Leading Agile Accreditation Bodies: Certifications to Boost Your Skills

Agile accreditation is a powerful tool for career advancement, validating your skills in Agile methodologies. By obtaining certifications from reputable governing bodies, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to Agile principles. This enhances your credibility in the job market, opening doors to leadership roles and competitive opportunities. Accredited professionals are valued for their ability to lead Agile projects, create teamwork, and implement good project management practices. These certifications connect you to a global network of experts and industry trends, ensuring you stay ahead in this dynamic field.

In this blog, we will explore the key Agile accreditation bodies, their role in maintaining Agile standards, and how their certifications can significantly impact individual careers and organizational success.

Top 6 Accreditation Bodies Of Agile

Agile accreditation bodies play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and consistency of Agile certifications. These organizations establish standards, conduct audits, and authorize training providers to offer certified courses.

Here are some of the leading accreditation bodies in the Agile field:

1. PMI (Project Management Institute)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is one of the most reputed organizations in the field of project management. Founded in 1969, PMI has become a global leader in setting standards and best practices for project management across industries. With over a million certification holders worldwide, PMI certifications are known for their quality and applicability to real-world scenarios. Focused on standard project management through certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP®), PMI has adapted to the rise of Agile by introducing the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®).

PMI offers a wide range of certifications that address the integration of Agile with traditional project management approaches, allowing professionals to manage projects. PMI also governs the Disciplined Agile (DA) toolkit, which offers a comprehensive approach to enterprise agility by combining Agile, Lean, and traditional methods.

Key Certifications:

• PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner): PMI-ACP certification will focus on Agile practices and principles suitable for professionals working in Agile environments
• PMP (Project Management Professional): Recognized globally, the PMP certification demonstrates a project manager’s ability to lead and direct projects. It covers all aspects of project management from initiation to closing
• CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management): CAPM certification is an entry-level credential designed for individuals who are new to project management and want to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamental concepts
• Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM): Focuses on the Disciplined Agile (DA) toolkit, combining Agile, Lean, and traditional practices for practical use across industries
• Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM): Advanced certification for experienced Scrum Masters looking to scale Agile practices across the enterprise

2. EXIN (Examination Institute for Information Science)

EXIN, a leading certification body founded in 1984, specializes in IT service management, Agile, DevOps, and information security certifications. With a focus on IT and technology-driven sectors, EXIN offers globally recognized certifications that support professionals in developing and enhancing their skills. EXIN is known for its Agile certifications, particularly in Agile Scrum and Agile Product Ownership, which are recognized for their practicality and hands-on approach to Agile project management.

EXIN focuses on providing modular certifications, enabling professionals to build their expertise progressively. This flexibility makes EXIN certifications valuable for professionals across industries who want to tailor their learning and certification pathways to their specific career goals.

Key Certifications:

• Agile Scrum Master: Agile Scrum Master certification focuses on Agile and Scrum methodologies, covering roles, practices, and techniques to manage Agile projects effectively
• Agile Scrum Product Owner: Focuses on the responsibilities and practices of the Product Owner in Agile environments, covering product backlog management and business value maximization
• Lean IT Foundation: Lean IT Foundation certification focuses on applying Lean principles to IT services to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Business Analysis: Business Analysis certification is designed to validate knowledge and skills in business analysis, focusing on understanding business needs and translating them into actionable project requirements
• DevOps Master: DevOps Master Certification is aimed at experienced DevOps professionals, this certification focuses on advanced topics such as DevOps transformation, culture, and leadership. It is designed for those who want to lead and drive DevOps initiatives within their organizations

3. AXELOS

AXELOS is a joint venture between the UK Government and PeopleCert, formed in 2013 to manage and develop a range of globally recognized best practice frameworks. AXELOS is responsible for several leading certifications, including PRINCE2, ITIL, and MSP (Managing Successful Programmes). AXELOS frameworks are renowned for offering structured, process-driven approaches to project management, service management, and governance.

With the increasing demand for Agile in project management, AXELOS developed PRINCE2 Agile, which combines the structure of PRINCE2 with the flexibility of Agile methodologies. This has allowed AXELOS to bridge the gap between standard and Agile project management, making it suitable for large organizations and complex projects. AXELOS provides an array of resources, templates, and best practices to help professionals and organizations implement its frameworks effectively.

