Top 5 Challenges in Agile and How to Overcome Them

December 14, 2016

RefineM Training

Top 5 Challenges in Agile and How to Overcome Them

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 day

Description: There are many benefits of agile, including faster project delivery and greater team cohesion. To get the best of these benefits, companies and teams need to be able to overcome key challenges. Based on our agile coaching and training experience, we have identified five key challenges and developed ways to overcome them.

In RefineM's Top 5 Challenges in Agile and How to Overcome Them course, we will discuss the top five challenges in agile and how to overcome them. Attendees will learn more about how to communicate the value of agile, clarify roles and responsibilities, deliver consistent value and working software with each iteration, and avoid the difficult issue of “waterfalling iterations.” Attendees will walk away with strategies to overcome these challenges and make agile work for their teams.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Identify critical challenges to successful Agile adoption and practice.
  • Understand ways to overcome these challenges.
  • Develop a plan to succeed with Agile in your organization.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for Agile change agents and others interested in knowing how to adopt Agile in their organizations.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

ScrumMaster – A Servant Leader on Agile Projects

December 14, 2016

RefineM Training

ScrumMaster – A Servant Leader on Agile Projects

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 or 2 days

Description: Are you a ScrumMaster and not sure how best to perform your role on agile teams? Are you interested in becoming a ScrumMaster and want to know how to succeed? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, this course is for you.

The ScrumMaster is a key Agile role. He/she is a servant leader for Agile teams, helping them adhere to the Scrum process for maximum results. He/she also helps remove impediments to the ability of the team to meet sprint goals and deliverables. To carry out these key tasks, the ScrumMaster needs to master specific skills and adopt specific mindsets. RefineM’s ScrumMaster course will help you absorb these principles in a stress-free, small-group environment with hands-on instruction from a certified ScrumMaster. You will interact with others, participate in individual and group exercises, and learn what you need to effectively play the role of ScrumMaster on your Agile teams.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Explain the role of a ScrumMaster on Agile teams.
  • Understand and apply the servant leader role.
  • Explain common impediments to Agile team success and how to remove them.
  • Participate on Agile teams as a ScrumMaster.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for ScrumMasters and anyone who is on an Agile team and is interested in becoming a ScrumMaster.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

Scaling Agile

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

Scaling Agile

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 to 3 days

Description: Are you struggling to scale agile for your company or teams? Are you aware of a scaled solution but don’t know how to start implementing it?

Agile is a solution for delivering working increments on a timely basis. Used properly, it can be a powerful methodology to help satisfy customers, increasing their engagement in the project, and also enhancing a project team’s delivery capability. To get these benefits, the teams need to be the right size. Typically, teams should not consist of more than 5-9 people, which presents problems when an organization needs to scale agile across the enterprise.

Why does an organization need to scale agile? The primary reason is that teams are not always built to the needs of agile, so doing agile on projects with larger teams and greater complexity can be difficult. Rather than turning to another methodology, though, it is possible to take advantage of frameworks for scaling agile. Several such frameworks exist, and in this presentation, several frameworks, including Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD), Scrum at Scale, and Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS) will be explored. Particular terms of each methodology, as well as some of the common terms, will be discussed. The challenges of scaling agile, and ways to get around them, will also be discussed.

By attending this course, you will learn what is involved with scaling agile and when companies should implement a scaled solution. You will learn about some leading frameworks, including SAFe and Scrum at Scale, and will leave with more knowledge and skills to choose a framework and successfully scale agile.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Identify the benefits of and ideal conditions for scaling Agile.
  • Explain similarities and differences between SAFe, DAD, and LeSS.
  • Start on the journey to scaling Agile in your organization.

Who Should Attend: Any agile change agent, team member, executive, or anyone who is interested in how to scale agile will benefit from attending this course.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

Leading SAFe: SAFe Agilist (SA) Certification Training

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

Leading SAFe: SAFe Agilist (SA) Certification Training

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 2 days

Description: Are you interested in implementing agile in your company but worried it will not be a good fit due to the number of projects or project size? Have you come across information about the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) but don’t know how to apply it? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, then this class is for you.This course teaches the Lean-Agile principles and practices of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), a framework for scaling agile across the enterprise. You will learn how to execute SAFe and increase the value that agile brings to the customer through individual projects across the whole enterprise. Other topics will include agile release trains, building the agile portfolio, and leading SAFe across the enterprise. You will leave with the knowledge and skills needed to schedule your SAFe Agilist (SA) certification, obtain the certification, and lead a SAFe transition in your company.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Understand and explain the principles of SAFe.
  • Take the exam to obtain the SAFe Agilist (SA) certification.
  • Lead your organization’s transition to SAFe.

