Agile Essentials
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Agile Essentials
This course is part of Agile for the Modern Product Manager Specialization
Instructor: Scrum Alliance
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What you'll learn
Understand core agile values, principles, and practices and how they apply to modern teams.
Recognize how roles, responsibilities, and success measures change in agile ways of working.
Apply agile thinking to improve collaboration, adaptability, and team performance.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
January 2026
8 assignments
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There are 8 modules in this course
In this course, learners will build a clear understanding of what agility is and how it shapes the way modern teams work. They will learn core agile values and principles, explore how agile teams are structured, and understand how roles, responsibilities, and measures of success shift in agile environments.
Completing this course helps professionals move beyond surface-level familiarity with agile terms and frameworks. Learners gain practical insight into how agility supports collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement in real team settings. The course also helps individuals understand how their own performance and behaviors contribute to team effectiveness and outcomes. What makes this course unique is its focus on agility as a way of working, not just a set of practices. Rather than teaching one framework in isolation, the course explores how agile thinking applies across teams, roles, and organizations. Designed by Scrum Alliance, Agile Essentials provides a strong foundation for product professionals who want to operate confidently in modern, evolving work environments.
In today's fast-paced world, flexibility and responsiveness are key. Enter agile, an approach that helps teams adapt to change and deliver exceptional results. This module will equip you with the foundations of agile, from its core values and principles to essential practices. Get ready to embrace a collaborative, iterative way of working that prioritizes continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. This course was created with expertise from Anu Smalley (CST®, CEC) and Lucy O'Keefe (CST®, CTC).
What's included
5 readings1 assignment
5 readings•Total 36 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- What's Agile All About?•10 minutes
- The Agile Operating Rhythms•7 minutes
- Agile Everywhere•7 minutes
- Agile Frameworks•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Knowledge Check•20 minutes
Are you ready to transform your team into an agile powerhouse? In this module, you'll uncover the unique roles, skills, and dynamics that make agile teams work. Dive into this course to compare agile and traditional approaches, explore how middle managers can thrive in this new landscape, and learn how fostering collaboration, embracing change, and empowering your team can lead to greater productivity, innovation, and satisfaction.
What's included
6 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
6 readings•Total 44 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- The Agile Team•7 minutes
- Agile Team Members•10 minutes
- Agile vs. Traditional•10 minutes
- Manager to Mentor•7 minutes
- Continue Your Agile Journey•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Knowledge Check•10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
Think you've got what it takes to be an agile all-star? Let's put your skills to the test! This module will challenge you to think differently about performance and collaboration in a fast-paced environment. Get ready to level up!
What's included
5 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
5 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Thriving in Agile•15 minutes
- Beyond Annual Reviews•10 minutes
- Empowering Your Agile Journey•10 minutes
- Are You an Agile Pro?•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Knowledge Check•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
The Citrus Burst team at Sparkling Delights Beverage Co. is having a difficult time with the launch of their new sparkling water. In this module, you'll help this team navigate challenges and deliver exceptional results!
What's included
3 readings1 plugin
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Working in an Agile Way•5 minutes
- Your Next Steps•5 minutes
1 plugin•Total 30 minutes
- An Agile Story - Knowledge Check•30 minutes
Embark on a journey to discover the secret language of agile – user stories. In this module, you'll learn how to capture the voice of your users and translate their needs into actionable insights. You’ll also discover the benefits of user stories in transforming these insights into successful products, driving customer satisfaction and obtaining business goals. Whether you're a product manager, developer, business analyst, or simply curious about agile, this module will equip you with the skills to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and deliver customer-centric solutions.
What's included
5 readings1 discussion prompt
5 readings•Total 55 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Mastering Agile•15 minutes
- Crafting Effective User Stories•15 minutes
- Maximizing Impact•5 minutes
- Estimating Effort: Sizing up Your User Stories•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
Agile evolutions are not without their hurdles! Recognizing and proactively addressing these challenges is crucial for a successful transition. In this module, you’ll explore some of the challenges and opportunities of agile evolutions. With a solid understanding of the complexities of change, you’ll be able to set realistic expectations and empower your teams, increasing your organization’s success at adopting agile ways of working!
What's included
5 readings4 assignments3 discussion prompts
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Real-World Challenges•10 minutes
- Changing Minds and the Stakeholder Roadmap•15 minutes
- Scaling Agile•10 minutes
- Measure Agile Success•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 20 minutes
- Knowledge Check•5 minutes
- Knowledge Check•5 minutes
- Knowledge Check•5 minutes
- Knowledge Check•5 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
Transforming the World of Work Can you imagine a time when an agile way of working is so universal that it's simply called working? We can. Agile is being used to transform traditional ways of working everywhere, sparking innovation and inspiration in unexpected fields. In this module, you’ll explore real-world case studies where agile has been implemented in diverse fields such as finance, human resources, government, and education. Included in the mix, you’ll gain practical insights and actionable tips to navigate the transition from traditional project management to agile in your own unique workplace. This module is designed to support your needs and interests—explore one case study, all four, or any number in between. Whichever case studies you choose, make sure you close with topic 5, Agile Transitions. This is where theory becomes action by uncovering key steps, strategies, and challenges involved with implementing agile in your unique workplace. Let’s transform the world of work—including your workplace!
What's included
3 videos10 readings2 discussion prompts
3 videos•Total 2 minutes
- Bottlenecks: A Controller’s Perspective•1 minute
- Red Tape: A Manager’s Perspective•1 minute
- Math: A Teacher’s Perspective•1 minute
10 readings•Total 100 minutes
- Welcome•5 minutes
- Agile in Finance•5 minutes
- Esteban's Journey•10 minutes
- The Benefits of Agile in Finance•10 minutes
- Agile in Human Resources•20 minutes
- Agile in Government•5 minutes
- Nate's Journey and the Benefits of Agile in Government•15 minutes
- Agile in Education•5 minutes
- The Benefits of Agile in Education•15 minutes
- Agile Transitions•10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
- Reflection•10 minutes
What's included
1 assignment
1 assignment•Total 35 minutes
- Agile Essentials Assessment•35 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. This course is designed for learners who are new to agile as well as those who want a clearer, more practical understanding of how it works.
No. The course explains agile concepts in a way that’s useful whether you're currently on an agile team or preparing to work in one.
You'll see how agility helps teams work better together, make clearer decisions, and stay focused as work evolves.
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