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Story Writing Workshop

Live Online In Person Private Workshop Half Day One Day

Story-Writing Workshops for Agile Teams

An interactive story-writing workshop, tailored to your team’s needs. Teams have the space and time to focus and refine their backlog and write user stories to deliver a key functional area of your product.

Gain greater clarity with stories that are detailed appropriately, correctly-sized, and ready to build.

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Inquire about training for your team

Why Train with Mountain Goat Software?

Mountain Goat Software has been taking agile teams from good to great since 2006.

Founder, Mike Cohn is the author of the popular book: User Stories Applied, creator of the Better User Stories course, and was co-founder of the Scrum Alliance.

Your mentor will use exclusive materials developed by Mike Cohn for your tailored workshop.

Mike Cohn Story Writing
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About the Instructors

Brian Milner

Brian Milner

Brian is the Senior Vice President of Training and Coaching with Mountain Goat Software and is a Certified Scrum Trainer. 
Starting out as a developer, Brian worked up through management layers, then transitioned to Scrum Master and then Coach. His practical experience in both waterfall and agile organizations helps him clarify what works and what doesn’t, plus he has many years’ experience helping teams transition to agile. 

Brian also brings more than 20 years of software development experience to his classes. People remark on his ability to answer even tough questions with ease, enthusiasm, and insight. 

Scrum Certifications include: CSM, CST, CSPO, CAL-Educator, CAL-1, A-CSM, A-CSPO, CSP-CM, CSP-PO, Path to CSP Educator, Scrum Foundations Educator.


Lucy O’Keefe

Lucy O’Keefe

Lucy has been a developer, Product Owner and Scrum Master in many scrum teams during her 28 years of IT experience. This brings a valuable perspective to the Teaching Assistant role as she helps students have a great training experience.

“I just love it when I see the light bulb go off during a class and know that the student really gets it.”

Lucy also brings a rich travel experience to her role. She is originally from Brazil, lived in Italy during high school and then came to the US for college—where she lived in the same dorm as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson! These days she resides in Charlotte, NC with her two wonderful dogs Chloe and Ollie. 

People

Who Should Take This Course?

This is a Beginner level course.

Alycia Bayer Aras Geylani Lisa Sieverts Eugene Crooks Taylor Manes

Be included in our Agile Professional Directory

On successful completion of the course, you’ll earn a credential to show that you have been trained by Mountain Goat Software.

From there you can set up your exclusive profile in our Agile Professional Directory where you can let people know about your new skills.

This is only available when you choose Mountain Goat Software as your training company.

When you join you can:

  • Stand out in the agile industry
  • Showcase your Mountain Goat Software training
  • Be found by people searching for certified individuals
  • Let people know when you are available for new opportunities
  • Build connections based on your specific skill-sets
Visit the Directory

How does the content in this course compare to our other offerings? View a detailed comparison.

How it Works

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Before the Course

Once you register, if your class includes video, you get access to those materials to watch before you attend. These videos include key lessons and are essential viewing before you attend the live class.

For classes with videos included, you are required to watch all videos before attending live, so make sure you leave enough time to work through them.

With lifetime access to all modules in these videos, you can watch them whenever you need, long after the live class so they’re a significant advantage to your training experience.

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During the Course

You’ll participate in a live, online class via Zoom, facilitated by your experienced Certified Scrum Trainer. You’ll get to know other attendees through group discussions, and practical breakout sessions.

The Team Home Software used for the breakout exercises is a popular part of our training. It’s unique to Mountain Goat Software and it really helps make the course interactive and engaging.

The lively Zoom sessions will fly by, we know because that’s the feedback we get from attendees. Be prepared to come with questions, and leave with answers and confidence to test out your new skills.

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After the Course

After the class we want you to be successful in your agile journey. That’s why we’re the only training provider to offer a 12 month membership into The Agile Mentors Community (value $299). Founded by Mike Cohn, your membership includes access to a community of smart and generous agilists, as well as additional resources to make it easier to succeed with agile. Learn more about what's included in your membership.

How it Works

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Before the Course

Before you attend an in person class, it can be useful to familiarize yourself with the Scrum methodology. The Scrum Foundations is a free short video course designed by Mike Cohn. It's the perfect introduction or refresher to Scrum whether you're brand new, or have been working in the role for year. Click here to see the Scrum Foundations.

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During the Course

During the two-day course you'll experience a mix of class lectures, discussions and breakout exercises in groups. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, and you'll receive a workbook to make your own notes throughout the training.

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After the Course

After the class we want you to be successful in your agile journey. That’s why we’re the only training provider to offer a 12 month membership into The Agile Mentors Community (value $299). Founded by Mike Cohn, your membership includes access to a community of smart and generous agilists, as well as additional resources to make it easier to succeed with agile. Learn more about what's included in your membership.

Got a Question?

General What payment methods do you accept?

You can register on our site and pay with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express card. For a group of 10 or more, contact Laura Cohn if you wish to be invoiced.

General How do I pay for a course for someone else?

During the checkout process, use your own payment details, your name and your email address to make the purchase. On completion of the purchase, you can then assign the course to your chosen recipient.

General Are your courses only for software developers?

Not necessarily. Each course has attendees from a variety of backgrounds, including from non-software fields. Mike’s passion is product development of all sorts, so many examples are software related, but no software development experience is required.

Live Online What is your refund policy for Live Online courses?

If you cancel or reschedule a Live Online course more than 7 days before the first day of the class you will receive a full refund. If you cancel or reschedule within 7 days of the first day of class, a 50% fee will be charged, and the remaining 50% can be used as a credit toward a class to be taken within 6 months from the date of the canceled class. All cancellation requests must be made via email. Refunds or credits will not be issued for no shows, partial attendance or cancellations within 24 business hours.

We want you to feel confident about enrolling in our live, online courses. If after watching the pre-course videos and participating in the live sessions you don’t find the course valuable, email us within 7 days for a full refund.

Note that this refund policy applies only to Live Online courses.

Live Online Will my certificate say virtual if I take the certification online?

No, your certificate will not mention the course was held virtually. It will look the same as the in person certificates.

Live Online Do you offer Live Online course discounts?

Our certified Live Online classes include volume discounts:

  • Save $100 per person when you register 10 or more people for a certified course.
Live Online Do I get a Scrum Alliance membership with my course?

All CSM, CSPO, A-CSM, and A-CSPO classes include a 2-year Scrum Alliance membership

Live Online Are there any exam fees to pay?

The only course that includes an exam is the Certified ScrumMaster class. There is no additional fee to pay in order to take the exam. The course registration fee is the full and final price. 

Live Online If I have an expired certification, can I still take an advanced class?

Your CSM or CSPO certificate doesn't  need to be current to be eligible for the advanced courses. Once you complete your Advanced course, you will need to add 1 year of relevant work experience to your profiles to receive your certification.

If your certificate is expired, there is no cut-off date that requires you to take that certification course again. (You may want to retake it if a lot of time has passed, or if you want to renew it by re-taking the class rather than going through the renewal process of submitting enough SEUs and paying the renewal fee.) 

When it comes to taking an advanced class, if your foundational (CSM / CSPO) certification has expired you can still take the course. Assuming you meet the experience requirement on completion of the advanced class, your foundational certification will be renewed, and include new renewal deadlines. 

Live Online How do I claim my SEUs and PDUs once my course is completed?

After completing your course, you'll receive an email with instructions for claiming continuing education units from Scrum Alliance and Project Management Institute.

In Person What is your refund policy for In Person courses?

You will receive a full refund if you cancel an in-person course at least 14 calendar days before the first day of class. If you cancel within 14 calendar days, a 30 percent cancellation fee will be charged, and you will receive the remaining 70 percent as a credit towards a class to be taken within 18 months from the date of the canceled class. If you cancel within two business days from the start of a class, or if you do not attend the class, you will not be eligible for a refund or credit. All cancellation requests must be made via email.

Note that this refund policy applies only to courses delivered in-person.

In Person Can I attend both the CSM and CSPO class back to back?

Absolutely! In many ways, the two courses are complementary and there is very little overlap between the two courses.

In Person Are laptops required for In-Person Courses?

No. We will provide you with all training material needed for your course.

In Person Do you offer In-Person course discounts?

Yes:

  • Save $100 per person when you register 10 or more people.
  • Save $100 when you register for both classes.
  • Save $100 for early bird registration.
In Person Do I get a Scrum Alliance membership with my course?

All CSM, CSPO, A-CSM, and A-CSPO classes include a 2-year Scrum Alliance membership

In Person Are there any exam fees to pay?

The only course that includes an exam is the Certified ScrumMaster class. There is no additional fee to pay in order to take the exam. The course registration fee is the full and final price. 

In Person If I have an expired certification, can I still take an advanced class?

Your CSM or CSPO certificate doesn't  need to be current to be eligible for the advanced courses. Once you complete your Advanced course, you will need to add 1 year of relevant work experience to your profiles to receive your certification.

If your certificate is expired, there is no cut-off date that requires you to take that certification course again. (You may want to retake it if a lot of time has passed, or if you want to renew it by re-taking the class rather than going through the renewal process of submitting enough SEUs and paying the renewal fee.) 

When it comes to taking an advanced class, if your foundational (CSM / CSPO) certification has expired you can still take the course. Assuming you meet the experience requirement on completion of the advanced class, your foundational certification will be renewed, and include new renewal deadlines. 

Inquire About a Workshop for Your Team

Plan and properly execute your vision with a Story-Writing Workshop for your team.