Introduction

In today's complex and diverse work environments, a one-size-fits-all approach to agility is no longer sufficient. The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification is designed for professionals who need the flexibility to choose their agile path, not just follow a single framework. This comprehensive training program provides you with the foundational knowledge of agile and lean principles, combined with the practical skills to apply the Disciplined Agile (DA) toolkit. You'll learn how to combine strategies from various agile methods to find the best way of working for your team and organization.

This 10-day immersive course moves beyond the theoretical, offering a pragmatic approach to team-level agility. You will explore a wide range of agile practices and learn how to make intelligent, context-sensitive decisions for your projects. From understanding core Scrum to incorporating concepts from Lean, Kanban, and more, you will emerge with a holistic and adaptable mindset. By the end of this program, you will not only be prepared for the DASM exam but also be equipped to guide your team in optimizing its processes for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Project managers
• Team leads
• Business analysts
• IT professionals
• Developers
• QA testers
• Product owners
• Aspiring Scrum Masters
• Managers and executives
• Anyone interested in agile methodologies

Objectives

• Understand the foundational principles of Disciplined Agile.
• Learn the core concepts of Scrum and how they fit into the DA toolkit.
• Explore a variety of agile and lean techniques and how to apply them.
• Make informed, context-driven decisions about a team's way of working.
• Understand the DASM mindset, principles, and promises.
• Facilitate a team's process improvement journey.
• Learn to lead an agile team and create a psychological safe environment.
• Gain expertise in using the DA toolkit to solve common challenges.
• Prepare thoroughly for the DASM certification assessment.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Agile and Scrum

• A review of the Agile Manifesto and its principles.
• The Scrum framework: roles, artifacts, and events.
• The importance of iterative and incremental development.
• How Scrum and DA are complementary.
• The Scrum values and their role in team culture.

Module 2: Introduction to Disciplined Agile

• The history and origins of Disciplined Agile.
• The DA mindset: people-first, context-driven, and pragmatic.
• DA Principles: Embrace change, Delight customers, Be awesome.
• The DA Promises: Create value, Be proactive, Have fun.
• The DA toolkit and its flexible nature.

Module 3: The DA Scrum Master Role

• The DASM as a team leader and a change agent.
• Guiding a team to choose its own way of working.
• Distinguishing between the DASM and other agile roles.
• The DASM's role in governance and enterprise alignment.
• How to use the DA toolkit to improve team practices.

Module 4: The DA Mindset

• The importance of pragmatism over purity.
• How to be an enterprise aware team member.
• The value of continuous improvement.
• The power of choice and a flexible approach.
• Being an awesome team member.

Module 5: The Disciplined Agile Toolkit

• An overview of the DA process goals.
• Exploring the DA tool kit's process diagrams.
• How to navigate the options within the tool kit.
• The importance of tailoring a process to your context.
• Using the toolkit for continuous process improvement.

Module 6: Initiating a Team

• Forming a new team and identifying team members.
• Initializing the project with stakeholders.
• Defining the team's initial way of working.
• Establishing the Definition of Done.
• Setting up the team's physical and digital environment.

Module 7: The Construction Lifecycles

• The differences between the Scrum and Lean lifecycles.
• The Exploratory and Continuous Delivery lifecycles.
• Choosing the right lifecycle for your project.
• The importance of process tailoring.
• When to switch from one lifecycle to another.

Module 8: The DA Scrum-Based Lifecycle

• The DA team's typical sprint-based workflow.
• The various stages of the Scrum-based lifecycle.
• How to optimize the backlog for a DA team.
• The role of the DASM in facilitating this lifecycle.
• Using the DA toolkit to tailor the lifecycle.

Module 9: The DA Lean-Based Lifecycle

• The principles of Lean and how they apply to agile teams.
• The DA team's continuous flow-based workflow.
• Understanding work-in-progress (WIP) limits.
• How to optimize a flow-based system.
• The DASM's role in facilitating this lifecycle.

Module 10: Disciplined Agile DevOps

• An introduction to the core concepts of DevOps.
• The role of the DASM in promoting DevOps practices.
• How DA supports a DevOps culture.
• Integrating testing and operations into the team's workflow.
• The importance of continuous integration and continuous delivery.

Module 11: Disciplined Agile Governance

• How DA teams fit into a larger enterprise.
• The role of the DASM in enterprise awareness.
• Understanding common governance practices.
• How to provide transparency to stakeholders and management.
• The importance of clear communication and reporting.

Module 12: Agile Metrics and Measurement

• How to measure team performance in a DA context.
• The use of objective and subjective metrics.
• Understanding and using burn-down and burn-up charts.
• The importance of leading indicators and lagging indicators.
• Using metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Module 13: Overcoming Common Challenges

• Dealing with organizational resistance to change.
• Handling external pressures and demands.
• Managing distributed or remote teams.
• The role of the DASM in a multi-team environment.
• The importance of a supportive team culture.

Module 14: The DASM as a Coach and Leader

• Coaching the team to make better decisions.
• Guiding the team in selecting their way of working.
• The importance of creating a learning organization.
• How to mentor team members on agile principles.
• Developing your personal leadership style.

Module 15: DASM Certification Prep

• A comprehensive review of all key DASM topics.
• Strategies for passing the DASM exam.
• Practice questions and simulated exams.
• Understanding the scoring and pass requirements.
• Key takeaways and final review.

Module 16: Your Agile Journey

• Creating a personal development plan as a DASM.
• The importance of continuous learning.
• The value of a professional network.
• Exploring advanced DA certifications.
• Building a career in agile leadership.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.