Course Description
In this course, students learn the theories and methods behind Agile or adaptive project life cycles and agile tools, techniques, and skills. The course introduces the principles and best practices of the Scrum agile product development framework. Class discussions cover how agile methods for determining requirements, estimating, and enabling self-managing teams to build products can help to better control today’s high-demand, ever-changing project environments. Students will be able to sit for a Scrum Master certification exam upon completion of this course. (3 credits)
Additional Information
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Agile project management with a specific focus on Scrum practices and principles. Students will learn how to apply Agile values, roles, events, and artifacts to real-world project development while gaining practical experience in managing iterative work cycles. Through case studies, simulations, and applied exercises, students will develop the skills needed to facilitate Scrum ceremonies, manage product backlogs, and foster effective Agile team collaboration.
Emphasis is placed on exam readiness, with structured learning activities designed to align with Scrum Alliance certification requirements. Students will practice applying Scrum in dynamic project environments, analyze performance using Agile metrics, and refine their ability to adapt Scrum practices to organizational contexts. By the end of the course, learners will be well-prepared to consider pursuing a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) certification by demonstrating both technical proficiency and practical competence in Agile/Scrum project management.
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Students who graduate with a major in Business Administration will:
- B1. Apply the concepts, theories, and relationships among the functional areas of an organization, including the ability to explain the nature and construct of an organization; assess the information technology needs of an organization, explain the process of resource allocation within an organization; identify and satisfy the needs of the consumer, and create strategic processes and measurements necessary for a successful organization;
- B4. Demonstrate well-developed and effective critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, organizational leadership, teamwork, oral and written communication skills utilizing tools such as internet, research databases, and other tools as required.
Students who graduate with a major in Software Development will:
- S8. Demonstrate effective project management skills in software development, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptability.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Critically evaluate and interpret the Agile Manifesto’s values and principles, synthesizing them into actionable frameworks that address organizational strategy, culture, and transformation.
- Analyze and critique the roles, events, and artifacts of the Scrum framework, assessing their impact on stakeholder engagement, organizational governance, and value delivery.
- Design and adapt Scrum practices in managing complex Agile projects, integrating organizational constraints, cross-functional dependencies, and evolving customer requirements.
- Compare and contrast Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, and other Agile frameworks, justifying their strategic application in enterprise environments, multi-team programs, and regulated industries.
- Develop and optimize Scrum artifacts (e.g., product backlog, sprint backlog, Increment) that align with business objectives, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and maximize value delivery in dynamic environments.
- Examine and resolve complex Agile team dynamics by applying advanced conflict resolution models, systems thinking, and leadership practices that foster collaboration and psychological safety.
- Evaluate and interpret Agile performance metrics (e.g., velocity, throughput, burndown charts) to make evidence-based decisions, forecast delivery outcomes, and optimize continuous improvement cycles.
- Synthesize Agile knowledge and practices to prepare for, critique, and achieve professional Scrum certification, demonstrating both technical proficiency and critical reflection on certification frameworks.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Points |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-7) | 200 |
Assignments (Weeks 1-7) | 525 |
Quizzes (Weeks 1–7) | 70 |
Final Project (Week 8 Presentation) | 205 |
Total Points | 1000 |
Required Textbook
There is no text required. This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning, and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos, and software that are no cost for students.
Additional Resources
- Coursera courses’ modules through Charter Oak Career Academy:
- Google Agile Project Management – Coursera specialization (Course 5) of the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Explore Agile history, approach, and Scrum philosophy.
- IBM IT Project Manager / IBM DevOps / IBM Product Manager / IBM Program Manager: Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum: Adaptive Planning, Incremental Development, and Iterative Improvement.
- Microsoft Project Management / Program Management: Agile and Hybrid Approaches. Use Agile principles to adapt to changing project requirements; hands-on project execution.
- SkillUp EdTech / IBM IT Project Manager: Introduction to Scrum Master Profession. Fundamentals of the Scrum Master role. Covers Agile leadership and Scrum practices.
- Agile Manifesto (Source: https://agilemanifesto.org/)
- The Scrum Guide (Source: https://scrumguides.org; latest edition; free). It is the official source of truth for Scrum Alliance certification.
Course Schedule
Week | PLOs | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | B1, B4, S8 | 1,4 | Topics: Introduction to Agile and Scrum
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2 | B1, B4, S8 | 2,6 | Topic: Scrum Roles, Teams, and Collaboration
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3 | B1, B4, S8 | 2,5 | Topics: Scrum Framework and Artifacts
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4 | B1, B4, S8 | 3,5 | Topic: Agile Practices in Action
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5 | B1, B4, S8 | 3,5 | Topics: Product Backlog and Prioritization
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6 | B1, B4, S8 | 4,6 | Topics: Scaling and Hybrid Agile Models
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7 | B1, B4, S8 | 6,7 | Topics: Agile Performance, Metrics, and Continuous Improvement
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8 | B1, B4, S8 | 1-8 | Topics: Certification Preparation and Final Project Presentation
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.