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Alex Cowan
Despite everyone's good intentions, hard work and solid ideas, too many teams end up creating products that no one wants, no one can use, and no one buys. But it doesn't have to be this way. Agile and design thinking offer a different--and effective--approach to product development, one that results in valuable solutions to meaningful problems. In this course, you’ll learn how to determine what's valuable to a user early in the process--to frontload value--by focusing your team on testable narratives about the user and creating a strong shared perspective.
Read more
Despite everyone's good intentions, hard work and solid ideas, too many teams end up creating products that no one wants, no one can use, and no one buys. But it doesn't have to be this way. Agile and design thinking offer a different--and effective--approach to product development, one that results in valuable solutions to meaningful problems. In this course, you’ll learn how to determine what's valuable to a user early in the process--to frontload value--by focusing your team on testable narratives about the user and creating a strong shared perspective.
Read more
Despite everyone's good intentions, hard work and solid ideas, too many teams end up creating products that no one wants, no one can use, and no one buys. But it doesn't have to be this way. Agile and design thinking offer a different--and effective--approach to product development, one that results in valuable solutions to meaningful problems. In this course, you’ll learn how to determine what's valuable to a user early in the process--to frontload value--by focusing your team on testable narratives about the user and creating a strong shared perspective.
This course is supported by the Batten Institute at UVA’s Darden School of Business. The Batten Institute’s mission is to improve the world through entrepreneurship and innovation: www.batteninstitute.org.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/yecwl9/agile
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What's inside
Syllabus
Problems Agile Solves
The agile practices that deliver excellent product are well understood, but they take focus, energy, and confidence to apply. This week, we’ll identify what’s hard about creating excellent products and how agile can help. We'll begin with a discussion of the Agile Manifesto- what motivated it and how it defines agile. Then we’ll get into the practical part- the problems agile solves, how to focus your time and energy, and how you’ll know if your practice of agile is working.
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Syllabus
Problems Agile Solves
The agile practices that deliver excellent product are well understood, but they take focus, energy, and confidence to apply. This week, we’ll identify what’s hard about creating excellent products and how agile can help. We'll begin with a discussion of the Agile Manifesto- what motivated it and how it defines agile. Then we’ll get into the practical part- the problems agile solves, how to focus your time and energy, and how you’ll know if your practice of agile is working.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Teaches the fundamentals of developing valuable products through thoughtful customer research and agile methodologies, suitable for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to enhance their understanding of product development
Leverages practices and frameworks from design thinking, which enhance user-centric design approaches for developing innovative products
Provides a practical approach to product development, with an emphasis on identifying and solving user problems, making it relevant for those seeking to develop impactful solutions
Integrates industry-standard techniques such as user stories and personas, offering valuable insights for product managers and development teams seeking to improve their agile practices
Facilitates the development of a deep understanding of agile methodologies and their application in product development, beneficial for individuals seeking to enhance their agile skillset
Emphasizes the importance of focusing on user value and outcomes throughout the product development process, catering to professionals aiming to create user-centric products
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Reviews summary
Combining agile and design thinking for product value
According to learners, this course explores how to combine Agile and Design Thinking to create products users truly want. It introduces foundational concepts and practical tools like personas, jobs-to-be-done, and effective user stories for focusing development on value. Students appreciate the emphasis on understanding user needs early. While the course provides a framework for practical application, specific details on instructor effectiveness or assignment quality are not available from the limited feedback provided.
Best for those in product teams.
"Very relevant for my role in product management."
"Ideal if you work in software or product development using Agile."
"Probably less useful for someone not working in a team environment."
Mix of conceptual and applied learning.
"The course gave a solid theoretical grounding in the combined approach."
"Could benefit from more hands-on exercises or case studies to apply the theory."
"I understand the principles, but implementing them requires more practice."
Teaches key tools for user focus.
"Learning how to build personas and define user stories was very helpful."
"The concepts of jobs-to-be-done provide a useful lens for understanding needs."
"I can immediately use the user story techniques taught here in my work."
Combines two key methodologies.
"I wanted to see how Agile methods could benefit from Design Thinking's user focus."
"The integration of both frameworks was the main reason I took this course."
"It helps bridge the gap between ideation and execution in product 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 Meets Design Thinking with these
activities:
Participate in an agile hackathon
Show steps
Put your agile skills to the test and learn from others by participating in an agile hackathon.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
-
Find an agile hackathon that aligns with your interests.
-
Form a team and develop a project idea.
-
Work together to build a solution to the challenge.
