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MGT6520

Agile Methods

Focused on the strategic and tactical methods applied in the management of Agile projects, this course presents essential skills and activities utilized in managing complex Agile projects within modern organizations. Students in this course evaluate influential research from the Agile Project Management body of knowledge regarding the adoption and application of tools, techniques, and processes applied in Agile projects. Topics include Agile methods applied for value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning and problem detection and resolution in Agile projects.

PREREQUISITE:  MGT6505

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:

  • Evaluating and appraising influential research from the agile project domain relevant to agile methods.
  • Adapting ethics and moral leadership in the development of agile project management.
  • Application of the Agile Manifesto values and principles using Agile methods.
  • Discussing Agile methods for motivating, building, and mentoring agile teams.
  • Analyzing, evaluating, and applying Agile project/product analysis and design principles including progressive elaboration, Agile modeling, product backlog, user stories, and collaboration games.
  • Discussing Agile estimation methods of relative sizing (story points), affinity estimating, wideband Delphi, and ideal time.
  • Analyzing, evaluating, and applying methods for team and other stakeholder communication including information radiators, collocation, osmotic communication, social media, active listing, brainstorming, and feedback methods.
  • Evaluating and applying Agile project metrics including velocity, cycle time, lead-time, EVM for agile projects, work in progress (WIP) and agile KPIs.
  • Discussing Agile planning, monitoring, and adapting methods including timeboxing, WIP limits, backlog grooming/refinement, product-feedback loop, daily standups, trend analysis, retrospectives, and iteration and release planning.
  • Discussing Agile process improvement methods including Kaizen, five WHYs, retrospectives, process tailoring, value stream mapping, control limits, and root cause analysis.
  • Analyzing, evaluating, and applying Agile product quality methods including inspection and evaluation, definition of done, continuous integration/DevOps, and technical quality assurance tools.
  • Discussing Agile value-based prioritization methods including ROI/NPV/IRR, customer valued prioritization, requirement reviews, minimal viable product (MVP), minimal marketable feature (MMF), relative prioritization/ranking, MoSCoW, and Kano analysis.

Syllabi

Spring 2023 Download
Fall 2023 Download
Spring 2024 Download