DSDM Trainer-Coach Candidate Guidelines Version Jan-16 I help others to do it right
1 INTRODUCTION... 3 2 CERTIFICATION OF DSDM TRAINER-COACHES I HELP OTHERS TO DO IT RIGHT... 4 2.1 GENERAL... 4 2.2 DSDM VERSION AND EXAMINABLE TOPICS... 4 2.3 THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING DSDM TRAINER-COACH CERTIFICATION... 4 3 DSDM TRAINER-COACH - STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE... 5 3.1 MEET ENTRY CRITERIA... 5 3.2 SUBMIT APPLICATION FORM TO DSDM CONSORTIUM... 5 3.3 DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO SHARE ACCURATE, ON-MESSAGE DSDM KNOWLEDGE ORAL EXAM... 5 3.3.1 The Oral Examination Process... 6 3.3.2 DSDM Trainer-Coach Registration... 6 4 TRAINER-COACH RE-CERTIFICATION... 7 4.1 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA AUDIT OF TRAINING DELIVERY... 7 4.2 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA MASTERCLASS ATTENDANCE EVERY 3 YEARS... 7 4.3 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA EXAM RE-SIT (LAPSED TRAINER-COACH)... 7 4.4 RE-CERTIFICATION VIA EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES... 7 4.5 RE-CERTIFIED DSDM TRAINER-COACHES... 7 5 ADDITIONAL ORAL EXAM GUIDANCE FOR DSDM TRAINER-COACH CANDIDATES... 8 5.1 DSDM TRAINER-COACH ORAL EXAMINATION... 8 5.2 THE RATIONALE UNDERPINNING THE TRAINER-COACH ORAL EXAMINATION... 8 6 CONTACT INFORMATION...10 APPENDIX A DSDM TRAINER-COACH EXAM FOCUS...11 VERSION : AGILE PROJECT FRAMEWORK...11 A.1 OBJECTIVE... 11 A.2 FOCUS FOR THE EXAM... 11 A.2.1 Topic Areas... 11 DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 2 of 12 Nov-16
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Objective The DSDM training, coaching, accreditation and certification process aims to provide the industry with high calibre professional staff, trained and qualified to perform effectively on DSDM projects. DSDM, as used in this guide, applies to The following provide a role-specific focus of DSDM - the current version of DSDM June 2014 onwards - Focusing on DSDM from the perspective of the Project Manager Agile Project Management (AgilePM) is based on DSDM - Focusing on DSDM from the perspective of the Business Analyst Agile Business Analysis (AgileBA) is based on DSDM Please note: The basis for DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach is the DSDM Agile Project Framework The DSDM Consortium maintains a list of accredited training organisations (ATOs), accredited DSDM / AgilePM Implementation Partners (AIPs), accredited DSDM training courses, and certified DSDM Agile individuals :- Professionals, Trainer-Coaches, Examiners and Consultants. APMG-International accredits training organisations to deliver AgilePM, AgileBA and AgilePgM accredited training courses and awards certificates to successful ATOs APMG-International manages AgilePM, AgileBA and AgilePgM written exams (Foundation and Practitioner) and issues certificates to successful candidates. The Agile Business Consortium accredits DSDM / AgilePM Accredited Implementation Partners (AIPs). APMG-International has endorsed the DSDM Consortium accreditation procedures. DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 3 of 12 Nov-16
2 CERTIFICATION OF DSDM TRAINER-COACHES I help others to do it right 2.1 General All DSDM certifications are experience-based, as we believe that it is the personal experience of using DSDM that allows people to fully understand DSDM and to pass on that understanding. 2.2 DSDM Version and Examinable Topics DSDM Trainer-Coach exams are based on the DSDM Agile Project Framework Handbook [current version of DSDM, June 2014 onwards] The base for the DSDM Trainer-Coach oral exam is Outlined in Appendix A in this document o the subject areas for the certification Detailed in full in the Handbook. 2.3 The process for achieving DSDM Trainer-Coach certification Entry Criteria Before Applying Be a certified DSDM Agile Professional (any version of DSDM) o This was previously called DSDM Advanced Practitioner Have at least 2 years practical DSDM experience Have experience of delivering training sessions Have experience of coaching DSDM (teams and/or individuals) o At least two x 3 months spells of coaching DSDM Step 2 Apply to DSDM Consortium Submit Application form to DSDM Consortium Step 3 Prove your ability to provide accurate and on-message DSDM knowledge Attend an oral exam to answer questions on pure DSDM theory, showing how you will put this information across to others, supported by your own experiences o Using the DSDM Handbook as the basis for your exam revision DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 4 of 12 Nov-16
