Contributed blog post from Frank Schettini, Vice President, Information Technology, PMI

With more organizations applying Agile techniques in the management of successful projects, PMI, the world’s leading project management member association, announced the launch of a new Agile certification.

This new offering brought together key thought leaders who use Agile techniques for project management. They advised PMI on the most effective way to offer the certification and serve project practitioners and the organizations where they work.

“The PMI Agile certification is designed to establish a baseline of understanding regarding Agile philosophy, concepts, and general agile practices that project managers (and practitioners) should be familiar with,” said Michele Sliger, PMP, president of Sliger Consulting and board member of the Scrum Alliance. “Other credentials, such as the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) are specific to one Agile methodology (Scrum).”

Further, PMI research found that the use of Agile practices in project management has doubled in the last two years.

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

This certification will complement PMI’s existing Agile offerings, such as the Agile Community of Practice, SeminarsWorld® and eSeminarsWorldSM courses, and Agile area of focus sessions at PMI® Global Congresses.

“Project managers who are using Agile practices in their projects can broaden their influence and impact in their respective organizations and enhance their careers with the Agile certification, especially those professionals already holding the PMP®,” said Mark A. Langley, president and CEO of PMI. “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.”

In April, the examination outline and key reference texts will be available for trainers to use as they update or build Agile practices into their project management courseware. These resources will also be made available to candidates interested in the certification.

In May, PMI will conduct a pilot to ensure the certification exam is suitably developed, which means that if you’re interested in participating in the pilot, you can apply in May, with exams commencing in the third quarter, 2011.

You can find more information at PMI Agile Certification.

PMI is the world’s largest project management member association, representing more than half a million practitioners in more than 185 countries. As a global thought leader and knowledge resource, PMI advances the profession through its global standards and credentials, collaborative chapters and virtual communities and academic research.

When organizations invest in project management supported by PMI, executives have confidence their important initiatives will deliver expected results, greater business value and competitive advantage. Learn more at PMI.org

_{posted by Lisa Hoover (07 Mar 11)}