ADGR811001, Agile Methodologies, 3 Credits

Woods College of Advancing Studies

Spring 2019 Semester, January 15 - May 15
Tuesday, 6:30-9:00 PM

Instructor Name: Lalig Musserian

BC E-mail: Lalig.musserian@bc.edu
Phone Number: 617-319-2651
Office: 617-319-2651
Office Hours: N/A

Boston College Mission Statement

Strengthened by more than a century and a half of dedication to academic excellence, Boston College commits
itself to the highest standards of teaching and research in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs
and to the pursuit of a just society through its own accomplishments, the work of its faculty and staff, and the
achievements of its graduates. It seeks both to advance its place among the nation's finest universities and to
bring to the company of its distinguished peers and to contemporary society the richness of the Catholic
intellectual ideal of a mutually illuminating relationship between religious faith and free intellectual inquiry.

Boston College draws inspiration for its academic societal mission from its distinctive religious tradition. As a
Catholic and Jesuit university, it is rooted in a world view that encounters God in all creation and through all
human activity, especially in the search for truth in every discipline, in the desire to learn, and in the call to live
justly together. In this spirit, the University regards the contribution of different religious traditions and value
systems as essential to the fullness of its intellectual life and to the continuous development of its distinctive
intellectual heritage.

Course Description
Companies that produce software or manage non-software projects are increasingly turning to agile development
practices to help them stay competitive. Strategic project management is focused on the rapid and repeatable
delivery of software or product, speed to market and risk mitigation as part of the project management process.
Scrum Masters and Scrum teams need to become well-versed in Agile practices and the highly collaborative and
iterative methods which have made Agile and experienced “Agilista’s” in high demand.  This course starts with an
overview for project managers and project teams on a variety of Agile methods, followed by a deeper dive into
the most popular Agile process called Scrum.  While there are many Agile techniques, Scrum is used in
approximately 80-85% of the time, with an estimated 12-15 million people using it daily to manage their projects.
We will cover what it means to be “Scrumming”, with activities grouped into categories of People, Process and
Technology within the 3 recommended phases for the successful implementation of projects with Scrum. For each
phase, we will review a set of inputs and outputs, definitions and common terminologies, tips for success, inputs
and outputs and the various Scrum ceremonies for a comprehensive course on running a project using Scrum.   
This will be an interactive, hands-on class, so we can practice Scrum principles and not just learn them from a
theoretical perspective. At the end of the class, students will be highly encouraged, with some time dedicated to
prepping, to take the Professional Scrum Master 1 (PSM 1) test on the last day of the class. Once students achieve
this certification, they will be in a better position to secure a role as a Scrum Master on a project.

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Textbooks & Readings (Required)

 Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process, by Kenneth S. Rubin
 The Scrum Guide, by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland
Free download here http://www.scrumguides.org/docs/scrumguide/v2016/2016-Scrum-Guide-
US.pdf#zoom=100
 Watch the Scrum Guide Update Video from 11/7/17 with Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland
Link here https://www.scrum.org/resources/scrum-guide-update

Textbooks & Readings (Recommended)

 The Great ScrumMaster, #ScrumMasterWay, by Zuzana Sochova
 PMI Agile Practice Guide (free download for PMI Members, charge for non-members)
 Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum by Mike Cohn

Canvas
Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) at Boston College, designed to help faculty and
students share ideas, collaborate on assignments, discuss course readings and materials, submit
assignments, and much more - all online. As a Boston College student, you should familiarize yourself
with this important tool. For more information and training resources for using Canvas, click here.
In the case of any technical difficulties or concerns, please contact canvas@bc.edu or 617-552-HELP
(4357) for immediate assistance.
NOTE: Canvas requires particular computer specifications and wifi access. It is important that you plan
accordingly, particularly for courses that have online components.

Course Objectives
1. Students will demonstrate knowledge, skill and/or competency across cultural settings and
appreciate the impact of culture, gender, and age in Project Management as demonstrated by
working on project work in teams during class.
2. Students will demonstrate ethical knowledge, skill and/or competency, as appropriate for the
course pertaining to Project Management as demonstrated by the homework submitted.
3. Students will learn to identify and address project management issues, as demonstrated by
contributions to class discussion, written assignments, examinations, and working in teams.
4. Students will learn the concepts of Scrum and work within their teams to apply and demonstrate
the learning as evidenced by class participation, homework assignments and quizzes/tests.

