A Lightweight Scrum Sprint Simulation to Help Learners Traverse the Empirical Process Control Threshold Concept

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, scalable Scrum sprint simulation activity aimed at teaching students empirical process control through active learning, demonstrated across multiple university courses.

Contribution

It presents a novel lightweight simulation tool for teaching Scrum's empirical process control, validated through student feedback and teaching experiences.

Findings

Students engaged effectively with the simulation.

The activity enhanced understanding of empirical process control.

Feedback indicated improved grasp of Scrum concepts.

Abstract

Empirical process control, a way of managing work based on the observation of the successes or misfortunes of earlier activities, is a key process in Scrum and other agile development frameworks. In this experience report, we present a lightweight, scalable, free and customizable sprint simulation activity designed to teach students how to empirically control a Scrum project by engaging in the presentation and interpretation of work status information, task selection and resource allocations in a single teaching session. We reflect on our experience using the simulation as an active learning complement to direct instruction in two master level courses at two different universities and in the training of teaching assistants at a third institution, and abductively establish its effectiveness by mapping student comments to the teaching practices in the threshold concepts framework.