(Post Master Sr)

04/24/15 09:43 PM

IT: Anyone certified/using hardcore scrum/agile/kanban?

Does anyone here truly use scrum methodology head-on, or even better, certified?

I just realized the bullshit I've been thrown the past number of years is but a tiny slice of agile... i.e. we never used a kanban board, product backlogs...

Trying to decide upon CSM or CSPO certification at the moment... (Already decided on Scrum Alliance bandwagon vs Scrum.org.) Yes... the whole fucking scrum certification concept is a hardcore scam ... Tell me about it.

If the timing works and the training seems legit, I just might do both CSM and CSPO this year... $\:\|$

(Post Master Sr)

04/25/15 07:29 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

We are a hardcore Agile company. Some folk are certified Scrum Masters.

(Post Master Sr)

04/25/15 08:03 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

I'm still having a bit of a hard time thinking companies give any respect to agile certs... I mean, they're a cash grab. Not only that, everyone and their dog say they know scrum/agile. (Correct: the cert by itself means nothing; it's the experience you have that matters.)

Would you see any benefit of the CSPO-type certs? Last I read, CSM:CSPO certification is 10:1 ...

I'm leaning towards CSPO to differentiate, but my buddies are saying CSM.

(Post Master Supreme)

04/25/15 02:34 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

The dev shop where I work has been trying / starting to do a hybrid of agile / standard waterfall model (read: 1/2 assed) and its caused more chaos than efficiency.

Not sure if anyone is certified (including the contractor program level pm we have that made this pitch), but it sounds like a lot of bs (maybe if not had the concept been implemented properly).

Slightly off-topic: any value with ITIL certs? (And to what level?). Current boss (cue the other thread I made a while back) can't shut up about them. Should look into them if they can open to better paying jobs.

(Post Master Sr)

04/25/15 05:06 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

I've heard/seen some higher-end corps ask for ITIL, but that's only because they have a manufacturing/warehouse-type logistics as part of their business.. Loblaws, etc..

ITIL will add value, as it's more 'structured' and formalized than say, this scrum/agile/kanban bullshit.

There's true value in coming in as a contractor/coach/exec trying to push agile ... If you know what you're doing. If you don't or it's half-assed, there will be challenges. If there's a Shared Services model going on, it still works, but gets tricky... (That's a bit beyond me, and something I'm trying to figure out how it'll work...)

Originally Posted By: hyper-s2k

Slightly off-topic: any value with ITIL certs? (And to what level?). Current boss (cue the other thread I made a while back) can't shut up about them. Should look into them if they can open to better paying jobs.

(Post Master Supreme)

04/26/15 05:26 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

ITIL is used across the board, doesn't matter the business. I'd do that over this agile/scrum bullshit.

(Post Master Supreme)

04/26/15 09:24 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Thanks guys.

The problem with Agile (where we are) is that business sees it as an opportunity of providing sloppy requirements and put the onus on development to build something ("like for like") then get them fixed by refining requirements as we go. BUT, these "fixes" (or new requirements) result in a major overhaul of the code itself (because the design paradigm has changed) -- and without pushing the deadline (because the "Agile" buzzword to them means quick turn around) -- it's now accordian-ed the entire schedule.

This may not be so bad if we have small roll outs - but the whole change management process is f'd and always require a huge song and dance around the whole damn thing. As well, this project we're on - its a hardware refresh + platform re-write; so it will be a mass roll out; doesn't sound like something meant for Agile / Scrum.

As of right now it seems we are 0 for 1 on Agile / Scrum.

(Post Master Sr)

04/27/15 09:11 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Originally Posted By: furball

I'm still having a bit of a hard time thinking companies give any respect to agile certs... I mean, they're a cash grab. Not only that, everyone and their dog say they know scrum/agile. (Correct: the cert by itself means nothing; it's the experience you have that matters.)

Would you see any benefit of the CSPO-type certs? Last I read, CSM:CSPO certification is 10:1 ...

I'm leaning towards CSPO to differentiate, but my buddies are saying CSM.

The same can be said about many certs. Companies that do not implement/follow agile will not acknowledge/respect the cert as those that do. And yes many certs are a cash grab, but if that's what it takes to get ahead ... And of course experience goes much further than the actual cert. Sent you some additional info in PM

(Post Master Sr)

05/13/15 06:44 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

UPDATE ... I just spent 2 days in a CSM course, and just passed the 'exam'.

