The word “agile” has become a popular buzzword, you can use it on games like wordle (5 letters word, worth a try). It was a hit first in the IT industry and then in many industries afterward since it was used in 2001 during the declaration of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. What is “agile”? Simply put, it is a new software development methodology characterized by short but complete life cycles leading to frequent product releases. To understand it better, here is what its manifesto says:
“We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.”
Because of its popularity, it has also affected other aspects of development and business such as project management.
To help you understand it better, we created a short list of “Agile Methodology and the 5 books you really need to read”
The list is nothing but a short one that aims to help you have a starting point. Our most important recommendation is to never stop learning. So maybe, if you have other suggestions, drop us a line with your favorite readings (you can find us also on social media – Facebook and LinkedIn).
1. “Agile Methodology and the 5 books you really need to read”: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge by Project Management Institute
“A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge” or the PMBOK Guide – Seventh edition is an essential requirement for project managers to understand the fundamentals of this domain. The book reflects the full range of development approaches (predictive, adaptive, hybrid, etc.) and provides an entire section devoted to tailoring the development approach and processes, focusing on not just delivering project outputs but also enabling outcomes.
The book has insights obtained from the collaboration among many working project managers that can be applied to different types of projects. Considered as an international standard for project managers, this book provides crucial tools for practicing project management and delivering efficient results.
2. Scrum Mastery: From Good to Great Servant-Leadership by Geoff Watts
Geoff Watts book talks about the key factors required to become a great Scrum Master. Himself a popular Scrum Coach, the author shares his experience trying to help his readers on their journeys of becoming Scrum Master. Big supporter of the principles of servant leadership, the author explains how to increase collaboration and the significance of frequent retrospectives.
This book is a collection of stories and practical guidance from Watts’ ten years of coaching numerous Scrum teams. You will most certainly find it useful especially for its focus on the more subtle aspects of a Scrum Master role.
3. “Agile Methodology and the 5 books you really need to read”: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
If you want to know more about Lean Startup principles and want to apply them to product development, then Eric Ries book is your perfect choice. He explains how to build a new brand by being innovative and applying the original Lean method, considered the Agile precursor. This is a great guide to building a seamless Agile system. If you believe that creativity is the key to success, then Ries ideas must be exactly what you need. The Lean Startup approach talks about how we can increase the efficiency of companies using human creativity more effectively.
Today the book is considered one of the most popular and is recommended for reading, both for beginners and professionals in their fields. According to the author, the lean startup approach is especially relevant for companies that focus on talent and effectively allocate development budgets.
Read also: 5 amazing JavaScript books you really need to read
4. Agile Project Management with Scrum” by Ken Schwaber
The name of “Agile Project Management with Scrum” by Ken Schwaber is also a prominently noted book for learning agile methodology. As a co-creator of Scrum and technical evangelist, the author, Ken Schwaber, provides real-world lessons through various case studies.
The plethora of knowledge related to practical scenarios of agile project management based on years of experience of Ken is the foremost highlight of this book. From this read you’ll understand how to use Scrum to solve complex problems and drive better results ― delivering more valuable software faster.
5. “Agile Methodology and the 5 books you really need to read”: Agile Project Management: Learn How to Manage a Project with Agile Methods, Scrum, Kanban and Extreme Programming by Konnor Cluster
Are you interested in managing your projects more effectively? Do you keep hearing about Agile, and you would like to know more about it? Are you a developer, and you want to take part in agile projects? Cluster’s book is for all those who are looking for a solution to improve the efficiency of the project management process. It is a perfect read for both managers and developers looking to get started in an Agile environment.
From this book you will learn the basics and delve into frameworks in more detail, learn what Scrum, Extreme Programming, and Kanban are and how to work with them. This is a really good option for newbies, you will start from zero, and you will be able to understand how to manage your projects using an agile framework. In this book you will learn:
- The content of the “Agile Manifesto”
- What is agility in practice
- What is Extreme Programming and why it was innovative when it was introduced
- What is Scrum and how to implement it in your project
- Which roles, document, and events are included in Scrum
- What is Kanban and how to use it
- How to choose between the available agile frameworks
You can also try some additional books like:
- Agile Software Development: The Cooperative Game (2nd Edition) by Alistair Cockburn
- Agile & Iterative Development: A Managers Guide by Craig Larman and Bas Vodde
- Scaling Lean & Agile Development by Craig Larman
- Lean Software Development: An Agile Toolkit by Mary and Tom Poppendieck
- The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change by Diana Whitney, et al.
- Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, Revised and Updated by James P. Womack
- Appreciative Team Building: Positive Questions to Bring Out the Best of Your Team by Diana Whitney, et al.
- Just Enough Software Architecture: A Risk-Driven Approach by George Fairbanks
- Continuous Delivery: Reliable Software Releases through Build, Test, and Deployment Automation by Jez Humble, David Farley
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