What are Agile and Scrum?
Agile is a project management philosophy focused on delivering value quickly, adapting to change, and fostering collaboration among teams and stakeholders. It emphasizes iterative delivery, customer feedback, and continuous improvement.
Scrum is a practical framework within Agile used to implement these principles. It defines structured roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team), ceremonies (Sprints, Daily Stand-ups, Reviews, Retrospectives), and artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment) to manage projects effectively. Together, Agile and Scrum allow teams to deliver high-quality projects faster, respond flexibly to change, and improve collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction.
Why choose Agile and Scrum?
- Global recognition- agile and scrum are widely adopted frameworks in industries worldwide, including ICT, finance, government, NGOS, and startups.
- Career advancement- certification in scrum (PSM or CSM) enhances employability and opens doors to project leadership roles.
- Practical application- learn to manage projects with real-world tools like backlogs, sprints, and burn down charts.
- Adaptability- agile principles allow teams to respond quickly to changing requirements and priorities.
- High demand skills- organizations across Africa increasingly seek professionals who can implement agile and scrum effectively.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand Agile principles, values, and methodologies.
- Apply Scrum framework in real-world projects.
- Facilitate Scrum ceremonies and manage team collaboration.
- Plan sprints, manage backlogs, and deliver incremental value.
- Respond effectively to changing project requirements.
- Prepare and pass Scrum certification exams (PSM/CSM).
- Integrate Agile practices with other project management methodologies.
Course Overview
The Agile & Scrum certification course by Middy Africa School equips professionals across Africa with practical knowledge to deliver projects efficiently using Agile principles and the Scrum framework.
The course is structured in two integrated sections:
- Agile principles – The theory and mindset behind Agile project management.
- Scrum framework – The practical methodology to apply Agile in real projects.
SECTION 1: AGILE PRINCIPLES (THEORY & MINDSET)
Module 1: Introduction to Agile
- Agile history and evolution
- Agile Manifesto and 12 principles
- Benefits of Agile adoption in organizations
Module 2: Agile methodologies overview
- Comparison of predictive (Waterfall) vs. adaptive (Agile) approaches
- Overview of Agile methodologies: Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP
- Selecting the right methodology for your project
Module 3: Agile project planning
- Creating iterative plans and releases
- Prioritizing features using value-driven techniques
- Definition of Done and acceptance criteria
- Managing changing requirements effectively
Module 4: Agile teams and collaboration
- Self-organizing teams and team roles
- Effective communication in Agile projects
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
SECTION 2: SCRUM FRAMEWORK (PRACTICAL APPLICATION)
Module 5: Scrum overview
- Scrum roles- product owner, scrum master, development team
- Scrum artifacts- product backlog, sprint backlog, increment
- Scrum events- sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, sprint retrospective
Module 6: Scrum execution
- Conducting effective daily stand-ups
- Sprint execution and backlog refinement
- Tracking progress with burndown charts and Kanban boards
- Managing impediments and risks
Module 7: Scaling scrum
- Introduction to SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus frameworks
- Applying Scrum principles to multiple teams
- Agile portfolio and program management
Module 8: Scrum certification preparation
- Overview of PSM and CSM exams
- Sample scenario-based questions
- Exam strategies and tips for success
Course Duration
Online training: 7–8 weeks, 3 sessions per week (2 hours per session)
Certification
- Professional Scrum Master (PSM) or Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Middy Africa School certificate of completion
