Estimating & Planning for Scrum Teams

“How much is it going to cost?  What will I get?  And when will it be done?”  These three common questions are familiar to any software team.  While Scrum and Agile teams operate a bit differently than teams managed with a traditional, phase-gate approach (aka waterfall), they still need to offer up a coherent and defensible answer to these basic inquiries from the business.

In this dynamic, fun and interactive half-day workshop, Certified Scrum Trainer^® and experienced consultant, Carlton Nettleton will share with you the latest planning and estimating techniques used by his most successful Scrum teams across the globe.  During the workshop you will utilize the real-life practices you can apply immediately to collect accurate estimates, construct robust plans and set appropriate expectations with your stakeholders around cost, scope and date.  After this workshop, you and your teams will be able to accurately answer “When will it be done?” with confidence and conviction.

The learning objectives for this course are:

• Identify the difference between an estimate, a target and a commitment.
• Describe the major influences on a estimate and how errors enter an estimate.
• Differentiate between situations when counting, computing or relying on expert judgement is the best path to an accurate estimate.
• Practice two estimation techniques common for Scrum Teams – proxy-based estimation using story points and expert judgement in groups using Planning Poker.

What you will receive from this course:

• A detailed, 35-page student workbook full of custom exercises, activities and course summaries that capture the essential points you need to learn and comprehend to become a better estimator.
• A checklist of common functional and functional requirements commonly omitted by software teams as well as a checklist of common engineering tasks overlooked by developers.
• At least five new ideas and techniques about estimation that you can apply the moment you return to work.
• A reading list of great books to jump start your continuing education on estimation, planning, Scrum and Lean Thinking.

No PowerPoint Zone