1st Edition

Agile for Project Managers

By Denise Canty Copyright 2015
    240 Pages 11 B/W Illustrations
    by Auerbach Publications

    240 Pages 11 B/W Illustrations
    by Auerbach Publications

    Agile project management is a proven approach for designing and delivering software with improved value to customers. Agility is all about self-directed teams, feedback, light documentation, and working software with shorter development cycles.

    The role of the project manager with agile differs significantly from traditional project management in that there is minimal up-front planning. Agile for Project Managers will help project managers from any industry transition to agile project management.

    The book examines the project management component of agility, concentrating on industry standards, certifications, and being agile. It also compares agile methods to traditional project management methods throughout to provide readers with a clear understanding of the differences between the two.

    The book’s focus is in alignment with the Project Management Institute (PMI®) Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®) credential—making it an ideal resource for anyone preparing for the PMI-ACP® exam. Coverage includes:

    • Agile as a project management methodology
    • Agile teams
    • Agile tools and techniques
    • Flavors of agile
    • Agile principles
    • Agile certifications

    The book provides readers with the understanding required to decide which projects will benefit from agile. It also includes information that can help readers to assess their organizations’ readiness for agile methods.

    Complete with a list of agile training providers, the book will help certified project managers make a smooth transition to agile project management and will provide newcomers with the basic knowledge needed to pass the PMI-ACP® exam, the first time around.

    What Exactly Is Agile?
    Agile Is Faster
    Agile Changes Are Inherent
    Agile Is Value-Focused
    Agile Is Risk-Focused
    Agile Methods Support the Delivery of High-Quality
    Products
    Agile Manifesto
    Traditional Project Management
    Moving to Agile
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Concepts
    Agile Values
    Recap
    Agile Guiding Principles
    Declaration of Interdependence
    Chapter Summary

    The Most Popular Agile Methods
    Scrum Overview
    Scrum Transparency
    Adaptation
    Inspection
    Iterative and Incremental Development
    Time-Boxing
    Collaboration
    Self-Organization
    Scrum Management and Leadership Styles
    Scrum Roles and Responsibilities
    Product Owner
    ScrumMaster
    Scrum Team
    Scrum Planning
    Sprints
    Core Values of Scrum
    Sprint Artifacts (Deliverables)
    Product Vision
    Prioritized Product Backlog
    Sprint Goal
    Sprint Backlog
    Blocks List
    Sprint (Product) Increment
    Sprint Burndown Chart
    Scrum Board
    Recap of Scrum
    Extreme Programming (XP) Overview
    XP Core Values
    XP Roles and Responsibilities
    Customer
    Developer
    Tracker
    Coach
    XP Core Practices
    Recap of XP
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Tools
    Agile Project Management Tools
    Tools Review and Analysis Process
    Agile Automated Tools
    Build Automation Tools
    Cameras
    Collaboration Tools
    Task Boards
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Stakeholder Engagement
    Traditional Stakeholder Management
    Agile Stakeholder Management Concepts
    The Right People
    Stakeholder Management
    Vendor Management
    Ensuring Stakeholder Engagement
    Stakeholder Tools and Techniques
    Agile Modeling
    Personas
    Website Wireframe
    User Stories
    Stakeholder Communications Management
    Information Displays
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Documentation?
    Agile Documentation Best Practices
    Selecting What to Document
    Stable Information
    Simple Documentation
    Minimal Document Overlap
    Proper Place for Documents
    Publicly Displayed Information
    Create Documentation with a Purpose
    Focus on Customer Needs
    Let the Customer Determine Document Value
    Iterative Documentation
    Better Ways to Communicate
    Current Documents
    When to Update Documents
    Documentation Requirements
    Require Justification for Documentation
    Required Documentation
    Writing Experience Required
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Tracking and Reporting
    Earned Value on Agile Projects
    Cumulative Flow Diagrams
    Work in Progress (WIP)
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Project Management Process
    Agile Project Management
    Project Feasibility
    Create Business Case
    Project Vision
    Agile Project Initiation
    Create Agile Charter
    Assign Project Staff
    Develop Project Backlog
    Create Estimates
    Affinity Estimation
    Cost Estimation
    Develop Road Map with Story Mapping
    Plan Release
    Breakdown Epics
    Estimate Stories with Poker Planning
    Create Release Plan
    Iteration 0
    Architectural Spikes
    Prepare for Iteration 1 during Iteration 0
    Iteration Planning 1–N (Where N Is the Total Number of Iterations in a Release)
    Iteration R
    Coding
    Execute Acceptance Tests
    Create Test Cases
    Execute Automated Testing
    Definition of "Done"
    Answer Client’s Questions for Sign-Off
    Prepare Stories for Next Iteration
    Daily Standup Meeting
    Update Burndown/Burnup Charts
    Iteration Retrospective
    Close-Out Actions
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Value
    Calculating Value
    Plan Value
    Adaptability and Value
    Adaptive Planning
    Agile versus Traditional Changes
    Minimally Marketable Features
    Tailoring and Value
    Deliver Value
    Using Software or Task Boards to Deliver Value
    Analyzing and Determining Value
    Value Prioritization
    Confirm Value
    Track and Report Value
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Risk Management
    Mitigating Risks with Agile Methods
    Risk Management for Agile versus Traditional Project Management
    Chapter Summary

    Agile People Skills
    Listening
    Negotiating
    Addressing and Resolving Conflict
    Utilizing Emotional Intelligence
    Conducting Effective Meetings
    Embracing Diversity
    Leading and Managing Effectively
    Adaptive Leadership
    Servant Leadership
    Embodying the PMI Code of Ethics
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Teams
    Agile Team Characteristics
    Agile Team Magic
    Collaboration
    Collaborative Agile Games
    Communication
    Commitment
    Agile Team Size
    Motivating the Agile Team
    Aligning the Agile Team
    Coaching the Agile Team
    Problem Resolution
    Problem Detection
    Cycle Time
    Quality
    V & V
    Continuous Integration
    Problem Solving
    Chapter Summary

    Agile Certifications
    Project Management Institute Agile Certified
    Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
    Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
    Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Coach (CSC)
    Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
    Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
    Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
    Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer (CST)
    SCRUMstudy Scrum Developer Certified (SDC)
    SCRUMstudy ScrumMaster Certified (SMC)
    SCRUMstudy Agile Expert Certified (AEC)
    SCRUMstudy Scrum Product Owner Certified (SPOC)
    SCRUMstudy Expert ScrumMaster (ESM)

    Biography

    Denise Canty is a Project Management Professional (PMP), a PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), a Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE), and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM). She holds three degrees from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC):

    • Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2013
    • Master of Science in IT Project Management (MS), 2012
    • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS), 1998

    Canty has over 20 years of experience in information technology. She has resided in the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 1986.