Quay Consulting’s Matthew Sharpe explores the value of gaining Agile certification and the importance of asking ‘why’ before pursuing formal qualifications.
One of the more frequent questions we hear once a person’s appetite has been whetted by the potential of Agile is should I get a certification? It’s usually followed by: What kind of certification should I get and where do I find a good course?
All good questions, but before we attempt to answer them, perhaps we should ask: Why do you want to pursue certification and what are your objectives in doing so?
There are typically two types of response: either to get a new job where certification is required or to improve one’s knowledge and understanding of Agile methodology to help do your current job better. Both are valid reasons, perhaps, but we would suggest some caution if it is the former.
A quick search of the current job market may show that there are openings asking for Agile experience or certification and if you don’t have either, then surely gaining certification will show potential employers you have the right skills.
Unfortunately, this is an assumption that is all too commonplace and, for potential employers, easy to call out.
Easy to Learn, but Difficult to Master
For those familiar Bushnell’s Law, Agile is in some ways like video game design: theoretically easy to learn but difficult to master. Like any vocation, gaining the certification is not an end in itself but should be the start of your Agile journey. Despite the name of the certification, one does not simply go on a two-day course and call themselves the “master”.
With this in mind, we are more encouraged when someone says that they are seeking certification in order not just to ‘get a job’ but to improve their skills in order to do their current job better.
It goes hand-in-hand with the longer term aim of moving up the career ladder with more than just a piece of paper with a few letters on it; instead there is proven experience backed up with an appropriate certification. And if you can persuade your current employer to sponsor the training, then it’s a win-win situation for both you and your manager.
Deciding the Right Path to Certification
If you’ve established that you do want to seek a certification, and you want to do it for the right reasons, the next step is to decide what qualification you want to pursue.
There are many training providers out there, each trying to outdo one another with their claims, however the certification space boils down to three independent and globally-recognised certifying bodies (with a few smaller niche players).
The first two are Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org, both of whom focus on (obviously) Scrum certifications. The third is the Project Management Institute, which assumes a broader Agile body of knowledge covering a number of Agile methods such as Scrum, XP, Lean and KanBan.
The clutch of certifications offered by the Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org are broadly similar in nature (in fact both organisations were founded by the same person, and one of the founding fathers of the Agile Alliance, Ken Schwaber) and includes:
- Certified Scrum Master (Scrum Alliance);
- Certified Scrum Product Owner; (Scrum Alliance);
- Certified Scrum Developer (Scrum Alliance); and
- Professional Scrum Master (Scrum.org)
- Professional Scrum Product Owner (Scrum.org)
- A smattering of more senior qualifications for experienced practitioners
At their core, both sets of courses are broadly similar, with those from Scrum Alliance more established and popular, but those from new-kid-on-the-block Scrum.org are rapidly gaining popularity. There is much online commentary comparing the two certifications.
The key takeaway is that whichever of these organisations you choose, you should consider it as your starting point on your Agile journey. It is what you learn by applying the method in the real world that will give you real insights and add value. To quote from the Scrum Alliance website:
A CSM course is Only the First Step. Becoming Agile is a lifelong journey; Incorporating Scrum Principles and practices into your world of work takes diligence, patience and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The certification offered by the Project Management Institute is the PMI-ACP or Agile Certified Practitioner. It is more difficult to gain this qualification than the others detailed above; it takes longer; it is more expensive; and is gained not just through attendance at a course but also through demonstrable experience working in Agile Project Teams and an examination that tests your knowledge.
There is also a requirement to maintain certification through earning Professional Development Units (PDUs). In some ways, the certification aligns well with our ealier statement that in becoming proficient in Agile is not just about going on a course: it is about demonstrating true understanding and mastery through doing. This is illustrated on the PMI website:
The PMI-ACP is not designed as training tool, but is for people who are looking to demonstrate a level of professionalism in Agile practices and hold a certification that goes further than entry-level, training or exam-only based offerings.
The Start of the Agile Journey
So, which path is right for you? No one can answer that question for you – The courses have different objectives and are not mutually exclusive either. If you’re just starting out in Agile, A CSM or PSM course is a great start.
If you’ve got solid experience behind you, then perhaps the ACP is a better bet. Of course there are the advanced qualifications offered by Scrum Alliance such as the CSP, CSC and CST which are targeted at those with demonstrable experience and an alternative to the PMI-ACP.
At the end of the day, certification comes back down to what your objectives are. The first step is making that decision that you want to learn more and start your own journey of Agile learning.
This article was originally published on Matthew Sharpe’s blog, DigitalTaskForce in February 2016 and has been reposted here with permission.
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