-
Present your solution to the judges and get feedback.
Attend an agile conference
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and network with industry experts by attending an agile conference.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
-
Research different agile conferences to find one that fits your interests and needs.
-
Register for the conference and make travel arrangements.
-
Attend the conference sessions and workshops.
-
Network with other attendees and learn from their experiences.
Explore agile methodologies
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of agile methodologies to improve your ability to manage projects effectively.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
-
Read articles and watch videos about different agile methodologies.
-
Attend a workshop or training session on agile.
-
Experiment with using an agile methodology on a small project.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a customer persona
Show steps
Focus your team on a specific user persona early in the process to avoid creating a product no one wants.
Browse courses on
Personas
Show steps
-
Interview potential customers to gather data on their needs, goals, and pain points.
-
Identify common themes and patterns in the data to create a representative persona.
-
Use the persona to guide your product development decisions.
Develop an agile user story
Show steps
Learn how to craft clear and concise user stories to drive your agile product development process.
Browse courses on
User Stories
Show steps
-
Identify the user and their need.
-
Write a statement that describes the user's goal in the form of a benefit.
-
Keep the user story concise and focused on a single task.
Contribute to an open-source agile project
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to the agile community by working on an open-source agile project.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
-
Find an open-source agile project that you are interested in.
-
Read the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
-
Identify an area where you can contribute to the project.
-
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Run usability tests
Show steps
Enhance the user experience of your product by identifying and addressing usability issues.
Browse courses on
User Testing
Show steps
-
Recruit participants who represent your target audience.
-
Create a set of tasks that the participants will complete.
-
Observe the participants as they complete the tasks and note any difficulties or frustrations.
-
Use the results of the usability test to improve the design and functionality of your product.
Participate in an agile hackathon
Show steps
Put your agile skills to the test and learn from others by participating in an agile hackathon.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an agile hackathon that aligns with your interests.
- Form a team and develop a project idea.
- Work together to build a solution to the challenge.
- Present your solution to the judges and get feedback.
Attend an agile conference
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and network with industry experts by attending an agile conference.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research different agile conferences to find one that fits your interests and needs.
- Register for the conference and make travel arrangements.
- Attend the conference sessions and workshops.
- Network with other attendees and learn from their experiences.
Explore agile methodologies
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of agile methodologies to improve your ability to manage projects effectively.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read articles and watch videos about different agile methodologies.
- Attend a workshop or training session on agile.
- Experiment with using an agile methodology on a small project.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a customer persona
Show steps
Focus your team on a specific user persona early in the process to avoid creating a product no one wants.
Browse courses on
Personas
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Interview potential customers to gather data on their needs, goals, and pain points.
- Identify common themes and patterns in the data to create a representative persona.
- Use the persona to guide your product development decisions.
Develop an agile user story
Show steps
Learn how to craft clear and concise user stories to drive your agile product development process.
Browse courses on
User Stories
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the user and their need.
- Write a statement that describes the user's goal in the form of a benefit.
- Keep the user story concise and focused on a single task.
Contribute to an open-source agile project
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to the agile community by working on an open-source agile project.
Browse courses on
Agile
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an open-source agile project that you are interested in.
- Read the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
- Identify an area where you can contribute to the project.
- Submit a pull request with your changes.
Run usability tests
Show steps
Enhance the user experience of your product by identifying and addressing usability issues.
Browse courses on
User Testing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Recruit participants who represent your target audience.
- Create a set of tasks that the participants will complete.
- Observe the participants as they complete the tasks and note any difficulties or frustrations.
- Use the results of the usability test to improve the design and functionality of your product.
Career center
Learners who complete Agile Meets Design Thinking will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Product Manager
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for ensuring that a product meets the needs of its users. They work with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to define the product's vision and roadmap. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Product Managers develop the skills they need to create successful products. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills are essential for Product Managers who want to create products that people love.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers (UX Designers) are responsible for designing the user interface and experience for products. They work with Product Managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product is easy to use and enjoyable. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help UX Designers develop the skills they need to create successful products. The course teaches how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience, and how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products. These skills are essential for UX Designers who want to create products that people love.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create software that meets the needs of users. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Software Engineers develop the skills they need to create successful software. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable software, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills are essential for Software Engineers who want to create software that people love.
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designers are responsible for designing the overall look and feel of a product. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create products that are both beautiful and functional. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Product Designers develop the skills they need to create successful products. The course teaches how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience, and how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products. These skills are essential for Product Designers who want to create products that people love.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers are responsible for designing the way that users interact with products. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create products that are easy to use and enjoyable. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Interaction Designers develop the skills they need to create successful products. The course teaches how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience, and how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products. These skills are essential for Interaction Designers who want to create products that people love.
