The Scrum Certification Factory
From the Scrumptious Blog
by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Scrum is the most popular framework used within an agile environment to convert complex problems into valuable products and services. In this blog, we will examine all things Scrum to shed light on this wonderful organizational tool that is sweeping the globe. There will be engaging articles, interviews with experts and Q&A's. Are you ready to take the red pill? Then please join me on a fascinating journey down the rabbit hole, and into the world of Scrum.
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I noticed recently that a few more Scrum certifications were introduced to the world of professional development. Normally this would go unnoticed, but it suddenly dawned on me that the number of Scrum certifications may in fact be outnumbering all other certifications on the planet. There is something about Scrum that seems to warrant a certification every other month, and I can't put my finger on exactly what that is. What I do know is that we may be in danger of reaching a critical mass where the law of diminishing return comes into play as we add yet another Scrum certification.
After thinking about it for a while, I came up with the following possible reasons:
1. Scrum certifications are "small" enough to study for and pass within a reasonable time and budget. So the certification bodies figure why not add another flavor of Scrum certification which they are confident their existing body of certification holders will jump on.
2. Scrum is by far the dominant framework for delivering Agile projects. Therefore, the certification bodies must feel that there is a demand from the huge supply of thirsty Scrum certification seekers.
3. Scrum transcends just the delivery of its framework through Scrum Masters to incorporate coaches, trainers, product owners, developers, and...who knows!
Don't get me wrong, Scrum still rocks. But Scrum on the rocks only leads to a dilution of quality certifications when the ice starts to melt!
"Curiosity is only vanity. We usually only want to know something so that we can talk about it." - Blaise Pascal
Thank you for your interest in the Scrumptious blog. If you have any ideas for Scrum topics, please message me here. Until next time, remember, projects can be Scrumptious!
Posted on: October 31, 2018 02:06 AM |
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Thanks for your input. I will be attending a SAFe certification class in a couple of weeks and now I feel a bit more confident that the certification will be valuable outside my current employer (who is paying for the class).
Hi Glenn, you're definitely safe with SAFe :-)
Good luck with the course.
James Caron
President| A&C Athletic, Inc.
Mobile, Al, United States
Mario Coquillat
Project, Program and Portfolio consultant, mentor and trainer| CoquillatPM
San Pedro Del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
Thanks for your thoughts. What do you think about position of PMI-ACP in the market?
James Caron
President| A&C Athletic, Inc.
Mobile, Al, United States
Hi Mario, Obviously, I can't speak for Sante, but anything from PMI is going to have weight behind it. They are the most stringent and require the highest standards to obtain.
Hi Mario, I think the PMI-ACP is well placed, probably neck and neck with the AgilePM for the moment, but in the very short future it will be the number one Agile certification and remain that way for many years I suspect. As far as the market goes, it is slowly being adopted. I have seen very few jobs requesting it, and a lot more for the AgilePM, but that has been around longer. That will change soon I suspect.
Nice article Sante though I will be a little more direct and get off the fence on this (and probably upset a few members here who are a certified Scrum-something or other).
Scrum and SAFe certification bodies have taken something that is infinitely simple and made it into a complex, overly detailed, regimented methodology which goes against the core agile principles of simplicity and embracing change over following a detailed plan (or a detailed set of ceremonies for that matter).
BUT...once you distill something into a set of repeatable, regimented steps, it can be taught to folks with limited experience en masse and therefore commercialized. This has created a multi-billion dollar industry which in the end is self-defeating as these certifications have lost all meaning now that there are dozens of them.
The end result for teams being "servant-led" by a recently certified Scrum Master with no real agile experience is that they are being put through textbook routine and awkward ceremony for no reason other than "the course manual says so".
Knowledge gained through attending a certification course - useful. Certification - well, I would not make a hiring decision based on someone being Scrum certified. Would you?
Miodrag, thanks for your input. I tend to agree on some points. The level of complexity particularly when scaling Scrum is often unnecessary. However, like any skill, certifications show a certain level of knowledge and assessment, and while organizations continue to adopt and use Scrum, and at scale, they will continue to value certified professionals; the same as any other discipline.
Binu Samuel
Project Manager | Rosa Carolina
Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
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