Succeeding with Agile Software Development Using Scrum

Agile guru Mike Cohn delivers the most practical guide to starting fast with Agile, and succeeding for the long haul--Presents detailed, step-by-step guidance for 60+ tasks that can help software organizations become more agile. Thoroughly covers people, process, and product: everything from scaling Agile and using it in outsourced/offshored environments to overcoming resistance. Helps organizations improve Agile processes they've already implemented, to build better software and drive more value. Agile methods have crossed the chasm to mainstream acceptance, but that doesn't mean all organizations are succeeding with Agile. In this book, one of the world's leading Agile experts draws on his immense experience to help readers anticipate the obstacles to success, and systematically overcome them. Mike Cohn has packed this book with 100% practical and actionable transition advice, real-world case studies, and tips drawn from hard-won experience - everything needed to make Agile work in virtually any environment. Coverage includes: *Why transitioning to Agile is hard - and a transition plan that makes it easier *Managing the process aspects of Agile, from handling backlogs through implementing iteration *Helping people understand their new roles in Agile environments, and work successfully in Agile teams *Building an effective Agile culture and overcoming resistance *Implementing practices that promote higher-quality software *How to scale Agile to large enterprise projects *Using Agile in outsourced and offshored environments *Assessing progress and planning where to go next . This book is designed for every participant in the Agile process, from software leaders to developers: it offers a common language that everyone can use to make Agile work, together with more than 60 specific tasks software organizations can work on to improve their agility.

Mike Coh, founder of Mountain Goat Software, provides training and consulting on Scrum and agile software development to help companies build extremely high-performance development organizations. He authored two of the agile movement's most respected books, User Stories Applied for Agile Software Development and Agile Estimating and Planning. Cohn has been a technology executive in companies ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 40 and has served clients including the BBC, Capital One, Electronic Arts, Experian, Google, Intuit, Lexis Nexis, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Nokia, Philips, Sabre, Salesforce.com, Siemens, Sony, Time Warner, Yahoo!, and many more. He cofounded the Agile Alliance, Agile Project Leadership network, and Scrum Alliance.