l4 - guidelines - dsdm agile trainer coach - nov-15 · web view- the project management focused...

Agile Project Trainer-Coach Candidate Guidelines


Version Oct-18

“I help others to do it right”

Agile Project Trainer-Coach Guidelines of 17 Oct-18


1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................3

2 CERTIFICATION OF AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACHES – “I HELP OTHERS TO DO IT RIGHT”........4

2.1 GENERAL.............................................................................................................................................................................42.2 AGILE PROJECTS - VERSIONS AND EXAMINABLE TOPICS..................................................................................................42.3 THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH CERTIFICATION.............................................................4

3 AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH - STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE........................................................................5

3.1 MEET ENTRY CRITERIA.......................................................................................................................................................53.2 SUBMIT APPLICATION FORM TO AGILE BUSINESS CONSORTIUM.......................................................................................53.3 DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO SHARE ACCURATE, ON-MESSAGE AGILE PROJECT KNOWLEDGE – ORAL EXAM.....................5

3.3.1 The Oral Examination Process.................................................................................................63.4 AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH REGISTRATION.............................................................................................................6

4 TRAINER-COACH RE-CERTIFICATION......................................................................................................................7

4.1 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA AUDIT OF TRAINING DELIVERY.....................................................................................................74.2 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA MASTERCLASS ATTENDANCE EVERY 3 YEARS..............................................................................74.3 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA EXAM RE-SIT (LAPSED TRAINER-COACH)....................................................................................74.4 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA “EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES”................................................................................................74.5 RE-CERTIFIED AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACHES............................................................................................................8

5 ADDITIONAL ORAL EXAM GUIDANCE FOR AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH CANDIDATES.............9

5.1 AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH ORAL EXAMINATION.....................................................................................................95.2 THE RATIONALE UNDERPINNING THE TRAINER-COACH ORAL EXAMINATION..................................................................9

6 FURTHER INFORMATION.............................................................................................................................................11

APPENDIX A – AGILE PROJECT AGILE TRAINER-COACH - EXAM FOCUS VERSION: AGILE PF....................12

A.1 OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................................................................................12A.2 FOCUS FOR THE EXAM..................................................................................................................................................12A.3 TOPIC AREAS................................................................................................................................................................12

APPENDIX B –AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH - EXAM FOCUS VERSION: AGILEPM...................................14

B.1 OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................................................................................14B.2 FOCUS FOR THE EXAM..................................................................................................................................................14B.3 TOPIC AREAS................................................................................................................................................................14



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objective

1.1 ObjectiveThe Agile Business Consortium training, coaching, accreditation and certification process aims to provide the industry with high calibre professional staff, trained and qualified to perform effectively on Agile Projects, and focuses on Agile Project Framework (AgilePF) and Agile Project management (AgilePM).

Agile Projects, as used in this guide, applies to

- the current version of DSDM – June 2014 onwards

- the Project Management focused version of DSDM (currently v2)

*** Please note:

The basis for DSDM Agile Professional exam is the DSDM Handbook – either

Handbook or Handbook.

The following Handbooks provide complementary and supplementary information, but they do not come within the syllabus for the DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach certification.

- Describes DSDM from the Business Analyst perspective

- Links closely into DSDM and shares common elements with Agile Project Framework and Agile Project Management.

The Agile Business Consortium maintains a list of accredited training organisations (ATOs), accredited Agile Project training courses, and certified Agile Project individuals:- Professionals, Trainer-Coaches, Examiners and Business Consultants.

The Agile Business Consortium certifies Agile Project Professionals, Agile Project Trainer-Coaches, Agile Project Examiners and Agile Business Consultants.

The Agile Business Consortium and APMG accredit training organisations to deliver accredited Agile Project training courses and awards certificates to successful Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs).

APMG-International manages AgilePM, AgileBA and AgilePgM written exams (Foundation and Practitioner) and issues certificates to successful candidates.

The Agile Business Consortium accreditation procedures have been endorsed by APMG, and historically were assessed and endorsed by BCS (British Computer Society) and by Certa.



2 CERTIFICATION OF Agile Project TRAINER-COACHES – “I help others to do it right”

2.1 GeneralAll Agile Project certifications are experience-based, as we believe that it is the personal experience of using Agile PF / AgilePM / Agile that allows individuals to fully understand Agile Projects and to pass on that understanding.

