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Competence: Building Mastery to Drive Agile and DevOps Excellence

Building the skills, knowledge, and judgement required for professional mastery, continuous improvement, and effective value delivery.

Competence is a first principle that demands continuous development and demonstrable capability. It is the foundation of professionalism—without it, there can be no trust, no quality, and no real progress.

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https://nkdagility.com/resources/competence/
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Related Blog
The Evolution of Agile Learning: Insights from Scrum.org's Webinar Evolution not Transformation: This is the Inevitability of change I spell it as Favourite and you as Favorite
Related Videos
Unlocking Unrealised Value: The Key to Elevating Your Product Development Strategy Empowering Leadership: Driving Cultural Change for Agile Success Where Agile Went Wrong: Understanding the Competence Crisis
Related Signals
Understanding Blocked Columns and Stalled Work in Project Boards Deploying Windows OS Directly to Production: Then vs Now Not all delays are the same
Related Guides
Detecting Agile BS Investing for Business Agility - Using evidence-based portfolio management to achieve better business outcomes Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams
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Overview

Competence is the foundation for professional effectiveness. It requires individuals and organisations to actively develop, demonstrate, and apply the skills, knowledge, and judgement necessary to deliver quality outcomes. Without competence, no framework, process, or tool can succeed.

Competence as a first principle demands continuous learning, deliberate practice, and a commitment to mastery. It is not assumed. It must be earned, inspected, and adapted over time. It’s what separates performative activity from real progress.

If you can’t execute with competence, you’re gambling with quality, trust, and value delivery. Every decision, every action, every commitment must be grounded in the capability to follow through with professionalism and expertise.

Learn More about Competence

Blog

There Is No Such Thing as a "Junior" Scrum Master

Argues that the Scrum Master role requires proven mastery and real-world experience, not entry-level skills or certifications, and should be earned within the team, not assigned.
Competence : 98% Find out More
Tags

Scrum Master

The Scrum Master is an accountability in Scrum, responsible for enabling the effectiveness of the Scrum Team and fostering continuous improvement across the organisation.
See all 97
Signals

A two-day Scrum Master certification doesn’t make you a Scrum Master

Practical experience is essential for effective Scrum Masters; certification alone is insufficient. True expertise comes from guiding teams, solving challenges, and delivering value.
Competence : 93% Find out More
Signals

Scrum Masters are not glorified meeting schedulers

Scrum Masters must have technical and business expertise to guide teams, improve code quality, and drive real agility—not just schedule meetings. Coding skills are essential.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Tags

Definition of Done

Getting Started with the Definition of Done (DoD). Every team should define what is required, what criteria must be met, for a product increment to be considered releasable.
See all 22
Blog

Why Most Scrum Masters Are Failing and What They Should Know

Many Scrum Masters lack core Scrum knowledge and technical skills, leading to poor team support. Learn key competencies needed for effective, measurable impact.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Videos

Where Agile Went Wrong: Understanding the Competence Crisis

Explores how early assumptions about competence led to Agile’s current skills gap, highlighting the need for continuous learning, better hiring, and deeper expertise in teams.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Signals

The fastest way to cripple a Scrum Team? Hire the wrong Scrum Master

Hiring an unqualified Scrum Master limits team growth, reduces agility, and hinders value delivery. Effective Scrum Masters drive change, coaching, and business alignment.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Videos

The Competence Crisis in Scrum Master Roles: A Call for Excellence

Many Scrum Masters lack essential skills and experience, leading to poor agile outcomes. True competence requires deep knowledge, practical experience, and ongoing learning.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Signals

Too many Scrum Masters believe they don’t need technical skills

Highlights the importance of technical knowledge for Scrum Masters, arguing that understanding team-specific skills is essential to effectively support and enable their teams.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Videos

Focusing Beyond "Agile": Building True Capability in Organizations

Explores why building organisational capability, competence, and continuous learning is more effective than focusing solely on Agile roles, frameworks, or labels.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Signals

Key Skills Scrum Masters Need: Technical, Business, Organisational

Scrum Masters need technical, business, and organisational skills to guide teams, remove obstacles, drive value, and lead effective agile transformation.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Videos

The Importance of Competence in Organizations: Building a Culture of Learning and Growth

Explores how fostering competence, continuous learning, and well-being in organisations leads to happier teams, better products, and sustainable growth.
Competence : 92% Find out More
Tags

