In the new era where customer demand is ever-increasing and amidst cut-throat competition, traditional methods of project management and development aren’t enough. Hence, a new way of creating software and managing projects has taken over a magnitude of organizations known as Agile. According to VersionOne’s State of Agile report, approximately 97% of companies have implemented the Agile methodology in one form of the other.
It goes without saying that the demand for professional well-versed in the Agile methodology has increased tenfold. This need has led to the growing popularity of Agile certifications, which earns individuals brownie points with renowned companies who frequently use Agile.
Hence, if you’re an agile practitioner and are looking to advance your career in the field, you should consider getting a top agile certification. This certification can not only open global opportunities for you, but it’ll also make you stand out of the crowd.
While a number of certifications are available, it’s imperative to choose the one which is right for you and one that you’re eligible for. In this article, we have covered some of the top certifications that you should consider pursuing.
However, before delving into the specifications of each certification, let’s first understand the importance of pursuing these certifications.
Why Agile Certifications?
The use of Agile has only been increasing with time, and building a career in this field is highly beneficial. That being said, even if you’re already well-versed with the methodology, pursuing education will help you keep track of the latest advancements and new techniques under this methodology. In a crux, achieving an Agile certification will help you with the following:
- Get better visibility
- Get a better salary
- Earn credibility
- Keeping up to the current market trend
Top 5 Agile Certifications To Pursue
1. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Arguably, the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is one of the best Agile and project management certifications you could pursue. Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this certification aims to enhance the skills of project managers who are adopting Agile methodologies for their teams. The reason this certification is held at high regard is that it provides the professional real-world experiences of working on Agile projects.
Moreover, the certification is also designed to enhance the candidates’ skills in various subdomains of Agile, including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. Lasting for a year, once you achieve this certification, you need to earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) within the year to renew the certification.
2. Scrum Alliance
Scrum is an umbrella term used to describe a set of various practices that are used in agile projects, primarily for software development. The Scrum Alliance is the most prominent organization that uses Scrum practices for their projects. There are three popular certifications offered by Scrum Alliance, which you can pursue:
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification
- Certified Scrum Product Owner
- Certified Scrum Developer
3. Certified Scrum Professional
The Certified Scrum Professional is another certification offered by Scrum Alliance; however, the content is catered to professionals who are well-versed with the concept. By achieving this certification, you can showcase your ability in advanced Scrum practices, artefacts, roles, and even procedures related to the Scrum Framework.
4. Certifications From Scrum.org
Scrum.org offers professional-level Scrum certifications that test candidates on their knowledge and understanding of Scrum and how effectively they can apply the scrum practices in real-world situations. The main certifications offered by Scrum.org are:
- Professional Scrum Master
- Professional Scrum Product Owner
- Professional Scrum Developer-I
Under each certification, there are different levels, for example, for the Professional Scrum Master certificate, you need to complete three levels of the exam, and you will be awarded the Scrum Master badge only after completing all three levels.
5. SAFe Scaled Agilist
Also known as SAFe Agilist or Scaled Agilist, the SAFe Scaled Agilist certification needs to be taken after a two-day course. This is an advanced-level certification; hence, to be eligible, you need to have more than five years of experience in either of the following fields:
- Software Development
- Project Management
- Testing
- Scrum
- Business Analysis
During the course, you will be provided with in-depth data and knowledge about Lean-Agile principles and how you can effectively launch SAFe in Agile.
By completing this certification, you will get the badge of being a SAFe Agilist and will be able to maintain and release value-added software continuously. Hence, if you’re looking to learn some transformational skills, you should consider pursuing this certification as it can considerably advance your career as a SAFe Agilist.
There’s no doubt that there are many more certifications available than the ones we’ve discussed; however, these five are considered to be the most renowned. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can make a decision and determine which certification is the best for you. Hope the collection of these agile certification courses inspire to get certified in one to take your career to the next level.
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