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Many software program improvement groups use the Agile undertaking administration method to interrupt down massive, complicated tasks into smaller duties which can be simpler to deal with and handle. And because the Agile methodology gives many advantages, comparable to elevated flexibility and pace, greater high quality software program, and higher communication, figuring out methods to apply it to your crew’s practices could make you a extremely helpful undertaking supervisor.

How are you going to purchase and advance your Agile undertaking administration information and expertise? Via varied Agile certifications, which may additionally enhance your profession prospects, wage, credibility, and extra. This information will reveal the highest 5 Agile certifications that can assist you and your software program improvement crew attain your potential.

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Finest Agile PM Certifications

The next Agile undertaking administration certifications are essentially the most well-respected and extremely sought-after within the software program improvement subject. Whereas they don’t seem to be the one Agile certifications obtainable, this listing ought to function a strong place to begin in your search in your quest to advance your undertaking administration profession and improve your expertise and information.

ICAgile Licensed Skilled (ICP)

The ICAgile Licensed Skilled (ICP) certification is geared towards undertaking managers of software program improvement groups who’re new to Agile and wish to develop a mindset within the standard methodology. Studying outcomes from this certification embrace:

• The historical past of Agile and the way it got here to be
• The tenets of the Agile Manifesto
• Agile practices outdoors of software program improvement
• Agile tradition and mindsets
• The way to developer “smooth expertise” and perceive communication boundaries
• Strategies for shared understanding, higher collaboration, and information sharing
• Ideas of value-driven improvement, comparable to incremental improvement and value-based work
• The way to create a WIP (Work-in-Progress)
• Mission planning and course of adaptation

No earlier expertise is required for this PM certification that teaches the origins of Agile and its values, rules, and ideas, methods to set up the Agile mindset, incremental improvement, Work-In-Progress, collaboration strategies, product adaptation, and extra. As an alternative of specializing in a single framework, the certification teaches college students methods to “be Agile whereas doing Agile.”

Though timing varies by class, anticipate to take a position a minimal of 14 hours to finish the ICAgile Licensed Skilled (ICP) certification. Distant studying is accessible, and the certification’s timing, location, and value rely on the ICAgile Member Group.

Study extra concerning the ICAgile Licensed Skilled (ICP).

AgilePM Basis Certification

The AgilePM Basis certification from APMG Worldwide is good for members of Agile groups seeking to transfer as much as undertaking administration positions. Additionally it is appropriate for practising undertaking managers. Receiving this certification will aid you:

• Apply AgilePM philosophies and methods in a undertaking
• Configure the lifecycle of Agile tasks
• Apply Agile strategies like MoSCoW priorities, iterative improvement, and timeboxing to tasks
• Higher perceive methods to outline and assign roles and accountability in an Agile atmosphere
• Perceive methods to take a look at, estimate, and measure progress and success
• Learn to describe and apply Agile approaches to suit administration’s specs and necessities

Some key takeaways from this certification embrace core Agile philosophy and rules, the Agile lifecycle, and the advantages and limitations of various strategies used within the methodology. Additionally, you will study concerning the varied roles, duties, and merchandise in an Agile undertaking.

The examination for the AgilePM Basis certification is closed guide and incorporates 50 questions. College students have 40 minutes to finish the examination and should reply half the questions accurately to earn the certification. The price of the certification will depend on the supplier you select and whether or not you’re taking the examination in particular person or on-line. Pricing can vary from $275 to $599.

Study extra concerning the AgilePM Basis certification.

AgilePM Practitioner Certification

When you get your AgilePM Basis certificates, you’ll be able to set your sights on getting the extra superior AgilePM Practitioner certification. It’s for Agile crew members seeking to develop into undertaking managers, AgilePM Basis licensed professionals, and skilled undertaking managers seeking to present their experience within the following areas:

• Making use of Agile practices to workshops, undertaking modeling, and undertaking precedence definitions
• Testing, estimating, and evaluating revenue supply in Agile tasks
• Assist mechanisms
• Managing and prioritizing necessities

Key subjects taught within the AgilePM Practitioner certification embrace the Agile method to managing and prioritizing necessities, plus facilitation and help mechanisms. You’ll learn to apply Agile practices to tasks and methods to estimate, take a look at, and consider revenue supply.

The examination for the AgilePM Practitioner certification is open-book and a couple of.5 hours lengthy. The target examination entails 4 questions. You will need to get half of them appropriate to move. The price of the certification will depend on the supplier you select. Invensis gives coaching for $1,095 and the examination for $320.

Study extra concerning the AgilePM Practitioner certification.

PMI Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The PMI Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP) enhances the flexibility of undertaking managers. It covers a number of Agile approaches, together with Kanban, Scrum, Lean, test-driven improvement, and excessive programming. The certification is designed for undertaking managers main Agile improvement groups or these in organizations seeking to undertake Agile practices.

Conditions for this Agile certification begin with a secondary diploma and 21 contact hours of Agile apply coaching. Throughout the final 5 years, it’s best to have 12 months of common undertaking expertise. Throughout the final three years, it’s best to have no less than eight months of expertise with Agile tasks.

