So you replace the Scrum Master with and Agile Coach who’ll end up doing the same thing a Scrum

While both an Agile Coach and a Scrum Master share some similarities in their roles, they have distinct focuses and responsibilities within an agile framework like Scrum. It's important to understand the differences between these roles to effectively utilize their expertise.

1. Scrum Master:

- The Scrum Master is a role specific to the Scrum framework. They primarily focus on facilitating the Scrum process and ensuring that the Scrum team adheres to Scrum practices and values.

- Their responsibilities include organizing and leading Scrum events (such as Daily Standup, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective), removing obstacles that hinder the team's progress, and helping the team to continuously improve.

- The Scrum Master acts as a servant-leader to the team, ensuring that the team remains self-organized and empowered.

2. Agile Coach:

- An Agile Coach has a broader scope and is not tied to a specific framework like Scrum. They work with teams, individuals, and organizations to foster an agile mindset and practices.

- Agile Coaches help teams adopt and adapt agile principles and practices beyond just Scrum. They may work with various agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, XP, etc.) or even hybrid approaches tailored to the organization's needs.

- Their focus goes beyond facilitating ceremonies; they also assist in improving team dynamics, communication, collaboration, and organizational culture.

- Agile Coaches may work at different levels within an organization, from coaching individual teams to guiding leadership in aligning their strategies with agile principles.

In some cases, organizations might choose to transition from having a dedicated Scrum Master to having Agile Coaches for various reasons, such as wanting to promote agile practices beyond a single team or to address broader organizational challenges. However, it's not necessarily a one-to-one replacement, as Agile Coaches typically engage with multiple teams and levels within the organization to create a more holistic agile transformation.

It's worth noting that while there is overlap between the roles, Agile Coaches often provide a higher level of strategic guidance and organizational change management compared to the more hands-on facilitation role of a Scrum Master within a specific Scrum team.

What is ICP-ACC?

Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC) is one of the top most certificate for Agile Coaches in the IT industry. It's a certificate awarded to Agile coaches for their understanding of Agile philosophy and Coaching.

Who provides the ICP-ACC certificate?

ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC) is a certification program offered by International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile). International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) is a community-driven organization that consists of pioneers, experts, and trusted advisors. ICAgile is not just another certification body. Learn more about ICAgile here.

ICAgile Certified Agile Coach (ICPACC) is one among the top recognized Agile Coach certifications. The course curriculum is designed by Lyssa Adkins who is the author of the book, Coaching Agile Teams. It is the most preferred certificate in the industry in terms of Agile Coaching. Having Certified Agile Coach certification increases the chances of you landing on an Agile Coach job.

ICAgile does not have exams as such but they rely on the trainers for validating the participant’s learning. Leanpitch have subjective assessments and real time coaching assignments to validate participant’s learning.

What is the eligibility to take ICP-ACC Certification?

There is no requirement for years of experience to attend the workshop. However, generally, the industry expects Agile Coaches to have at least 10 years of experience in the industry to hire as Agile Coach.

What is the validity of the ICP-ACC Certificate?

ICPACC certification is valid for life from the date of attaining the certificate. ICAgile certificates have lifelong validity and never have to be renewed again.

Agile Coaching Certification workshop by Leanpitch provide not just learning but also opportunities to practice real coaching during the ICPACC Certification workshop. We also offer opportunities for aspirants to practice coaching by providing free meetups, webinars, articles, videos, crash courses, etc. For aspiring coaches, the Agile Coach Certification workshop provides.