MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_RsearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 1 of 14Task Summary“The Philosopher’s product is his life” – Friedrich NietzscheManifestos communicate beliefs, aims, intentions and views – they are a philosophy ratherthan a method. The Agile Manifesto is the philosophy from which Agile methods andframeworks have emerged.This assessment is about ensuring that we understand the thinking or the ‘what’ of Agile inpreparation for learning the methods, practices, tools, and techniques associated with the‘how’ of Agile.You will be required to prepare a report covering the following concepts and areas ofknowledge:1. VUCA2. The Agile Manifesto3. The Case for Agile4. Agile vs. Waterfall5. A Comparison of Scrum and Kanban6. The influence of Lean on the Agile philosophy and practices ASSESSMENT 1 BRIEFSubject Code and TitleMIS608 – Agile Project ManagementAssessmentResearch Report on AgileIndividual/GroupIndividualLength1500 words (+/- 10%)Learning OutcomesThe Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by successfulcompletion of the task below include:a) Undertake research to demonstrate an understanding ofAgile concepts, tools and techniquesSubmissionDue by 11:55pm AEST Sunday end of Module 2.2.Weighting25%Total Marks100 marks MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_RsearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 2 of 14ContextBecause careers in the world of Information Systems require being able to ‘do’, we focus ontechniques which engender capability building. Agile is a complex and multi-facetted discipline.Because we are preparing you for professional practice in your future workplace – the assessmentpathway takes a laddered approach to your learning to embed theoretical knowledge through activepractice:1. Assessment 1 – Prepare – Understand theoretical foundations of Agile.2. Assessment 2 – Reflect – Develop your Agile Mindset and capability to work in an Agile team.3. Assessment 3 – Perform – An authentic assessment where you will apply the knowledge and skillsyou progressively develop in the subject to a business problem using Agile Project Management. Wk1Wk2Wk3Wk4Wk5Wk6Wk7Wk8Wk9Wk10Wk11Wk12A1Theoreticalfoundations of AgileA1DueA2Developing your Agile Mindset andreflecting onA2DueA3Form TeamWorking AgreementScrum vs. KanbanLead the TeamSetting up Team BoardBacklogPlanning and estimatingRetrospectivesReviewsRelease PlanningA3Due Due attention needs to be paid to format, visual presentation and citation discipline (referencing) asthis would be required in leading companies and consultancies which you would apply to in yourfuture career.Incorrect referencing demonstrates your capability as a researcher – it is evidence that you knowhow to find information from appropriate sources and can interpret and synthesise that informationwith skill at a Masters level.MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_RsearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 3 of 14Task InstructionsYour report will require 6 boxes, each one devoted to covering a specific knowledge area:1. Box 1 – VUCA.Consider the acronym VUCA :a. Briefly describe an example of a current commonly known challenge that youbelieve aligns with one of the dimensions of VUCA. Ensure that you include areference for your reader to a source that describes the challenge.b. Select one dimension – either volatility, uncertainty, complexity or ambiguity –that you believe best explains this current challenge and characteristics thatmake this the case?c. Looking at the recommended approach for this condition, how do you thinkAgile will help to achieve that approach?2. Box 2 – Authors of the Agile Manifesto.Select one of the following authors of the Agile Manifesto and do some desktopresearch using current quality resources so that you can answer the questionsbelow:Kent Beck | Ken Schwaber | Jeff Sutherland | Jim Highsmith | Alistair Cockburna. Add a picture of the author of your choice ensuring that you both caption andreference the image with the correct technique.b. With which Agile framework are they aligned?c. Briefly describe the framework in 2-3 sentences.d. What do you believe the framework to which they are aligned is best suited?3. Box 3 – Agile vs Waterfall.What, in your opinion is the biggest difference between Agile and Waterfall? Includeevidence from two sources to back your claim.4. Box 4 – The Case for Agile.Consider the ‘triple constraint’ of Project Management, also known as the ‘IronTriangle’. Several cases and examples have been included in the essential