Agile Development Specialization course Syllabus

Overview: This specialization provides a beginner-friendly introduction to Agile development, designed to build strong fundamentals for individuals and teams in modern software environments. The program spans five core courses followed by a capstone project, each requiring approximately 4–6 weeks of effort at a few hours per week. Learners will gain practical knowledge of Agile principles, Scrum practices, planning techniques, testing strategies, and continuous improvement, culminating in a hands-on project that simulates real-world Agile workflows. Total time commitment is approximately 24–30 hours.

Module 1: Agile Software Development

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Understand the origins and evolution of Agile
• Explore the Agile Manifesto and its core values
• Learn the 12 Agile principles and their practical implications
• Compare Agile with traditional plan-driven models like Waterfall

Module 2: Agile Planning and Requirements

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Write effective user stories and acceptance criteria
• Create and prioritize product backlogs
• Conduct backlog refinement and grooming sessions
• Apply release and iteration planning techniques

Module 3: Scrum Practices and Team Collaboration

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Define Scrum roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team
• Understand Scrum ceremonies: Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Reviews, Retrospectives
• Manage Scrum artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment
• Enhance team collaboration and communication in Agile settings

Module 4: Agile Testing and Continuous Improvement

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Apply test-driven development (TDD) practices
• Implement Agile testing strategies across development cycles
• Integrate continuous integration and feedback loops
• Use retrospectives for team and process improvement

Module 5: Agile Estimation and Planning Techniques

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Estimate work using story points and relative sizing
• Calculate and apply velocity for sprint forecasting
• Conduct planning poker sessions
• Adapt planning based on team performance and feedback

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Apply Agile practices to a simulated software project
• Manage a product backlog and execute sprints
• Demonstrate team collaboration, retrospectives, and continuous improvement

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic software development concepts
• No prior Agile experience required
• Basic understanding of team-based projects helpful

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Explain Agile values, principles, and mindset in modern software development
• Apply Scrum roles, events, and artifacts in team environments
• Create and manage user stories and product backlogs effectively
• Use Agile estimation techniques like story points and velocity
• Implement testing, continuous integration, and retrospectives for continuous improvement