Practitioner Candidate Guidelines

Agile Project Professional

Candidate Guidelines

August 2019

“I do it right”

1INTRODUCTION3

2Agile Project PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION – “I do it right”4

2.1 General4

2.2DSDM Focus and Examinable Topics4

2.2 Outline process for achieving Agile Project Professional certification4

2.3 Agile Project Professional Certification – Step by Step Details6

2.3.1Gain Practical Experience6

2.3.2Submit Application Form to Agile Business Consortium7

2.3.3Demonstrate your experience and understanding of DSDM / AgilePM – Synopsis7

2.3.3.1Initial Synopsis Assessment - Basic focus8

2.3.3.2Full Synopsis Assessment8

2.3.4Demonstrate your experience and understanding of DSDM / AgilePM – Oral Exam9

2.3.4.1The Oral Examination Process10

2.3.5Agile Project Professional Registration11

3FURTHER INFORMATION12

APPENDIX A – Agile Project Professional - Exam Focus Version: Agile Project Framework13

A.1 Objective13

A.2 Focus for the Exam13

A.3 Detailed Knowledge13

A.4 Demonstrate an Understanding14

APPENDIX B – Agile Project Professional - Exam Focus Version: AgilePM15

B.1 Objective15

B.2 Focus for the Exam15

B.3 Detailed knowledge15

B.4 Demonstrate an Understanding16

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1Objective

The DSDM training, coaching, accreditation and certification process aims to provide the industry with high calibre professional staff, trained and qualified to perform effectively on DSDM / AgilePM and Agile projects.

DSDM, as used in this guide, applies to

- the current version of DSDM – June 2014 onwards

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

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

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

· The Agile Business Consortium and APMG accredit training organisations to deliver DSDM accredited 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.

1. AGILE PROJECT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION – “I do it right”2.1 General

The Agile Project Professional certification is experience-based. It is aimed at anyone who is actively involved with DSDM or Agile and who believes that using DSDM (Agile Project Framework) or Agile Project Management (AgilePM) can help address some existing project issues or Agile issues.

2.2DSDM Focus and Examinable Topics

You can choose to be examined based on

Handbook [current version of DSDM, June 2014 onwards]

or

Handbook [the current version of AgilePM]

The base for the Agile Project Professional oral exam is

· Outlined in Appendices A and B in this document. These describe the subject areas for each version

· Detailed in full in the Handbook for your chosen DSDM focus (AgilePF or AgilePM).

Some examples of “active involvement” are:

· On a DSDM-style project (typically the roles of Solution Developer, Team Leader, Project Manager, Business Ambassador, Solution Tester, Business Analyst, Technical Coordinator)

· On an Agile (non-DSDM) project (typically Team Member, Product Owner, Scrum Master)

· On a Scrum with AgilePM project (typically the Scrum roles, in the bullet above combined with the Project levels roles from AgilePM)

· At an organisational or decision-making level within a company (for example, selecting Agile / DSDM and rolling it out company-wide, or integrating DSDM into other Agile approaches or corporate quality standards).

· Promoting and selling DSDM or AgilePM (for example, putting together formal DSDM / AgilePM proposals)

This exam is designed for individuals from all areas, it is not IT specific. It is equally suitable for candidates who come from non-IT backgrounds, e.g. fulfilling a business role. Anyone who is unsure whether they are eligible should in the first instance contact the Agile Business Consortium (email info@afilebusiness.org ) to discuss their eligibility.

An example of DSDM project experience in a non-IT project could be a process consultant, a change consultant or a DSDM Champion.

2.2 Outline process for achieving Agile Project Professional certification

Although not mandated as part of the certification process, attendance on a DSDM or AgilePM Training course, preferably delivered by a certified DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach with personal Agile experience, and/or getting on-project support provided by certified DSDM Agile Trainer-Coaches is strongly recommended for all but the most experienced DSDM / Agile practitioners.

However, it is also possible to gain an understanding of DSDM / AgilePM by studying the Handbook (DSDM Agile Project Framework or AgilePM) (available as a paperback version or on-line at www.agilebusiness.org ). Both of these Handbooks contain sufficient information to support candidates studying for Agile Project Professional accreditation, provided they also have the appropriate level of hands-on agile experience.

