I'm a student
I'm an educator
Request full copy

Scrum Shortcuts without Cutting Corners: Agile Tactics, Tools, & Tips, 1st edition

Published by Addison-Wesley Professional (July 16, 2013) © 2014

  • Ilan Goldstein

eTextbook

$40.99

  • Available for purchase from all major ebook resellers, including InformIT.com.
  • To request a review copy, click on the "Request a Review Copy" button.
$34.39

  • A print text (hardcover or paperback) 
  • Free shipping
  • Also available for purchase as an ebook from all major ebook resellers, including InformIT.com

In Scrum Shortcuts without Cutting Corners, Scrum expert Ilan Goldstein helps the reader translate the Scrum framework into reality to meet the Scrum challenges formal training never warned about. Drawing on his extensive agile experience in a wide range of projects and environments, Goldstein presents thirty proven, flexible shortcuts for optimizing Scrum processes, actions, and outcomes. Each shortcut walks the reader through applying a Scrum approach to achieve a tangible output. These easy-to-digest, actionable patterns address a broad range of topics including getting started, quality and metrics, team members and roles, managing stakeholders, estimation, continuous improvement and much more.

  • 50 practical and proven techniques for taking Scrum skills to the next level
  • Links Scrum theory to action with concise, actionable, step-by-step Scrum techniques for improving process, action, and outcome
  • Walks the reader through real-world, in-the-trenches techniques for solving the problems formal Scrum training never mentioned
  • Covers project warm-ups, kick-offs, roles, role models, sustainable Scrum environments, product(ive) backlogs, estimating, planning, proving, quality, retros, reviews, and more
Foreword         xvii

Preface         xix

Acknowledgments         xxiii

About the Author         xxv

 

Chapter 1: Scrum Startup         1

Shortcut 1: Scrum on the Pitch  1

Shortcut 2: Fragile Agile  5

Shortcut 3: Creative Comfort  11

Wrap Up  15

 

Chapter 2: Attitudes and Abilities          17

Shortcut 4: Masterful ScrumMaster  17

Shortcut 5: Rock Stars or Studio Musicians?  21

Shortcut 6: Picking Your Team Line-Up  25

Wrap Up   31

 

Chapter 3: Planning and Protecting         33

Shortcut 7: Setting the Scrum Stage  33

Shortcut 8: Plan the Sprint, Sprint the Plan  37

Shortcut 9: Incriminating Impediments  42

Wrap Up  45

 

Chapter 4: Requirement Refinement          47

Shortcut 10: Structuring Stories  47

Shortcut 11: Developing the Definition of Done  51

Shortcut 12: Progressive Revelations  57

Wrap Up  61

 

Chapter 5: Establishing Estimates         63

Shortcut 13: Relating to Estimating  63

Shortcut 14: Planning Poker at Pace  69

Shortcut 15: Transitioning Relatively  75

Wrap Up  81

 

Chapter 6: Questioning Quality          83

Shortcut 16: Bah! Scrum Bug!  83

Shortcut 17: We Still Love the Testers!  87

Shortcut 18: Automation Nation   91

Wrap Up   98

 

Chapter 7: Monitoring and Metrics         99

Shortcut 19: Metrics That Matter  99

Shortcut 20: Outstanding Stand-Ups  107

Shortcut 21: Taming the Task Board 111

Wrap Up 115

 

Chapter 8: Retros, Reviews, and Risks          117

Shortcut 22: To-Dos for Your Sprint Reviews  117

Shortcut 23: Retrospective Irrespective   122

Shortcut 24: Risk Takers and Mistake Makers   129

Wrap Up   133

 

Chapter 9 Managing the Managers         135

Shortcut 25: Perception Is Reality   135

Shortcut 26: Our Lords and Masters   140

Shortcut 27: Morphing Managers in the Matrix   145

Wrap Up 152

 

Chapter 10: Larger Lessons         153

Shortcut 28: Scrum Rollout Reckoning   153

Shortcut 29: Eyes on the Prize   158

Shortcut 30: Shortcut to the Final Level   162

Final Wrap Up   165

 

References   167

 

Index   171

 

Ilan Goldstein is a globally recognized Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) with extensive experience working with start-ups, market leaders, government agencies, and public companies, helping them to improve their agility through the implementation of Scrum. He is a regular conference speaker, guest university lecturer, and founder of both AxisAgile–a leading provider of agile training and consulting services–and Scrum Australia–a national not-for-profit organization focused on growing and enriching the Scrum community.

Need help? Get in touch

Video
Play
Privacy and cookies
By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Video transcript (PDF | 16KB) 

Pearson eTextbook: What’s on the inside just might surprise you

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s the same with your students. Meet each one right where they are with an engaging, interactive, personalized learning experience that goes beyond the textbook to fit any schedule, any budget, and any lifestyle. 

Digital Learning NOW

Extend your professional development and meet your students where they are with free weekly Digital Learning NOW webinars. Attend live, watch on-demand, or listen at your leisure to expand your teaching strategies. Earn digital professional development badges for attending a live session.

Explore webinars