Product Design & Agile Fundamentals
Module Overview
Transform your mindset from a task-oriented "code writer" to a problem-oriented "solution builder." Master product thinking, user-centric design, agile methodologies, and learn to integrate AI tools throughout the software development lifecycle. This module establishes the foundation for creating products that customers genuinely value and love.
The Product-Centric Mindset
Overview
Shift your perspective from a task-oriented "code writer" to a problem-oriented "solution builder." Learn to frame products as living systems designed to deliver value, understand user-centric design principles, and develop empathy through persona creation. This foundational mindset is crucial for creating products that customers genuinely value and love.
Learning Resources
| Resource Title | Provider | Description | Level | Mandatory | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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What is Product Thinking?
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YouTube
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Concise, animated introduction to core product thinking concepts. Frames products as living systems designed to deliver value.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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Demystifying Product Thinking
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Mind the Product
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Understand tangible benefits and practical frameworks. Defines product thinking as discovery process and introduces Jobs-to-be-Done.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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What is User-Centered Design?
|
YouTube
|
Learn core principles of putting the user at the center of all decisions. Outlines a 6-step process for effective design.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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10 Usability Principles
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Nielsen Norman Group
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Learn non-negotiable heuristics for creating quality interfaces. Covers canonical principles like visibility of system status.
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Intermediate | Optional | Start Learning |
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Why You Need UX Personas
|
Nielsen Norman Group
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Make the abstract concept of "the user" tangible and empathetic. Explains how personas humanize data and lead to better decisions.
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Intermediate | Optional | Start Learning |
Practical Exercise
Product Thinking Challenge
- Complete all required resources and create a product thinking summary document
- Choose a popular app (e.g., Spotify, Uber) and analyze it through a product thinking lens
- Create 2-3 user personas based on the app's target audience using Atlassian's template
- Identify 5 usability heuristics being applied in the app's interface
- Present your analysis to demonstrate understanding of user-centric design principles
Agile & Scrum Mastery
Overview
Master operational effectiveness by understanding that Agile is a guiding mindset while Scrum is a specific framework for action. Learn the core rules, roles, and artifacts needed to work efficiently in a modern development team. Focus on user stories, backlog management, and estimation techniques.
Learning Resources
| Resource Title | Provider | Description | Level | Mandatory | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
What is Agile?
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YouTube
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Core philosophy of iterative development and customer collaboration. Cites data showing Agile projects are more successful than Waterfall.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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What is Agile? (Atlassian Guide)
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Atlassian
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Definitive guide to the 4 core values and 12 supporting principles of the Agile Manifesto. Positions Agile as umbrella term for methodologies.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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What is a Scrum Team?
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Scrum.org
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Three core roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Developers) from authoritative source. Defines principles of cross-functional, self-managing team.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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What is a User Story?
|
YouTube
|
Master the standard "As a..., I want..., so that..." format. Introduces INVEST criteria for good stories (Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, etc.).
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Intermediate | Required | Start Learning |
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Story Point Estimation Explained
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YouTube
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Understand how to estimate relative effort and complexity, not time. Explains using Fibonacci-like sequence to avoid false precision.
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Intermediate | Optional | Start Learning |
Scrum Simulation Exercise
Agile Team Simulation
- Study all required Agile and Scrum resources
- Create a product backlog for a simple task management application
- Write 10 user stories using proper "As a..., I want..., so that..." format
- Apply INVEST criteria to validate your user stories
- Estimate story points using Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8)
- Plan a 2-week sprint and identify potential blockers
From Idea to Blueprint
Overview
Learn to create critical documents and design artifacts that translate abstract ideas into concrete, buildable plans. Master the creation of requirements documents, technical specifications, wireframes, and mobile-first design principles. This ensures engineers understand how to define requirements, specify technical approaches, and visualize user interfaces.
Your Learning Journey Starts Here
Choose Your Application & Master Product Development
For this module and throughout your entire learning curriculum, you'll need to select one application from our portfolio to study, understand, and apply in your projects. This application will be your practical learning companion across all 11 modules.
Why Choose One Application?
- Deep understanding through consistent application
- Real-world complexity that grows with your skills
- Portfolio-ready project by curriculum completion
- Practical experience with enterprise-grade systems
Learning Resources
| Resource Title | Provider | Description | Level | Mandatory | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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What is Sprint Zero?
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YouTube
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Purpose of preparatory sprint for setup activities. Functions as readiness phase with warning against lengthy planning phases.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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Functional vs. Non-Functional Requirements
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YouTube
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Critical distinction between what a system does and its qualities/constraints. Provides simple, memorable examples to differentiate requirement types.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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Technical Spec Template
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Slack Engineering
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Robust outline for tech spec detailing implementation "how". Covers system architecture, data models, API endpoints, risks, and security.
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Intermediate | Required | Start Learning |
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Figma for Beginners Playlist
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YouTube
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Industry-standard tool for creating visual interface blueprints. Tutorials cover fundamentals of frames, shapes, and design hierarchy.
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Intermediate | Optional | Start Learning |
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What is Mobile First Design?
|
YouTube
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Strategic principle of designing for smallest screen first. Forces prioritization, improves accessibility, and future-proofs design.
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Intermediate | Optional | Start Learning |
Design & Documentation Project
Complete Product Blueprint
- Define functional and non-functional requirements for a mobile app idea
- Create a technical specification using Slack's template as reference
- Design wireframes for 3-5 key screens using mobile-first principles
- Plan a Sprint Zero checklist for your proposed project
- Create a simple Figma prototype demonstrating basic user flow
- Present your complete blueprint for peer review
AI-Powered Development & Collaboration Tools
Overview
Integrate Generative AI as a practical, daily-use tool across the software development lifecycle. Learn to use AI for brainstorming, documentation creation, user story generation, and master essential collaboration platforms like Confluence and Notion. This topic bridges AI capabilities with real-world development workflows.
Learning Resources
| Resource Title | Provider | Description | Level | Mandatory | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AI for Brainstorming
|
YouTube
|
Use LLMs as collaborative partner to generate novel ideas. Showcases practical techniques like using AI as "assistant" for baseline ideas.
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Beginner | Required | Start Learning |
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Generative AI for Software Developers
|
Coursera
|
Holistic understanding of GenAI application at each SDLC stage. Focuses on integrating GenAI into development workflows, CI/CD, security, testing.
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Intermediate | Required | Start Learning |
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Using AI to Write User Stories
|
YouTube
|
Use specialized AI tools to accelerate user story creation. Demonstrates tools that generate stories, acceptance criteria, and sub-tasks.
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Intermediate | Required | Start Learning |
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Confluence for Beginners
|
YouTube
|
Achieve proficiency in enterprise-grade knowledge base tightly integrated with Jira. Comprehensive playlist covering basic navigation to advanced features.
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Beginner | Optional | Start Learning |
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Notion for Beginners
|
YouTube
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Use Notion's flexible, block-based system for dynamic documents and team wikis. Introduction to core concepts like pages, blocks, and callouts.
|
Beginner | Optional | Start Learning |
AI Integration Project
AI-Powered Development Workflow
- Complete the Generative AI for Software Developers course
- Use AI brainstorming techniques to generate 5 app ideas with problem statements
- Leverage AI tools to create user stories for your best app idea
- Use AI to help write a Product Requirements Document (PRD)
- Set up a team workspace in either Confluence or Notion
- Document your AI-assisted workflow and best practices discovered