· Step 1 – Gain practical experience

· Practical – minimum 6 months on-project practical DSDM / AgilePM or Agile experience

· Step 2 – Apply to Agile Business Consortium

· Submit Application form to Agile Business Consortium

· Step 3 – Demonstrate your experience and understanding of how DSDM helps deliver successful projects

· Submit a synopsis about your experience

· based on a project using DSDM / AgilePM

or

· comparing and contrasting your experience on an Agile project to DSDM / AgilePM

· Step 4 – Prove your DSDM / AgilePM knowledge

· Attend an oral exam to answer questions both on your synopsis and on “pure” DSDM / AgilePM theory

· Using the DSDM Handbook (AgilePF or AgilePM) as the basis for your exam revision

Figure 2.2 The Agile Project Professional Certification Process

2.3 Agile Project Professional Certification – Step by Step Details2.3.1Gain Practical Experience

Before submitting an application, you must have gained a minimum of 6 months practical experience on DSDM / Agile projects.

· If DSDM / AgilePM was used, this would be advantageous.

· If the practical experience is based on a different Agile approach (e.g. Scrum), you will be expected to compare DSDM / AgilePM to the Agile approach used throughout your synopsis and explain where using DSDM / AgilePM made a difference or would have made a difference.

NB. Since is fully based on DSDM, use of AgileBA counts as DSDM experience. Therefore throughout this guide AgileBA project experience is treated as DSDM project experience, even though the exam itself is based on Agile Project Framework or AgilePM.

2.3.2Submit Application Form to Agile Business Consortium

Please apply to the Agile Business Consortium, by submitting electronically:

1. A completed application form (forms are available to download from the ABC website). This will also include details of your Agile project experience (your role, length of involvement, style of Agile used and a short paragraph explaining the project objectives).

2. Details of any DSDM / AgilePM training or coaching you have received, including where possible the name of the Trainer.

2.3.3Demonstrate your experience and understanding of DSDM / AgilePM – Synopsis

The synopsis should comprise a document of approximately 3000-7500 words (absolute maximum 7500 words, please). It should be presented in electronic format.

The project synopsis must be written solely by the candidate. Co-authoring is not allowed even if several candidates are describing the same project. The qualification is awarded to the individual candidate on the basis of the individual’s knowledge and personal experience.

The project described in the synopsis must have taken place within the last 5 years.

The main objective of the project synopsis is to show the examiners that you have a thorough understanding of DSDM / AgilePM and can relate this to practical DSDM / AgilePM / Agile project or method experience. It helps the examiners if the synopsis describes briefly the project background and context. However, the bulk of the synopsis must focus on the project itself and its relationship to DSDM / AgilePM (or comparison to DSDM / AgilePM), and not on general organisational information. All synopses are treated in confidence.

Please do not cut and paste whole sections or paragraphs copied word for word from the Handbook. In your synopsis, the examiners are looking for your own understanding and how DSDM / AgilePM was applied (or could have been applied) to your project.

Please note – the examiners do not expect a description of “the perfect project”. A failed project supported by the learning from that failure can be equally as effective as a success.

There is a useful guide to the Synopsis and what should be included in the synopsis, as well as samples synopses available to download from the ABC website

The examiners expect you to demonstrate a thorough understanding of DSDM / AgilePM in your synopsis even if the project described in the synopsis followed general Agile principles rather than being run specifically as a DSDM project. This can be done by using a “compare and contrast” style.

If your practical experience is based on a different Agile approach (e.g. Scrum), you will be expected to compare DSDM / AgilePM to the Agile approach used throughout your synopsis and explain what difference using DSDM / AgilePM would have made.

2.3.3.1Initial Synopsis Assessment - Basic focus

The DSDM Examiners initially will assess whether the project or case study put forward follows basic Agile principles and processes. As a minimum, the synopsis must include:

· User Involvement

· Timeboxing (Sprints / Iterations)

· Iterative Development

· Prioritisation

· Empowered teams

In other words, did this initiative follow a recognisably agile process?

This initial assessment will apply regardless of whether your synopsis is based on a project or a more complex case study such as selecting and rolling-out DSDM / AgilePM or wrapping AgilePM around Scrum.

If DSDM / AgilePM was not the chosen Agile approach, then you should compare and contrast the Agile approach you used to DSDM / AgilePM, illustrating this throughout by example and reference to the project.

For example “If we had managed the early work following DSDM / AgilePM’s Foundation

phase, then…”

2.3.3.2Full Synopsis Assessment

When assessing the synopsis, the Examiners look for the following:

* A description of project initiation and why DSDM / AgilePM (or Agile) was used

* Your role on the project (this will be taken into account by the Examiners)

* Thorough understanding of the DSDM Principles

* Knowledge of the DSDM Process covering the full lifecycle (even if you were not involved at every lifecycle phase)

* The DSDM Products

* The People aspects

* The DSDM Practices

* Lessons learned on the DSDM / AgilePM (or Agile) project

Some mention of other topics covered by DSDM (typically the later chapters in the published Handbooks) is encouraged.

