Best Agile Certifications for Beginners

Why are businesses jumping to Agile practices? Businesses are getting Agile to address the changes in operations and develop and fast-forward project completion. There are several benefits that come from adapting adaptability, it helps organizations build teams across different departments to collaborate and use resources effectively. This would ensure tasks are prioritized and completed in time. For the last 10 years, Agile has been used significantly in the SDLC process. So, if you’re wondering Which agile certification is best, you’re at the right place!

An agile-ready professional looks beyond the conventional requirements such as higher salaries, better job, or superior certification. A professional with practical knowledge of Agile methodology helps in ensuring the projects are optimum from the beginning till it reaches customers. That’s all the more reason why a professional with knowledge of Agile methodology has been in great demand for the past 10 years.

The State of Scrum Report published by the Scrum Alliance in 2015 mentioned that about 81% of 4,452 respondents said that with Agile certifications, they have been able to improve their Scrum practices. The same year, Global Knowledge summarized that the CSM or the Certified Scrum Master^® certification was one of the top 15 best-paying certifications – the average salary was about $101,729.

Several reports on the internet suggest around 97% organizations around the world are practicing and using Agile methodologies. You’ll find an agile certification list that you should look into to upskill your career.

Best Agile Certifications list for Beginners

CSM^® or Certified Scrum Master^®

CSM or Certified ScrumMaster, an entry-level certification from Scrum Alliance which is curated to provide professionals who want to begin their journey as globally certified Scrum practitioners. The certification helps individuals understand the agile methodology with respect to project management. Additionally, the certification process comes with understanding the Scrum values, collaboration, iterative progress, and accountability.

You’re required to attend LIVE 16-hour training from Scrum coach and then appear for an exam. The examination has 50 MCQ open-book questions and should be completed in one hour. The pass percentage of CSM certification is 74% (37 out of 50 questions need to be correct). You’ll need to keep earning Scrum Education Units or SEUs every second year, as this is mandatory to renew the certification and keep the credential.

CSM^® Certification Info:

Best Certification For: Upcoming Team Leaders to Optimize Team Resources

Certification Cost: $340 - $450

Certification Provider: Scrum Alliance

CSPO^® or Certified Scrum Product Owner^®

The CSPO^® certification is meant for complete beginners who do not require prior knowledge for attending the certification training. Throughout the certification process, a Certified Scrum Product Owner learns to garner inputs in key stakeholders. They also acquire several skills from globally renowned experts to teach you how to manage conflicts, learn smart thinking, facilitation, product backlogging, among others. Long story short, a CSPO^® is referred to as an expert who is proficient in SCRUM practices, techniques, principles, terminologies.

To become a CSPO^®, you are going to attend 16 hours of training from a Certified Scrum Trainer or 14 hours of online live training. There is currently no test for the certification – all you need to do is to send in your acceptance to the Scrum Alliance of the License Agreement. To maintain the certification, you need to earn SEUs and after every second year, renew the certification.

Certified Scrum Product Owner^® Certification Info:

Best Certification For: Anyone willing to becoming familiar with business side of projects

Certification Cost: $340 - $450

Certification Provider: Scrum Alliance

Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM™ I)

This is yet another certification meant for beginners. As far as PSM™ I certification is concerned, there are no requirements for PSM™ I certification as the certification renders everyones a potential candidate. The certification will help you learn the skills of coaching organizations to adopt an Agile mindset. As the certified Professional Scrum Trainers^TM (PSTs) you learn to increase deliverable quality and reduce delivery, help Dev team, building a collaborative culture while removing impediments.

The certification and the exam pattern is challenging, making it one of the toughest certifications in the agile certifications list. Aspirants have to appear in 80 questions – that comprises MCQs, True/False, Multi Answer pattern. The passing percentage is 85% in 60 minutes. You don’t have to indulge in Lifetime certification, which states there’s no annual renewal fee required.

Professional Scrum Master™ Certification Info:

Best Certification For: Professionals willing to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of Scrum and apply it in real-life situations

Certification Cost: $1,199

Certification Provider: Scrum.Org

Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO™)

PSPO™ is for professionals who want to excel and grow as product owners. The certification will help candidates garner the fundamentals and knowledge concerning product ownership in Scrum to lead projects seamlessly.

PSPO™ is a two-level exam – PSPO™ I and PSPO™ II. While the PSPO™ I is a fundamental course to understand the value of products in a Scrum Framework and its field of application; the PSPO™ II is an advanced course that focuses on product vision, working with concerned Stakeholders, Product Backlog, Portfolio Planning, and Management. 

The last level is the PSPO™ III where the Product Owner learns how to go ahead with product ownership. While it is not mandatory to take a course for PSPO™ I and PSPO™ II and PSPO™ III, it is recommended. 

Professional Scrum Master Product Owner™ Info:

Best Certification For: Professionals who respond to real situations as Product Owner

Certification Cost: $220-$999 (Depends on different Levels of Certification)

Certification Provider: Scrum.Org

SAFe^® Agilist

This program is offered by the Scaled Agile Academy. A SAFe^® Agilist helps enterprises work in the Lean and Agile environment – help execute Program Increments (PIs), Agile Release Train (ART), and go on with lean budgeting.

To become a SAFe^® Agilist, you need to attend 45 multiple-choice, closed book questions in 1.5 hours. The pass percentage is 75%. All this can be done only after you attend in-person training for 21-hour by a certified SAFe^® Program Consultant.

SAFe^® Agilist Certification Info:

Best Certification For: Professionals who respond to real situations as Product Owner

Certification Cost: $440-550 (Depends on different Levels of Certification)

Certification Provider: Scaled Agile Academy

Simpliaxis is your one-stop-shop for Agile Certifications

Simpliaxis as a career enabler has been at the forefront of providing aspirants and professionals alike globally recognized certification training. We go above and beyond to help you establish credibility to your existing experience and portfolio. As you become an expert in your field, you’ll get to determine how to use the knowledge of the certification in real-life scenarios.

If you want to get started as an Agile professional visit our website: www.simpliaxis.com.