Professional Development Units (PDUs)*

A minimum of 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) must be earned across at least three of the following five categories but must include Scrum Coaching. Each category is presented below with the minimum and maximum PDUs available and details on how to obtain PDUs for that category.

  1. Scrum Coaching (10 – 30 PDUs)
  2. Professional Activities (0 – 20 PDUs)
  3. Self-Directed Learning (0 – 10 PDUs)
  4. Professional Education (0 – 20 PDUs)
  5. Scrum Community Involvement (0 – 10 PDUs)
1. Scrum Coaching

A minimum of 10 PDUs must be earned (with a maximum of 30 PDUs) per renewal cycle in Scrum coaching. 1 PDU is earned for every 100 hours of Scrum Coaching. This means a minimum of 1,000 hours of Scrum coaching during the renewal period of three years is required for renewal.  Proof of Scrum Coaching will be required as a signed letter from the client indicating the coaching date range and total coaching hours of provided by the coach.

2. Professional Activities

A maximum of 20 PDUs may be earned by participating in specified professional activities.

 
  • Author or co-author of an article pertaining to Scrum coaching published in a journal – 3 PDUs per article
  • Author or co-author a case study pertaining to Scrum coaching experience published on the Scrum Alliance website – 2 PDUs per case study
  • Speaker/teacher/moderator on Scrum and/or agile topic at a conference, symposium, workshop, or formal course – 5 PDUs per activity
  • Speaker on Scrum related topic at a local Scrum or Agile group meeting – 5 PDUs per activity
  • Author or co-author of textbook that pertains to Scrum, agile, or business coaching – 20 PDUs
  • Developer of content for a Scrum and/or agile learning program – 5 PDUs per new program
 Documentation of professional activity may be required upon Scrum Alliance audit/request including copies of publications, sample educational materials or course agendas.
3. Self Directed Learning

A maximum 10 PDUs may be earned during a CSC renewal cycle in self-directed learning. Self-directed learning activities are individualized learning projects involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include informal activities such as discussion or coaching sessions with colleagues, co-workers, clients, or consultants. It may include articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs, or other material resources.

 Documentation of self-directed learning may be required upon Scrum Alliance audit/request. Coaches must be able to provide evidence supporting their reported learning project.
4. Professional Education

A maximum of 20 PDUs may be earned per renewal cycle through training from Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainers, formal accredited education institutions, other training providers, and software development or coaching conferences. For all providers, one (1) contact hour of learning relevant to Scrum/Agile/Coaching within a structured activity or course equals one (1) PDU.

 
  • Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainers: PDUs may be earned by attending educational programs offered by individuals approved by the Scrum Alliance as Certified Scrum Trainers. These individuals adhere to quality criteria established by Scrum Alliance.
  • Formal Accredited Educational Institution: PDUs may be earned by completing an academic course. Courses must be offered for degree credit and be related to Scrum, agile, or business coaching. One (1) hour of degree credit in a typical 15-week semester earns 15 PDUs. One (1) quarter semester hour (10 weeks) earns 10 PDUs. When only a portion of a course relates to Scrum or agile, PDUs are calculated on a percentage of the overall curriculum focused on Scrum/agile. Each course must be submitted on a separate PDU Reporting Form. Scrum Alliance does not recognize entire degree programs for PDU credits, only individual courses
  • Other Education Service Providers: Contact hours of Scrum/agile education may be earned by attending relevant educational programs offered by organizations not registered with the Scrum Alliance.
  • Scrum Alliance Gathering and other agile conferences: Contact hours may be earned by attending conferences focused on agile software development or coaching.
 Documentation may be required upon Scrum Alliance audit/request including registration form, certificate or letter of attendance, and a brochure or course materials outlining the subject matter covered and the qualifications of the instructor/lecturer.
5. Scrum Community Involvement

A maximum of 10 PDUs may be earned per renewal cycle through professional service to a Scrum/agile organization or by providing non-compensated Scrum/agile services to non-employer or non-client customer groups. The volunteer services must meet the definition of a Scrum project.

 

Examples of qualifying activities and their associated PDU values include the following:

  • Serve as an elected officer for a Scrum/agile organization - 2 PDUs per calendar quarter of active participation.
  • Serve as a volunteer/appointed committee member for a Scrum/agile organization - 1 PDU per calendar quarter of active participation.
  • Provide Scrum/agile related coaching services to a community or charitable group - 1 PDU per calendar quarter. The organization sponsoring the project must be a legally recognized not-for-profit organization.

 Documentation may be required upon Scrum Alliance audit/request including a letter or certificate from the organization served acknowledging the coach for leading project tasks or participating as part of a Scrum project team. 

* NOTE: Professional Development Units are referenced from the Project Management Institute (PMI) and remain equivalent in design, although specific definitions were tailored to Scrum.