Mentoring

Guidance and coaching for agile professionals and leadership.
See all 8
Signals

Would you hire a Junior CISO? A Junior Financial Director

Scrum Masters require proven expertise, not entry-level skills. Hiring juniors in this role risks team performance and agile success; experience is essential for effective leadership.
Competence : 91% Find out More
Blog

Definition of Done - Objective vs Subjective

Explains the difference between subjective goals and the objective Definition of Done in Scrum, highlighting how clear, measurable criteria ensure consistent product quality.
Competence : 90% Find out More
Signals

Executives want predictability

Lack of a clear, enforced Definition of Done leads to hidden risks, unreliable forecasts, and eroded trust in delivery, undermining predictability and organisational confidence.
Competence : 89% Find out More
Blog

Great Scrum Masters Need Technical, Business, and Organisational Mastery

Scrum Masters are most effective when they combine leadership skills with technical, business, and organisational mastery to support teams, Product Owners, and change.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Tags

Technical Mastery

Achieving excellence in software craftsmanship, architecture, and engineering practices.
See all 104
Videos

The Problem with Incompetent Scrum Masters: Why Lack of Skills in Team Context Results in Poor ROI

Incompetent Scrum Masters reduce team performance and ROI by lacking key skills. Learn how to measure their impact using innovation, usage, and delivery metrics.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

The Crucial Role of Competence: How Knowledgeable Scrum Masters Drive Team Success

Scrum Masters with deep knowledge and competence enable teams to deliver better products, drive business outcomes, and foster real improvement in software development.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Building a High-Performance Delivery Engine: Unlocking Success Through Competence and Collaboration

Explores how competence, collaboration, and agile philosophies drive high-performance software delivery, focusing on business value, continuous improvement, and team empowerment.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Training: A Bridge to Knowledge and Growth

Explores how effective training, continuous learning, and a supportive culture help teams grow, adapt to change, and overcome skill gaps in modern organisations.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Agile is Not New: A Journey Back to the Basics

Explores Agile’s historical roots, the loss of human connection in business, the impact of competence gaps, and why a return to core Agile principles is needed today.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

How big is the gap between an average developer and a great Agile Developer?

Explores the key differences between average and great Agile developers, highlighting engagement, continuous learning, practice, and self-directed growth in Agile environments.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Signals

Hiring a Scrum Master is hard

Finding a skilled Scrum Master is challenging; true effectiveness requires deep Scrum knowledge, coaching ability, and alignment with your team’s business and technical needs.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Why the Concept of a "Junior Scrum Master" is a Misguided Myth

Explains why the Scrum Master role requires experience and competence, debunking the myth of a “junior” Scrum Master and highlighting the need for proven skills in Agile teams.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Empowering Your Team: Why Quick Fixes in Agile and DevOps Are a Myth

Explains why lasting Agile and DevOps success requires empowering teams and building internal capability, not relying on quick fixes or external consultants for solutions.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Why Every Scrum Master Needs an Immersive Training Experience

Immersive training helps experienced Scrum Masters deepen practical skills, boost team effectiveness, and develop leadership through hands-on, real-world learning.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Is a PSM II certification validation of your skills, or does it develop your skill and capability as a Scrum Master?

Explains how the PSM II course focuses on developing advanced Scrum Master skills, facilitation techniques, and accountability, rather than just validating knowledge.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Continuous Learning for Product Owners

Explains why continuous learning is essential for product owners, highlighting key tools, practical advice, and strategies to stay effective and ahead in a changing industry.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Transform Your Career: How to Become a Confident Scrum Master Through Real-World Learning and Community Support

Learn how practical training, real-world application, and community support help you build confidence and skills to succeed as a Scrum Master in Agile environments.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Embracing Hierarchies of Competence: How Respect and Expertise Transform Workplaces

Explores how valuing expertise and respect over authority fosters collaboration, continuous learning, and better outcomes in modern workplaces through competence-based hierarchies.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Immersive Learning: Elevating Scrum Mastery in Your Organization

Explains how immersive learning helps Scrum Masters apply knowledge through real-world practice, feedback, and collaboration, leading to lasting skills and team improvement.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Before You Call Yourself an Agile Coach: The Importance of Real Experience

Real-world experience with teams is essential for Agile coaches, providing credibility, empathy, and practical insight needed to effectively guide and earn team trust.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Why I love heirarchies of competence

Explores how competence-based hierarchies foster effective leadership and decision-making by valuing expertise over authority, leading to more informed, holistic outcomes.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Immersive Learning in Scrum: Why Theory and Experience Must Go Hand in Hand

