Whether you are thinking about starting Agile or Scrum, have just begun, or have hit a wall after starting, you likely find yourself searching for online articles, documents, and books for guidance.
In this article, we introduce books that are particularly valuable for "Developers (Engineers and Programmers) within a Scrum Team."
In particular, we present a selection of books that are essential reading for anyone in a Scrum development team looking to adopt Extreme Programming (XP) practices.
Table of Contents
Extreme Programming (XP) is a lightweight and flexible software development methodology under the umbrella of Agile development. It was conceived and proposed in 1999 by a group of renowned software engineers, including Kent Beck.
Agile software development is primarily characterized by the following:
Traditional development methodologies focus on strictly defining requirements and designs upfront. In contrast, Agile development assumes that changes and requirement clarifications will occur even after coding has begun. It adopts an iterative approach, repeatedly performing small-scale design, implementation, and testing to incrementally enhance the software's maturity.
Extreme Programming (XP) is considered ideal for small development teams of up to about ten members. It is a popular choice for startups and online service development, where speed and the ability to respond instantly to shifting business environments are critical.
XP is also renowned for its excellent compatibility with Scrum. Combining these two frameworks has become a powerful standard in modern Agile development to balance management and engineering excellence.
This is the essential book for anyone looking to reconsider the origins of Agile development.
Beyond the five core values of XP, the book provides in-depth explanations of the following principles and practices:
■ Principles
・Humanity, Economics, Mutual Benefit, Self-Similarity, Improvement, Diversity, Reflection, Flow, Opportunity, Redundancy, Failure, Quality, Baby Steps, and Accepted Responsibility
■ Practices
・Sit Together, Whole Team, Informative Workspace, Energized Work, Pair Programming, Stories, Weekly Cycle, Quarterly Cycle, Slack, Ten-Minute Build, Continuous Integration, Test-First Programming, and Incremental Design
The creator of Extreme Programming (XP) and one of the original signatories of the Agile Manifesto. Renowned for his pioneering work in software patterns and the development of xUnit, he continues to challenge software engineering dogmas through his innovative ideas.
With a degree in psychology, she has contributed significantly to organizational behavior and decision analysis. She has been involved in the social aspects of XP alongside Kent since its inception.
A programmer and agile coach dedicated to supporting the adoption of Agile development in Japan. Known for his extensive work in translating key technical literature.
Written by the "realizers" of XP who participated in the legendary C3 project alongside Kent Beck, this book is an intensely practical guide to making XP work.
■ Key Insights
While other books focus on the spirit of XP, "XPI" focuses on implementation. It provides detailed guidance on the 12 practices, team communication, and the importance of celebrating success (like popping champagne after a release). It serves as a vital bridge for teams moving from curiosity to actual practice.
The onsite coach for the world's first XP project. A veteran developer who continues to resolve real-world problems and consults on software process improvement.
An XP coach and Smalltalk expert. She was a key member of the original C3 team and has a rich background in object-oriented projects across finance and control systems.
A system architect at ThoughtWorks. He emphasizes the rights of both programmers and customers and was a pioneer in the early large-scale payroll system that tested XP's limits.
Agile development is a human craft. To master it, one must learn to evaluate countless possibilities and choose the best path. This book serves as a guide to mastering the "Agile Way."
Focusing on XP, it covers everything from adoption to detailed practices, exploring why they work—and why they don't. It aims to help readers move beyond mere mechanics to a deep understanding of the values and principles that drive success.
This comprehensive resource is essential not only for programmers but also for testers, managers, architects, business analysts, and customers.
The 10th signatory of the Agile Manifesto and recipient of the 2005 Gordon Pask Award. He is a world-renowned consultant and coach who has brought depth and breadth to Agile discourse through his coaching and widely-read blog.
A technical editor with expertise in programming, Linux, and open-source development.
What is Certified Scrum Developer® (CSD®) Training?
■ Overview
This is a systematic education and certification program created by Scrum Alliance® to develop professionals who can collaborate correctly and efficiently as Scrum team members.
It certifies that your understanding of Scrum principles and your ability to collaborate in practice meet the standards set by Scrum Alliance®.
■ What You Will Learn
Through a simulated one-week sprint in an ideal Scrum team environment, you will build a small application while acquiring the knowledge, technical skills, and habits required for effective teamwork.
The course includes personalized coaching from Agile coaches to address real-world challenges.
■ Learn more
Apply for Odd-e Japan Training
What is Certified Scrum Developer® (CSD®) Training?
Certified Scrum Developer®（CSD®）- Scrum Alliance®
■ Training Program
・Scrum Practices
− Introduction
− Scrum Overview
− Collaboration with the Team
・Technical Practices
− Technology & Engineering
− TDD (Test-Driven Development)
− CI (Continuous Integration)
− ATDD (Acceptance Test-Driven Development)
− Refactoring
− Scaling Scrum
■ Earning CSD® Certification
To earn this certification, you must complete 5 days of training mandated by Scrum Alliance®. Two days focus on the principles of Scrum, while the remaining three days provide technical education essential for software developers.
Please apply for our various training programs
using the link below.