Software development has followed different models at different times and based on scenarios. However, among all of them probably Agile is the one that has revolutionized project management and software development at a different level. Software professionals have found many advantages from different agile methods like Scrum, Lean, Kanban, SAFe, Scaled agile, etc., which have successfully addressed different software development challenges.
With these agile methodologies, cross-functional teams can emphasize and collaborate incrementally, iteratively responsively, and flexibly. Interestingly, Agile has become a common practice among organizations.
Here is a pictorial representation of why you should adopt Agile
(source: VersionOne)
But the only practice is enough to survive in the software industry? Maybe benchmarking your knowledge is as vital as your hands-on experience, and that’s where certifications matter a lot. Hence, different Agile certifications are available in the market to test IT professionals’ knowledge and competency. Here in this blog, we will discuss 10 such Agile certifications that can take your career to the next level.
Related post – Top 10 Challenges of Implementing Agile methodology
Why Agile Certifications?
Agile is in practice for almost every project in software. Furthermore, organizations are now looking out for Agile experts who have experience and Agile certifications. This has become one of the primary motivations for becoming an Agile certified professional. Also, there are several other benefits of achieving an Agile certification, which we will discuss in the next section. However, the obvious reason for acquiring these certifications is it meets all interests and supports individuals require through a job transition or to scale up the profession in the Agile domain.
By obtaining an Agile certification you can get the following benefits:
– Achieve a higher standard as a professional
– Obtaining better clarity on the process
– In-par with the present market trends
– Achieving better comprehensive credibility
– Collaborate better
– Extended connection and marketability
– Getting hands-on knowledge of the policies
Not to mention, with an Agile certification, you will grow professionally along with a hike in your salary, greater visibility, enhanced credibility, and competition with the current market trends.
Who can take up Agile Certification?
Following professionals can take up Agile Certification but are not limited to:
- Project Team Members
- Aspiring Agile trainers
- IT Managers
- Scrum Masters
- Delivery Managers
- Iteration directors
- Team Managers
- Project Directors
Top 10 Agile Certifications that you can find useful
- PMI-ACP
- APMG International
- Strategyex Certificate (Associate or Master’s) in Agile
- International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile)
- Agile Certification Institute
- Scaled Agile Academy
- Scrum Alliance
- Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM)
- Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
- ICP-Agile Certified Coach
Now let’s have an overview of each of the above.
1. PMI – Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
This Agile certification is good for you if your project team is in Agile’s practice as this certification offered from the Project Management Institute identifies your understanding of the Agile Manifesto, Agile methods, and its policies. The PMI-ACP is a versatile certification as it crosses the many areas of Agile such as Scrum, Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), Kanban, DSDM, Crystal including TDD, and improves your versatility.
PMI-ACP proves your real-world expertise in leading Agile projects, techniques, and skills. This is probably a must-have Agile certification for everyone in practice in Agile that examines the candidate’s theoretical understanding, practical or real-world activities along with Agile skills.
The exam features are as following:
- Time of the Exam: 3 hours
- Total Number of subjects: 120 Multiple Choice
- Percentage: There is no specific Pass Percentage specified by PMI, just above a 70% score would assist you in passing the exam.
- Eligibility Criteria::
- 2000 hours of project management experience.
- 1500 hours operating on Agile projects or with Agile methodologies
- 21 contact hours of practice in Agile practices and techniques
2. APMG International
APMG International is a global accreditation organization that offers certifications in many technical and business areas, and agile certification offerings are a part of it. These certifications help to benchmark project managers’ ability to deliver agile projects in organizations that require standards, rigor, and visibility around the agile framework. APMG International offers the following Agile certifications –
Agile Business Consortium Scrum Master
Through this Agile certification, you will be certified as a Scrum master and expected to lead a scrum team effectively.
Agile Digital Services (AgileDSâ„¢)
Through this Agile certification, you are expected to learn how to design and deliver effective digital services in an Agile way.
Agile Programme Management (AgilePgM®)
This Agile certification enables programs to evolve and react to business change.
Agile Project Management (AgilePM®)
With this Agile certification, you will learn how to apply the leading framework for Agile project delivery
For exam details and cost please refer to this link – https://publicexambookings.apmg-international.com/
3. Strategyex Certificate (Associate or Master’s) in Agile
Strategy Execution is a global leader in organizational training, addressing the inherently volatile and complex business environment that now requires a more holistic and adaptive approach to managing projects. Their Lean and Agile certification offers two types of foundational certificates –
- Five courses in two years
- Nine courses in four years
To know the certification paths please follow the link –
https://www.strategyex.in/earn-a-certificate/programmes/lean-and-agile#cert-path
4. International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile)
The International Consortium for Agile or ICAgile is a certification and accreditation body. They collaborate with worldwide agile thought leaders to develop learning programs that lead people to agile mastery. ICAgile offers agile certification in professional as well as expert track as shown below.
