The results
Realising bold ambitions to create a new framework and certification scheme
Before 2009, the world of project management was dominated by traditional or waterfall methods such as PRINCE2 and PMI’s PME. During this time, Scrum was considered the most popular agile project management certification framework but it did not address all project management requirements.
This lack of an agile framework for project professionals was recognised by the Agile Business Consortium, a not-for-profit Professional Body committed to advancing business agility. Between 2009-10 they developed the AgilePM Handbook which provided organisations with a fast and flexible approach that could be scaled and helped everyone to work on the same page.
Soon after the development of the AgilePM Handbook, the Consortium became increasingly aware that they required a credible governing body to facilitate their training and certification program. Consequently, the Consortium appointed APMG as their accreditation, examination, and certification body.
APMG began the development of the AgilePM syllabus and examinations, before launching the AgilePM training and certification program in late 2010. The certification program was an immediate hit.
International growth and recognition
To support the Consortium to meet their goal of being recognised as the leading professional body for business agility, we provided expertise in three major areas:
- Development expertise: a structured approach to syllabus, exam and training material development
- International growth: streamlined onboarding program quickly achieved a global training community
- Marketing support: regular and ongoing global promotion of AgilePM training, certification and professional membership
Within three years, AgilePM exams increased from 0 to 5,000+ per year, and today there are over 175,000 AgilePM certified professionals worldwide working for small to leading organisations and government.
Firmly recognised as the leading certification scheme for Agile projects
Present day, AgilePM is the world’s leading framework and certification program for agile project management.
As of the end of 2022:
- 200,000+ exams sat worldwide
- APMG has accredited 175+ training organisations in 30 countries
- AgilePM exams have been sat in over 65 countries
- Handbook, training, and certification available in multiple languages
Aligning goals to your vision
One crucial factor contributing to the growth of the AgilePM training and certification program was building an open, agile and collaborative working relationship with the Consortium during the period of development. Communication was essential to ensure the certification program and the organisations delivering training aligned with the Consortium’s vision.
We employed a broad mix of platforms and marketing activities to support regular and ongoing promotion of AgilePM, including online and print advertisements, events (physical and online) and joint campaigns with the Consortium and accredited training providers. We also hosted webinars (often in partnership with training providers) that were delivered to international audiences, of which received thousands of registrations and attendees.
Further, to align with the consortium’s goal to reach an international audience, we organised translations of the AgilePM syllabus, exams and training materials in multiple languages. To ensure ongoing relevance in an ever-changing landscape we also organise peer reviews and refreshes to make sure that the scheme is always the preferred certification.
Digital certificates to be proud of
Every successful candidate is awarded a digital badge which has the Agile Business Consortium logo. The badges can be shared on social media – spreading the Agile Business Consortium brand far and wide, and also giving candidates the opportunity to share their achievement and have something to show for their hard work.
Right after a candidate has passed, APMG automatically invites every successful candidate to join the Agile Business Consortium – streamlining the onboarding process to make it quick and easy for the Consortium to process members and send them their login details.
Successfully built a scheme from the ground-up
AgilePM started from the ground up; a scheme known by virtually no one progressed into an internationally recognised and relied upon scheme for project professionals and alike. With close collaboration between ourselves and the Consortium, and aligning our vision with corresponding marketing strategies, we were able to facilitate the growth that has led to the success of AgilePM today, well surpassing the goal of 100,000 exams.
Learn more about how to create a certification scheme in our Where do you start when developing a certification? blog.