The Scrum framework is a staple part of many businesses – and for good reason. The agile process is used to construct, deliver and iterate products and has proven to boost cross-functional teams’ productivity, as well as product quality. And, like most processes, Scrum can be mastered with the right training and commitment. Specifically, a Scrum certification teaches the fundamentals of the framework and serves as proof of qualification for a particular role within that framework.
Scrum certifications vary, but are typically awarded for the roles of Professional Scrum Master, Product Owner and Scrum Developers. These positions have become increasingly more popular over the years; one report reveals that 24% of organizations have ten or more Scrum Masters or Agile Certified Practitioners, while in a sample of 500,000 certified people, 85% correspond to a Scrum certification program.
Having a Scrum certification opens many doors, both professionally and personally, as it provides a competitive edge and demonstrates an in-depth understanding of contemporary workflows. Whether you’re considering taking a Scrum course through your company, or pursuing a class independently, here are a few of the top benefits.
Adapt to Changing Conditions
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant disruption to businesses, organizations had to swiftly adapt to new ways of working. Operating remotely, adopting new digital tools, complications in supply chains, just to name a few, are all challenges met with patience and proactivity. People who work under the tenets of the Scrum mindset tend to be more resilient and better able to respond to unexpected events in a practical manner.
Rapid fluctuation in personnel, technology and working practices have less of a negative impact on employees, and especially leaders, that are Scrum certified. In shifting environments, the larger organization can be confident that their teams are being guided by Scrum principles and constantly progressing.
What’s more, people with a Scrum certification can help their teams better adapt to sudden changes without compromising business goals. Scrum emphasizes prioritization of tasks in order of importance; placing the task with the biggest impact on ROI at the top of the list. This method not only maintains productivity but can actually increase it, despite external disruptions.
Master all Things Scrum
A Scrum certification highlights that a person is dedicated and hardworking, and is committed to continuous learning and improvement. It is a reflection of the certificate holder’s expertise in helping others and meeting goals. On a more granular level, the certification can help people discover and become familiar with concepts like product backlog, sprint backlog and burndown charts – elements that are common across businesses and industries.
A Scrum certification can also boost personal communication skills, as it forces people to regularly produce and share relevant reports, deadlines and calendars with their team. These exchanges demand clarity, timeliness and emotional intelligence, which are core soft skills that contribute to the collective success of a team.
Certified Scrum holders also benefit from their inclusion in a network of qualified Scrum authorities where they can leverage others’ exclusive guidance and knowledge. They can subsequently bring innovative ideas from fellow Scrum experts to their workplace, and leave a powerful legacy through the changes they implement.
Gain an Advantage in the Hiring Pool
A Scrum certification also makes a person a much more appealing candidate in the recruitment process. In a competitive hiring landscape, a Scrum certification demonstrates that a candidate is willing to devote time to solving complex, adaptive problems – a quality that will always catch employers’ eyes.
In fact, 87% of people agree that Scrum improves the quality of work life for teams, while 81% of people believe certifications improve their use of Scrum. A certification shows that someone knows how to manage dynamic priorities, how to deliver products to market in a short space of time and how to increase project visibility. The Scrum qualification is particularly useful for managing large, cross-functional teams. For these reasons, a person with a Scrum certification will be a prime applicant in any hiring pool.
There can be financial benefits too. Possessing a Scrum certification can lead to higher salaries, because these credentials are so highly sought-after. Certified Scrum Managers tend to earn more, on average, than their non-certified peers, so Scrum candidates are in a stronger position when negotiating compensation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new opportunities for professionals to invest in their careers on a long-term basis. Scrum techniques and methods prepare workers to generate ideas that make sense in an uncertain sphere, and those who invest in Scrum are making themselves invaluable in today’s workplace.
A Scrum certification is a way to develop business ideas, projects and services in a smarter, more agile manner. But more than that, a Scrum certification also leads to heightened personal skills, employment desirability and resilience.
