You’ve probably heard the terms “Agile” & “Scrum”. As a result, you ended up here, right? Do you want to become a Certified Scrum Master or a SAFe Agilist in South Africa? You want to get your Agile Training, or you’re thinking of bringing Agile into your company but you don’t know where to start. Well, meet Think Agile. The only agile training solution you’ll ever need.
The terms Agile and Scrum have been out in the marketplace for several years. For instance, many organizations successfully practice the Agile Manifesto’s values & principles. Using frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, etc every day. But what do these terms really mean to organizations like yours attempting to implement these concepts and methods?
And how can you get started if you’ve never done it before? I mean, there are a lot of Agile Training options in South Africa. But how can you ensure your organization doesn’t waste time or resources on the road to Agile adoption?
In this post, we answer common questions about Agile training and make the case for finding and selecting the right course. We’ll provide a quick overview of Agile and Scrum, show you how to select the right training program. And ultimately help you sell your boss (unless you’re the boss) on the value of training as a necessary first step to Agile transformation.
Agile vs Agile Training in South Africa: The difference
Agile was originally a way of thinking about software development but it’s evolved beyond that because of the benefits of solving problems and delivering value. The most well-known methods of implementing Agile on a real-world project, program, or effort include Scrum, Kanban, and eXtreme Programming (XP), with Scrum being the most widely used.
Agile training is a way to improve project performance by teaching the basic concepts of Agile to an organization or team and how to implement it. While a lot of people talk about using Agile, there are many misunderstandings about the distinctions between different methods. Training can help expose the underlying Agile concepts and clarify the differences between the various implementation methods.
What Are the Benefits of Agile Training in South Africa?
Often when organizations describe problems with “Agile” they are generally describing challenges with different interpretations of what “Agile” means. Having all project team members and stakeholders attend common training, ideally in the same class, can mitigate many of these issues.
When an entire team can hear the same message, concepts, and implementation tactics simultaneously a common language and perspective are established. This shared understanding strongly increases the probability of the team inspecting and adapting together thus reducing future conflicts.
Your next big question is probably “how do I get started with agile training in South Africa?”. Don’t worry, we’ll answer that question soon enough :). Below are a few common paths that students take to start their Agile journey:
Scrum
If your teams are working on developing a product or solution, most commonly project work, then it’s best to start with an iterative, incremental framework like Scrum. For instance, a strong baseline is most effectively obtained via a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) class. The CSM provides a foundational understanding of Agile principles and teaches you how those principles are executed using the Scrum framework. This is the first step to becoming a Scrum Master. Once you have your CSM and start fulfilling the role, the next step is the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM) class.
If you’re more interested in the product management side, you can attend the Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) class. The CSPO teaches your team and organization how your visions, goals, ideas, and requirements can be effectively defined and refined. The CSPO also teaches how prioritization, planning, and forecasting works on Scrum teams. Makes sense, right? Good.
Kanban
If your teams are doing more operationalized work like a helpdesk, Kanban may be an excellent place to start. The Certified Kanban System Design (KMP I) class provides a detailed look at how Kanban can be used to deliver faster and drive continuous improvement.
Agile Fundamentals
Are you completely new to Agile? Do you want a deep and practical refresher on how to apply Agile values and principles? Attend our Certified Agile Professional (ICP) class. This course touches on the fundamentals of what Agile is. As a result, it can help you decide whether Scrum or Kanban training is the right fit for your teams.
How can I get started?
Meet Think Agile. We help workplaces transform into spaces where individuals like you can find meaning in the work you do. Where teams can work together to support each other. From this, remarkable things can happen.
With Think Agile, you will see a future where work is play. Where experts are humble, and dreaming is deliberate. Where it all makes perfect sense as the seemingly impossible meet. Let us inspire you! Every company faces unique challenges. You’re no different. Our approach is molded around your company’s culture and context to get you where you need to be, no matter where you are starting from.