Few pointers/notes to the techie folk:

1) Experience is paramount
- The course tells you absolute shit. The only thing I learned is the exam focuses on the 'Agile Manifesto' (word-for-word definition questions) sometimes, and there's alot of money to be made coaching agile/scrum.
- Scrum/agile in general tells you only what, and why. It NEVER tells you how. That's what agile consulting/coaches are for. --> This specifically fucks everyone up... totally.
- I only did a small portion of agile over the years; I learned the rest through a video tutorial role-play site, and 'Essential Scrum' book (read the ToC, then browsed the sections I didn't understand.)
- That being said, be VERY careful about saying 'Well no shit Sherlock, of course experience trumps'... The reason to be wary is because very, VERY few companies do agile properly. Even if they do, just because that's THE PREFERABLE way to do it doesn't mean it'll fit in another company....

Case in point: A firm with a Shared Services concept? Scrum/Agile says to BREAK the concept. Remove the obstacle, go around it, or go thru it. How? The fuck would anyone tell you; you'd have to pay for that via coaching/consulting.

2) Exam... eh?
- Supposedly the first few CSMs were automatically cert'd just by taking the 2-day course. Now they impose this bullshit 24 out of 35 questions online exam, which is just ... $\:\|$
- More than half the answers can be found online by googling the question while you're taking it.

3) Many think they know agile/scrum
- They don't.
- I asked many targetted questions, specific to real-life scenarios. The instructor answer was basically 'think outside the box' ... and rather generic in nature...

So in a nutshell, I spent a fucking shit ton of money for ... a PDF file $\:\|$

4) Purpose
- I'd say 90% of the people in the room had their course fees paid for by their company. Out of that, 75% or more of them were just collecting PDUs for PMP, etc...

Agile/scrum by nature is so full of shit... It contains none of the safety nets of rules, processes, methodologies... And it's very narcissistic in many ways ... 'Fuck you, I am not accountable for this'

(Post Master Sr)

05/14/15 05:08 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Update: For those who are really into agile/scrum, one of the 12 'founders' of scrum have just made ripples in the industry ...

http://blog.toolshed.com/2015/05/the-failure-of-agile.html

(Post Master Sr)

05/22/15 11:02 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Either people think it's a scam and don't bother, or.. it's that hard to get

The route I'm taking, it's a matter of lining up references + some cash, and spinning the wheel of probability to apply for CSP, so I think it's worth a try...

(Post Master Sr)

05/22/15 11:04 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Anyone with experience using multiple teams, either different offices, but even better, diff time zones, I'd love to hear your experiences.

If you use Kanban instead, I'd also love to hear about your experiences.

(Post Master Sr)

05/22/15 11:13 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

SIDE note: On the topic of SEUs and PDUs ... If you know of any freebie or uber cheap credits, holla back.

I found 2 free SEUs online:
- 1 here: https://www.frontrowagile.com/courses/let-go-of-knowing/overview
- The other courses on the site are about $50/Cat B SEU or PDU ... Not sure what the going 'rate' is, but I'd assume you can find cheaper PDUs online; SEUs not so sure.
** This one is also eligible as a PDU for you PMP guys; cue c_cnapper.

- 1 here: https://www.scrumalliance.org/why-scrum/learning-consortium/learning-consortium-webinars (Look for the May 20 Webinar... Not 100% sure if it's valid if you just watch the 'pre-recorded' webinar vs live...)

Reason for going GC Asian: I'm exactly 1 SEU short of CSP qualifications... (One of my courses stiffed me 1 hour; it listed for 7 SEUs vs a full-day 8

)

Update: More FREE PDUs http://edward-designer.com/web/free-pmp-pdu-cat-a/

titty sprinkles

(Post Master Supreme)

05/22/15 02:40 PM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

i have no idea what is going on in this thread. $\:\|$

(Post Master Sr)

06/29/15 09:35 AM

Re: IT folk: Anyone certified, or working hardcore in scrum?

Update: I'm now certified in Scrum out the ass... $\:\|$

</crickets>

Stats: https://www.scrumalliance.org/scrum/medi...ation-Stats.pdf

Your time/money would be better spent on CMMI, Six Sigma, ITIL; though they're both more 'mature' methodologies/etc, they are more broad.