Agile Essentials You Always Wanted To Know (2nd Edition)

1. Agile Overview
1.1 What is Agile?
1.2 Need for Agile
1.3 Agile Characteristics
1.4 Agile Myths
1.5 Agile Manifesto
1.6 Agile Methodologies
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

2. Scrum
2.1 Scrum Overview
2.2 Scrum Pillars
2.3 Scrum Roles
2.4 Scrum Events
2.5 Scrum Artifacts
2.6 Scrum Chronology of Events
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

3. Agile Planning
3.1 Agile Planning vs. Traditional Planning
3.2 Requirements Gathering
3.3 Prioritization
3.4 Estimation
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

4. Agile Execution
4.1 Risk Management
4.2 Prototypes, Simulations, Demonstrations
4.3 Test-Driven Development (TDD) / Test-First Development (TFD)
4.4 Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)
4.5 Cycle Time
4.6 Escaped Defects
4.7 Agile Contracting
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

5. Agile Tracking and Reporting
5.1 Agile Communications
5.2 Information Radiators
5.3 Agile Earned Value Management (EVM)
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

6. Case Study - Building a Research Access Platform with Scrum & Kanban (Scrumban)
6.1 Agile Team Characteristics
6.2 Agile Leadership
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises

7. Agile in Remote Teams — Succeeding in the Hybrid, Post-COVID World
7.1 The Changing World of Agile
7.2 The Shift to Remote and Hybrid Work
7.3 Core Agile Values in a Remote Context
7.4 Redesigning Agile Ceremonies for Remote Teams
7.5 Collaboration and Communication Tools
7.6 Accountability and Visibility in Remote Teams
7.7 Team Dynamics, Trust, and Psychological Safety
7.8 Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Chapter Summary
Solved Examples
Practice Exercises
Case Study - Async Efficiency with a Touch of Sync

Glossary
References

Kalpesh Ashar is a management consultant and corporate trainer. He holds an MBA from SPJIMR, an Engineering degree, and Agile certifications including CSM (Certified Scrum Master), PMI-ACP (PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner), and SFPC – Scrum Foundations Professional Certificate. Mr. Ashar has over 21 years of experience in large organizations and start-ups in Asia, USA, and Europe. His background provides a platform from which to write in a way to help people with diverse backgrounds understand business topics.

Sandeep Rana is an Agile-focused product and program management professional who has led digital initiatives for Apollo, PayU, Safran, Gemalto, and HSBC worldwide. Together, they bring a practical, people-centric view of Agile to help teams deliver meaningful results in a changing world.

Vibrant Publishers is focused on presenting the best texts for learning about technology and business as well as books for test preparation. Categories include programming, operating systems and other texts focused on IT. In addition, a series of books helps professionals in their own disciplines learn the business skills needed in their professional growth.

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The Self-Learning Management Series is designed to help students, new managers, career switchers, and entrepreneurs learn essential management lessons and covers every aspect of business, from HR to Finance to Marketing to Operations across any and every industry. Each book includes basic fundamentals, important concepts, and standard and well-known principles as well as practical ways of application of the subject matter.

Agile Essentials is a well-written and thoughtful introduction to the principles and practices of Agile ways of working, leading newcomers from basic concepts through to real-world examples and practical applications. Although aimed at beginners, there is a depth of knowledge which will be valuable to more experienced practitioners as well. The book provides a thorough grounding in Agile fundamentals, covering key frameworks such as Scrum and eXtreme Programming, and expands these with a variety of concrete examples. I found the chapters on Agile planning and the application of Agile for remote teams especially valuable.
-- Christopher W. Young, Chief Technology Officer, PMP®, PSM, Agile Coach

Agile Essentials You Always Wanted To Know delivers a thorough and technically robust introduction to Agile, combining essential theory with practical guidance that enables learners to immediately put their knowledge into action. Each chapter begins with sharply focused learning objectives, ensuring readers understand the key topics to be covered. I find value in the real-world case studies that illustrate Agile principles in practice, while solved examples reinforce understanding. Practical exercises at the end of each chapter allow readers to test and deepen their grasp of the material. This resource is indispensable for both newcomers to Agile and experienced practitioners seeking to enhance their skills.
-- Shadreck Phiri, PMP®, AgilePM®, P3O®, PRINCE2®
Managing Executive

Online Resources

Instructor Resources