Who Should Attend: Anyone who would like to learn more about scaling agile in their organization, or about SAFe in particular, should benefit from this course. This includes executives, managers, consultants, Lean-Agile Leaders, and Agile change agents, as well as anyone interested in obtaining SAFe Agilist (SA) certification. Please note that to qualify for the SA certification exam, you will need to demonstrate 5+ years of experience in software development, testing, business analysis, product or project management, as well as experience in Scrum. You will also need to complete this course in order to schedule your exam.

PDUs: 14 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 14)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

Role of a Business Analyst on Agile Projects

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

Role of a Business Analyst on Agile Projects

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 or 2 days

Description: Agile methodology is one of the most famous methods used for projects around the world today. But, is there a scope for a Business Analyst in an Agile environment?

The answer is yes, and if you want to know how/why/for what, then this course is for you. Learn how a Business Analyst can play different important roles in an Agile team and make a big impact. Also, understand how a Business Analyst can bring the required skills and experience in the team to fill the gaps in an Agile team.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Identify the ideal role for a business analyst on Agile projects.
  • Understand how business analysts interact with others on Agile projects.
  • Play the role of an Agile business analyst in your organization.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for business analysts and Agile team members interested in serving as business analysts on Agile projects.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

Role of a Product Owner in Driving Agile Projects

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

Role of a Product Owner in Driving Agile Projects

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 or 2 days

Description: The product owner (PO) serves as the “voice of the customer” and is responsible for collaborating between the business and developers, prioritizing work, and ensuring that the product team delivers value to the business. The PO “drives” Agile project through the core skills of collaborating, prioritizing work, and managing risks to deliver value. He/she is influential in developing the long-term vision of the product, through the product roadmap, and establishing requirements through product backlog. The PO ensures that project risks are managed at release as well as sprint levels. He/she enters risk related activities in the backlog, prioritizes them and creates risk-adjusted backlog. The PO also supports the Scrum Master in developing sprint and release plans. Through all of these activities, product owner drives the Agile project to success.

Many agile team members and product owners do not fully understand this role, and as a result, some of the key activities may fall through the cracks. This workshop includes several hands-on individual and group activities, which will solidify the learning of the PO’s role in attendees’ minds.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Develop a solid understanding of the product owner’s role.
  • Drive agile projects to a successful completion.
  • Play the role of a PO in a much more effective manner.
  • Direct the team to focus on high-value items.
  • Support ScrumMasters to implement agile process in the organization.
  • Manage and track risks for your Agile projects.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for project/program managers, portfolio managers, PMO leaders, executives, project sponsors, change agents, project team members, business/systems analysts and other project stakeholders.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic:0, Leadership:0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

All About User Stories

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

All About User Stories

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 day

Description: This one-day course extensively covers the process of writing user stories in an Agile environment. User stories are a critical part of Agile methodology, serving as a way to communicate high-level business needs while allowing developers to determine how to fulfill the needs and how to test fulfillment. Topics discussed will include basic components of user stories, writing effective user stories using the INVEST model and other tips, gathering requirements for user stories, estimating user stories, and sprint planning, Upon completing this course, participants will be able to explain a user story’s basic components and its benefits to Agile methodology. Participants will also be able to write effective user stories, participate in estimation exercises, and utilize user stories in sprint planning. Exercises and fun games will be included to facilitate these learning outcomes.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Know the components of a good user story.
  • Be able to develop user stories.
  • Understand the benefits of user stories.
  • Be able to estimate user stories.
  • Be able to plan or help plan a sprint using user stories.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for anyone who would like to learn more about agile concepts. Product owners and Scrum masters will benefit particularly, but anyone involved in a project team implementing agile methodologies or anyone who wants to learn more about agile methodology is encouraged to register.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership:0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

Agile Planning and Estimation

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

Agile Planning and Estimation

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 day

Description: Estimates can be difficult to achieve on projects, especially in Agile. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques available for agile teams to construct effective estimates and produce plans for their iterations and releases.

RefineM’s course on Agile Planning and Estimation contains tips, tricks, tools, and techniques to help your Agile teams effectively plan and estimate work on their projects. Stakeholder analysis tools and techniques are included to help your team identify key stakeholders to assist in planning efforts. Planning and estimating tools, techniques, best practices, and ceremonies are also discussed. You will leave this course with the knowledge and skill to implement effective agile planning and estimation on your teams.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Apply stakeholder management to increase the effectiveness of Agile planning and estimation.
  • Explain agile planning and estimation tools, techniques, best practices, and ceremonies.
  • Participate in estimation activities such as planning poker.
  • Develop a plan to improve agile planning and estimation for your teams.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for Agile team members, including the product owner, ScrumMaster, business analysts, change agents, developers, and other project stakeholders.

