XP (Extreme Programing)

Course Title: XP, Lean, and Agile Methodologies in Software Development

Duration: 8-10 weeks (adjustable based on intensity)

Target Audience: Software developers, project managers, team leaders, and tech enthusiasts who want to improve their understanding and implementation of agile methodologies in software development.

---

Week 1: Introduction to Agile Methodologies

• Overview of Agile Principles: Agile Manifesto, core values, and principles.
• Why Agile?: Benefits and challenges in the modern software development landscape.
• Key Agile Methodologies: XP, Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and DevOps.
• Comparative Analysis: How XP, Lean, and other Agile methods align with Agile principles.

Week 2: Extreme Programming (XP) – Principles and Practices

• Introduction to XP: History and core values (simplicity, communication, feedback, courage, and respect).
• XP Practices: Test-driven development (TDD), pair programming, continuous integration, and refactoring.
• XP Roles and Responsibilities: Developers, customers, coaches, and testers.
• XP Planning and Execution: User stories, iterations, releases, and feedback loops.
• XP in Real Projects: Case studies and examples of successful XP implementations.

Week 3: XP in Detail – Core Techniques

• Test-Driven Development (TDD): Writing tests before code, unit testing, and integration testing.
• Pair Programming: Benefits, challenges, and real-world application.
• Continuous Integration (CI): Building and testing code frequently, ensuring that changes integrate seamlessly.
• Refactoring: Improving the design of existing code without altering its behavior.

Week 4: Lean Software Development

• Introduction to Lean: History and evolution from Lean Manufacturing to Lean Software Development.
• Lean Principles: Eliminate waste, build quality in, deliver fast, optimize the whole, and continuous learning.
• Lean Practices: Value stream mapping, pull systems, and minimizing work in progress (WIP).
• Lean Metrics: Lead time, cycle time, and throughput.
• Lean in Action: How Lean is applied in software development teams.

Week 5: Advanced Lean Practices

• Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): Small, incremental improvements and their impact on project success.
• Lean in Agile Teams: Combining Lean with Scrum and XP.
• Flow and Pull: Managing workflow using Lean principles.
• Lean Tools: Kanban boards, visualizing work, and managing bottlenecks.

Week 6: Other Agile Methodologies

• Scrum: Roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Developers), artifacts, and ceremonies.
• Kanban: Visualizing workflow, limiting WIP, and continuous delivery.
• DevOps: Integrating development and operations for faster delivery.
• Comparing Agile Methodologies: How Scrum, XP, Lean, and Kanban differ and complement each other.

Week 7: Implementation Challenges and Best Practices

• Cultural Barriers: Adapting Agile in traditional or rigid organizational structures.
• Scaling Agile: Applying XP and Lean in large organizations or distributed teams.
• Combining Methodologies: Blending Lean, XP, and Scrum in hybrid models.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples of how companies have successfully implemented XP, Lean, or other agile frameworks.

Week 8: Hands-On Projects and Group Exercises

• Project Setup: Teams are assigned a software development project to apply XP, Lean, and other methodologies.
• Simulation of Agile Environment: Teams go through planning, iterations, reviews, and retrospectives.
• XP Practices in Action: Pair programming, TDD, and continuous integration applied in the project.
• Lean Practices in Action: Use of value stream mapping, Kanban boards, and flow optimization.

Week 9: Evaluation and Iteration

• Project Review: Teams present their project progress, challenges, and results.
• Feedback and Retrospectives: Continuous improvement through feedback from peers and instructors.
• Adjusting for Real-World Application: How to tweak methodologies to fit specific project needs.

Week 10: Conclusion and Certification

• Review of Key Concepts: XP, Lean, Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps.
• Final Exam/Project Submission: Evaluate understanding and application of methodologies.
• Certification: Participants receive a certificate of completion upon successfully completing the course.