PMI introduces Agile certification

The growth in project managers using Agile techniques has led to the Project Management Institute (PMI) introducing a new certification to incorporate demand. According to PMI, Agile practices in project management has doubled in the last two years.

The certification will validate the use of Agile principles and concepts, and complement existing PMI offerings in this space such as the Agile Community of Practice, SeminarsWorldSM and eSeminarsWorldSM courses, and the Agile area of focus sessions at PMI Global Congresses.

“Using these practices in project management is more common than ever and this certification is a natural extension of our commitment to our members, credential holders and stakeholders worldwide,” said Mark A Langley, president and CEO of PMI.

“Although organisations have been offering Agile certifications for some time, we now have the largest project management organisation in the world taking a leadership role in promoting the use of Agile techniques,” said Jesse Fewell, founder of the PMI Agile Community of Practice and an enterprise agility coach at Agile software development company RippleRock.

To develop the examination, a pilot of this new certification will start in May 2011. PMI expects that interested practitioners will be able to submit applications for this certification at that time, with examinations commencing in the third quarter of 2011.

The examination outline and key reference texts will be made available for potential candidates and trainers looking to update or build Agile practices into their project management courses next month.

See the PMI Agile Certification website (www.pmi.org/agile) for further details.