To earn the PMI Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, you need to move a 120-question on-line examination inside three hours. The examination prices $435 for PMI members and $495 for non-members.

Study extra concerning the PMI Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification.

Licensed SAFe Agilist – Main SAFe

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) contains enterprise-level Agile practices. Product managers, executives, and enterprise house owners can develop into licensed in SAFe to extend crew collaboration and productiveness and optimize product high quality. Attendees will study:

• The advantages of SAFe
• Establishing crew and technical agility alongside the circulation of worth
• Aligning massive organizations with clear aims
• Conducting SAFe occasions comparable to PI planning
• Adopting a customer-centric mindset and tradition

The Main SAFe course teaches methods to assist your complete group align on clear and customary aims, methods to develop a customer-centric mindset, methods to instill crew and technical agility, and extra.

Some Scrum expertise is useful earlier than taking this course, as is five-plus years of undertaking administration, product administration, or software program improvement expertise.

The web, closed-book, 90-minute examination consists of 45 questions. You will need to rating 80 % to move. Coaching for the Licensed SAFe Agilist – Main SAFe certification prices round $500, relying on the supplier. The primary examination is free.

Study extra concerning the Licensed SAFe Agilist – Main SAFe certification.

Agile Certification Advantages

These working in undertaking administration for software program improvement groups can reap a number of rewards from Agile certification, making it a worthy funding of their time, cash, and energy.
Getting an Agile certification could make you a greater and simpler undertaking supervisor by rising your information and expertise and serving to you perceive the Agile methodology’s rules and practices on a deeper stage. It could actually additionally aid you enhance communication expertise to higher join with crew members, stakeholders, and prospects. Different advantages of Agile certification embrace:

• Demonstrates information of – and dedication to – your subject
• Enhances credibility
• Will increase crew efficiency by way of the implementation of Agile practices
• Improves profession prospects and wage potential

With a undertaking administration certification in Agile, you’ll be able to improve your credibility by not solely exhibiting you will have the superior information and expertise within the methodology to finish tasks, however that you’re additionally extra dedicated than others in your subject with out such credentials. This enhanced credibility can prolong to your software program improvement crew members, stakeholders, and even prospects.

Agile PM certification can even enhance your software program improvement crew’s efficiency. By implementing and following Agile rules, undertaking managers can improve crew effectivity, speed up undertaking supply whereas enhancing high quality, and keep inside funds. And since Agile provides a way of flexibility to tasks, it is possible for you to to handle change successfully, which will help your crew adapt to modifications seamlessly as obstacles seem.

Improved profession prospects are one other advantage of Agile certification. Having that credential in your undertaking administration resume can entice potential employers and aid you stand out from the group, because it signifies added expertise, information, and drive. And with these improved profession prospects additionally comes the potential of a better undertaking supervisor wage. In accordance with an Certainly examine, having an Agile PM certification will help you earn $10,000 extra yearly than undertaking managers who lack it. Lastly, turning into Agile licensed can improve your confidence. Including expertise, information, and credibility will help when main your crew, making knowledgeable choices, and answering questions from these out and in of your circle.

What to Look For in Agile Certification

There are a number of Agile certifications to select from, so how have you learnt methods to decide the best one for you? You’ll be able to filter by way of the certifications and slim down your choices by first figuring out your expertise stage. Every Agile undertaking administration certification is geared towards totally different expertise ranges, so it is advisable determine which applies to your present state of affairs. If you’re new to Agile, you’ll be able to select a fundamental certification such because the ICAgile Licensed Skilled (ICP). And in case you have expertise, it’s possible you’ll determine on a extra superior Agile certification, such because the PMI Agile Licensed Practitioner (PMI-ACP).

One thing else to think about when selecting an Agile certification is your objectives. If you’re actually critical about having a prolonged and affluent profession in Agile undertaking administration, superior certifications will present employers that stage of dedication. If at present employed, contemplate your group’s wants. As an example, in case your group depends on the SAFe Agile framework, it’s possible you’ll wish to look into getting the SAFe Agilist certification.

And, whereas many Agile undertaking administration certifications price just a few hundred {dollars}, some might price rather more. As such, maintain your funds in thoughts when selecting a certification if cash is tight.

Ultimate Ideas on Agile Certifications

The highest 5 Agile certifications on this information can all improve your marketability and effectivity as a undertaking supervisor for a software program improvement crew. Earlier than selecting one, be sure you contemplate your expertise stage, profession objectives, organizational wants, and funds to make the perfect decide in your present wants.

Subsequent Steps for Mission Managers of Software program Improvement Groups

In search of extra details about undertaking administration certifications? Now we have an inventory of a number of the Prime Mission Administration Certifications with extra generalized choices, in addition to a spotlight of the CAPM Certification Coaching that can assist you get licensed.

We even have an inventory of a number of the Finest Mission Administration Software program for Builders in case you are on the lookout for undertaking administration instruments. If you’re on the lookout for Agile-specific instruments, then we suggest testing our Prime Agile Instruments for Builders round-up.