BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile

BCS Certification allows experts a unique certification that blends agile principles and scrum methods. However, in this article, we are discussing the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile. The exam tests candidates on their knowledge of key theories and their application. Also, the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile includes the use of Agile methods in projects, product and software improvement. Moreover, the syllabus is created to ensure the candidate to have proper knowledge of the core of Agile practices, the Agile purposes and principles, over a breadth of Agile methodologies; it does not completely focus on one specific methodology.

The BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile focuses on the principles and importance of agile including its evolution; culture; return of investment possibilities; differences between more traditional approaches such as the waterfall approach; and questioning successful agile benefits versus real-world systems.

Agile Scrum Foundation is created to test a professional’s fundamental knowledge of agile principles and scrum methodology. Also, it is particularly useful for those managing or participating in projects. Furthermore, the exam is unusually interesting for professionals who work in fields including software development, project management, IT service management and business management. 

Target Audience

• Firstly, Business and IT professionals who are committed to agile practices.
• Anyone needing an understanding of agile as well as organisational administrators and managers needs to understand the value of agile practices or those who manage in an agile environment, including product owners, developers,  business analysts and scrum masters,  software testers.

Prerequisites 

There are no entry specifications for BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile certification. Further, training with a BCS accredited training provider is prescribed.

Exam Details 

Agile is conceptually flexible but hard to perform well. A general phenomenon is concentrating on completing a chosen or ordained purpose without actually knowing the reasons following that choice and how the construction interacts with the business context. Further, if we look at the basic details then, the exam comes in a multiple-choice format and has approximately 40 questions. The passing marks for the exam are 65%.

Course Outline

The course outline covers the domains and the objectives that the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile intends to ask the candidate. Every domain has its subtopics which we have mentioned thoroughly. So, go through the course outline and learn all the objectives. 

DOMAIN 1: Why Agile? (7.5%)

Candidates will be able to:
1.1 Describe a linear development approach, such as Waterfall and V-model
1.2 Explain why linear development approaches are not suitable in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment
1.3 Explain the origins of Agile
1.4 Recognise the Agile Manifesto and its principles
1.5 Explain how the Pillars of Scrum underpin Agile thinking

DOMAIN 2: Individuals and their Interactions over Processes and Tools (7.5%)

Candidates will be able to:
2.1 Describe ways that the processes and tools can undermine the Agile team
performance
2.2 Explain the connection between team motivation and self-organising
autonomous teams
2.3 Recall how Agile teams interact

DOMAIN 3: Working Software over Comprehensive Documentation (7.5%)

Candidates will be able to:
3.1 Describe how working software means more than just code
3.2 Explain that Agile can be applied to non-software products
3.3 Explain how the Seven Wastes of Lean (Software Development) relates to comprehensive documentation

DOMAIN 4: Customer Collaboration over Contract Negotiation (7.5%)

Candidates will be able to:
4.1 Describe the Agile team’s relationship with its customers
4.2 Describe how Agile teams use timeboxes and iterations to decide what work to commit to
4.3 Describe the Product Owner role and responsibilities

DOMAIN 5: Responding to Change over following a plan (10%)

Candidates will be able to:
5.1 Explain how regular feedback helps Agile teams respond to change
5.2 Describe how Agile teams recognise when change is underway
5.3 Describe the different levels of planning that Agile teams use
5.4 Explain the risks of detailed upfront planning

DOMAIN 6: The Agile Mindset (25%)

Candidates will be able to:
6.1 Explain Servant Leadership
6.2 Explain how Agile teams are cross-functional and self-organising
6.3 Explain how the Pillars of Scrum enable continuous improvement
6.4 Describe how Agile teams demonstrate transparency
6.5 Explain the importance of maximising the amount of work not done
6.6 Describe how Agile teams maintain a sustainable pace
6.7 Recall that autonomy, mastery and purpose are critical factors in creating motivated teams
6.8 Explain the importance of Psychological Safety for high performing teams
6.9 Explain incremental and iterative delivery

