Planning years in advance: For a long time, this was the norm for many companies. Complex challenges and trends such as digitalization and the Internet of Things have led to a shorter half-life for decisions and knowledge. Traditional planning no longer works. Companies must now deliver results faster and develop new products or services to remain competitive.

One answer to these challenges is agile project management. Agile project management is more than just a method; it changes the mindset toward collaboration at all levels of the company. As an agile project manager, you help position your company for the future and unlock new potential for competitive advantages.

Target Audience

The nationally standardized IHK certificate course in Agile Project Management (IHK) is designed for professionals working in the field of project management who are responsible for specific project areas or serve as project managers. Participation in the Agile Project Management course does not require a specific project focus, such as IT or projects centered on innovation, product development, etc. The IHK Agile Project Management training program is also suitable for career changers and interested individuals who already have some experience in project management and are seeking further insights into topics such as Agile Project Management, Kanban, or Scrum.

Objectives – What will participants learn in the Agile Project Manager (IHK) course?

The Agile Project Management course provides fundamental insights and practical skills needed to effectively apply agile methods in practice as an agile project manager. Additional objectives include enabling participants to effectively apply various concepts and methods from agile project management, such as Scrum or Kanban.

Structure of the Agile Project Manager (IHK) Course

Practical and easy to understand

The Agile Project Manager (IHK) certificate course consists of six modules that build on one another. In each module, you’ll learn more about the benefits of agile project management and how you can successfully plan and execute agile projects within your company.

Depending on the provider, the Agile Project Manager (IHK) continuing education program is offered in various formats, including in-person, fully online (as an Agile Project Management Online Seminar), or as blended learning. Blended learning—a combination of in-person and online phases with tutor support—is increasingly becoming the focus of new training formats. Online phases of blended learning courses can be implemented in particular through virtual classrooms and learning management systems with e-learning elements. By successfully combining these internet-based elements in the certificate program with the traditional method of in-person instruction, optimal conditions for learning success are created.

Module 1 (approx. 16 hours): Basic Understanding of Agility and Project Management

After getting to know your instructors and the other participants, you will receive an overview of the key content and objectives of the IHK Agile Project Management course. To gain an initial understanding of the definition of agile project management, you will discuss your prior knowledge with the other participants and consider the benefits that agile project management offers to companies. To this end, you will also explore the differences between agile and traditional project management and how a company’s agility can be assessed. Building on these insights, you will learn about the basic methods used by agile project managers and how you can use these methods to gradually introduce agility into a company.

Module 2 (approx. 12 hours): The Most Important Agile Methods and Frameworks

In the next module of the agile project management training course, you will learn about the steps involved in a design thinking process and gain a basic understanding of creativity and innovation techniques that you can use as an agile project manager to find solutions and optimize processes. To this end, you’ll gain insight into the phases and mindset behind Design Thinking, a creative method for solving project tasks.

You’ll also understand the basic functions of Kanban, the rules for its successful implementation, and learn how to create your own Kanban board as an agile project manager and use Kanban for agile project management for individual and team tasks. You will understand the WIP (Work in Progress) limit in Kanban and know the levers for optimizing the workflow.

At the end of the second module of the Agile Project Manager training, you will learn what Scrum is and what roles agile project management requires. In a further overview, you will also combine Kanban with other agile methods, such as Scrumban.

Module 3 (approx. 12 hours): Agile Project Management in Practice – Part 1

In the third module of the Agile Project Manager (IHK) course, you will once again explore the differences between agile and traditional project management, this time focusing on how you, as an agile project manager, can determine which methodology is best suited for which tasks.

You will understand the challenges that arise when applying agile project management in a traditional corporate environment and where the opportunities and limitations of this approach lie.

You’ll also learn more about the necessary planning and reporting in agile project management and become familiar with adaptive planning models to align them with budget and resource planning. Additionally, you’ll examine the myths surrounding agility and complete practical exercises, such as leading agile meetings.

Module 4 (approx. 12 hours): Agile Project Management in Practice – Part 2

In the fourth module of the Agile Project Management course, you will continue to gain insights into practical application by practicing how to use typical Agile project management tools and understanding the roles involved in Agile project management.

