For those looking to expand their Agile knowledge, there are a ton of courses out in the marketspace. In fact, the many options can make it confusing. Should we go to a workshop? What about a national or global conference? Oh … there are also leadership training courses, right? From my perspective, I find that having the end goal in mind is what makes the most difference. I do mean the end goal … such as having a clear idea regarding my career and the direction I want it to go.
Selecting the Best Training Option
Veteran Agile trainer, Jim Schiel of Artisan Agility, makes a good point about selecting the most appropriate training to take. He states that far too many individuals are concerned about the location and date, which means that many excellent training options are ignored. There are times when the best training for someone is scheduled in a city or country different from where one lives. I do understand that coordinating schedules and paying for travel can be difficult, but if the training can make a huge difference in one’s career, it should be taken. It’s also true that many people who make excuses about the travel and location are the same ones that might pass on learning opportunities held in the city where they live.
Make sure the Training Organization is Reputable
Schiel makes it clear that those seeking training should make sure that the organizations are reputable and are teaching the underlying knowledge and concepts in the Scrum Guide, which was written by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland. There are some organizations that are manufacturing their own Agile principles, and even offering certifications that carry little weight in industry. For this reason, Schiel recommends training from Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org, and ICAgile, which all offer high-quality training and certification paths.
Review the Trainer’s Qualifications
Unfortunately, there are situations where trainers lack the knowledge and passion to make the class informative, meaningful, and exciting. My experience with the Scrum Alliance instructors has been excellent, taking courses with Steve Spearman (Certified Scrum Product Owner), Schiel (Advanced Certified Scrum Master), and Anu Smalley (Certified Agile Leadership I). These trainers bring significant applied experience to the classroom, and they teach by using examples. Further, they practice Training from the Back of the Room principles, which means they engage the students throughout the entire learning experience. I recommend doing your research to ensure you avoid signing-up for a class that is PowerPoint-intensive. The research is convincing today in that students learn more when they take an active role in the learning process, such as by having table discussions, performing skits, and even teaching a topic to the rest of the class.
Take Action
When attending the Scrum Alliance Global Gathering in Vienna, Austria, I had the opportunity to speak to Stefan Zumbraegel, who recently met the rigorous Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) requirements. He stated that he had attended the previous five Global Gathering events that included Dublin, London, Minneapolis, Austin, and Vienna. This conversation with Stefan reminded me of what Schiel mentioned pertaining to the importance of making the commitment to attend any training regarding the location and date. As I stated here, one must consider the training based on the end goal. We must know where we want to go and select the right training with the most qualified trainer to help us reach our career goals.