3 DSDM TRAINER-COACH - Step by Step Guidance 3.1 Meet Entry Criteria All DSDM Trainer-Coaches must have previously passed Level 3 - the DSDM Agile Professional certification (previously called Advanced Practitioner) - which will have demonstrated their personal experience of DSDM / Agile and their basic understanding of DSDM theory and its practical application. Applicants are also expected to have practical experience of putting across DSDM theory, using both a training style and a coaching style, and ensuring the desired understanding has been achieved. Training style is typically presenting a DSDM concept, ensuring the desired understanding is achieved. Coaching style is typically responding to a specific problem situation, identifying and then sharing knowledge on how DSDM can be used to address the problem. 3.2 Submit Application Form to DSDM Consortium Please apply to the DSDM Consortium by submitting (preferably electronically): 1. A completed application form (forms are available to download from the DSDM website). a. Please include a brief summary of your experience of delivering training sessions and coaching b. Please also include some (limited) information on your experience of DSDM / Agile. 3.3 Demonstrate ability to share accurate, on-message DSDM knowledge Oral Exam Provided you have the appropriate entry criteria, you will be invited to attend an oral exam. The objective of the DSDM Trainer-Coach oral examination is to assess your ability to put across accurate DSDM knowledge, spontaneously and without reference to pre-prepared materials, and to back this up with experiencedbased examples, using a Training style or a coaching style The style of answer will depend on the examiner s questions. E.g. If a team is having x problem.. suggests Coaching style, whereas You are running a short session on x.. suggests Training style. A Trainer-Coach candidate is expected to demonstrate the following: The ability to explain DSDM concepts accurately and clearly, without reference to notes, slides or manuals. The scope of questioning during the oral exam will relate directly to the Agile Project Framework Handbook. The ability and willingness to use practical examples from their own practical DSDM project experience to relate DSDM theory to DSDM in practice. The ability to resolve misunderstandings of DSDM concepts. The ability to sell the concept and benefits of DSDM. The ability to assess a delegates understanding of DSDM. The purpose of the DSDM Trainer-Coach oral exam is to confirm the ability to put across accurate DSDM knowledge, spontaneously, without reference to pre-prepared materials and to back this up with experiencedbased examples. DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 5 of 12 Nov-16
3.3.1 The Oral Examination Process The oral examination lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, and is carried out by two independent DSDM Examiners. All oral examinations are digitally recorded as part of the standard DSDM quality procedures. The DSDM Consortium reserves the right to place an observer at the oral examination. However please note, the observer s role is to assess the examiners, NOT to assess you. At the end of the oral examination, you will be asked to wait outside the exam room for a short time, whilst the examiners make their decision. You will then be informed of the outcome and get a signed form confirming the result. The 2 possible results following the Trainer-Coach Oral exam are Pass or Defer. Pass Successful DSDM Trainer-Coach If you have met the required standard, within a few weeks, the DSDM Consortium will send you your DSDM Trainer-Coach certificate. You can also ask for your name to be added to the DSDM website list of certified DSDM Professionals. Time permitting, you will also have an opportunity to get feedback from the examiners. As a certified DSDM Trainer-Coach: You can now deliver DSDM accredited training courses You can now also deliver APMG accredited AgilePM Practitioner training courses. Defer Unsuccessful this time If you have not met the required standard on this occasion, you will be offered the option to get verbal feedback on the exam. All deferred candidates will be sent an electronic copy of their feedback, regardless of whether or not it has already been given verbally. An exam resit incurs an additional fee (see DSDM web site for details of exam charges). In the event of a candidate cancelling the examination, the full examination fee is payable. Additional useful information on the Oral exam is available for download from the DSDM web site. http://www.dsdm.org/get-educated/qualifications/dsdm-trainer-coach-certification 3.3.2 DSDM Trainer-Coach Registration The DSDM Consortium enrols successful DSDM Trainer-Coaches on the DSDM List of Certified Trainer-Coaches. Certified Trainer-Coaches may also choose to have their name published on the Consortium website page for DSDM Certified Trainer-Coaches. DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 6 of 12 Nov-16