DOMAIN 7: Roles in Agile Teams (5%)

Candidates will be able to:
7.1 Describe the three Scrum roles
7.2 Identify and describe commonly used non-Scrum Agile roles

DOMAIN 8: Common Agile Practices (20%)

Candidates will be able to describe the following practices:
8.1 Team Leadership and Organisation
8.2 Requirements
8.3 Estimation
8.4 Software Development

DOMAIN 9: Agile in practice (10%)

Candidates will be able to:
9.1 Describe the following Agile approaches
9.2 Explain how the following practices can remove the need to adopt a scaling a method such as Scrum of Scrums, SAFe, LeSS, Scrum@Scale
9.3 Explain why the following metrics are indicators to healthy Agile teams

Exam Policies

BCS provides exam policies to support the candidates by providing every detail related to the certification program. However, candidates during the studying for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile exam should first go through and understand the BCS Certification exam policies. On this page, the candidates will get information about after the exam or before exam procedures. This includes the exam retaking process, rules to be followed during the exam time, and other information about the exams and its testing centres.

While preparing for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile exam you will be solely responsible for understanding and complying with BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile exam policies, together with the specified exam delivery provider’s policies and procedures.  

A step by step Preparatory Guide

A step by step preparatory guide will offer you a close view on how to undertake the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile exam. Not only will you build a stronger foundation with this guide, but also ensure that you don’t miss out on any important information. Every right direction is the very essence of this Preparatory Guide. Also, we will assure you that after you’re done with the preparation, you’ll feel confident in yourself. 

STEP 1: Review all Exam Objectives

Before, venturing on any journey, one must have a clear idea of what he/she is putting themselves into. With that being said, reviewing each and every exam objective becomes the most important part of your preparation. So, make sure you visit the Official website of BCS, to have a clear view. Since it is the most authentic site to provide any information regarding the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile Exam. After you’ve gone through the basic exam details. It’s time to hit the exam guide.

STEP 2: Download the Course Outline

The second most crucial step is to download the Course outline aka the Exam Guide. It consists of all the domains and topics of the examination. So, make sure to download the Course Outline. This allows you to prepare for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile Exam, keeping in mind all the objectives. 

STEP 3: Recommended Reading List

• The Agile Manifesto by Various Authors
• The Scrum Guide by Jeff Sutherland & Ken Schwaber
• Succeeding with Agile by  Mike Cohn
• Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business by  David J Anderson
• Agile Project Management using Scrum by Ken Schwaber
• An Agile Adoption and Transformation Survival Guide by  Michael Sahota
• The Culture Game: Tools for the Agile Manager by Daniel Mezick
• Scrum and XP from the Trenches by  Henrik Kniberg

STEP 4: Get started with Training Course

Getting hands-on experience is the most important experience for exams like the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile exam. And, the only way you can achieve is through Training Course. You can easily begin with training courses. Nonetheless, many vendors offer the candidate with quite a few options to choose from. We highly recommend training courses. The understanding here is not one dimensional but rather viewing a problem from every angle possible. 

STEP 5: Join the Community/ Online Forum

Online forums and study groups are a great way to prepare for the certification exam. Therefore, feel free to get in touch with other candidates through study forums or online groups to ask a question related to the topic you’re having difficulty with.

However, it’s not something you have to join. It’s just something very subjective. Not to mention, these online groups help you stay equated with the other people who are also walking through the same path as yours. Moreover, you can also ask a question related to the topic you’re having difficulty with.

STEP 6: Knock it free Practice Tests

Finally, we’re on the last step for the preparatory guide. Further, this final step will give the candidate the exact insight of the topics in which they’re lacking. So, make sure you’re going through sample tests after you have gone through the entire syllabus. Most importantly, all the practice tests are designed to encounter the real exam environment around you. However, practice papers can be from various sources. Above all, remember the more you test yourself the better you’re going to become.  SO START PRACTICING NOW! 

A great career is just a certification away. So, practice and validate your skills to become the BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile.