6 Popular Agile Certifications for 2024

Some Agile certifications are highly specific to methodologies like Scrum, and others are focused on broader Agile principles, or building on existing Agile skills.

Agile certifications provide validation that you understand and can apply Agile approaches and methodologies. Having a certification demonstrates to employers that you have invested in yourself, and are committed to an Agile approach to projects. Project management requires the ability to tackle projects with a structured approach, and Agile practices are a good way to create a dynamic environment that facilitates iterative project progress.

The origins of Agile processes lie in software development. However, the style of project management is now used in diverse business environments, from HR to marketing, operations to IT hardware projects.

Read on to discover more about six of the most common and beneficial Agile certifications that you can do in 2023.

PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Run by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this is a far-reaching Agile certification, enabling those working in Agile settings to learn about Scrum, eXtreme Programming (XP), Lean, Kanban, and Test Driven Development (TDD). To qualify for the examination and certification you will need to have had a minimum of eight months of experience in an Agile environment from within the last three years, twenty-one hours of Agile training, and to meet several other qualifying criteria.

Cost: £375 for non-PMI members, £328 for PMI members

AgilePM Foundation-APMG

This is a certification for you if you are currently working as a project manager, have experience working in Agile teams, and are looking at project management as a career option, or if you want to build your Agile skills. This certification is administered by APMG International. During the course you will learn about the principles and philosophies of Agile, methodologies and techniques, and the roles and responsibilities of team members in Agile projects. To receive the qualification you'll need to pass an examination.

Cost: £250

ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)

This is the broadest certification that is offered by the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile). This certification is a stepping stone into other certifications that are available through this consortium. When you study this course you will learn in broad terms about principles and concepts in Agile, but won't mine down into methodologies like Kanban and Scrum. This will equip you with the fundamentals to go on to learn more about Agile.

ICAgile has a range of certifications that are suitable for you at different stages of your project management career. If you're looking to become an Agile coach, having been through Agile team environments and built experience, the ICPAgile Team Facilitation Certification (ICP-ATF) may be for you. To achieve ICP you'll need to work with a certified training provider and do the course either online or in person.

Cost: course costs depend on the course that you are doing. UK courses begin from around £452.

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)

The PSM I certification is administered by Scrum.org. This is a certification offered by the organisation of one of the co-developers of Scrum, Ken Schwaber. It is designed to help you learn the fundamentals of Scrum, and to apply this Agile methodology in team environments. The examination for the certification involves understanding how to apply Scrum principles and interpret the Scrum Guide.

Cost: £113

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Scrum is the Agile methodology which is used most in the workplace. This methodology provides you with targeted methodologies to apply the concepts of Agile in diverse settings. To achieve certified Scrum Master status you need to complete the course and pass an exam.

This course is administered by Scrum Alliance, and is very popular with business analysts, Scrum Masters, and those that are entering Agile and Scrum teams for the first time.

Cost: starts from around £340, with courses including the cost of the exam.

SAFE product owner/product manager (SEFe POPM)

This certification is administered by Scaled Agile. The course is designed to build upon your existing knowledge and expertise of Scaled Agile framework. This is one of the most popular Agile frameworks used in organisations. Created with Scrum Masters, project managers, and product managers in mind, you'll learn the mindset and methodologies to run lean and Agile projects. As well as learning SAFe principles, you'll be tested on methodologies used to prioritise work and identify customer requirements. In order to become SAFe certified you need to pass an exam alongside this course.

Scaled Agile offers no less than thirteen certifications, providing foundational understanding and knowledge, up to expert level. Some of the other courses that you may be interested in include:

• SAFe Scrum Master

• SAFe Agile Product Manager

• SAFe Agile Software Engineer

• SAFe Programme Consultant. 

Cost: Starts from £450, including exams.

Beginning in Agile

Agile projects are known for their fast delivery, flexibility, transparency, and superb team collaboration. If you're looking to work in Agile teams, or are already in that environment, consider a foundational Agile course.

Want to learn more about project management?

If you are new to project management, or want to earn a professional certificate to add to your experience, you might want to consider the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate. This course has an entire section that covers Agile Project Management, but also covers other approaches and methodologies. The first week of this course is free for you to try.

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