2.2 Agile Projects - Versions and Examinable TopicsAgile Project Trainer-Coach exams are based on

either

- the current version of DSDM – June 2014 onwardsor

- the Project Management focused version of DSDM (currently v2)

The base for the Agile Project Trainer-Coach oral exam is

Outlined in Appendix A or Appendix B in this document o the subject areas for the certification

Detailed in full in the appropriate Handbook.

For the purposes of this document, references to Agile Projects would encompass either

Agile Project Framework or Agile Project Management

2.3 The process for achieving Agile Project Trainer-Coach certification

Entry Criteria – Before Applying Be a certified Agile Project Professional (any version of DSDM / AgilePM)

o This was previously called DSDM Agile Professional or DSDM Advanced Practitioner

Have at least 2 years practical AgilePF or AgilePM experience Have experience of delivering training sessions Have experience of coaching AgilePF or AgilePM (teams and/or individuals)

o At least two x 3 months spells of coaching these areas

Step 2 – Apply to Agile Business Consortium Submit Application form to Agile Business Consortium

Step 3 – Prove your ability to provide accurate and on-message Agile Projects knowledge Attend an oral exam to answer questions on “pure” AgilePM / AgilePF theory, showing

how you will put this information across to others, supported by your own experienceso Using the appropriate Handbook as the basis for your exam revision



3 Agile Project TRAINER-COACH - Step by Step Guidance

3.1 Meet Entry CriteriaAll Agile Project Trainer-Coaches must have previously passed Level 3 - the Agile Project Professional certification (previously called DSDM Agile Professional or DSDM Advanced Practitioner) - which will have demonstrated their personal experience of DSDM /AgilePF / AgilePM / Agile and their basic understanding of AgilePF / AgilePM theory and its practical application.

Applicants are also expected to have practical experience of putting across AgilePF / AgilePM theory, using both a training style and a coaching style, and ensuring the desired understanding has been achieved.

Training style is typically presenting an AgilePF / AgilePM concept, ensuring the desired understanding is achieved.

Coaching style is typically responding to a specific problem situation, identifying and then sharing knowledge on how AgilePF / AgilePM can be used to address the problem.

3.2 Submit Application Form to Agile Business ConsortiumPlease apply to the Agile Business Consortium by submitting (preferably electronically):

1. A completed application form (forms are available to download from the ABC Website).a. Please include a brief summary of your experience of delivering training sessions

and providing coachingb. Please also include some (limited) information on your experience of DSDM /

Agile. c. Confirm which version of Agile Projects (AgilePF or AgilePM) you wish to be

examined on

3.3 Demonstrate ability to share accurate, on-message Agile Project knowledge – Oral ExamProvided you have the appropriate entry criteria, you will be invited to attend an oral exam.The objective of the Agile Project Trainer-Coach oral examination is to assess your ability to put across accurate AgilePF / AgilePM knowledge, spontaneously and without reference to pre-prepared materials, and to back this up with experienced-based examples, using a Training style or a coaching style

The style of answer will depend on the examiner’s questions.

E.g. “If a team is having x problem..” suggests Coaching style, whereas “You are running a short session on x..” suggests Training style.

A Trainer-Coach candidate is expected to demonstrate the following:



The ability to explain AgilePF / AgilePM concepts accurately and clearly, without reference to notes, slides or manuals. The scope of questioning during the oral exam will relate directly to the Handbook appropriate to the chosen version (AgilePF / AgilePM).

The ability and willingness to use practical examples from their own practical AgilePF / AgilePM project experience to relate Agile Project theory to Agile Projects in practice.

The ability to resolve misunderstandings of AgilePF / AgilePM concepts. The ability to “sell” the concept and benefits of AgilePF / AgilePM. The ability to assess a delegates’ understanding of AgilePF / AgilePM.

The purpose of the Agile Project Trainer-Coach oral exam is to confirm the ability to put across accurate AgilePF / AgilePM knowledge, spontaneously, without reference to pre-prepared materials and to back this up with experienced-based examples.

3.3.1 The Oral Examination ProcessThe oral examination lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and is carried out by two independent Examiners. All oral examinations are digitally recorded as part of the standard quality procedures.

The Agile Business Consortium reserves the right to place an observer at the oral examination. However please note, the observer’s role is to assess the examiners, NOT to assess you.

At the end of the oral examination, you will be asked to wait outside the exam room for a short time, whilst the examiners make their decision. You will then be informed of the outcome and get a signed form confirming the result.

