Introduction

Agile methodologies, initially developed for software development, have expanded into a wide range of industries as a flexible and iterative approach to managing projects and operations. Non-IT professionals, including managers, marketers, HR professionals, product designers, and others, are increasingly adopting agile practices to drive innovation, improve collaboration, and deliver results faster and more efficiently. This course will equip participants with the core principles and tools of agile methodologies, enabling them to apply them effectively in non-IT projects and teams. By the end of this course, participants will have a practical understanding of how agile can be implemented in their daily work and how it can improve both individual and team performance.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the core principles of agile methodologies and how they apply to non-IT projects.
2. Use agile frameworks (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) to manage workflows and improve team collaboration.
3. Lead agile teams and manage projects using iterative processes, continuous feedback, and incremental delivery.
4. Apply agile practices to enhance productivity, responsiveness, and innovation within non-IT departments.
5. Create a sustainable agile culture within their organization and continuously improve processes over time.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Managers and leaders in marketing, HR, product design, and operations who want to improve their project management skills.
• Project managers who are responsible for cross-functional teams or non-IT projects.
• Professionals who wish to implement agile practices to improve team performance and workflow efficiency.
• HR professionals, business analysts, and product developers involved in improving processes, managing change, and driving organizational improvements.
• Anyone looking to learn how to apply agile principles to their work, regardless of their industry or field.

5-Day Training Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Agile and Its Core Principles

• Session 1: What is Agile?
  • Definition and overview of agile methodologies.
  • The Agile Manifesto and its 12 principles.
  • How agile differs from traditional project management approaches (e.g., Waterfall).
  • The benefits of agile for non-IT professionals.
• Session 2: The Core Values of Agile
  • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
  • Working solutions over comprehensive documentation.
  • Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
  • Responding to change over following a plan.
• Session 3: Key Agile Frameworks
  • Overview of popular agile frameworks: Scrum, Kanban, and Lean.
  • How these frameworks can be adapted for non-IT departments.
  • Understanding iterative work cycles (sprints, iterations) and how they can apply to different types of projects.

Day 2: Agile Frameworks for Non-IT Projects

• Session 1: Introduction to Scrum for Non-IT Professionals
  • The roles in Scrum: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Scrum Team.
  • Scrum events: Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
  • Understanding Scrum artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment.
  • Adapting Scrum for non-IT projects: communication, collaboration, and iterative delivery.
• Session 2: Introduction to Kanban for Workflow Management
  • The Kanban board: visualizing work, managing flow, and limiting work in progress.
  • How to use Kanban for continuous delivery and process improvement.
  • Understanding flow efficiency and reducing cycle time.
• Session 3: Lean Thinking and Continuous Improvement
  • Principles of Lean: eliminating waste, improving value delivery, and optimizing flow.
  • Applying Lean tools and techniques to streamline non-IT projects and operations.
  • Creating a culture of continuous improvement and feedback loops.

Day 3: Practical Application of Agile in Non-IT Projects

• Session 1: Setting Up an Agile Team and Workflow
  • How to structure agile teams in non-IT settings.
  • Setting up and running effective agile meetings (daily stand-ups, sprint planning).
  • Creating and managing an agile backlog for non-IT projects (e.g., marketing campaigns, HR initiatives).
• Session 2: Running Iterative Cycles and Sprints in Non-IT Projects
  • Understanding short iterations and how they fit into non-IT projects.
  • Breaking down larger projects into manageable tasks and focusing on incremental delivery.
  • Prioritizing tasks using agile techniques like MoSCoW or Value vs. Effort matrices.
• Session 3: Managing Stakeholder Expectations in Agile Projects
  • Communicating progress with stakeholders using agile metrics and visual tools.
  • How to handle scope changes and manage expectations during iterative cycles.
  • Managing risk and uncertainty with frequent feedback and adaptability.

Day 4: Measuring Success and Improving Agile Practices

• Session 1: Agile Metrics for Non-IT Projects
  • Common agile metrics: Velocity, Cycle Time, Lead Time, and Burndown Charts.
  • How to use metrics to track progress and improve team performance.
  • Balancing flexibility with the need for measurement and accountability.
• Session 2: Conducting Effective Agile Retrospectives
  • The importance of retrospectives in continuous improvement.
  • How to facilitate an effective retrospective to gather feedback and identify process improvements.
  • Action planning and ensuring that improvements are implemented in the next sprint or iteration.
• Session 3: Scaling Agile in Non-IT Teams
  • How to scale agile practices across multiple teams or departments.
  • Coordinating cross-functional agile teams to work towards common goals.
  • Creating a culture of agility throughout the organization.

Day 5: Building an Agile Culture and Moving Forward

• Session 1: Leading Change and Cultivating an Agile Mindset
  • How to lead teams through an agile transformation.
  • Encouraging and fostering an agile mindset in non-IT teams.
  • Overcoming resistance to change and building buy-in for agile practices.
• Session 2: Creating an Action Plan for Implementing Agile in Your Organization
  • Developing a roadmap for applying agile methodologies in your specific projects and department.
  • Practical steps for initiating agile practices with small wins and scaling up.
  • Integrating agile tools, frameworks, and techniques into daily workflows.
• Session 3: Capstone Project and Group Discussions
  • Participants will work in groups to apply the agile tools learned to a hypothetical or real non-IT project.
  • Group presentations and peer feedback.
  • Final Q&A session to address challenges and opportunities for implementing agile.