resourcesfor this subject which illustrate how Agile can be beneficial for projects. Select oneof these cases – or source a case of your own selection- and discuss the impact of anAgile approach on one of the triple constraints and on quality. Ensure that youclearly identify the case to which you are referring in your response with appropriatereferencing techniques.MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_RsearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 4 of 145. Box 5 – A comparison of Scrum and Kanban.a. Kanban and Scrum are compatible Agile techniques which have bothsimilarities and differences. Identify what you believe to be the mostimportant similarity and most important difference between the twotechniques and explain why you think that this is the case. Ensure that youback your position with evidence from quality sources.b. Explain which of these techniques – Scrum or Kanban – is better suited as atechnique for project managing your group assessment project. Give threereasons for why you believe this and back your reasoning with evidence.6. Box 6 – The Influence of Lean on Agile philosophy and practice.It is recognised that Lean philosophy has influenced both Agile philosophy andpractices. Select two lean philosophies and draw a two-sided mind map to illustratethe concept of how Lean philosophies have given rise to principles in the AgileManifesto and how these have in turn influenced the emergence of certain Agilepractices. Use the mind map to show the relationships from point of origin topractices in use.Visual Appeal and Format1. Your report will need to be designed and completed in Word format – alternative packagesolutions (e.g. Canva) may not be used as they do not meet the university’s submission criteria.2. A cover page will be required which must include the following information:a. Subject Codeb. Subject namec. Assessment numberd. Assessment titlee. Class CRNf. Learning Facilitator’s nameg. Student nameh. Student number (‘A’ number)3. The report must use font Arial or Calibri 11 point and be line spaced at 1.15 for ease of reading.4. You may use a tables or text boxes to create your six boxes based on what best meets yourneeds. You must pay careful attention to layout and how items fit on the pages.5. When diagrams or tables are used, due attention should be given to placement.6. Diagrams or tables must carry the appropriate captioning.7. A reference list is to be included on a separate page which meets the format requirements ofthe APA 7th Edition Referencing Guide.MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_RsearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 5 of 14ReferencingThere are requirements for referencing this report using APA referencing style. It is expected thatyou reference any appropriate resources that were used in class and that you include five additionalresources in the relevant subject areas based on readings and further research.You are required to use DOIs, URLs and page and para numbers to reflect your capability andstanding as a Masters level researcher.It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see moreinformation on referencing here http://library.laureate.net.au/research_skills/referencingSubmission InstructionsSubmit Assessment 1 via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in MIS608 Agile ProjectManagement. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal.Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.Academic Integrity DeclarationIt is required that the below statement must be adhered to and added to your cover page:I declare that except where I have referenced, the work I am submitting for this assessment task ismy own work. I have read and am aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policyand Procedure viewable online at http://www.torrens.edu.au/policies-and-formsI am aware that I need to keep a copy of all submitted material and their drafts, and I will do soaccordingly.Signed by: Date:MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_ResearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 6 of 14Assessment Rubric AssessmentAttributesFail(Yet to achieveminimum standard)0-49%Pass(Functional)50-64%Credit(Proficient)65-74%Distinction(Advanced)75-84%High Distinction(Exceptional)85-100%Visual Appeal andFormatCover Page2%No cover page is included.Cover page is included but ismissing most information.Cover page is included butis missing key information.Cover page is included withmost required information.Cover page is included withall required information.Format3%Incorrect font and size isused