Grading

40% of the grade is based on Critical Thinking writing assignments and Pop Quizes throughout the
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semester.

40% is based on classroom participation and in-class team or individual presentations.

20% of the grade is based on a final exam. If a student chooses to take the PSM 1 test, they do not need
to take the final exam.

The undergraduate grading system for Woods College is as follows:

A (4.00), A- (3.67)
B+ (3.33), B (3.00), B- (2.67)
C+ (2.33), C (2.00), C- (l.67)
D+ (l.33), D (l.00), D- (.67)
F (.00)

The graduate grading system for Woods College is as follows:

A (4.00), A- (3.67)
B+ (3.33), B (3.00)
B- (2.67), passing but does not count toward degree
C (2.00), passing but not for degree credit
F (.00)

All students can access final grades through Agora after the grading deadline each semester. Students
who complete course evaluations can access grades earlier, as they are posted.

Course Assignments
It is expected that you will spend 3-4 hours per week on out-of-class assignments, readings and
exercises. These are listed below. Please note that some weeks will require more time and some weeks
less time but the average is approximately 3-4 hours per week over the semester.

a. Pop Quizzes
10-12 Pop Quizzes which will be graded toward your final grade

b. Critical Writing Assignments

1-page, double-lined paper on the specific topic or theme for the writing assignment.
Assignment will be graded based on the Professor’s assessment and judgment on the
student’s comprehension of the topic or logic as written. Copying and pasting from
textbook or other sources will not be acceptable and will cause a reduction in grade.
Writing assignments can be emailed to the Professor at Lalig.musserian@bc.edu or hand
delivered in class on or before the due date.

c. Reading Assignments
Students are expected to come prepared to the classroom, by reading the assigned
chapters before class. As this course is hands-on and participation is key to learning, the
Professor may call on students to provide comments or feedback on topics in the class
reading assignment.
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 d. Professional Scrum Master (PSM) 1 – As part of our class, students will be strongly
advised to take the PSM 1 certification exam on the last day of class. More information
will be provided to the students throughout the class about certification, sample exams,
preparation and other help to support students to take and pass the exam.

Deadlines and Late Work

Work is expected to be submitted when is due. A late work may reduce the grade for every day it is late
unless preapproved by the instructor at the time of assignment.

Professor’s Presentation Materials

The Professor will email a PDF version of the PowerPoint presentation to students after each class.

Syllabus
As to be expected with an iterative and adaptive framework, the Syllabus may be modified to rearrange
weekly topics if needed, to align with actual student progress, velocity of exercises, etc. If the Syllabus is
modified, a revised version will be posted on Canvas and students will be notified.

Course Schedule

Date/Week Topic Reading/Assignment Due Date

1/15/19 Introduction to Agile methods and the Agile Manifesto – The Scrum Guide, by 1/15/19
Lesson 1 Why Scrum? Why now? Ken Schwaber and Jeff
Sutherland
(19 pages)
The Scrum Framework
Chapters 1 and 2 Watch Scrum Updates
Video

Read Chapters 1 and 2

1/22/19 Agile Principles 1/22/19
Lesson 2 Chapter 3 Read Chapter 3

1/29/19 Sprints Critical Thinking 1/29/19

Lesson 3 Assignment: Personal
Chapter 4 Reflections: Why Agile
and not Waterfall-
which framework and
Personal reflections and selected Student Presentations- why?
Waterfall vs. Agile
1 Page double lined
Writing assignment

Read Chapter 4
2/5/19 Requirements and User Stories Pop Quiz on Agile 2/5/19
Lesson 4 Principles
Product Backlog
Prepare for Quiz by
Chapter 5 and 6 reviewing Chapters 1-4

Read Chapter 5 and 6

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2/12/19 Classes Canceled due to Snow

2/19/19 Estimation and Velocity Read Chapters 9, 10 2/19/19

Lesson 5 Chapter 7 and 11

Team Exercises

2/26/19 Technical Debt Pop Quiz on 2/26/19

Lesson 6 Chapter 8 Estimation and
Velocity
The Roles in Scrum: Product Owner, Scrum Master,
Development Team

Chapters 9, 10 and 11

3/5/19 NO CLASSES- Spring Break

3/12/19 Scrum Team Structures Critical Thinking 3/12/19

Lesson 7 Assignment: What
Managers makes a team “high
performing and how
Chapters 12 and 13 do you sustain it?”
What does leading
research say about
this?

