Hi All,
Seems like there is a movement afoot to diminish the significance of having a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) title. I ran across an article on www.AgileScout.com – Denounce your CSM - that is quite critical of the entire Agile Alliance and the Scrum Master Certification program. Apparently there is a new kid on the block that is seeking to improve this business of certifications and training. This newcomer is the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile). I was intrigued by the purpose statement that they have posted on their website:
Our Purpose
ICAgile’s goal is to foster thinking and learning around agile methods, skills and tools. We understand the difficulty of balancing education and certification, so as an alternative to other certification programs, ICAgile certification is skills based and requires people to demonstrate they have learned both why (the value) and how (the mechanics) for a core set of skills.
Going beyond validating skills, we will challenge people to use their skills to produce meaningful software products that can adapt to the changing needs of the users and their context. We will avoid a singular focus on process and techniques, which deliver substance (software) without meaning (value to the users). All courses will challenge people to apply what they are learning as tools for discovering real product value and how to best balance technology, skills and delivery to meet the needs of the market and the investors (sponsors).
-Reference ICAgile Website
The ICAgile has supposedly created a roadmap that guides aspiring Agilists in embracing the fundamentals of Agile development in a way that is reported to be more extensive than just spending a couple of hours in a classroom. ICAgile has posted a roadmap on their website to help guide your agile education from a novice level to experienced in three stages. The three stages are:
-Reference ICAgile Website
Many of the readers of this blog have their CSM. Tell me what you think about the latest criticism of the CSM program, Agile Alliance and the up-and-comer…ICAgile!
Pete
Pete,
I actually think this may be a good thing. Taking thousands of people who attend a Scrum course and simply branding them with a CSM achieves nothing. If a certification is to be valued by employers, it should have….well….value.
The CSP from AgileAlliance is a step towards validating one practices Agile, however that is a written application submitted to the AA and they can’t validate whether the author is fabricating their experience or not.
I think the ICAgile group is simply evolving this process in line with the more respected project management certifications such as PMP.
A little “trust by verification” is a good thing.
AgileColony…Thanks for your input. I have to agree that it is time to evolve and improve the process of verification. We’ll see who wins out in this challenge. Will it be Agile Alliance, ICAgile or even perhaps PMI. Let the games begin! – Pete