Software Processes and Agile Practices

About this course: This course delves into a variety of processes to structure software development. It also covers the foundations of core Agile practices, such as Extreme Programming and Scrum. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: - Distinguish between different process models for organizing software production. - Gauge the applicability of process models for a software development project. - Apply the fundamentals of Agile software development and management practices.

Created by:  University of Alberta

• Taught by:  Kenny Wong, Associate Professor

  Computing Science, Faculty of Science

Basic Info Course 2 of 6 in the Software Product Management Specialization Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Module 1: Introduction to Processes



Are you someone who likes to see the big-picture? Being a forward thinker who knows what’s coming next is an invaluable trait as a software product manager. This module will prepare you to become this asset for your team. A software process organizes development from beginning to end. We are going to walk through each step of the development process. This will allow you to become familiar with the entire development process so that you can effectively organize product development and foresee upcoming steps--even if you’ve never worked in software development before!


8 videos, 6 readings expand

1. Video: Specialization Preview
2. Reading: Meet your presenters: Morgan Patzelt
3. Reading: Meet your presenters: Bradley Poulette
4. Video: Introduction to Software Processes and Agile Practices
5. Reading: Course Resources: Software Processes and Agile Practices
6. Reading: Course Map: Software Processes and Agile Practices
7. Video: 2.1.1: Processes and Practices
8. Video: 2.1.1A: Processes and Practices
9. Video: 2.1.1B: Processes and Practices
10. Reading: Reading: Differentiating Phases, Activities and Tasks
11. Video: 2.1.2: Software Engineering Activities
12. Video: 2.1.2A: Software Engineering Activities
13. Video: 2.1.2B: Software Engineering Activities
14. Reading: Module 1: Supplemental Resources

Graded: Module 1 Assessment (Graded)

WEEK 2


Module 2: Process Models



Ready to dive a little deeper? This module will familiarize you with a wide variety of software process models from throughout history. You will learn about basic software process models, like the Waterfall model and The Unified Process. These fundamental processes will set the stage for the knowledge you will gain later in the course, where more complex processes will be introduced.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: 2.2.1: Linear Models
2. Video: 2.2.2: Spiral Model
3. Video: 2.2.3: Unified Process
4. Video: 2.2.4: Prototyping
5. Video: 2.2.5: Continuous Delivery
6. Reading: Module 2: Supplemental Resources

Graded: Module 2 Assessment (Graded)

WEEK 3


Module 3: Agile Practices



Do you want to help developers reach their full potential? Do you want to impress clients by delivering a great product on-schedule and on-budget? Then this module is the place for you! In this module, you will learn some Agile methodologies that are practiced in the industry today. This module will cover the Scrum and Extreme Programming methodologies. The practices in these methodologies are some of the most popular practices in the industry today. They provide practices that will help to maintain organized and effective development. These methodologies will help you to know the exact state of your product and deliver successfully!


4 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: 2.3.1: Using Agile With Process Models
2. Video: 2.3.2: Extreme Programming
3. Video: 2.3.2B: Extreme Programming
4. Video: 2.3.3: Scrum
5. Reading: Discussion: Difficulties Adopting Scrum
6. Reading: Module 3: Supplemental Resources

Graded: Module 3 Assessment (Graded)

WEEK 4


Module 4: Other Practices



Almost there! In this last module, we will dive into Lean Software Development and Kanban. Being the most complex tools which we will cover in this course makes them the “spike-driving machines” from our railroad-building analogy. Lean and Kanban are a cumulation of many lessons learned, and are widely used in some form in the industry today.


5 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: 2.4.1: Agile Variations and Lean Software Development
2. Video: 2.4.1A: Agile Variations and Lean Software Development
3. Video: 2.4.1B: Agile Variations and Lean Software Development
4. Video: 2.4.1C: Agile Variations and Lean Software Development
5. Video: 2.4.2: Kanban
6. Reading: Module 4: Supplemental Resources
7. Reading: Acknowledgements

Graded: Module 4 Assessment (Graded)
Graded: Course Final Assessment (Graded)