All DSDM topics are assessed according to the categories listed in Appendix A (Agile Project Framework) or Appendix B (AgilePM) and based on the information published in the relevant Handbook.

Your synopsis will be assessed and moderated by two independent Examiners. The Agile Business Consortium will send you the result of your synopsis assessment, including feedback where appropriate, no later than one week before the oral examination.

The possible Synopsis Assessment results are Pass / Borderline / Defer.

Synopsis Pass – Progress to Oral Exam

If your synopsis has reached the required standard, you will be invited for an oral examination. You may also be sent feedback at this stage on any specific areas where your synopsis is seen as weak or needing further clarification. These will be followed up during the oral exam, but this gives you an opportunity for further focused study.

Synopsis Borderline – Progress to Oral Exam

If your synopsis is a borderline pass, you will be invited to the oral examination, but will also receive feedback at this stage on areas where your synopsis is seen as weak or needing further clarification. These areas will be followed up during the oral exam, but this gives you an opportunity for further focused study. However if, later on, your oral exam result is “Defer”, the examiners may ask you to rework and resubmit your synopsis, prior to attending an oral exam re-sit. Any exam re-sit incurs an additional charge.

Synopsis Defer - Resubmit Synopsis -

If your synopsis fails to meet required standard, you will receive comments on the synopsis and will be invited to re-apply at a later date, using a revised synopsis. Any resubmission incurs an additional charge.

2.3.4Demonstrate your experience and understanding of DSDM / AgilePM – Oral Exam

The purpose of the oral exam is to confirm your knowledge and experience of DSDM / AgilePM, both the theory and the practical application. Part of the exam is based around questions related specifically to your synopsis topic and your practical application of DSDM / AgilePM. The other part of the exams involves questions to prove your thorough understanding of DSDM / AgilePM theory and how to apply it.

Please note - The Agile Project Professional certificate is a DSDM qualification and not a general Agile qualification, so you should expect the examiners to test your detailed knowledge of DSDM (Agile Project Framework or AgilePM) in the oral examination. Your knowledge must be related to practical examples and personal experience whenever possible.

You will have chosen to be examined based on

Handbook [current version of DSDM, June 2014 onwards]

or

Handbook [the current version of AgilePM]

The base for the Agile Project Professional oral exam is the Handbook content,

topics outlined in Appendix A and Appendix B

In the oral exam, you should be prepared to describe the DSDM / AgilePM theory as per the appropriate Appendix and demonstrate a practical understanding and application of these aspects.

If your role means that you have only been involved during part of the lifecycle, you will still be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the whole lifecycle during the oral exam.

For example: “I wasn’t involved at Pre-Project, but what took place was…”

During the oral exam,

· You are not allowed to consult the Handbook or any other materials (e.g. no access to your written synopsis)

· You will have access to pen and paper, so you can draw diagrams to explain your answers, where appropriate

During the oral examination, you will be given every opportunity to demonstrate your detailed knowledge of DSDM / AgilePM. You will be asked questions relating to your project experience, as well as questions relating to DSDM / AgilePM theory.

Since the Agile Project Professional exam is “Examiner Led”, you will be given opportunities to go back to questions you were unable to answer fully earlier in the exam and to correct incorrect answers, if you realise you have got something wrong.

2.3.4.1The Oral Examination Process

The oral examination lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and is carried out by two independent DSDM Examiners. All oral examinations are digitally recorded as part of the standard Consortium 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 or the exam process, NOT to assess the candidate.

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

The possible results following the Oral exam are Pass / Defer / Fail.

Pass – Successful Agile Project Professional

If you have met the required standard, the Agile Business Consortium will send you your Agile Project Professional certificate. You can also ask for your name to be added to the ABC website list of certified Agile Project Professionals.

Time permitting, you will also have an opportunity to get feedback from the examiners.

Defer – Unsuccessful this time

If 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 receive a copy of the feedback in written form, regardless of whether it has been given verbally.

You will also be given one more opportunity to re-apply, to re-sit only the oral exam. However if you are deferred and your synopsis was a borderline pass, the examiners may ask you to resubmit a revised synopsis, prior to attending a second oral exam. Any exam re-sit incurs an additional charge.

Fail - Unsuccessful

If you have not met the required standard on the second attempt, after a previous oral exam “Defer”, you should reapply from the start of the exam process i.e. resubmitting the application form.

An oral 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.

Additional useful information on the Oral exam is available for download from the ABC web site.

2.3.5Agile Project Professional Registration

The Agile Business Consortium will enrol successful Agile Project Professional candidates on the List of Certified Agile Professionals.