with poor linespacing and large gaps inpagination or tables ordiagrams run over ontothe next pageunnecessarily. Referencelist does not start on anew pageEither incorrect font and sizeis used or poor line spacingand large gaps in pagination.Reference list does not starton a new page.Some errors in font use andline spacing. Somepagination problems.Reference list starts on anew pageMinor errors in font,spacing and format.Reference list starts on anew pageFont, spacing and formatare in accordance with therequirements of theassignment brief.Reference list starts on anew page and applies theappropriate hanging indenttechniqueSpelling & Grammar3%Many errors in spelling orgrammar obscuremeaning of what studenthas written.Spelling or grammar haserrors but meaning remainsclear.Minor spelling or grammarerrors.No errors in spelling orgrammar.No errors in spelling orgrammar.Word Count2%Does not adhere to theword count requirementof 1500 words (greaterthan +/- 20%)Does not adheres to the wordcount requirement of 1500words (+/- 20%)Adheres to the word countrequirement of 1500 words(+/- 10%)Adheres to the word countrequirement of 1500 words(+/- 10%)Adheres to the word countrequirement of 1500 words(+/- 5%)VUCAKnowledge &understanding4%Demonstrates a poorlydeveloped understandingof VUCA – cannot identifyan example and alignedDemonstrates a functionalknowledge of VUCA – selectsinappropriate examples withlow relevance, the incorrectDemonstrates proficientknowledge of VUCA byselecting an appropriateDemonstrates advancedknowledge of VUCA byselecting a good example ofa challenge, identifying theDemonstrates exceptionalknowledge of VUCA byselecting an excellentexample of a challenge, MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_ResearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 7 of 14 VUCA dimension andappropriaterecommended approach.VUCA dimension and/orapproach is selectedexample , the correct VUCAdimension and approachcorrect VUCA dimensionwith good reasons andexplains the link betweenthe recommendedapproach and Agile.identifying the mostappropriate dimension forthe selected challenge andidentifying the correctapproach to address thechallenge and how Agilecontribute to addressingthe dimension.Analysis andapplication withsynthesis of newknowledge3%Limited synthesis andanalysis.Demonstrated analysis andsynthesis of new knowledgewith application.Well-developed analysisand synthesis withapplication ofrecommendations linked toanalysis/synthesis.Thoroughly developed andcreative analysis andsynthesis with applicationof the VUCA model andjustified recommendationslinked to analysis/synthesis.Highly sophisticated andcreative analysis, synthesisof new with existingknowledge.Evaluation ofinformation selected tosupport the presentedargument.3%Limited understanding ofVUCA and AGILE requiredto support the presentedargument.Resembles a recall orsummary of key ideas ofVUCA and AGILE.Demonstrates a capacity toexplain and apply relevantconcepts of VUCA andAGILE.Well demonstrated capacityto explain and applyrelevant concepts of VUCAand AGILE.Excellent capacity toexplain and apply relevantconcepts of VUCA andAGILE.EffectiveCommunication3%Presents information.Specialised language andterminology is rarely orinaccurately employed.Meaning is repeatedlyobscured by errors in thecommunication of ideas.Communicates in a readablemanner that largely adheresto the given format.Generally employs specialisedlanguage and terminologywith accuracy.Meaning is sometimesdifficult to follow.Information, arguments andevidence are structured andsequenced in a way that isnot always clear and logical.Communicates in acoherent and readablemanner that adheres to thegiven format.Accurately employsspecialised language andterminology.Meaning is easy to follow.Information, arguments andevidence are structured andsequenced in a way that isclear and logical.Communicates coherentlyand concisely in a mannerthat adheres to the givenformat.Accurately employs a widerange of specialisedlanguage and terminology.Engages audience interest.Information, arguments andevidence are structured andsequenced in a way that is,clear and persuasive.Communicates eloquently.Expresses meaningcoherently, concisely andcreatively within the givenformat.Discerningly selects andprecisely employs a widerange of specialisedlanguage and terminology.Engages and sustainsaudience’s interest. MIS608_Assessment_1_Brief_ResearchReport_Module Due 2.2 Page 8 of 14 Information, argumentsand evidence are insightful,persuasive and expertlypresented.Referencing3%Some unresolved SafeAssign flags in the body ofthe assessment
