ICAgile - Agile Fundamentals (ICP) Training

This highly immersive two-day course is designed to give participants a strong understanding of Agile principles, with particular emphasis on Scrum.

Throughout the programme, learners work in teams and produce an outcome across a number of sprints. This allows them to experience Scrum in practice rather than simply study it in theory. Participants also explore how Scrum can be combined with complementary practices such as Kanban and experience the value of cross-functional teamwork.

Successful Agile adoption is not only about following processes and practices. Organisations and teams also need to develop an Agile mindset. For this reason, the programme focuses on both “being Agile” and “doing Agile.”

Core topics include adaptive planning, value-driven development, team collaboration, and frequent feedback for continuous improvement. Participants also explore the history of Agile, the Agile Manifesto, Agile Principles, and a range of commonly used frameworks and practices.

By the end of the course, learners will have developed a practical understanding of Agile terminology, Scrum, Kanban, and the behaviours that support effective Agile working.

No previous Agile experience is required.

Pre-Course Reading

Participants are encouraged to become familiar with:

• The Agile Manifesto
• The Scrum Guide

These resources provide useful background for the concepts explored during the course.

This course is particularly suitable for:

• Individuals with little or no previous Agile knowledge,
• Professionals considering a move towards Agile ways of working,
• People preparing to join or work with Agile teams,
• Learners who want to understand Scrum and Kanban,
• Participants involved in Agile transformation initiatives.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to answer questions such as:

• What is Agile?
• What benefits can Agile provide?
• What are the Agile Values and Principles?
• What is the difference between “being Agile” and “doing Agile”?
• What is Scrum?
• What are the Scrum Roles, Events, Artifacts, and Values?
• What is Kanban?
• How do Scrum and Kanban differ?
• Can Agile teams combine different frameworks and methods?
• How can Agile teams estimate effectively?
• How does Adaptive Planning work?
• Why is Continuous Feedback important?
• How can teams focus on Value-Driven Delivery?

Agile Overview

• The origins of Agile
• The problems Agile was designed to address
• Traditional / Predictive approaches
• Agile / Adaptive ways of working
• Common Agile frameworks and practices
• Understanding “Being Agile” versus “Doing Agile”

Agile Values, Principles and Mindset

• The Agile Manifesto values
• Applying Agile values in day-to-day work
• The twelve Agile Principles
• How Agile principles influence decisions and behaviours
• Characteristics of an Agile Mindset
• Applying Agile values in different organisational contexts

Value-Driven Development

• Understanding Customer Value
• Understanding Business Value
• Delivering value incrementally and iteratively
• Prioritising work based on value
• Maximising outcomes
• Using feedback to improve value delivery
• Reducing unnecessary work

Customer Collaboration

• The importance of early customer involvement
• Frequent Customer Feedback
• Stakeholder Feedback
• Building shared understanding with users and customers
• Continuously reviewing customer needs
• Balancing stakeholder expectations with team focus

Introduction to Scrum

• What is Scrum?
• The purpose of Scrum
• Scrum Roles and Accountabilities
• Scrum Events
• Scrum Artifacts
• Transparency
• Scrum Values
• Working in Sprints
• Experiencing Scrum through team-based activities

Agile Planning and Adaptation

• Adaptive Planning
• Comparing Adaptive Planning with Detailed Upfront Planning
• Planning at different horizons
• Responding to changing requirements
• Inspection
• Adaptation
• Updating plans based on new information
• Planning under uncertainty

Flow-Based Working and Kanban

• Understanding Flow
• Work in Progress (WIP)
• Core Kanban principles
• Kanban practices
• Visualising work
• Improving flow
• Comparing Scrum and Kanban
• Combining Scrum with complementary practices

Team Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Cross-Functional Teams
• Team Collaboration
• Effective Communication
• Trust
• Shared Responsibility
• Feedback and Reflection
• Continuous Improvement
• Retrospectives
• Improving ways of working over time

Applying Agile in the Workplace

• Common challenges when adopting Agile
• Understanding that Agile can be used beyond software development
• Applying Agile in different departments and business areas
• Practical next steps for individuals and teams
• Continuing the Agile learning journey
• Preparing for further Agile development

Practical Learning

Participants work collaboratively throughout the programme and apply Agile concepts in realistic activities.

Practical exercises include:

• Sprint-based team activities,
• Planning exercises,
• Estimation activities,
• Feedback loops,
• Scrum Event simulations,
• Kanban and flow exercises,
• Retrospective activities.

This approach helps participants experience Agile working rather than only learning the theory.

Certification

Participants who attend the full course and actively take part in all learning activities can achieve the ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) certification.

Learners are expected to:

• Attend the complete programme,
• Participate fully in team-based exercises,
• Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of Agile principles and practices.

At the end of the course, the participant’s email address is provided to ICAgile so that an electronic course evaluation can be issued. Completion of this questionnaire is required before accreditation is awarded.