Agile project management course curriculum

Whether you're a project manager looking to enhance your skill set or you’re seeking to break into the field, learning Agile project management can give you a competitive edge.

If you’re unfamiliar with Agile principles, you may want to choose a beginner course that introduces key concepts before moving on to more complex topics. Depending on your current experience, you may be better suited to intermediate or advanced coursework. Exploring job listings for roles you’re interested in can also help you plan your education according to employer requirements.

Introductory courses may cover the following concepts:

• Agile principles and values

• Agile framework

• Scrum framework

• Kanban methodology

• Agile scrum project management

• Agile planning and estimation

• Agile execution and control

Intermediate courses may build on foundational Agile project management knowledge, offering instruction on the following concepts:

• Agile team management

• Agile project management software

• Lean thinking

• Agile development practices

• Agile testing practices

• Agile approach to project risk management

Advanced courses may provide opportunities to practice applying the following Agile project management concepts:

• Agile scaling frameworks

• DevOps practices

• Continuous integration and delivery

• Agile leadership and governance

• Agile project portfolio management

edX offers a variety of educational opportunities for learners with different backgrounds and goals. Boot camps can help you hone your technical skills, including applying Agile principles through hands-on coursework. Online bachelor's degree programs in project management or computer science can also cover important Agile principles in their curricula. Current professionals interested in advancing their knowledge may find that executive education courses meet their needs, or may be interested in enrolling in a flexible online master's degree program. Find an option that works for you.

Explore Agile project management jobs

Agile project management skills can be useful in a variety of industries, from marketing to product management. However, they are particularly well-suited to the fast-paced and rapidly changing environment of software development.^{Footnote 3} Agile allows development teams to respond quickly to changes in requirements, technology, and market conditions, ensuring they can deliver high-quality software. This approach helps with product development because it focuses on customer feedback and technical excellence.

Roles that may employ Agile project management skills include:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), who is responsible for overseeing the entire project life cycle. PMPs use Agile techniques to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.

• Scrum master, who facilitates the Scrum framework within an Agile development team.^{Footnote 4} They help the team understand and adopt Agile principles, remove obstacles blocking progress, and ensure that the team follows best practices.

• Software developer, who uses Agile frameworks to manage workloads, collaborate with team members, and prioritize tasks. By following Agile principles, software developers can deliver high-quality code that meets the needs of end users.

• Engineering team lead, who manages a team of engineers working on a specific project. They use Agile methodologies to ensure that the team works efficiently, tasks are being completed on time, and the project meets its objectives.

In addition to the technical skills required in each role, Agile project managers should also have strong collaboration and communication skills. Choosing an educational option that prioritizes real-world, hands-on learning can help you prepare to become a well-rounded professional. A coding boot camp may provide opportunities to apply Agile methodologies to web development projects. Aspiring product managers can also benefit from Agile principles, which may be covered in a product management boot camp curriculum.

How to become an Agile project manager 

In addition to gaining the proper skills, training, and experience, becoming an Agile project manager requires a variety of hard and soft skills. These include problem-solving, leadership, and a strong understanding of Agile methodologies.^{Footnote 5}

There are no strict educational requirements for an Agile project manager and many resources are available online to build your skills, including tutorials, books, and webinars. Explore the educational opportunities made available through edX.