Delivering Value and Managing Stakeholders in Agile

Overview

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the secrets to delivering value and managing stakeholders effectively in Agile environments. This course will equip you with practical knowledge and tools to enhance your project outcomes by focusing on value-driven delivery and stakeholder engagement. Master the skills necessary to prioritize, adapt, and communicate for project success in today's dynamic Agile landscape. Your journey begins by exploring Value Driven Delivery. Learn to define positive value, mitigate risks, and apply techniques like value stream mapping, story mapping, and Earned Value. Delve into prioritization, risk management, and Agile-specific tools such as burndown charts and velocity tracking. Additionally, gain insights into Agile contracting, Decision Tree Analysis, and the significance of William Deming’s PDCA cycle. The next phase focuses on managing stakeholders. From defining stakeholders to leveraging personas, user stories, and wireframes, you’ll understand how to keep teams aligned. Discover the importance of communication techniques like face-to-face interaction, information radiators, and Agile soft skills, and uncover leadership principles like conflict resolution, servant leadership, and the distinction between management and leadership. Designed for Agile practitioners, project managers, and team leaders, this course caters to anyone seeking to improve Agile practices. While no specific prerequisites are required, a basic understanding of Agile concepts will enhance your experience. Suitable for intermediate learners, it provides the right balance of theory and application.

Syllabus

Delivering Value in Agile Projects

In this module, we will explore the core concepts of delivering value in Agile projects, emphasizing how to align project outcomes with stakeholder expectations. You’ll learn about prioritization, Value Stream Mapping, and risk management, alongside tools like Story Maps and Earned Value tracking. By the end, you’ll be equipped to understand and implement value-driven delivery practices effectively in Agile environments.

Managing Stakeholders with Agile Practices

In this module, we will delve into the art of managing stakeholders within Agile projects, focusing on communication, transparency, and collaboration. From defining stakeholder roles to implementing Agile soft skills and servant leadership, this section offers insights into fostering productive relationships. By understanding tools like Information Radiators and Agile modeling, you'll master the practices necessary to keep all stakeholders aligned and engaged.