| Track | Role |
| Agile Coaching Track | Agile Project Managers, Analysts, and agile team members |
| Agile Engineering Track | Software Developers, Technical Architects, Development Managers, Test Engineers, Technical Team Leads or other team members involved in technical design and development |
| Agile Testing Track | Testers, Test Engineers, Analysts, Developers, Test Managers, or anyone aspiring to these roles |
| Delivery Management track | senior managers, project or mid-level managers, entrepreneurs, Scrum Masters, Product Managers, Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Agile Coaches |
| DevOps Track | Developers, Testers, Operations leads, and team members, Managers, Agile Coaches, or anyone currently undergoing or considering a DevOps transition. |
| Enterprise Agile Coaching Track | Agile Coaches who have completed the Agile Coaching track who wish to take their skills to the enterprise-level |
| Value Management Track | Business Analysts, Product Owners, Product Managers, Business Subject Matter Experts, and those in roles responsible for maximizing value at scale. |
However, unlike other accreditation bodies, ICAgile does not require a specific certification exam. But you need to complete the ICAgile accredited class and demonstrate your knowledge, mindset, and skillset.
ICAgile offers ICP certification professionals who demonstrate competence in real-time in front of an expert panel. To qualify, you must satisfy all the learning requirements for a given track. Specifically, you must earn the ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP) certification and the two specialty certifications on the track you’re interested in.
5. Agile Certification Institute
The Agile Certification Institute is an agile standards body that focuses on all aspects of enterprise agile adoption, and not just within software development. Moreover, the ACI offers a wide variety of agile certifications and credentials that covers enterprise agile product and project management, agile talent development, and management, along with agile process improvement. In addition to enterprise agile certifications, the ACI offers certifications for agile flavors Lean, Kanban, and Scrum at the Associate, Practitioner, Master, and Owner levels.
6. Scaled Agile Academy
When Agile is in practice in larger enterprises, it needs agile professionals to demonstrable their skills and knowledge to scale the framework. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) body of knowledge is the foundation that delivers Lean/agile development successfully in large software enterprises. The Scaled Agile Academy offers agile certifications at fundamental, intermediate, and advanced levels, as described below.
7. Scrum Alliance
Scrum is the leading framework for software development that follows the Agile methodology. It is a leading membership organization for Scrum professionals that supports Scrum’s widespread adoption and effective practice. The Scrum Alliance offers the following Scrum certifications for IT and software development professionals in different tracks.
| Scrum Team member | Agile Leadership | Guide level |
| Scrum Master Track | Certified Agile Leadership Certified Agile Leadership II | Certified Team coach Certified Enterprise Coach Certified Scrum trainer |
| Certified Scrum Master Advanced Certified Scrum Master Certified Scrum Professional – Scrum master | ||
| Product Owner Track | ||
| Certified Scrum Product Owner Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner Certified Scrum Professional -Product Owner | ||
| Developer Track | ||
| Certified Scrum developer Certified Scrum Professional |
With Scrum Alliance agile certifications you achieve –
- Exposure to Scrum master personal improvement tool
- Get in touch with industry-leading coaches and leaders.
- Exposure to Comparative Agility is an agility platform, an assessment platform offered for free to all Active Scrum Alliance Certificants.
8. Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM)
The International Association of Project Managers is a global professional association and certification body for project managers. They promote development, research, and practical project management applications and develop standards and guidelines for beginner and advanced project management. Besides, they review and approve project management competencies within the profession.
There are four levels of certification within the IAPM as follows:
- Certified International Project Manager
- Certified Senior Agile Project Manager
- Certified Agile Project Manager
- Certified Junior Agile Project Manager
All the above-mentioned certifications ensure the certification holder’s theoretical project management knowledge. The senior-level certifications confirm the holder’s theoretical project management knowledge plus at least 5 years of professional experience in project management. Additionally, all the remaining certification holders are eligible for Certified International Project Manager (IAPM) except Junior level certified holders.
For detailed fee information please refer to this link – https://www.iapm.net/en/certification/fee-information/
9. Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Professional Scrum Masters demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Scrum and their ability to apply it in real-world situations. Scrum.org offers the certifications, and the assessments happen in phases. Those that pass any of the three levels of PSM assessments will receive the corresponding industry-recognized certification.
Professional Scrum Master certifications
Professional Scrum Product Owner certifications
Professional Scrum Developer certification
Professional Scrum with Kanban certification
The above professionals consider the PSM certification as one of the industry’s toughest certifications due to its rigorous syllabus, higher pass percentage, and tough exam patterns.
The exam details are:
- Duration of the Exam: 60 minutes
- Total Number of questions: 80 (Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer and True/False, Closed Book)
- Pass Percentage: 85%
- Requirements: Training not mandatory
10. ICP-Agile Certified Coach
The ICP-ACC is again provided by the International Consortium for Agile and is one of two knowledge-based certifications on the Agile Coaching track. The certification primarily revolves around the roles, responsibilities, and mindsets of an Agile Coach. After completing this certification or course, the participants will differentiate between mentoring, coaching, facilitating, and teaching.
As a certified professional, you will also understand how to create an inclusive environment for collaboration and conflict resolution within an Agile team. This credential also presents participants an opportunity to understand team coaching and team development skills while considering the organization and processes.
The exam details are:
- Duration of the Exam: No exam
- Total Number of questions: Not Applicable
- Pass Percentage: Not Applicable
- Requirements: Attend an in-person, 21-hour training taught by an IC Agile authorized Training Partner