The 2 possible results following the Trainer-Coach Oral exam are Pass or Defer.

Pass – Successful Agile Project Trainer-CoachIf you have met the required standard within a few weeks the Agile Business Consortium will send you your Agile Project Trainer-Coach certificate. Time permitting, you will also have an opportunity to get feedback from the examiners.As a certified Agile Project Trainer-Coach:

You can now deliver AgilePF / AgilePM accredited training courses You can now also deliver APMG accredited AgilePM Practitioner training courses.

Defer – Unsuccessful this timeIf you have not met the required standard on this occasion, you will be offered the option to get verbal feedback on the exam. All deferred candidates will be sent an electronic copy of their feedback, regardless of whether or not it has already been given verbally.

An exam resit incurs an additional fee (see ABC web site for details of exam charges).

In the event of a candidate cancelling the examination, the full examination fee is payable.

3.4 Agile Project Trainer-Coach RegistrationThe Agile Business Consortium enrols successful Agile Project Trainer-Coaches on the List of Certified Agile Project Trainer-Coaches.



4 Trainer-Coach Re-certification

The initial Agile Project Trainer-Coach certificate is issued for three years from the date of the oral examination. After three years, you must renew your certification. This is to ensure your knowledge of AgilePF / AgilePM is kept up to date and reflects the Agile Business Consortium current thinking.

4.1 Re-certification via Audit of Training DeliveryIf a Training Course audit takes place, a Trainer-Coach who is assessed as satisfactory will be given automatic renewal of their Trainer-Coach certificate for 3 years, from the date of the audit. There is no charge for a Trainer-Coaches being renewed during audit.

4.2 Re-certification via Masterclass Attendance every 3 years

The objective of the Masterclass is to share knowledge, experience and issues as well as to ensure everyone is kept abreast of new information and initiatives from the Agile Business Consortium. Attendance at this event will also be used to ensure attendees are still “on message” and continue to work from a correct understanding of the AgilePF / AgilePM topic areas.All Trainer-Coaches are welcome to attend the Masterclass event each year if they choose.

However, in order to maintain their certified status, Trainer-Coaches who have not been audited within the three-year period must attend a Masterclass day before their certification expires.

Masterclass events are held annually, usually around the time of the Agile Business Conference. In general, there may be a nominal charge for attending a Masterclass event, but typically this is waived where facilities can be organised free of charge.

For further information please contact the Agile Business Consortium.

4.3 Re-certification via Exam Re-sit (Lapsed Trainer-Coach)Where Trainer-Coach certification has lapsed, because the 3 year deadline has passed, it will be necessary to re-apply and re-take the Agile Project Trainer-Coach examination. For further information contact the Agile Business Consortium.

A lapsed Agile Project Trainer-Coach must not state they are a Agile Project Trainer-Coach, either on their cv, on electronic media or to Training organisations.

4.4 Re-certification via “Exceptional Circumstances” In exceptional circumstances, an accredited Agile Project Trainer-Coach who cannot attend a Masterclass in the foreseeable future may be permitted to maintain their accreditation via an alternative route.

One example of “exceptional circumstances” is a Agile Project Trainer-Coach living and



working outside Europe, who is introducing AgilePF / AgilePM into an area where no Consortium administrative support exists.

Each “exceptional circumstances” case should make a formal submission to the Agile Business Consortium. A decision will be made on a case by case basis by the Training and Accreditation Panel, and an appropriate alternative to Masterclass attendance put forward, to offer another way of allowing the Trainer-Coach to demonstrate their accurate and still-current AgilePF / AgilePM knowledge.

4.5 Re-certified Agile Project Trainer-Coaches There is a nominal charge for issuing a new Trainer-Coach certificate.



5 ADDITIONAL ORAL EXAM GUIDANCE FOR AGILE PROJECT TRAINER-COACH CANDIDATES

5.1 Agile Project Trainer-Coach Oral ExaminationYou should be prepared to describe, answer questions and run a mini training session or coaching session on each AgilePF / AgilePM topic requested by the examiners. The AgilePF / AgilePM topic areas are shown in the Appendices in this document. The appropriate Handbook provides full details.

During the oral exam, you are expected spontaneously to use real-life AgilePF / AgilePM examples to illustrate AgilePF / AgilePM theory. (This should happen without prompting from the examiners, since this is the style of training and coaching needed to put across AgilePF / AgilePM effectively.)

