RED Innovation: Using Scrum to Develop an Agile Department

The goal of the RED project is to fundamentally transform the EECS department into an agile department that implements agile processes within the curriculum and academic operations. The specific goals are as follows:

• Graduate agile engineers capable of success within agile and non-agile environments.
• Integrate agile methodology and experiences throughout the core technical courses.
• Utilize evidence-based instructional practices in core technical courses.
• Develop an agile faculty culture that is responsive to student and industry needs and that models agile practices for our students.
• Implement agile methodology into department operations.
• Faculty continuously seek improvement through Scrum methodology implementation.

At the curriculum level, EECS focuses on applying Scrum agile product development approach into courses across the curriculum. The approach allows faculty to achieve faster changes and implementation of prioritized items. Examples include incorporating more evidence-based practices such as just-in-time teaching, case-based teaching, active learning and peer instruction. At the academic operations level, EECS focuses on fostering inclusive learning environments, revising department procedures, and recruiting diverse students and faculty. Through the implementation of Scrum, both faculty and students gain expertise on agile product development and its application in academic operational settings.

Faculty work collectively in Scrum teams to innovate the practices, policies and culture of the department. Students use Scrum in individual and team projects throughout the middle two years of the curriculum to progressively build their expertise for the culminating capstone courses in the senior year. The research uses an explanatory case study design guided by social cognitive theory. Quantitative and qualitative analyses are performed using data from interviews with faculty and students, feedback from stakeholders and artifacts from Scrum teams.

One of the expected outcomes of this RED project is to investigate how the agile processes adoption to department operations enhance faculty and student experiences. The findings will be used to inform other engineering departments about practices to improve the education of a diverse student population to be well-skilled engineers for the workforce. Research results could lead to transformations in engineering education by offering a model on the novel use of Scrum as an agile organizational practice and its influences on the collective efficacy of faculty.