The Job Hackers

When I joined this program, I thought it would be another class with Agile content, covering Agile manifesto, principles, frameworks like scrum with description of events, artifacts and some test samples. Although I am a certified Scrum master and have... Read More been applying Agile project management in my consulting engagements for few years now, I decided to attend the class because it was highly recommended by people I volunteer with, at PMI SF Bay Are Chapter. That was a very good decision. Here is why:
- Besides the Agile content referred above, which I would recommend that attendees find online and read before starting this class, the training included content which provided a holistic approach to the application of Agile framework. Examples of topics are: Relative estimation and predictability with backlog sequencing according to value and effort, behavior-driven-development and test-driven-development, product development flow, system dynamics.
- The training also included an equal part of leadership training, as an agile implementation starts from changes in our philosophy in order to embrace a new way of operating and producing value in the era of “knowledge workers”. We were exposed to our cognitive biases through exercises, learned about mental models for optimal decision making, how to build and sustain productive teams and realized the power of many proven, simple and true statements like: “..our success stems from good human interactions by all participants in the effort..” and many more.
I highly recommend this class to people who want to learn about Agile principles, pass the Scrum and/or Product owner certificate exams as well as to all leaders who would like to learn and be inspired in order to apply a successful Agile transformation in their organizations.

If you are looking to learn about Agile( SRUM, Lean, XP, Kanban, home grown), to augment your managerial skillset, to add "cool tools" to your production toolbox, to engage in thought provoking discussions, or to learn something new a new way. If you... Read More have been on failed Agile teams and wish to understand reasons for its failure, if you want to further the cause of a Learning Organization, if you get some cross-discipline pollination with others out in the business, please contact The Job Hackers. Many in may class alone feel they learned more in this 6 week course than in their traditional MBA. I felt from a development point of view that it helped me understand the discipline of Agility in many aspects of the knowledge workers craft. I took the class online during their San Francisco local class and felt that their choice of platform (Zoom) was adequate for valuable return on effort.

https://www.thejobhackers.org/

Larry Apke's The Job Hackers Agile MBA is a thought-provoking class, with members from different industries and areas, reading different materials and learning in a holistic manner. Non-conventional, as it not only deals with the certification exam but... Read More makes all of us think deeply about why this methodology works in product development.

Pros:
-Free
-Boring topic made interesting by charismatic teacher
-Lots of support by students, alumni, and staff for your certification (PSM) and job search.
-Class was conveniently timed to be 7:45-9:00am for students who worked
Cons:
-The lectures aren’t... Read More detailed, the granular knowledge is gained from outside reading assignments (people who are expecting all this to be covered by the instructor were disappointed).
-There was very little discussion or Demo of software used to manage projects in Scrum. I think this was an oversight. The instructor spoke ill about products like Jira, but those are what’s in use. Ignoring them by discussing their flaws isn’t going to land someone a job as a scrum master.
-I would have liked a few more real world scenarios. It’s one thing to learn the ideal, but it would have been nice to learn a few practical methods of bringing poor agile teams back in line.

Today is the first Tuesday when I don't have to wake up at 5.45 am and commute to SF downtown to take Larry's class. It feels empty without it. Even though I can sleep longer now.

When I reflect on my experience with the course, I cannot believe we were... Read More able to cover so many topics in only 6 weeks - Scrum Framework, Software Quality , Technical Debt, BDD&TDD, Continuous Integration, Lean Product Development, Systems Thinking, Cognitive Biases, and many-many others.. So many new books appeared on my bookshelf: by Tom Demarco, Daniel Pink, Don Reinertsen, Peter Senge, Matt Wynne, Eliyahu Goldratt, Nassim Taleb! Also, I was able to pass PSM (Scrum Master certification) from the first attempt :)

You don't just go through a series of concepts, learn tools and techniques, you deal with the WHY and HOW, on each level of organization, human and technology related. We were encouraged to discover, debate, research, answer tough questions, and last but not least - have fun and make friends :) All this is the foundation of a strong community and I'm happy to be part of it now:) It's very common for former students to have intellectual meetups with interesting sessions or just invite each other for coffee while discussing our future Agile endeavors. For example, tomorrow we are meeting to discuss Scrum Simulation Design Team creation and organization of "Scrum Games Night" meetup.

Anyway, I'm jealous if you about to take the course. It's for you if you want to challenge yourself intellectually and broaden your professional and personal horizons.

There is a small (BIG) team behind the curtains, a lot of passionate and badass professionals supporting and enabling JH Brand, and it's gazillion times worth your time!

This class is awesome, the instructor is great and the learning environment is mainly presentation and discussion style. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking for a great learning environment with in-depth details on scrum, agile and having... Read More better overall view on human interaction.

Great Training, presentations, discussion!

Today is the last day of the Job Hacker's Class with Larry Apke's Scrum training, and I have learned so much. It is not only the content for PSM, but a radical change in the thought processes for working on projects.... Read More It is not bookish, although will help in PSM, but is a way of thinking! He truly put in practice ' Learning how to Learn'! Thank you Larry for the awesome presentations and your time.

This is the best class I have ever taken! You should take this class as soon as possible.

The instructor, Larry Apke started with the “why?” of Agile, and we all finished with an understanding of how to better facilitate team efforts.

The time is right,... Read More 7:30am, and I am not a morning person. It didn’t take the discipline I thought it would. The first session left me anxiously anticipating the next as did each of the 12 class sessions to follow. I easily got up and to class on time each day.

The price is right. You contribute what you can to your new favorite cause, The Job Hackers’ Agile training. This class prepared me to take and pass the Professional Scrum Master certification. Scrum.org offers classes starting at $1,300 to prepare you to pass the Professional Scrum Master Certification. Scrum.org offers two days of training and multiple attempts to pass the certification test.

With your $1,300, you can take this class, take the test several times if necessary, make a donation to The Job Hackers AND get a much deeper understanding of Scrum and Agile.

- Larry has great experience and practical knowledge and is genuinely interested in imparting knowledge to people and helping them find jobs.
- Guest speaker concept is very good.
- Covers a good range of topics like Systems behavior etc which you won't... Read More get in any agile training.
- Overall superb experience