During the exam, you may use the whiteboard / flip charts provided as necessary, for better demonstration of your training / coaching abilities and to illustrate concepts.

You may not bring any pre-prepared materials into the exam, or consult Handbooks or any other manuals, books, slides or notes.

The Agile Project Trainer-Coach examination is “candidate led”. This means the onus is on you to demonstrate your ability and to use practical examples and/or analogies, without prompting from the examiners.

During the exam, examiners may describe typical training scenarios (example “If you were running a course where <problem> how

would you…?”), or set questions based on real delegate questions or roles (example “If I were the <role> how would you convince me that …..?”.

typical coaching scenarios (example “If a team is having <x problem>, how would you…?”

However, examiners will not use role play or attempt to trick, sidetrack or mislead you.

5.2 The Rationale Underpinning the Trainer-Coach Oral ExaminationAlthough training delivery in the real world is generally supported by slides, and coaching may be supported by reference to AgilePF / AgilePM materials such as the Handbook, nevertheless an Agile Project Trainer-Coach is expected to “know their AgilePF / AgilePM” without needing to rely on pre-prepared slides or other materials.

There are several reasons behind this:

When course delegates ask questions or ask for clarification, the appropriate slide will not always be the one on display. A good trainer needs to be able to explain from his/her knowledge. S/he will also need to expand beyond what is summarised on a slide, fluently and without reference to written material.



When a team or an individual is hitting problems, a good coach builds credibility by being able to apply their AgilePF / AgilePM knowledge, fluently and without immediate reference to the Handbook

To be effective, AgilePF / AgilePM training and coaching must be related back to real project experience. To be credible, the Agile Project Trainer-Coach must be able to switch between AgilePF / AgilePM practical examples and accurate AgilePF / AgilePM theory.

Running Agile Project training is much more than working through a series of slides. Agile Project Coaching is much more than reading from the Handbook. Remember, on a training course, this may be the person’s or the organisation’s first contact with AgilePF / AgilePM. On a project, the influence of the coach may have a positive (or negative) effect on the credibility of AgilePF / AgilePM. This means the Agile Project Trainer-Coach is the ambassador for the Agile Business Consortium, and therefore his/her knowledge of AgilePF / AgilePM needs to be detailed and accurate.

Frequently discussions, problems, explanations or even detailed project scenarios are raised away from the working area or classroom (the “round the coffee machine” scenario). It is vital that the Agile Project Trainer-Coach can talk through problems, propose solutions etc. without the aid of props, slides or the Handbook. If the information given is inaccurate, or the Trainer-Trainer does not know the answer without looking it up first, the Trainer-Coach loses all credibility, and AgilePF / AgilePM may lose credibility with the organisation.

Following on from training or coaching, delegates will hopefully be going for personal Agile Project certification. Their knowledge of AgilePF / AgilePM, gained from the Trainer-Coach, will be tested. It must therefore be accurate, and clearly explained. Misunderstandings must be picked up and corrected before the end of training or during coaching. Otherwise, in the case of a candidate later failing a Agile Project exam, sub-standard or inaccurate training or coaching could potentially become the basis of an appeal.

Once an Agile Project Trainer-Coach is accredited, s/he may be called upon to run any accredited training. Therefore during the oral exam s/he needs to demonstrate knowledge in all the syllabus areas as described in the Appendices.



6 FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact the Agile Business Consortium for any further information on Agile Project personal Certification.

For information on Accredited Training and Accredited Training Organisations, either contact the Agile Business Consortium or the APM Group. All queries and applications can be made to the following addresses:

International HouseDover PlaceAshford Kent TN23 1HU

Tel: +44 (0)1233 501300Fax: +44 (0)1233 501311Web : http://www.agilebusiness.orgEmail: [email protected]

The APM Group Limited Sword HouseTotteridge RoadHigh WycombeBuckinghamshireHP13 6DG

Tel: +44 (0) 1494 452 450Fax: +44 (0) 1494 459 559Web: www.apmgroup.co.ukEmail: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.apmgroup.co.uk/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.agilebusiness.org/


APPENDIX A – Agile Project Agile Trainer-Coach - Exam Focus Version: Agile PF

A.1 ObjectiveThe Agile Project Trainer-Coach certification confirms that an individual has demonstrated the appropriate level of knowledge of AgilePF, both the theory and the practical application of the theory, so that they can give accurate and on-message AgilePF information to others, typically via training, coaching and discussion. Successful candidates have demonstrated a detailed understanding of all the component parts of AgilePF, how they work together to support AgilePF as a whole, and how these concepts are made real through practical working examples of AgilePF in practice.

