Agile Project Management with Scrum

Excellent book

Agile Project Management with Scrum describes the process of managing a Scrum software development project. It uses a mixture of definitions and case studies to educate a would-be Scrum manager (aka ScrumMasterTM) on Scrum, the major players in a Scrum project and the ScrumMaster's role. Both success and failure case studies are provided.

One of the key concepts defined in the book is empirical process control This is used as the foundation of the justification for the Scrum process. His claim is that in the "real world" of software development most projects that build or improve a product are breaking new ground and cannot use defined process control, as might be used in truly repetitive projects. Empirical process control relies on recently observed data to affect the project and change its execution. The iterative nature of Scrum, like other agile processes, allows for adjustments to the process ad scope every cycle (30 days) allowing it to adapt to the current situation (based on empirical data). Strict configuration control is maintained in each cycle.

The book presumes very little knowledge of Scrum and agile processes; although the later is beneficial in understanding the bigger picture of agile and how Scrum fits in. The book is applicable to software development. The appendix supplies a variety of background data that might be needed by the novice. It is relatively short and easy to read.

A complete synopsis of this book can be found at: http://ecaminc.com/Books/APMWithScrum.html

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good (physical) book, but NookBook won't work

I have referenced this book for a long time. We have a shared copy in the office. Great book, really. However, as others have mentioned, this sample refuses to open on my Nook Color. I actually deleted the file from my library and re-downloaded the sample. Same issue. I also installed the PC Nook Reader application, and it shows up as blank. I really would love to get a Nook Book of this title, but I'm afraid to purchase it, have it fail, and wait for a refund. Actually called BN Nook Color support, and they were generally clueless about it, saying I need to reset my NC to factory defaults, etc. When they finally understood it was the book sample, not my device, they said they will have to investigate the title, but couldn't tell me if the full book will work or not. Question to other reviewers: Can anyone pleaes verify if the full title will work on the Nook Color?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well worth it

This is a good book to have in your organization's library. Schwaber gives practical information for how Scrum works and how to apply it in different situations. The case studies make for good examples and show how agile is not a cookie cutter solution but one that is flexible within any organization.

Does not work

Sample will not open on nook color. Will not risk buying book with same result. Too bad.

Works on Nook Color!

Everyone knows it's a great book, but the good news is that it works on the Nook Color, even though the sample doesn't.

sample wont open

on nook color

Sample does not work on Nook Color

No idea what format this book is in but the sample would not open on my Nook Color. Gave an error. Glad I didnt try to buy the full book.

Get the complete picture

Is a good book to start with especially if you've never managed a Scrum project. It also serves as a good reference guide. Scrum projects are especially challenging as many of the canonical PMI/PMP methodologies and concepts are not very useful. Helps you unlearn what you have learnt because what you know is only what you think you know.

poor organization

The books could be half shorter if it does not keep repeating after itself. Graphical presentation is poor, not meaningful, and confusing. This is not to say Scrum is not a good methodology, but you'll waste too much time trying to grasp the concept of scrum from this book.

Excellent book! Learn Scrum by reading stories of its use

Agile Project Management with Scrum is a wonderful book. The author, Ken Schwaber (one of the originators of the Scrum process), informs us through case studies and anecdotes. If you like learning by example, this book is for you. Scrum is quite likely the best starting point for most companies interested in pursuing an agile development process. The readability and excellent anecdotes in this book make it a fantastic starting point for any journey into agile development. I loved seeing how Schwaber applied Scrum in many varying situations. Rather than introducing each case study one at a time, the book is organized around key areas. Multiple anecdotes are given for each key area. Throughout each chapter, Schwaber brings the anecdotes together in Lessons Learned sections and the chapters conclude by helping point out the conclusions we learn to draw from the anecdotes. I appreciated that Schwaber was not shy about mentioning projects that didn¿t go perfectly¿including one he got fired from for being too zealous in his role of sheepdog guarding his flock of developers. Although this book is ostensibly about software development, Scrum has its roots in general new product development and can (and has been) applied to a wide variety of development projects. A problem with a process like Scrum is that it is best learned by ¿feeling it¿ rather than being told about it. There are many subtle differences between Scrum and a more command-and-control management process. Learning Scrum by reading a book filled with examples like this is the best way to get the feel for how to use it on your own projects.

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