How to Become an Agile Practioner?


Agile development is an approach for creating software that puts a focus on adaptability, teamwork, and quick iterations. It is a relatively new method that has recently experienced a surge in popularity and has significantly altered how software is made. Agile development, which emphasises flexibility, adaptability, and cooperation, is also referred to as the art of adjusting to change and innovation.

Agile Practitioner

An Agile practitioner is a skilled professional with a mindset that embraces new opportunities and adapts easily to change, following the values and principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. They possess comprehensive knowledge of Agile techniques, including Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming, and understand the relationship between Agile and Lean project management.

Agile practitioners are key players in the Agile transformation process, offering guidance and best practices to teams navigating their new methodology. They assess an organization's current working model, identify potential areas for improvement, and select the most suitable Agile practices to implement. An Agile practitioner's primary objective is to facilitate full adoption of Agile within organizations, thereby unlocking its benefits.

How to become Agile Practitioner?

As an Agile practitioner, one must set an example through their actions and knowledge. To achieve this, it is important to have a deep understanding of Agile project management and stay updated on the latest trends in the field. A curious and eager attitude towards learning is also a must for a successful Agile practitioner.

To further your career and become a certified Agile practitioner, consider taking one of the numerous Agile courses available. The PMI-ACP, offered by the Project Management Institute, is a well-known and highly regarded option. This certification will showcase your expertise in Agile and provide opportunities for further growth and development. For those interested in focusing specifically on Scrum, the Scrum Alliance suggests starting with the ScrumMaster certification after obtaining an Agile certification.

Continuing the Agile journey, many practitioners aspire to become Agile coaches, guiding teams towards successful Agile adoptions.

Certifications to Become a Good Agile Practitioner

PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The PMI-ACP certification, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is targeted towards individuals working in Agile teams or organisations implementing Agile practices. It provides a comprehensive coverage of various Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP), and test-driven development (TDD). To be eligible for the exam, candidates must possess 2,000 hours of general team project experience, 1,500 hours of experience working with Agile methodologies or in Agile project teams, and have completed 21 hours of Agile training.

ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)

The International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) provides a foundational certification known as the ICAgile Certified Professional. This certification is a gateway to other certifications offered by ICAgile and covers Agile concepts and principles without focusing on any methodology such as Scrum or XP. It's an ideal option for individuals seeking to gain an understanding of Agile fundamentals. ICAgile offers other Agile certifications at different levels, such as the ICP Agile Team Facilitation (ICP-ATF) certification, which is beneficial for those aspiring to become Agile coaches. To earn the ICP certification, candidates must take a course from an ICAgile-certified training provider, either online or in India.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Scrum is the most widely adopted Agile methodology, and obtaining a certification in Scrum can equip you with the necessary tools to effectively implement Agile concepts in the workplace. By enrolling in the corresponding course and passing the exam, you can become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). The certification is administered by Scrum Alliance and is recommended for a range of professionals in diverse industries, such as Scrum masters, business analysts, and new Scrum team members.

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)

Scrum.org, founded by Ken Schwaber, the co-developer of Scrum, offers the PSM I certification. This certification demonstrates a thorough understanding of the basics of Scrum and the ability to apply Scrum principles in team environments. While taking a course is not mandatory, it is recommended. The exam emphasizes the interpretation of the Scrum Guide, which is available for free download in thirty different languages, and the application of Scrum principles in a team context.

These are some of the widely used certifications that one can do to become an agile practitioner. We are hoping this post will help you plan your Agile certification properly and help you become a top agile practitioner.

Conclusion

A competent agile practitioner, in summary, naturally embraces the ideas of the agile manifesto. They live and breathe the concepts of Agile and, above all, understand that user/people are the key to agile's success.

Updated on: 27-Mar-2023

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