A.2 Focus for the ExamCandidates are not expected to learn the whole Agile Project Framework Handbook but should be able to demonstrate that they can explain AgilePF and how it works to others.

A.3 Topic AreasCandidates should be able to explain accurately the following topics

The Philosophy and Fundamentals of AgilePF The AgilePF Philosophy The composition of AgilePF Project Variables Positioning of AgilePF within Agile

The Principles

Preparing for Success The Instrumental Success Factors

The Process The Lifecycle Phases

The People Roles and Responsibilities Team Model Roles Categories Roles Areas of Interest

The Products Products through the Lifecycle Evolutionary, Milestone and Governance products

Practice – Workshops Benefits Roles and Activities



Practice - MoSCoW Prioritisation MoSCoW Rules Effective Prioritisation Balancing Priorities

Practice - Iterative Development Planning Iterative Development – Requirement / Solution Focus Control and Quality

Practice – Modelling Why model? Modelling perspectives

Practice – Timeboxing Structured Timebox, steps and effort Free Format Timebox Daily Stand-up Timeboxes – the wider context

People, Teams and Interactions Understanding of making this effective

Requirements and User Stories Understanding of User Stories, INVEST

Project Planning and Control Planning, Handling change Quality Testing Concepts

Tailoring the AgilePF Approach General Understanding of how Project Approach Questionnaire impacts the application of AgilePF

to a project

** Please note: candidates are NOT expected to have memorised the Project Approach Questionnaire, only to understand its use and the value it provides



APPENDIX B –Agile Project Trainer-Coach - Exam Focus Version: AgilePM

B.1 ObjectiveThe Agile Project Trainer-Coach certification confirms that an individual has demonstrated the appropriate level of knowledge of AgilePM, both the theory and the practical application of the theory, so that they can give accurate and on-message AgilePM information to others, typically via training, coaching and discussion. Successful candidates have demonstrated a detailed understanding of all the component parts of DSDM, how they work together to support AgilePM as a whole, and how these concepts are made real through practical working examples of AgilePM in practice.

B.2 Focus for the ExamCandidates are not expected to learn the whole Agile Project Management Handbook but should be able to demonstrate that they can explain AgilePM and how it works to other people.

B.3 Topic AreasCandidates should be able to explain accurately the following topics

Choosing AgilePM and The Philosophy and Fundamentals of AgilePM Positioning of AgilePM within Agile Differentiators for The DSDM Philosophy The composition of DSDM Project Variables

The Principles Practical application of the principles

Preparing for Success The Instrumental Success Factors

The Process The Lifecycle Phases

The People Roles and Responsibilities, the Team model Roles Categories and areas of interest

The Products Products through the Lifecycle Evolutionary, Milestone and Governance products

Planning & Control Planning Concepts Testing Concepts



Tracking and Control Concepts Planning and Quality through L/Cycle

Practice – Workshops Benefits, Roles, Activities

Practice - MoSCoW Prioritisation MoSCoW Rules Effective Prioritisation, balancing priorities

Practice - Iterative Development Planning Iterative Development – Requirement / Solution Focus Control and Quality

Practice – Modelling Why model? Modelling perspectives

Practice – Timeboxing Structured Timebox, steps and effort Free Format Timebox Daily Stand-up Timeboxes – the wider context

Digging Deeper Principles Roles and Responsibilities PM through the Lifecycle Products

Digging Deeper – Deliver on Time – MoSCoW + Timeboxing MoSCoW Rules, Effective Prioritisation, Balancing Priorities Structured Timebox, steps and effort Free Format Timebox Daily Stand-up Timeboxes – the wider context

People, Teams and Interactions Understanding of how to make this effective

Requirements and User Stories Understanding of User Stories and INVEST

Estimating Styles of estimating, Estimating through L/cycle



Planning through L/cycle Planning activities by phase Handling change Planning for quality Testing Concepts

Never Compromise Quality Solution and process quality Maintainability

Risk Risk process, Agile project risks, Mitigating project risks

Tailoring the AgilePM Approach General Understanding of how Project Approach Questionnaire impacts the application of

AgilePM to a project

** Please note: candidates are NOT expected to have memorised the Project Approach Questionnaire, only to understand its use and the value it provides


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