To this end, you will practice agile estimation methods for effort estimation and prioritization and learn the difference between lessons learned and retrospectives. As an agile project manager, you will understand continuous quality improvement as a core principle of agile project management.

To achieve these improvements in project work, you will learn how to plan and conduct the retrospectives introduced to you earlier in the Agile Project Management seminar. Additionally, you will assess your company’s suitability for agile methods and derive meaningful hybrid approaches from this assessment. These include agile methods that still operate within the boundaries of traditional corporate environments.

Agile project management, agility, and Scrum in a traditional project environment require special responsibility and communication. In this section of the Agile Project Management (IHK) training program, you will also learn how to address such challenges as an agile project manager, using practical examples and simulations such as the use of agile project management tools like JIRA.

Module 5 (approx. 12 hours): Success Factors in Project Management

In the penultimate module of the Agile Project Management certification, you will learn how, as a project manager, you can actively promote self-organization within the team and implement feedback as a core principle of a culture of learning from mistakes.

To this end, as an agile project manager, you will understand that communication and collaboration are key success factors for the team and all stakeholders involved. The Agile Project Management seminar will show you how to integrate Lean Startup as an iterative product development approach and derive its implications for project management. You will also learn how to use the Canvas for project visualization.

Finally, you will understand the additional success factor of “communication” by creating transparency through unbiased communication as an agile project manager, selecting the right media, and fostering dialogue through engaging communication.

Module 6 (approx. 8 hours): Course-based IHK certification

To complete the course and obtain Agile Project Management certification, you will develop a plan for introducing agile project management and agile methodologies in your company. As part of a final project, you will demonstrate that you have mastered the various methods used by an agile project manager and can apply the content from the learning modules in a real-world business setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits for my company?

Build new expertise quickly and in line with your needs

Provide targeted training for your own specialists and managers who are familiar with the company, and deploy them as innovators and change agents, rather than having to rely on external experts

Return on your “investment in education” is often achieved through the company-specific thesis alone

Strengthen employee retention

What are the benefits for me as a specialist or manager?

Expand and deepen your own skill set with a manageable time commitment

Gain practical, professional, and personal insights to advance your career

Seize opportunities within the company and bring new ideas to the organization or your area of responsibility

Applying the learned content specifically to your own company or area of responsibility—either during the course or through your final thesis—promotes skill development

A recognized and valuable IHK certificate as an additional qualification

What are the benefits for me as a college graduate or someone just starting their career?

Quick and practical acquisition of specialized skills in key future-oriented business areas

Better opportunities when entering the workforce

A wider range of job opportunities

What is agile project management?

Agile project management is an approach that originated in software development and is characterized by a high degree of flexibility. Unlike traditional project management, agile project management divides a project into short segments and focuses on these segments (usually called cycles or sprints) rather than on the entire project. You can find more about agile project management and agile organization in our “Good to Know” blog.

What is Scrum in agile project management?

In agile project management, Scrum is a framework for carrying out projects. Within this framework, an agile project manager assigns various roles to all team members involved in the project and assigns them specific tasks.

What is meant by agility in project management?

Agility in project management refers not only to specific methods but also to a particular mindset that emphasizes flexibility and openness to change. An agile leader often takes the lead in this transformation, guiding companies and organizations toward an agile mindset.

What does an agile project manager do?

As an agile project manager, you don’t just execute agile projects, as you’ll learn in the individual modules of our Agile Project Manager training and certification program. You’ll also be able to conduct agile project management coaching or training within your company to help other employees adopt an agile mindset.

What does an agile project plan look like?

In an agile project plan, the individual components of a project are divided into different agile project management phases. Each phase is carefully planned, executed, and then evaluated to ensure continuous progress and enable timely adjustments. This allows your team to respond flexibly to changes and continuously improve the project.

For which projects is agile project management suitable?

Agile project management is well-suited for projects that appear very complex at first glance, such as software or product development. With the help of agile methods (such as Scrum), the complexity of such projects can be reduced and broken down into individual phases. This makes it possible to complete individual sections and tasks of a project more quickly.

Agiler Projektmanager (IHK) – conducted in english

Effectively Manage and Implement Projects