• UCI

Advanced Agile with Scrum and Kanban

Develop your Agile knowledge as you explore key frameworks to help improve your process efficiency.

Placeholder image - to be replaced
  • Duration

    7 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Explore Agile concepts in product management

On this seven-week course, you’ll build on your foundational knowledge of Agile and start to develop more advanced Agile skills to use in the workplace.

Through a series of hands-on exercises, you’ll delve into key areas of Agile as well as tools and techniques for practical application.

You’ll explore Scrum, Extreme Programming, Lean, and Kanban to gain a thorough understanding of how to apply Agile concepts in product management.

Build your understanding of Extreme Programming (XP)

You’ll learn the values of Extreme Programming to help you understand how to use this Agile software development framework to improve software quality.

You’ll also develop practical skills in Scum activities like executing the product backlog and contributing to a sprint retrospective.

Learn how to manage tasks with a Kanban board

As you expand your understanding of project management tools, you’ll learn how to organise and manage tasks with a Kanban board.

This knowledge will ensure you can use Kanban boards to help you maximise efficiency and workflow.

Use the Cynefin Framework to support your organisation

To help improve problem-solving and decision-making within your organisation, you’ll learn how to utilise A3 thinking and the Cynefin Framework. This understanding will help you respond more accurately and appropriately to issues that arise in your workplace.

Guided by industry experts in the technology sector, you’ll finish the course with both theoretical and practical knowledge to help you implement advanced Agile methodologies.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Product Management

    • Man viewing project plan papers on a notice board

      Course introduction

      In this activity, you'll be introduced to the FutureLearn platform, and the content that will be covered during this course. You will also get an overview of the topics covered during the first week of this course.

    • Design team creating design templates for product

      Product management

      In this activity, we start by looking at two popular design thinking tools and then moving on to the related field of lean startup.

    • Decorative image of idea lightbulb and paper crumpled ball

      Lean startup

      In this activity, we explore lean startup as another approach for initiating a product journey, and how it differs from design thinking.

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 2

    Scrum Overview

    • Decorative image Scrum word lettering illustration

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into the second week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Decorative image illustration of scrum methodology icon

      Scrum overview

      In this activity, we explore the topic of Scrum, defining Scrum roles and elements of a Product Backlog, and discuss how to incorporate a project manager into an Agile team.

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 3

    Scrum Activities

    • Hand holding up a card divided into four columns showing idea, to do, doing and done headings in the respective columns

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into the third week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Development Team gathered in a meeting to discuss accomplishments and goals for the day

      The Scrum activities

      In this activity, we are exploring Scrum activities, the format, and participation expectations for a Sprint retrospective event.

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 4

    Extreme Programming (XP)

    • Decorative image of person writing on blue and yellow sticky notes

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into the fourth week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Project team working together to solve problems and talk about ideas

      Values

      In this activity, you will explore the values of Extreme Programming (XP).

    • Two female programmers looking at code on a laptop

      Practices

      In this activity, you will explore the tools and practices available in Extreme Programming (XP).

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 5

    Kanban & Lean

    • Man sticking different colored sticky notes on a corkboard

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into the fifth week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Whiteboard Kanban work organized into a work process

      Kanban or Lean

      In this activity, we will explore Kanban and Lean and learn how to choose the best option for our projects.

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 6

    Advanced Kanban and Lean

    • Team sitting around a table having a meeting and taking notes

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into Week 6 of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Queueing line with yellow feet labels on the floor

      Kanban queueing theory

      In this activity, you will learn about Kanban queueing theory.

    • Illustration of the plan do check act cycle in project management

      Lean problem solving approach

      In this activity, you will learn the key importance of continuous improvement in Lean thinking, and you will be introduced to A3 Thinking for problem-solving.

    • Decorative image

      Week wrap up

      In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.

  • Week 7

    Systems Thinking

    • Person working on a laptop computer to manage digital documents

      Welcome to the week

      Moving into the final week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.

    • Two hands holding a digital image representing digital file storage systems, record-keeping software database and technology file access

      Systems thinking

      In this activity, we explore the differences between complicated and complex systems, and then go on to explore the Cynefin framework.

    • Decorative image

      Course wrap up

      In this activity, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week, by completing a graded test and applying what you have learned to a task.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Discuss and apply major Agile concepts in Product Management including Design Thinking, personas/empathy maps, and Lean Startup
  • Participate in Scrum activities like executing the product backlog and contributing to a sprint retrospective
  • Describe the values of Extreme Programming and determine which scenarios call for certain practices
  • Organize and manage tasks with a Kanban board
  • Utilize A3 thinking and the Cynefin Framework to support organizational problem-solving and decision-making.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those with prior knowledge of Agile. It explores advanced topics that will most be suited for project managers and programmers.

Who will you learn with?

Lori Garcia

Agile IT Project Manager for Medical Devices managing several mobile applications.

Bob Tarne

Consultant focused on improving organizations ability to deliver value effectively using tools such as Agile, Lean, Systems Coaching (ORSC), Business Process Improvement/BPM, and Design Thinking

Who developed the course?

UCI

University of California, Irvine

Established in 1962, the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (UCI DCE) has served the lifelong learning needs of individuals, organizations, and the community on a local, regional, and global scale.

  • Established

    1965
  • Location

    Irvine, USA
  • World ranking

    Top 100Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn