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Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional) |  | Author: Ken Schwaber
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Category: Book
List Price: $39.99
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Seller: alexhelder
Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 20384
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 192
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.6
MPN: 9780735619937
ISBN: 073561993X
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.1
EAN: 9780735619937
ASIN: 073561993X
Publication Date: February 11, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Apply the principles of Scrum, one of the most popular agile programming methods, to software project managementand focus your team on delivering real business value. Author Ken Schwaber, a leader in the agile process movement and a co-creator of Scrum, brings his vast expertise to helping you guide the product and software development process more effectively and efficiently. Help eliminate the ambiguity into which so many software projects are borne, where vision and planning documents are essentially thrown over the wall to developers. This high-level reference describes how to use Scrum to manage complex technology projects in detail, combining expert insights with examples and case studies based on Scrum. Emphasizing practice over theory, this book explores every aspect of using Scrum, focusing on driving projects for maximum return on investment.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
 Thinking outside of the cubical -- reducing complexity and the art of the possible August 25, 2010
John Prestidge (Deering, NH United States)
I came at this book from several perspectives based on my background in Solutions Sales, Project Management (traditional -- PMP certified), Contract/Vendor Management, and SQA Management.
I'll briefly explain how SCRUM has helped me consider new possibilities on each of the above mentioned areas. In addition, I'll start off with a general perception of this book.
If asked to sum up my thoughts in one word on Agile Project Management with SCRUM, it would be "REVOLUTIONARY"!
Even though the text is focused on software development as the domain where SCRUM is applied, it's easy to see how SCRUM can be applicable to any project.
SCRUM is based on a well defined set of rules and a set of roles which include a ScrumMaster, a Product Owner, and a team(s). I found it revolutionary as it works exceptionally well in complex, chaotic project situations, and it empowers a team in new ways, and forges new optimized partnering between those delivering (the team) and those consuming (the customers). SCRUM also focuses on ROI and regular prioritized delivery of business value.
The Solution Sales view:
SCRUM offers a new approach to bid on complex, fixed-price, fixed-date RFPs. To do this, a bidding firm would have to collaborate with the client up front, to explain the differences between between a traditional waterfall-based approach and the SCRUM approach. An enlightened client will see the opportunity for partnering in new ways with a supplier, and how SCRUM minimizes risk and increases flexibility while keeping the spotlight on business value as defined by customer's prioritized needs. Communication is based on business value, not technical jargon, which also leads to increased customer satisfaction.
The Project Management view (traditional):
When I studied to become Project Management Professional (PMP) certified, I learned many formalized methods for managing, controlling, reporting, and delivering on a project. SCRUM is a complete paradigm shift, but it rapidly starts to feel good. The author illustrates through numerous case studies how a project manager, now a ScrumMaster, contributes and can still meet management's requirements for information reporting and results. The text also highlights CMM KPA's and how SCRUM still ensures compliance.
The Contract/Vendor Management view:
Having taken a formal program in contract management and having been both on the vendor and vendor management sides of the fence, I began thinking early into the book how SCRUM would impact these areas. My thinking here ties into my earlier thoughts on the Solution Sales view -- SCRUM provides a new model of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and partnering that can reduce costs and improve results. A side effect that leaped out at me is that I believe that SCRUM could have a dramatic effect on minimizing the need to offshore delivery. By having a resident local team using SCRUM, results look so positive based on the case studies I read, that SCRUM could increase onshoring due to its rapid results (achieved within a 30 day Sprint), team/customer cohesion, and more. Offshore delivery would still be very possible using SCRUM and improve results, however, I can imagine the value of the shared space partnership between a local team and local customers at its positive macroeconomic impact as well.
The SQA view:
I've been a QA engineer and manager. QA adds necessary value, however, it is often seen as a policeman role, or an afterthought where quality is "tested" in. The identification of last minute defects causes angst, anger, increased costs, and customer dissatisfaction. The latter often being due to great pressure to ship anyway or solutions that can't be fully tested in time which lead to customer identified defects (and costs), or bug-fix delays impact client schedules/needs.
SCRUM makes testing a component of "doneness" -- embedded in a concept which SCRUM calls "sashimi" after the Japanese delicacy. In a nutshell, testing becomes everyone's job and the team partners to produce a complete result as committed to at the beginning of the Sprint. No more policeman. Instead, a committed team that works together in an optimized manner.
In summary, SCRUM provides much to think about for Sales, Project Management, Software Development, Contract Management, and QA professionals. It is an exciting process that has undeniable value.
 Concise, to the point and the reason that Agile exists... April 6, 2010
I. Bush
Ken is one of the forefathers of Agile and is required reading for anyone thinking about embracing Agile software development. This book plus Kent Beck's book are the beginning of getting started working with the Agile methodology. Check out [...] for more information.
Good luck implementing one of the best software development methodologies that have been embraced in the last 20 years.
Ian Bush
Agile Scrum Consultant
[...].
[...].
The Bible of Scrum March 31, 2010
Michael Cooper (Maryland, USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I took over a $70M software line of business 3 years ago that was in a terrible mess. Projects that had been scheduled for 6 months were at 12 months, with 3 times the staff!!! Cost overruns, obviously, were through the roof. Since the team missed a major client deadline (in a regulated environment), everyone was under a high degree of stress.
I called in the management team and asked them for their recommendation. The software development head gave me Ken Schwaber's book (this one). I devoured the book and asked the team what they wanted to do. "Go agile" was their response.
I phoned Ken and had him conduct a 2-day workshop with the product managers, software managers and project leaders. We had a big town hall with everyone .. and then we executed.
Within weeks, we started delivering product. People who were working 100 hour weeks started working 40 hour weeks. Employees were happier; confidence returned to clients.
The concept of scrum is the very basis of a free society: you are accountable for your work: you will be held responsible: and you set the objectives.
I would never think again of running a project under any other method!
 good but don't stop there February 22, 2010
A. Rodriguez Lezcano (Oxford, UK)
The book is good because it shows a lot of real examples but it gets very repetitive and even though i recommend it, I also recommend to keep reading about this because you will need to see more points of view and angles from different people.
Great Primer for Understanding Scrum October 4, 2009
Mitch Gant (California)
A great primer for those trying to better understand Scrum and a useful case study based aid for those currently practicing. For the former this book provides a solid foundation for Scrum terminology, practices, and value. Through consistent utilization of real-life case studies in a variety of environments, the author is able to show how Scrum was implemented to reap business and IT value while also showing some stumbles along the way. These case studies will be of particular importance to the latter group mentioned above as the specifics can either help to get your implementation "un-stuck" or at least provide some thought around the differing ways Scrum can be utilized.
As the author of this book is also the co-developer of Scrum, one might think that the case studies and ascribed values might be coming from too biased a source. There is no question that Scrum takes on a bit of an omnipotent air in this text. However, after myself questioning Scrum's potential value in a particular circumstance, I was gratified to find the author admitted (although without strong conviction and in the appendix) that Scrum might not be the best technique to handle this.
Cheerleading aside, this book in an excellent read to better understand the power of Scrum and its place within an organization's project methodology.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
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