Introduction
After numerous discussions about passing Agile Certification, I have noticed that for many people, getting certified is often seen as a constraint, an obligation associated with negative feelings. There could be several reasons for this: pressure from employers, clients’ demand for certified professionals (which could result in rejected CVs), the desire to validate one’s skills while having an aversion to exams – as many reasons as there are individuals.
On my part, I must admit that these moments are stimulating, enriching, and filled with exchanges with other Agilists! So, going through a certification is never a constraint, but it is also because I associate it with a mindset of placing the result in the background. In this article, I will often mention Scrum, but there are other certifications besides those from Scrum.org (Kanban.org, Wensei, etc.), and these tips are also applicable to them.
Making the Path to Success Enjoyable
The most important aspect is the journey itself! Beyond the LinkedIn badge and the PDF certificate, the enjoyable moments and the learnings will be the greatest rewards you should derive from your journey!
Here are some tips:
- Dedicate time to preparation by reading the Scrum Guide.
- Try to apply Scrum principles in your daily work to better understand the concepts.
- Create fictional scenarios: imagine real situations where Scrum could be applied and mentally solve them. This will allow you to put your knowledge into practice and better understand how Scrum works in real contexts.
- Associate practices with your experience: instead of just memorizing definitions, associate each concept with concrete examples from your professional experience or real use cases. This will help you better retain the information and understand it in depth.
- Find a partner or a group to motivate and help each other. A weekly meeting can create a stimulating dynamic!
- Engage in role-playing based on professional situations, drawing from your experience and imagination (or that of others) to make the process even more playful!
- Make use of the time you have to explore different perspectives. “Okay, I’m a manager, what does this situation evoke for me? And as a developer?” This will allow you to anticipate future situations you may encounter in the workplace!
- Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and try to maintain a positive attitude. Consider it as an opportunity to learn and improve rather than just an exam. And let’s be honest, once you understand the key principles and have some practical experience, you will be ready to answer the multiple-choice questions. Take the time you need, if your context allows.
- Diversify your sources! While staying true to the Scrum Guide 2020, read books, articles, watch YouTube videos! Don’t let monotony set in.
Conclusion
I hope these tips will help you take a step back and, above all, enjoy the process of preparing for certifications. The advice I insist on the most is to surround yourself with the right people! Exchange ideas, challenge each other, be kind, and have fun together! Going through a certification is a journey that can be appreciated when approached from the right angle! Like in a voyage, there can be multiple routes to take – it’s up to you to create the one that suits you, so that it brings you both challenge and enjoyment! The important to Passing Agile Certification is the way !
We are fortunate to have such a caring and generous community like no other, so let’s not forget that!