Agile Training FAQ
What is Agile?
"I like to define agility as “the ability of an organization to react to change in its environment faster than the rate of these changes.” This definition uses the ultimate purpose or function of being agile for a business, rather than defining agility by a labeled set of practices." Philippe Kruchten, Agility across time and space.
There are a broad range of documented approaches that fall under the Agile banner, including:
- SCRUM
- Feature Driven Development - FDD
- Crystal Methods
- Dynamic Systems Development Method - DSDM
- eXtreme Programming
The broad range of Agile methods have many aspects in common including iterative and incremental software development, collaborative teams, high-bandwidth communications, time-boxed iterations, low ceremony documentation, and most importantly, the underlying philosophy and approach embodied in the Agile Manifesto.
What experience does Software Education have in the Agile arena?
Software Education's Agile Team have extensive and demonstrable experience in applying Agile approaches to diverse working environments in a pragmatic way. Our Agile trainers and consultants:
- run over 150 Agile courses a year,
- have successfully implemented Agile solutions for a number of organisations in Australia and New Zealand,
- share their knowledge and experience with our overseas Agile experts like Philippe Kruchten and Jim Highsmith,
- are independent from any branded consulting approach.
Let our Agile Team know if you would like to meet up with one of our Agile trainers or consultants to explore your Agile challenge!
How do roles change on Agile projects?
Tester - Testing is a core practice which starts at the beginning of the project and continues throughout the life of the project. This change in approach requires testers to be more collaborative, and to work in the team environment focused on delivering working software that meets the business needs.
Business Analyst - The Business Analysis role gets involved from A to Z in the project. Analysis is not a one-time, up-front activity, but a continuous discovery process that takes place over the whole life of the project. Analysts get involved in story identification and elaboration, creating the environment for active customer involvement.
Project Manager - The project manager on an Agile project is primarily responsible for the provision of resources and the removing of obstacles - the team is empowered to be self-organising and the PM is there to manage by exception, guide and assist the team to achieve their goals.
Architect - Architects and other technical direction roles (UI design, security etc) do not go away in Agile projects, but they become consultants to the team, providing answers and guidance in their specific areas of expertise.
Is Agile right for our organisation?
Agile contains a lot of good key principles, however they might not always be the best practices for your project. Depending on whether you adopt all Agile principles or just a selection will be the difference between your organisation 'doing Agile' and your organisation 'being Agile'. In both cases 'doing agile' or 'being agile' your organisation will benefit in terms of its improved ability to react to change in its environment faster than the rate of these changes.
Lastly, studies have shown improved success rates and significant cost savings from the implementation of Agile techniques, and the Chaos Survey (2003-2009) has identified projects which use Agile techniques as being more likely to succeed.
Isn't Agile just another fad, we’ve seen all this before in (RUP, RAD/RIP, Spiral)
Agile has been around under various names and guises for years. Recently a selection of very good software development practices, evolved over the last 30 or 40 years of software development, have been brought together in one encompassing package i.e. Agile.
I am experienced at Agile development and want an advanced course, do you have anything that will help me?
Software Education has over a dozen different agile courses including specialist subjects like Rapid Software Testing and Continuous Improvement Using Lean and Agile. We also deliver a number of conferences each year with international keynote speakers, some of which have world-class agile backgrounds like Diana Larsen or James Shore. Contact us for more details.
I hear that the customer is closely involved in the Agile process. Is there a course for them to attend?
There are a number of courses that are of relevance for the customer involved in the agile process. Customers may include key stakeholders, project sponsors, the business or any other persons who have an influence in the development process. Feel free to put your customers in touch with us.
I am a Certified ScrumMaster – do I need to attend any other training?
ScrumMaster training is a two-day introductory course which provides an understanding of the structure, practices and motivation behind Agile techniques, with a strong emphasis on the rules of Scrum as one of the key methods. To the best of our knowledge, it does not go into the specific project management, development, analysis and testing practices which are used “on the ground” in Agile projects. If you are a ScrumMaster then that's a great start - we have a number of courses that can build on your knowledge.
Do we need special tools to do Agile?
Tools can be useful, however are not required.
Do we need a coach to help us?
Having access to an Agile coach will make your transition to Agile projects easier. Contact us for more information about this service.