4 TRAINER-COACH RE-CERTIFICATION The initial DSDM Trainer-Coach certificate is issued for three years from the date of the oral examination. After three years, you must renew your certification. This is to ensure your knowledge of DSDM is kept up to date and reflects the current thinking. 4.1 Re-certification via Audit of Training Delivery If a Training Course audit takes place, a Trainer-Coach who is assessed as satisfactory will be given automatic renewal of their Trainer-Coach certificate for 3 years, from the date of the audit. There is no charge for a Trainer- Coaches being renewed during audit. 4.2 Re-certification via Masterclass Attendance every 3 years Trainer-Coaches who have not been audited within the three year period must attend a DSDM Masterclass day before their certification expires in order to maintain their certified status. All Trainer-Coaches are welcome to attend the Masterclass event each year, if they choose. Masterclass events are held annually, usually around the time of the Agile Business Conference. In general, there may be a nominal charge for attending a Masterclass event, but this is waived where facilities can be organised free of charge. For further information please contact the DSDM Consortium. 4.3 Re-certification via Exam Re-sit (Lapsed Trainer-Coach) Where Trainer-Coach certification has lapsed, because the 3 year deadline has passed, it will be necessary to reapply and re-take the DSDM Trainer-Coach examination. For further information contact the DSDM Consortium. A lapsed DSDM Trainer-Coach must not state they are a DSDM Trainer-Coach, either on their cv or to Training organisations. 4.4 Re-certification via Exceptional Circumstances In exceptional circumstances, an accredited DSDM Trainer-Coach who cannot attend a Masterclass in the foreseeable future may be permitted to maintain their accreditation via an alternative route. An example of exceptional circumstances is a DSDM Trainer-Coach living and working outside Europe, who is introducing DSDM into an area where no DSDM administrative support exists. Each exceptional circumstances case should make a formal submission to the DSDM Consortium. A decision will be made on a case by case basis by the Training and Accreditation Panel, and an appropriate alternative to Masterclass attendance put forward, to offer another way of allowing the DSDM Trainer-Coach to demonstrate their accurate and still-current DSDM knowledge. 4.5 Re-certified DSDM Trainer-Coaches There is a nominal charge for issuing a new Trainer-Coach certificate. DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 7 of 12 Nov-16
5 Additional Oral Exam Guidance for DSDM Trainer-Coach Candidates 5.1 DSDM Trainer-Coach Oral Examination You should be prepared to describe, answer questions and run a mini training session or coaching session on each DSDM topic requested by the examiners. The DSDM topic areas are shown in the Appendix in this document. The Agile Project Framework Handbook provides full details. During the oral exam, you are expected spontaneously to use real-life DSDM examples to illustrate DSDM theory. (This should happen without prompting from the examiners, since this is the style of training and coaching needed to put across DSDM effectively.) During the exam, you will be expected to use the whiteboard / flip charts provided as necessary, for better demonstration of your training / coaching abilities and to illustrate concepts. You may not bring any pre-prepared materials into the exam, or consult the DSDM Handbook or any other manuals, books, slides or notes. The DSDM Trainer-Coach examination is candidate led. This means the onus is on you to demonstrate your ability and to use practical examples and/or analogies, without prompting from the examiners. During the exam, examiners may describe typical training scenarios (example If you were running a course where <problem> how would you? ), or set questions based on real delegate questions or roles (example If I were the <role> how would you convince me that..?. typical coaching scenarios (example If a team is having <x problem>, how would you? However, examiners will not use role play or attempt to trick, sidetrack or mislead you. 5.2 The Rationale Underpinning the Trainer-Coach Oral Examination Although training delivery in the real world is generally supported by slides, and coaching may be supported by reference to DSDM materials such as the Handbook, nevertheless a DSDM Trainer-Coach is expected to know their DSDM without needing to rely on pre-prepared slides or other materials. There are several reasons behind this: When course delegates ask questions or ask for clarification, the appropriate slide will not always be the one on display. A good trainer needs to be able to explain from his/her knowledge. S/he will also need to expand beyond what is summarised on a slide, fluently and without reference to written material. When a team or an individual is hitting problems, a good coach builds credibility by being able to apply their DSDM knowledge, fluently and without immediate reference to the Handbook To be effective, DSDM training and coaching must be related back to real DSDM project experience. To be credible, the DSDM Trainer-Coach must be able to switch between DSDM practical examples and accurate DSDM theory. Running DSDM training is much more than working through a series of slides. DSDM Coaching is much more than reading from the Handbook. Remember, on a training course, this may be the person s or the DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 8 of 12 Nov-16