Key Certifications:

• PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments): PRINCE2 certification is a structured project management methodology offering certifications at Foundation and Practitioner levels. It provides a clear framework for managing projects of any size, boosting project success and career prospects
• PRINCE2 Agile: PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and Practitioner Certification Integrates Agile practices with PRINCE2 governance, suitable for diverse project environments
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): ITIL 4 Foundation certification provides best practices for IT service management, focusing on delivering IT services efficiently and effectively

4. Scrum Alliance

Scrum Alliance, established in 2001, is one of the most well-known and respected non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting Scrum and Agile practices globally. As one of the first organizations to offer Scrum certification, it has played an important role in the growth and popularization of Scrum across industries. Scrum Alliance certifications are valuable for individuals at all levels of Agile expertise, whether they are just starting their Agile journey or seeking advanced certifications.

What sets Scrum Alliance apart is its strong emphasis on community and continuous learning, offering members access to Agile events, global conferences, and a network of professionals. Scrum Alliance supports ongoing professional development through its Scrum Education Units (SEUs), encouraging practitioners to keep learning and improving even after certification. With a mission to transform the world of work, Scrum Alliance focuses on helping organizations and teams adopt Agile practices in a way that promotes sustainable change and a collaborative work culture.

Key Certifications:

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Certified ScrumMaster focuses on the role of the ScrumMaster in facilitating Scrum teams and practices
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO): Certified Scrum Product Owner specializes in the Product Owner role, focusing on backlog management and stakeholder engagement

5. PeopleCert

PeopleCert is an international leader in exam and certification delivery, providing services in over 200 countries and across a wide range of disciplines. PeopleCert is particularly well-known for being the only provider of AXELOS certifications, including PRINCE2 and ITIL, which are essential for professionals in project management and IT service management.

PeopleCert has earned a reputation for its high-quality, accessible certification processes, delivering millions of exams each year across sectors such as business, IT, and project management. By working closely with organizations like AXELOS and EXIN, PeopleCert has developed a strong presence in the Agile certification, offering certifications like PRINCE2 Agile and ITIL 4, which integrate Agile practices with standard frameworks.

6. Scrum.org

Scrum.org was established in 2009 by Ken Schwaber, one of the co-creators of Scrum. The organization’s mission is to help individuals, teams, and organizations improve their ability to deliver software using Scrum and Agile principles. Scrum.org is renowned for its commitment to Scrum best practices, with a focus on creating high-quality, industry-recognized certifications. Scrum.org certifications are based on the latest versions of the Scrum Guide, ensuring that professionals stay up to date with the most current and practical implementations of Scrum.

The organization offers several levels of certification across different Scrum roles, from Scrum Masters to Product Owners and Developers. Scrum.org also provides a global network of Scrum trainers (Professional Scrum Trainers, or PSTs) who deliver rigorous, real-world training to help organizations adopt and scale Scrum practices. Scrum.org is known for the difficulty of its exams, which are designed to ensure a deep understanding of Scrum.

Conclusion

Understanding the top accreditation bodies for Agile is essential for professionals and organizations aiming to implement Agile methodologies effectively. The governing bodies provide recognized certifications that enhance individual skills and organizational agility. By aligning with these reputable institutions, businesses can ensure that their teams are equipped with the latest Agile knowledge, fostering innovation, flexibility, and continuous improvement in an ever-evolving marketplace. Choosing the right accreditation body depends on your specific needs and Agile goals.

FAQs On Agile Accredited Bodies

1. Why is it Important to Get Certified By an Accredited Body in Agile?

Getting certified by an accredited body ensures that the training and certification you receive adhere to industry standards. It validates your knowledge of Agile practices and demonstrates your ability to apply Agile methodologies effectively. Certified individuals are often more recognized by employers and are considered more capable of leading Agile projects.

2. How Do PMI's Agile Certifications Differ From Other Bodies?

PMI offers certifications like PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®), which covers a wide range of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.), making it suitable for those who need a broader understanding of Agile practices. PMI certifications also emphasize integrating Agile with traditional project management, providing flexibility for professionals working in hybrid environments.

3. How Do I Choose the Right Agile Accreditation Body?

Choosing the right Agile accreditation body depends on your career goals and organizational needs. If you're looking to focus on Scrum, organizations like Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org may be more suitable. If you need to integrate Agile with traditional project management, certifications from PMI or AXELOS may be better. It's important to consider the framework, level of certification, and industry recognition.

4. What Resources Do Agile-Accredited Bodies Provide For Ongoing Development?

Most Agile-accredited bodies offer resources like webinars, conferences, learning communities, training materials, and access to exclusive content for ongoing professional development. For instance, Scrum Alliance provides its members with access to global Scrum gatherings, while PMI offers online resources and professional development units (PDUs) to keep professionals up to date.