Green River students become Certified ScrumMasters at recent 2-day training
Through innovative partnership with Steve Spearman, CST, Green River College offers Certified ScrumMaster training to students, thereby equipping a new generation of software developers to transform the world of work.
At Green River College, students don’t merely learn software development from a purely theoretical point of view. Instead, they build working software from day one in the program, oftentimes collaborating with real-life clients to create products that solve real-world problems.
With a strong focus on web and mobile development, Green River’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development places equal emphasis on Scrum, a set of principles and practices that help teams deliver products in short cycles, enabling fast feedback, continual improvement, and rapid adaptation to change.
Emphasis on Scrum means Green River students learn how to: 1) function in small development teams, 2) build software incrementally in two-week sprints, 3) participate in Scrum ceremonies, and 4) produce, maintain, and refine Scrum-related artifacts.
“Our focus,” says software development instructor Tina Ostrander, “is always on delivering value using an inspect-and-adapt approach to software development. Students work off a product backlog, or master ‘to do’ list, tackling the next-most-important items in two week sprint cycles. At the beginning of each class, teams also participate in a stand-up meeting, where each participant briefly describes the work they’ve done, the work they’re currently doing, and any obstacles they’re facing. At the close of each sprint, teams present the work they have done and elicit feedback in a sprint review. They also complete a retrospective, where the team reflects on what went well and what needs improvement. And then, they begin the process of planning for the next sprint.”
In addition to completing a course in Agile Development Methods in year 3 of their degree program, Green River students also have the opportunity to become Certified ScrumMasters through innovative partnership with Agile Transformation Coach and Certified Scrum Trainer Steve Spearman, of Denver-based Swift Ascent, LLC.
An independent consultant and accomplished Scrum trainer with over 30 years of software development experience, Mr. Spearman’s busy work schedule often carries him across the United States. But his overwhelming generosity coupled with a passion for student success lead him recently to Green River’s Kent Station campus, where he delivered back-to-back, two-day Scrum trainings for 30+ students.
“I first learned about Green River’s Software Development program through Tina Ostrander, who reached out to me over LinkedIn and was looking for a CST to certify her students,” Spearman reports. “I was delighted to help and we’ve established a regular rhythm of providing CSM classes for Green River students. The mission of the Scrum Alliance is about changing the world of work. What better way to help with that than to spend time with students who are about to enter full-time employment? It’s also a joy to work with everyone at Green River — I get as much out of it as the students.”
Students who attended Spearman’s two-day, 16 hour training explored Scrum values, roles, practices, and artifacts. The training also included a variety of dynamic, team-building activities designed to reinforce the merits of empowering small, self-organizing teams to innovate and problem-solve. At the training’s conclusion, students completed an online exam to become Certified ScrumMasters.
Naturally, earning a marketable certification along these lines delivers considerable value to students. Becoming a CSM not only enhances employability and deepens knowledge of Agile / Scrum, but also entitles students to privileges and benefits offered by the Scrum Alliance.
In sum, Green River’s commitment to Scrum, along with its unique partnership with Steve Spearman and the Scrum Alliance, is a bleeding edge of innovation unto itself, one that’s empowering a new generation of software developers to transform the world of work.
On behalf of faculty, staff, and students at Green River College, THANK YOU Steve Spearman — we hope to have you back in 2017!
Learn agile web and mobile development at Green River College with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Development. Small class sizes, project-based learning opportunities, day and evening programs, including an industry-low cost of attendance. Apply now at www.greenriver.edu/software.
