SCRUM-X: An Interactive and Experiential Learning Platform for Teaching Scrum

Motivating and engaging the current generation of technology-savvy students and improving the quality of learning is becoming more challenging with traditional instructional methods. Educational games and simulations are gaining more ground, both in formal and informal learning environments. With experiential learning, learners can enhance their management skills and ability to make decisions by analyzing different scenarios and paths that the project could have taken if specific decisions were made during the project. This paper presents Scrum-X, a computer-based simulation game to teach Scrum, an agile project management methodology, to graduates and professionals with IT background. In the game, players plan, execute and manage a software development project using Scrum methodology. Players will experience the entire Scrum process from Sprint planning to Sprint execution and finally, Sprint review and retrospective. A pilot run was conducted with very promising results. Keywords—Scrum; Agile; Project Management; Experiential Learning; Simulation; Educational Games