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level performance expectations among two or more parties. For example, the

information technology department may have SLAs in place that outline how quickly
they will respond to a critical service desk ticket.

Purchase Order (PO) A purchaser order (PO) is typically written by a buyer and
describes the specifications and quantities of the goods or services being purchased
and the price. Once the PO is accepted by the seller, it is a legally binding document.

Warranty A warranty is usually associated with equipment, materials, software, or

supplies. It is a guarantee that the product will meet expectations and perform as
stated. A warranty is typically in effect for a specified period of time and expires once
the time period is reached.

Agile Project Management

Agile project management is a method of managing projects in small, incremental

portions of work that can be easily assigned, easily managed, and completed within a
short period of time called an iteration or sprint. Iterations or sprints (the terms are
interchangeable) are always time-bound. Typically, a sprint is a two-week period but
can be any short period of time defined and agreed upon by the team. The goal of a
sprint is to produce a deliverable, or a tangible portion of a deliverable, by the end of
the sprint.

Agile is a highly iterative approach where requirements can be continually
defined and refined based on continuous feedback from the product owner.

Agile methodologies have many benefits, and one of the greatest is high stakeholder
involvement. It’s a flexible approach that is highly interactive. It encourages a great
deal of communication between and among the team. The Agile team consists of
several members: Scrum master, product owner, stakeholders, team members. Here is
a brief description of each.

Scrum Master The Scrum master coordinates the work of the sprint. They also run

interference between the team and distractions that might keep them from the work at
hand. A Scrum master is a facilitator and helps to educate others in the Agile process.
They assist the product owner in maintaining the backlog, prioritizing work, and
defining when the work is done. The Scrum master is a facilitator and not a manager.
Project team members do not report to the Scrum master.

Product Owner The product owner represents the stakeholders and is the liaison

between the stakeholders and the Scrum master. They speak on behalf of the business
unit, customer, or the end user of the product and are considered the voice of the
customer. There should be only one product owner on the team. Communicating with
the stakeholders is a critical responsibility of the product owner. They communicate

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