Design Researcher
Design Researcher
Design Researchers are responsible for conducting research to understand the needs of users. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create products that meet the needs of users. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Design Researchers develop the skills they need to create successful products. The course teaches how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience, and how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products. These skills are essential for Design Researchers who want to create products that people love.
Agile Coach
Agile Coach
Agile Coaches are responsible for helping teams adopt and implement agile practices. They work with teams to identify and overcome challenges, and to improve their productivity. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Agile Coaches develop the skills they need to be successful. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills are essential for Agile Coaches who want to help teams create successful products.
Scrum Master
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating Scrum teams. They work with teams to ensure that they are following Scrum principles and practices, and to remove any obstacles that may prevent the team from being successful. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Scrum Masters develop the skills they need to be successful. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills are essential for Scrum Masters who want to help teams create successful products.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for understanding the business needs of an organization and translating those needs into technical requirements. They work with Product Managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure that software meets the needs of the business. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to be successful. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable software, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills are essential for Business Analysts who want to help organizations create successful software products.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop project plans, and track project progress. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver successful projects. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for Project Managers who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their projects.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work with stakeholders to identify trends and patterns, and to make recommendations for improvements. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver valuable insights. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for Data Analysts who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
Information Architect
Information Architect
Information Architects are responsible for designing the structure and organization of information. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that information is easy to find and use. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for Information Architects who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver valuable information architectures. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for Information Architects who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
User Researcher
User Researcher
User Researchers are responsible for conducting research to understand the needs of users. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create products that meet the needs of users. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for User Researchers who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver valuable research insights. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for User Researchers who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
Visual Designer
Visual Designer
Visual Designers are responsible for designing the visual elements of products. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to create products that are both beautiful and functional. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for Visual Designers who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver valuable visual designs. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for Visual Designers who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
Content Designer
Content Designer
Content Designers are responsible for creating the written content for products. They work with Product Managers, UX Designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the content is clear, concise, and informative. The Agile Meets Design Thinking course may be useful for Content Designers who want to learn how to use agile practices to deliver valuable content. The course teaches how to use agile practices to deliver valuable products, and how to use design thinking to focus on the user experience. These skills may be helpful for Content Designers who want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/yecwl9/agile
Reading list
We've selected 13 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
Agile Meets Design Thinking.
Introduces the principles and practices of design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes empathy, creativity, and experimentation. It great resource for anyone looking to learn how to apply design thinking to their own work.
Save
Provides a practical guide to user story mapping, a technique for visualizing and prioritizing the features of a product or service. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn how to create user stories that are clear, concise, and actionable.
Classic in the field of design, and it provides a wealth of insights into how to design products and services that are both useful and enjoyable to use. It must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the principles of good design.
Provides a step-by-step guide to customer development, a process for testing your business ideas and assumptions with real customers. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn how to validate their business ideas and increase their chances of success.
Provides a practical guide to value proposition design, a process for creating products and services that are valuable to customers. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn how to create value propositions that are clear, concise, and persuasive.
Provides a comprehensive overview of agile development, including the principles, practices, and tools of agile. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about agile development and how to apply it to their own projects.
Save
Classic in the field of Scrum, and it provides a detailed overview of the Scrum framework. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about Scrum and how to implement it in their own organization.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Kanban, a visual management system for tracking work in progress. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about Kanban and how to use it to improve their workflow.
Save
Provides a practical guide to design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes empathy, creativity, and experimentation. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about design thinking and how to apply it to their own work.
Provides a practical guide to the Lean Product Process, a framework for developing products that are valuable to customers. It valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the Lean Product Process and how to apply it to their own products.
Presents a framework for building successful businesses based on the principles of lean manufacturing. It teaches readers how to test their hypotheses quickly and cheaply, and how to iterate and improve their products and services based on feedback from customers.
Tells the story of Pixar Animation Studios, and how it has become one of the most successful animation studios in the world. It great read for anyone looking to learn about the importance of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Explains why successful companies often fail to innovate, and how they can overcome this challenge. It valuable read for anyone looking to understand the dynamics of innovation and how to create a culture of innovation within their organization.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/yecwl9/agile
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Effort
5 weeks of study, 2 - 5 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Virginia
Instructor
Alex Cowan
Language
English
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