2 FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact the Agile Business Consortium for any further information on DSDM 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 House

Dover Place

Ashford

Kent TN23 1HU

Tel: +44 (0)1233 611162

Web : http://www.agilebusiness.org

Email: info@agilebusiness.org

APPENDIX A – Agile Project Professional - Exam Focus Version: Agile Project Framework

A.1 Objective

The Agile Project Professional certification confirms that an individual has demonstrated the appropriate level of knowledge of DSDM, both the theory and the practical application of the theory, so that they can take an active and effective role on a DSDM project. Successful candidates have demonstrated a detailed understanding of all the component parts of DSDM and how they work together to support DSDM as a whole, together with practical experience of DSDM.

A.2 Focus for the Exam

Candidates are not expected to learn the whole Agile Project Framework Handbook but should be able to demonstrate that they understand DSDM and how it works, both in theory and in practice.

A.3 Detailed Knowledge

Candidates should be able to explain accurately the following topics

The Philosophy and Fundamentals of DSDM

· The DSDM Philosophy

· The composition of DSDM

· Project Variables

· Positioning of DSDM within Agile

The DSDM Principles

Preparing for DSDM Success

· The Instrumental Success Factors

The DSDM Process

· The Lifecycle Phases

The DSDM People

· DSDM Roles and Responsibilities

· DSDM Team Model

· DSDM Roles Categories

· DSDM Roles Areas of Interest

The DSDM Products

· DSDM Products through the Lifecycle

· Evolutionary, Milestone and Governance products

DSDM Practice – Workshops

· Benefits

· Roles

· Activities

DSDM Practice - MoSCoW Prioritisation

· MoSCoW Rules

· Effective Prioritisation

· Balancing Priorities

DSDM Practice - Iterative Development

· Planning Iterative Development – Requirement / Solution Focus

· Control and Quality

DSDM Practice – Modelling

· Why model?

· Modelling perspectives

DSDM Practice – Timeboxing

· DSDM Structured Timebox, steps and effort

· Free Format Timebox

· Daily Stand-up

· Timeboxes – the wider context

A.4 Demonstrate an Understanding

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate an understanding of how DSDM works with:

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 DSDM Approach

· General Understanding of how Project Approach Questionnaire impacts the application of DSDM 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 Professional - Exam Focus Version: AgilePM

B.1 Objective

The Agile Project Professional certification confirms that an individual has demonstrated the appropriate level of knowledge of DSDM / AgilePM, both the theory and the practical application of the theory, so that they can take an active and effective role on a DSDM / AgilePM project. Successful candidates have demonstrated a detailed understanding of all the component parts of DSDM / AgilePM and how they work together to support DSDM / AgilePM as a whole, together with practical experience of DSDM / AgilePM.

B.2 Focus for the Exam

Candidates are not expected to learn the whole AgilePM Handbook but should be able to demonstrate that they understand DSDM / AgilePM, how it works and how it fits together. Examiners will look for a Agile Project Professional candidate to demonstrate knowledge in the subject areas detailed below.

B.3 Detailed knowledge

Candidates are expected to have detailed and accurate knowledge for the following topics.

Choosing DSDM and The Philosophy and Fundamentals of DSDM

· Positioning of DSDM within Agile

· Differentiators for DSDM

· The DSDM Philosophy

· The composition of DSDM

· Project Variables

The DSDM Principles

· Practical application of the principles

Preparing for DSDM Success

· The Instrumental Success Factors

The DSDM Process

· The Lifecycle Phases

The DSDM People

· DSDM Roles and Responsibilities, the Team model

· DSDM Roles Categories and areas of interest

The DSDM Products

· DSDM 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

DSDM Practice – Workshops

· Benefits, Roles, Activities

DSDM Practice - MoSCoW Prioritisation

· MoSCoW Rules

· Effective Prioritisation, balancing priorities

DSDM Practice - Iterative Development

· Planning Iterative Development – Requirement / Solution Focus

· Control and Quality

DSDM Practice – Modelling

· Why model?

· Modelling perspectives

DSDM Practice – Timeboxing

· DSDM Structured Timebox, steps and effort

· Free Format Timebox

· Daily Stand-up

· Timeboxes – the wider context

B.4 Demonstrate an Understanding

The examiners also expect the candidate to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas

Digging Deeper

· Principles

· Roles and Responsibilities

· PM through the Lifecycle

· Products

Digging Deeper – Deliver on Time – MoSCoW + Timeboxing

· MoSCoW Rules, Effective Prioritisation, Balancing Priorities

· DSDM 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 DSDM Approach

· General Understanding of how Project Approach Questionnaire impacts the application of DSDM 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

Agile Project Professional Guidelines

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