Scrum Alliance and Northwestern Will Help You Spark Change

At Scrum Alliance, we believe in expanding the benefits of agility to anyone, in any role. That's why we've partnered with Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies to create a new suite of on-demand microcredential courses. These courses are designed to support real-world application and long-term growth, offering a flexible and accessible way to strengthen the adaptable, responsive skills that matter most in today's workplaces.

Why these courses?

Work today looks different than it did even a year ago. Teams face shifting priorities, growing complexity, and the need to respond to change quickly and thoughtfully. Agile skills offer a straightforward, values-based approach to moving forward.

These new courses were created to support individuals navigating uncertainty, managing cross-functional efforts, or seeking to enhance their effectiveness in collaboration and delivering results. Whether you're leading a team or contributing to one, you'll gain tools that help you respond with clarity and lead with purpose.

"Agility is no longer just a buzzword; it's the key to thriving in today's volatile, fast-moving business world," said Tristan Boutros, CEO of Scrum Alliance. "This partnership with Northwestern University allows us to deliver actionable skills that go beyond theory. These are concrete skills that help professionals mobilize strategy, drive measurable bottom-line results and mitigate risk. Whether it's managing projects more effectively, leveraging AI advancements or responding to shifts in the market, agility is essential for today's leaders who need to act fast, think ahead and lead with impact."

The details

The courses are currently in development and are scheduled to be released in the summer of 2025.

Each self-paced, on-demand course will take between three to five hours to complete and will be filled with hands-on learning, real-world examples, and opportunities to practice new techniques. You'll be able to complete them at your convenience and revisit the content as needed.

The courses are:

Agile Stakeholder Engagement

Launching July 2025
Effective stakeholder communication is crucial for product owners and scrum masters to ensure project alignment, build relationships, and maintain engagement throughout the agile process. This course will explain best practices for communication between agile and traditional projects while identifying and prioritizing stakeholders' communication needs.

Agile Change Management

Launching August 2025
Whether your organization is just beginning its agile transformation or is further along, it's crucial to help your team quickly adapt. This course addresses common obstacles teams face during agile transitions and offers change management strategies to overcome resistance. 

Mastering Hybrid Agile

Launching September 2025
This course helps teams—remote, hybrid, and in-person—optimize collaboration and tackle the challenges of distributed work. Participants will explore agile practices to enhance communication, streamline teamwork, and overcome common hurdles in hybrid environments, ensuring success on any project.

Courses built for real life

These microcredential courses are designed for working professionals who want flexibility and practical application. You'll walk away with ideas and tools that you can apply immediately, whether you are managing a project, guiding a team, or learning how to contribute more effectively.

"SPS is committed to offering high-quality, flexible, and accessible educational programs that advance the careers of working professionals," said Erica Wilke Bova, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, Professional Education Programs. "This partnership enables us to create contemporary curricula in an innovative format that meets the workforce needs of Scrum Alliance's network."

Enhance your skills today

These courses are for professionals who want to approach work with more adaptability, collaboration, and impact. You don't need a specific title to benefit from learning agile practices, just the desire to keep growing.

Subscribe to our email updates to be the first to find out when these courses launch this summer!