organisation s first contact with DSDM. On a project, the influence of the coach may have a positive (or negative) effect on the credibility of DSDM. This means the DSDM Trainer-Coach is the ambassador for DSDM, and therefore his/her knowledge of DSDM needs to be detailed and accurate. Frequently discussions, problems, explanations or even detailed project scenarios are raised away from the working area or classroom (the round the coffee machine scenario). It is vital that the DSDM Trainer- Coach can talk through problems, propose solutions etc. without the aid of props, slides or the Handbook. If the information given is inaccurate, or the Trainer-Trainer does not know the answer without looking it up first, the Trainer-Coach loses all credibility, and DSDM may lose credibility with the organisation. Following on from training or coaching, delegates will hopefully be going for personal DSDM certification. Their knowledge of DSDM, gained from the Trainer-Coach, will be tested. It must therefore be accurate, and clearly explained. Misunderstandings must be picked up and corrected before the end of training or during coaching. Otherwise, in the case of a candidate later failing a DSDM exam, sub-standard or inaccurate training or coaching could potentially become the basis of an appeal. Once a DSDM Trainer-Coach is accredited, s/he may be called upon to run any accredited training. Therefore during the oral exam s/he needs to demonstrate knowledge in all the syllabus areas as described in the Appendices. DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 9 of 12 Nov-16
6 CONTACT INFORMATION Please contact the Agile Business Consortium for any further information on DSDM personal Certification. For information of Accredited Training and Accredited Training Organisaions, either contact the Agile Business Consortium (for DSDM) or the APM Group (for AgilePM or AgileBA). All queries and applications should also be made to the following addresses: Agile Business Consortium International House Dover Place Ashford Kent TN23 1HU Tel: +44 (0)1233 611152 Web : www.agilebusiness.org Email: info@agilebusiness.org The APM Group Limited Sword House Totteridge Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6DG Tel: +44 (0) 1494 452 450 Fax: +44 (0) 1494 459 559 Web: www.apmgroup.co.uk Email: servicedesk@apmgroup.co.uk DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 10 of 12 Nov-16
APPENDIX A DSDM TRAINER-COACH EXAM FOCUS Version : Agile Project Framework A.1 Objective The DSDM Trainer-Coach certification confirms that an individual has demonstrated the appropriate level of knowledge of DSDM, both the theory and the practical application of the theory, so that they can give accurate and on-message DSDM information to others, typically via training, coaching and discussion. Successful candidates have demonstrated a detailed understanding of all the component parts of DSDM, how they work together to support DSDM as a whole, and how these concepts are made real through practical working examples of DSDM in practice. A.2 Focus for the Exam Candidates are not expected to learn the whole Agile Project Framework Handbook but should be able to demonstrate that they can explain DSDM and how it works to others. A.2.1 Topic Areas Candidates should be able to explain accurately the following topics The Philosophy and Fundamentals of DSDM * The DSDM Philosophy * The composition of DSDM * Project Variables * Positioning of DSDM within Agile The DSDM Principles Preparing for DSDM Success * The Instrumental Success Factors The DSDM Process * The Lifecycle Phases The DSDM People * DSDM Roles and Responsibilities * DSDM Team Model * DSDM Roles Categories * DSDM Roles Areas of Interest The DSDM Products * DSDM Products through the Lifecycle * Evolutionary, Milestone and Governance products DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 11 of 12 Nov-16
DSDM Practice Workshops * Benefits * Roles * Activities * DSDM Practice - MoSCoW Prioritisation * MoSCoW Rules * Effective Prioritisation * Balancing Priorities DSDM Practice - Iterative Development * Planning Iterative Development Requirement / Solution Focus * Control and Quality DSDM Practice Modelling * Why model? * Modelling perspectives DSDM Practice Timeboxing * DSDM Structured Timebox, steps and effort * Free Format Timebox * Daily Stand-up * Timeboxes the wider context People, Teams and Interactions * Understanding of making this effective Requirements and User Stories * Understanding of User Stories Project Planning and Control * Planning * Handling change * Quality * Testing Concepts Tailoring the DSDM Approach * General understanding of how Project Approach Questionnaire impacts how DSDM is applied to a project DSDM Agile Trainer-Coach Guidelines Page 12 of 12 Nov-16