Agile in IT refers to a set of principles in software development that takes a responsive approach to project management, product development, and product delivery. If you work in software information technology (IT), then you probably know that most established developers and publishers have already adopted the agile methodology.
Does that mean you need to get an agile expert certification? It’s not a necessity, at least not yet. What it does mean is that you stand to benefit significantly from taking that step. As we look at a few very relevant reasons as to why that is true, the benefits of being an agile expert will also become apparent.
Increased Employability
Nowadays, software development projects are not just about meeting deadlines with a completed product. Instead, the focus seems to be on sharing a product in development with the client and making responsive changes in line with their feedbacks and requests. Everything from Google’s iterative approach towards releasing the latest versions of their Android OS, to the long list of Early Release video games on Steam are examples of the software industry’s shift to agile.
However, software developers are not agile experts by default. Most computer science, software development, coding, and other related IT programs are yet to integrate agile development as course material in any significant way. So, every time an agile software company hires someone who is not properly trained and experienced in agile, they have to spend a lot of time, money, and effort to train them.
It’s not really a surprise that employers are more likely to hire professionals who are already well acquainted with how agile development works, if they can help it. Therefore, your employability as a software professional becomes significantly higher if you already have agile training. It will also improve your chances of being chosen to work on the most important projects after getting hired.
You Can Become an Agile Coach
The average software developer earns roughly $77,000 per year in the US, while the mean income of an agile IT coach is close to $130,000 per year. In other words, you should earn a certification as an Agile DevOps Expert to significantly improve your employability, pay, and corporate rank. Software companies are always looking for agile coaches with the right technical base because of the aforementioned reasons.
On being hired, you will be expected to coach and train their existing workforce in agile methods. Provided that you have the necessary qualifications and experience, you may also take on a more leading role, implementing and managing agile principles while planning out the projects.
Become a Better Project Manager
In case you are not fully familiar with how agile can be implemented to improve on all three, then you will find a course in agile project management to be extremely beneficial. As a project lead, you will also come to appreciate the improved client expectation management that agile brings to software development.
Agile methodology is highly focused on time and cost optimization, as well as accurate scope determination for mapping the iterative approach properly. If you are already an IT project lead, then you know how those are some of the most important and difficult aspects to manage in any project.
