Module 1: Tools and Accounts Setup (Required)
In this module, we'll cover the equipment you need for this class, as well as the software applications and accounts you'll need to hit the ground running on day one. Let's get to it!
Required Equipment
Being successful in this course begins with the right equipment. For this course, you will need a laptop (Mac or Windows) with 8 GB RAM and 64-bit dual processor. Note that you cannot use Linux in this course. If you are unable to meet these requirements, please contact your Student Success Manager.
Installing Applications and Signing Up for Accounts
You will be learning several tools. Some of these tools will be totally new, some you may be learning to utilize in a new and more impactful way. If you already have accounts on these sites, you can use those. However, you may want to create separate accounts that you can play around in and later turn into professional accounts to share with potential employers. Follow these steps, so you are ready to go before you start class.
Note: G Suite tools are used throughout the boot camp and you will need a Gmail address to access those tools.
| Tool | |
|---|---|
| Gmail | You will need a Gmail address in order to access the class materials and use the G-suite tools required for the boot camp. |
| Google Chrome | Google Chrome is a web browser made by Google and is an important tool you will often use in your boot camp program. If you donʼt already have Google Chrome, visit the download page here for the Mac download. For Windows machines visit here to download. If you've used a different browser, like Internet Explorer or Safari, you can import your settings into Chrome. |
| Google Drive | Google Drive is included with your Gmail address. To access Google Drive simply click on the “square” of circles at the top right side of the page, next to your initial, and choose Drive from the list of apps. Extra: If you do not want all of your Google Drive files synced to your device, visit the Google Drive help page: Change your Backup and Sync settings. |
| Google Docs | G-Suite word processor useful in collaborating or easily sharing documents with stakeholders or team members. |
| Google Sheets | G-Suite spreadsheet program useful for collaborating on project plans and storing in the cloud for easy access by all team members. |
| Google Slides | G-Suite presentation program used for creating and presenting project presentations to stakeholders and/or team members. |
| Google Forms | G-Suite survey administration app useful for collecting feedback from stakeholders and project teams. |
| Google Sites | G-Suite structured wiki- and Web page-creation tool can be used to create a project specific site |
| Google Drawings | Google Drawings is an entirely free online drawing program that can be used to create diagrams. Google Drawings enables you to create flowcharts, organizational charts, diagrams, wireframes, and more. Your data is stored only in Google Drive, so no additional third-party to trust with your data. There is no set up necessary with Google Drawings. |
| Jira | Agile project management program used for managing backlog of tasks that need to be completed for the project Note: Do NOT set up this account until we are approaching the unit it will be used in. Your instructor will provide you with more information during unit 7. |
| Slack | Slack is an online communication tool that is a forum, instant messenger, and email all rolled into one. It's a tool used by countless organizations worldwide, and you'll be using it every single day for the next four months. We will use it to send activities and assignments during class, relay important announcements, and facilitate group activities. Though there is a Slack web client, for this course, you should have the program installed on your machine. You will receive a link to your class-specific channel during orientation. |
| Zoom | Video conferencing platform used for online classes. You will want to sign up for a free account with the same email address you registered for class with. Be sure for each class you are signed in to that account. |
| Professional networking platform highly useful in networking to find employment. Do more than create a login! LinkedIn is one of the most important places for professionals to network, interact, and share with potential employers. In this course, weʼll get hands-on experience with your online profile in the industry. You will want to fully utilize this site to maximize your exposure, as well as, complete your Career Services milestones that are required (more on Career Services later). Recruiters often search these sites for job candidates, and you may be showing your work samples during job interviews, so be sure to use a professional username (i.e. JamieQSuarez, not ILuvMonsterTrucks or OliviasMommy). You should also provide a headshot and up-to-date contact information. | |
| Scrum.org | Scrum.org is the origin of the Scrum framework. You will need to register with the site in order to utilize the community forums and practice assessments for your PSM-1 certification. |
| ScrumGuides.org | Authoritative web source of the actual guide to scrum. |
Activity: Setting Up Your Google Drive for Boot Camp
Throughout the boot camp you will work on activities both in groups and individually. Having your Google Drive set up for boot camp ahead of time can keep all of your materials organized and easily accessible for you. Follow the steps below to set up a very high level architecture of your Drive.
Remember: you can break your subfolders down as far as you want to but at the very least you need this high level structure set up.
- Log into your Google Drive
- After logging into your Drive, click “New” on the left side and choose “Folder”
- Name your new folder anything you like that you will relate to your boot camp and then click create
- After this main folder is created right click on it and click share. Change sharing to “Anyone with link can edit.”
- Inside of your new folder create subfolders for Pre-Work and Units 1-18 by following the same steps as above for creating a new folder. (A shortcut is to right click inside your folder and choose new folder from the popup)
- You can leave your drive just like this or you can break your unit folders down into more subfolders (Some subfolders might include activities, homework, slides. It all depends on how much you want to break it down)
- You will save your pre-work activities to the Pre-Work folder in your drive and be sure to set them so anyone with the link can view them.
- When boot camp starts you will want to save all of your activity files to the correct unit folder.
Note: If you are working in a group be sure to make a copy of the file that the group is working on and put it in your personal Drive after completing the activity.