PDUs: 8 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 8)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

A Model to Integrate Waterfall and Agile For Large Teams

December 13, 2016

RefineM Training

A Model to Integrate Waterfall and Agile For Large Teams

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 1 or 2 days

Description: Many projects are considered either waterfall or Agile, but what about hybrid frameworks that integrate both? How best can organizations integrate waterfall and Agile to maximize the benefits of each approach while minimizing pitfalls, especially with large teams?

In RefineM’s A Model to Integrate Waterfall and Agile course, a hybrid framework combining aspects of waterfall and Agile will be explored. Keys to get the most out of both waterfall and Agile will be explained. You will leave this course ready to integrate waterfall and Agile on your projects, improving predictability of project outcomes and increasing customer satisfaction.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Understand the key differences between waterfall and Agile and how they can be overcome.
  • Explain the model for integrating waterfall and Agile.
  • Apply the model to real projects with large teams.

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for PMO leads/directors, project managers, Agile change agents, and others interested in knowing how waterfall and Agile can successfully integrate.

PDUs: 7 PDUs / SEUs / Contact Hours per day (Strategic: 0, Leadership: 0, Technical: 7)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: RefineM will prepare and provide the necessary training course material for all attendees.

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

RefineM Agile-Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam Prep Course

December 9, 2016

RefineM Training

Agile-Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam Prep Course

Please contact us if you would like to set up a customized training course in your city or at your corporate site.

Duration: 3 days

Description: Are you looking for an Agile certification that shows your ability to lead Agile projects using a variety of methodologies? PMI’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® certification demonstrates this ability by requiring certification holders to demonstrate knowledge of a wide variety of methodologies and proven experience on Agile projects. If you want to obtain your PMI-ACP® certification but need help with contact hours or preparing for the exam, then this course is for you.

Previous students have shared their testimonials about our course:
 

RefineM’s PMI-ACP Exam Prep course was exactly the type of training I needed to Pass Guaranteehelp me successfully prepare for the ACP exam. The trainer was extremely knowledgeable in the core principles and foundations of Agile and his real world experience provided relatable examples to actual usage and application of Agile outside of the classroom. I have attended many trainings before but the course material and smaller classroom setting really makes RefineM stand out among other training classes.”
—Kari Boots, PMP, PMI-ACP, Program Manager, Valorem Consulting

 

“RefineM’s PMI-ACP exam prep course was a great experience and was extremely helpful in my successful passing of the exam on the first attempt. NK is a wonderful teacher and his real world experience was extremely helpful in understanding concepts and scenarios related to all Agile methodologies. I highly recommend his prep course for anybody wanting to obtain his or her PMI-ACP certification.”
—Donald Day, PMP, PMI-ACP

 
RefineM's Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam Prep Course includes the key skills and knowledge areas of Agile to help you prepare for the exam. You will learn in a small group environment where you can interact with other Agile practitioners and an instructor experienced in Agile. With all meals and course materials valuing over $100 provided, you can approach your exam study with peace of mind. By the time you leave this course, you will be better prepared to take the PMI-ACP® exam and to utilize Agile principles, tools and techniques. You will have the resources to pass the exam and continue your Agile journey.

This course is also useful if you want to learn about Agile methodologies, even if you are not planning to take the PMI-ACP® exam. The course covers Agile concepts such as Scrum, XP and Kanban, and includes a number of individual/group exercises to reinforce concepts.

Course Objectives: After completing the course, you will be able to
  • Develop better/increased understanding of Agile Fundamentals.
  • Have a better understanding of the PMI-ACP exam course material and topics.
  • Know tips and tricks for passing the PMI-ACP exam.
  • Be prepared to take the PMI-ACP exam.

Who Should Attend: This course is primarily designed for anyone who is planning to get PMI-ACP certification. The course will also help those looking for a deeper understanding of agile methodologies. Project managers, project leads, technical leads, or project team members in software development or IT could also attend.

Organizations that want to prepare their employees to receive the PMI-ACP certification should also benefit from sending them to this training.

PDUs: 21 PDUs (Strategic: 2, Leadership: 2, Technical: 17)

Course Delivery: Variable

Course Material: Attendees will receive the following course material:

About RefineM's Instructors: RefineM's instructors are experienced and certified in project management and Agile and bring real-world experience to their instruction. Our instructors not only teach concepts, we also provide insights and hands-on experience. And we don’t waste time. Our training is focused and hard-hitting. We offer practical targeted training in just the key topics that will make the most impact.

Contact us about future dates or to arrange for this training to be delivered in your organization or city.

PMI-ACP is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
PMI, PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, and PMBOK are all registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.