Read Chapters 12 and

13

3/19/19 Scrum Planning Principles Read Chapters 14 and 3/19/19

Lesson 8 15
Multi-Level Planning

Chapters 14 and 15

Selected student presentations on last week’s Critical

Thinking assignment

Team Exercise
3/26/19 Portfolio Planning Read Chapters 16 and 3/26/19
Lesson 9 17
Envisioning (Product Planning)

Chapters 16 and 17

Team Exercise: Creating our product roadmaps

4/2/19 Release Planning (Longer Term Planning) Read Chapter 18 4/2/19

Lesson 10
Chapters 18

Classroom team exercise continuation: Planning a

Release

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 4/9/19 Sprint Planning Read Chapters 19 and 4/9/19
Lesson 11 Sprint Execution 20

Chapters 19 and 20

Classroom team exercise continuation: Sprint Planning

and Execution

4/16/19 No Classes- Graduation Dinner and Easter Break

4/23/19 Sprint Review Read Chapters 21 and 4/23/19

Lesson 12 Sprint Retrospective 22

Chapters 21 and 22 Pop Quiz on Sprint

Planning and Sprint
Classroom team exercise continuation: The Sprint Execution
Review/demonstration of work completed in the Sprint,
running a Sprint Retrospective

Scale Agile Frameworks - Guest Speaker

4/30/19 The Path Forward Read Chapter 23 4/30/19

Lesson 13 Chapter 23
Review course materials
Guest Speaker (45 Minutes) and prepare for final
• Agile Trends, hiring/outlook for Scrum exam
Masters and Project Managers: What skills and
characteristics are employers looking for?
•
Preparing for final PSM 1 Test and practice exams
Register for taking PSM 1 Exam
5/7/19 Practice PSM 1 Exam questions and answers Review course materials
Lesson 14 and prepare for final
exam
5/14/19 Final Exam or PSM 1 Exam for those who elect to take
Lesson 15 this exam instead
Final Class

Written Work
Woods College students are expected to prepare professional, polished written work. Written materials
must be typed and submitted in the format required by your instructor. Strive for a thorough yet
concise style. Cite literature appropriately, using APA, MLA or CLA style per your instructor’s
requirements. Develop your thoughts fully, clearly, logically and specifically. Proofread all materials to
ensure the use of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. For writing support, please contact the
Connors Family Learning Center.

Attendance
Attending class is an important component of learning, particularly for this course as we will be doing a
lot of hands on exercises and team work. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. When
circumstances prevent a student from attending class, the student is responsible for contacting the
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instructor before the class meets. Students who miss class are still expected to complete all assignments
and meet all deadlines. Many instructors grade for participation; if you miss class, you cannot make up
participation points associated with that class. Makeup work may be assigned at the discretion of the
instructor. If circumstances necessitate excessive absence from class, the student should consider
withdrawing from the class.

Consistent with BC’s commitment to creating a learning environment that is respectful of persons of
differing backgrounds, we believe that every reasonable effort should be made to allow members of the
university community to observe their religious holidays without jeopardizing their academic status.
Students are responsible for reviewing course syllabi as soon as possible, and for communicating with
the instructor promptly regarding any possible conflicts with observed religious holidays. Students are
responsible for completing all class requirements for days missed due to conflicts with religious holidays.

Accommodation and Accessibility

Boston College is committed to providing accommodations to students, faculty, staff and visitors with
disabilities. Specific documentation from the appropriate office is required for students seeking
accommodation in Woods College courses. Advanced notice and formal registration with the
appropriate office is required to facilitate this process. There are two separate offices at BC that
coordinate services for students with disabilities:

● The Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC) coordinates services for students with LD and ADHD.
● The Disabilities Services Office (DSO) coordinates services for all other disabilities.

Find out more about BC’s commitment to accessibility at www.bc.edu/sites/accessibility.

Scholarship and Academic Integrity

Students in Woods College courses must produce original work and cite references appropriately.
Failure to cite references is plagiarism. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not necessarily limited to,
plagiarism, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, cheating on exams or assignments, or
submitting the same material or substantially similar material to meet the requirements of more than
one course without seeking permission of all instructors concerned. Scholastic misconduct may also
involve, but is not necessarily limited to, acts that violate the rights of other students, such as depriving
another student of course materials or interfering with another student’s work. Please see the Boston
College policy on academic integrity for more information.

©2015 James A. Woods, S.J. College of Advancing Studies