PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PRACTICUM

In this practicum, you will be exposed to Agile Project Management using Jira to simulate the setup, planning, and management of a small Agile project. You will define user stories (or reuse existing ones), organize a product backlog, set up sprints, create and manage a Kanban board, and generate sprint reports.

The goal is to practice Agile team workflows (similar to real-world software companies) while learning how to use Jira effectively for tracking progress, collaboration, and reporting, which can be useful for your final project.

TIP: Here's a link to a complete (long) tutorial for Agile Projects in Jira.


Tasks and Instructions

Before you start, make sure you have an account in Jira: [REGISTER] Create a free Jira account →


Set Up Your Jira Project

  • Create a Jira Software project.
  • Choose a Scrum or Kanban template (Scrum is recommended for sprint planning).
  • Invite all team members to the project (5 students per group).
Link: 7 steps to get started in Jira →
Link: Jira projects overview →

Build the Initial Backlog

  • Write at least 10 to 15 user stories.
    • You've already developed stories (e.g., for Exercise #1), you can reuse them and their usage scenarios.
    • Supplement the rest by creating new simple ones (e.g., “As a user, I want to reset my password so that I can regain access to my account.”). No usage scenarios needed for these ones.
  • Assign an effort estimate (Story Points, T-shirt size, or hours).
Link: Jira work items overview →

Organize the Backlog

  • Prioritize stories: most important features first.
  • Categorize or label tasks by type (Feature, Bug, Enhancement).
  • Break down a couple of big stories into smaller tasks if needed.

Plan a Sprint

  • Create a new Sprint in Jira (name it something like "Sprint 1 - Initial Features").
  • Select around 3 to 5 stories to "complete" in this sprint.
  • Set a sprint goal (e.g., "Complete basic user registration and login.").
  • Set a 2-week sprint duration (even if you won't actually work 2 weeks).

Work with the Kanban Board

In the "Board" tab:

  • Move items into columns like: To Do → In Progress → Code Review → Done
  • Simulate a standup by assigning 1 to 2 tasks (stories) per team member to "In Progress."
  • Update task statuses and comment as if you are "working" on them.

NOTE: You can create (or rename) columns for your board.

Explore Reporting

After moving a few tasks to "Done" in your board, explore the:

  • Burndown Chart: How many tasks are left?
  • Sprint Report: What was completed?
  • Cumulative Flow Diagram: Are tasks moving smoothly?

NOTE: You will need to add a "Reports" tab to your project to see these reports.


Wrap-Up Discussion

When you are done with this activity, reflect:

  • Was prioritizing tasks harder or easier than you expected?
  • How did visualizing the workflow help your understanding of team progress?
  • What features of Jira would you like to use more deeply in your main project?

You do not need to submit the answers to these questions, but they will help your bi-weekly reflection and your future work with the final project.


Deliverables

By the end of the practicum you should prepare a PDF and submit:

  • A screenshot of your populated backlog.
  • A screenshot of your Kanban board with at least 5 tasks in different stages.
  • A screenshot of at least one Agile report (burndown or sprint report).

Evaluation

This practicum is worth 3 points. The following rubrics describe the criteria I will use to evaluate your work:

  • Backlog
    • A screenshot of your populated backlog. 1 pt.
  • Kanban Board
    • A screenshot of your Kanban board with at least 5 tasks in different stages. 1 pt.
  • Reports
    • A screenshot of at least one Agile report. 1 pt.