How to Become Agile Certified
Are you looking to become an Agile Certified Practitioner? Agile certifications can help you take your project management career to the next level, making you more employable as a multi-skilled programmer.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become Agile Certified?
From taking a university degree that includes Agile training to receiving industry-recognised PMP or PMI-ACP certifications at a project management institute, there are a number of education pathways to elevate your career as a project manager.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is always useful, whether that’s project management, IT or development. After this, it is advisable to complement your degree with Agile certifications.
The Agile methodology is based on an iterative and adaptable approach to projects. With the right qualifications, you will learn how to respond to the unpredictable elements of projects in an effective manner. Following the right Agile practices, learned through becoming Agile certified, can mean the difference between the success or failure of a real-world project.
Through the right Agile or Scrum certification, you can become an Agile practitioner capable of balancing the standards and rigour required for excellent project management, fully utilising the best Agile techniques.
As a Beginner, Where Should I Start in Agile Certification?
To become Agile certified, you should of course scope out an industry-recognised certification program. A CSM course will allow you to become a certified ScrumMaster, while other online courses can help you become a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner. After completing a certification exam, you can proudly join the reputable body of Agile professionals in the UK.
You may also wish to participate in hackathons to gain project experience, network and demonstrate your dedication to continuous improvement. Complementary qualifications in Prince2, ICAgile, Analytics or Social Media can also be beneficial.
Skill Set Required for an Agile Practitioner
Critical and creative thinking
The ability to lead project teams, including teaching and coaching skills
Organisational skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Strong understanding of Scrum and Kanban
A keen eye for detail
What Does an Agile Practitioner Do?
Agile professionals work to create a culture in which experimentation and learning are embraced, collaborate with team members to create common goals, and develop an organisational structure that supports both these dimensions.
Using the Agile methodology, these professionals develop Agile teams to create effective outcomes for organisations. Agile project teams are more productive and content at work, with your contributions as an Agile project manager helping organisations perform at a higher level.
Typical Duties for an Agile Practitioner
Popular Career Pathways for Agile Practitioners
With a background in Agile project management, you could become a PMP ScrumMaster, Agile trainer, technical business analyst, project manager, business analyst, Agile project manager or digital channel planner.
As a project management professional, your skills are valuable to practically all organisations. You may work on a team-level, project-level or enterprise-level, according to your interests and areas of expertise.
