study group or create your own.
Discuss the course material with your group.

Volunteer on an Agile software development project

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Volunteering on a real-world project will provide practical experience with Agile methodologies.

Browse courses on Agile Development

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Find a volunteer opportunity on an Agile software development project.
Apply for the opportunity.

Contribute to an open-source Agile software development project

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Contributing to an open-source project will allow you to apply your Agile skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Agile Development

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Find an open-source Agile software development project to contribute to.
Contribute to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Software Processes and Agile Practices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers apply engineering principles to the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Project Manager

Software Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling software development projects. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Project Manager

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Software Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for ensuring that software meets quality standards. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development of software products. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for gathering and analyzing business requirements for software systems. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for designing and developing software systems. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that software is developed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that data is processed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that databases are managed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for managing the IT department of an organization. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that IT systems are managed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

IT Consultant

IT Consultants provide advice and assistance to organizations on IT matters. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that IT systems are implemented efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing documentation for software products. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that documentation is written efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

User Experience (UX) Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user interface of software products. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that the user interface is designed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer

Scrum Master

Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating Agile software development projects. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that Agile projects are managed efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Agile Coach

Agile Coaches help organizations to adopt and implement Agile practices. This course provides a foundation in software processes and Agile practices, which are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as process models, Agile methodologies, and other practices that help to ensure that Agile practices are adopted and implemented efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Coach

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 Software Processes and Agile Practices.

Scrum

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As the co-creator of Scrum, Jeff Sutherland shares his insights and experiences in this book, offering valuable guidance on implementing Scrum in your organization. It provides a practical perspective to supplement the theoretical concepts covered in the course.

Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the...

Hardcover

(Português) Scrum: A arte de fazer o dobro do trabalho na...

Kindle Edition

The Scrum Fieldbook: A Master Class on Accelerating...

Hardcover

(Português) Scrum: guia prático: Maior produtividade. Melhores...

Audible Audiobook

(Español) Scrum: El revolucionario método para trabajar el...