Explores how combining theory and hands-on experience in Scrum training leads to deeper understanding, critical thinking, and continuous improvement for Agile teams.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Videos

Unlocking the Power of Immersive Learning in Agile: Overcoming Cognitive Bias

Explores how immersive learning in Agile and Scrum helps overcome cognitive bias, promotes hands-on practice, and supports continuous improvement for practitioners.
Competence : 87% Find out More
Tags

Continuous Learning

Fostering a growth mindset and knowledge sharing for sustained team improvement.
See all 95
Videos

Stay Ahead of the Curve: How Continuous Learning Keeps You in the Top 10%

Explains how continuous learning helps you stay relevant, seize new opportunities, and grow personally and professionally through reading, community, and experimentation.
Competence : 85% Find out More
Signals

A certification proves you’ve passed a test

Certifications show test-passing ability but don’t prove real-world product skills. Experience, judgement, and stakeholder influence matter more for true competence.
Competence : 84% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Technical Excellence in Agile Development

Explores how technical excellence in Agile development reduces risk, prevents technical debt, and boosts product quality and delivery speed through strong engineering standards.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

The Crucible of Learning: Transforming Organizational Effectiveness Through DevOps

Explores how DevOps transformation, refactoring, and ownership reduce technical debt, streamline development, and boost efficiency, team satisfaction, and business value.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Blog

Professional Scrum teams build software that works

Professional Scrum Teams prioritise software quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring each release is reliable, defect-free, and delivers real value.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Cultivating a Culture of Engineering Excellence: The Essential Role of Technical Leadership

Explores how technical leadership shapes a culture of engineering excellence through clear standards, continuous learning, collaboration, and ongoing improvement in organisations.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Blog

You are doing it wrong if you are not using test first

Explains how adopting test-first practices in software development improves quality, reduces bugs, and enables confident continuous delivery by validating requirements early.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Blog

Are technical skills required to be a Scrum Master?

Technical skills are not required to be a Scrum Master, but understanding technical, business, and organisational contexts helps Scrum Masters better support their teams.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

The Overlooked Virtue of Agility: Diligence

Explores why diligence—consistent attention to quality and standards—is vital in Agile teams, how it’s often overlooked, and practical steps to foster it for lasting success.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Newsletters

July 2023 NKDAgility: Introducing NKD Agility's Next Generation of Agile Practitioners: Transforming Work, Building Success, and Achieving Greatness in the 21st Century!

NKD Agility offers immersive, multi-week agile training to build practical skills in Scrum, leadership, and continuous improvement for modern workplace success.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

How does Naked Agility select associate Scrum Trainers?

Naked Agility selects associate Scrum Trainers based on real-world agile experience, co-training, and proven ability to teach, coach, and solve complex team challenges.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Hiring an Agile Coach: What You Need to Know

Learn what to look for when hiring an Agile coach, including key qualities like teaching, mentoring, and inspiring teams to adopt Agile practices and drive transformation.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Transforming Training: The Power of Immersive Learning in Scrum

Explores how immersive, hands-on learning in Scrum boosts knowledge retention, practical skills, and continuous improvement compared to traditional training methods.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Agile Leadership: Empowering Managers with the Right Skills

Explores how agile leadership and evidence-based management training help managers develop servant leadership skills, delegate effectively, and make data-driven decisions.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Mastering Scrum: Essential Insights for New Teams from a Scrum Master's Journey

Guidance for new Scrum teams on building strong foundations, embracing empiricism, Scrum values, continuous learning, and the Scrum Master’s role in fostering team growth.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

How Immersive Learning Transforms Aspiring Agile Leaders

Immersive learning helps aspiring agile leaders overcome cultural barriers by providing time, practical experiments, and peer feedback to drive real organisational change.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Unpacking the Scrum Master Role: Moving Beyond Misconceptions to True Accountability

Explores common misconceptions about Scrum Masters, clarifies their true accountabilities, and highlights the importance of principles, competence, and organisational impact.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

7 Harbingers of the Agile Apocalypse - Plague

Explores the widespread issue of incompetent Agile coaches and Scrum Masters, its impact on teams and organisations, and practical steps to restore true Agile values.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Transform Your Leadership: The Power of Evidence-Based Management in Agile

Discover how evidence-based management empowers Agile leaders to make data-driven decisions, foster continuous improvement, and boost team performance and collaboration.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Community: Becoming an Awesome Agile Coach

Explores how Agile coaches grow by engaging with diverse communities, embracing feedback, and challenging assumptions to deliver greater value to teams and customers.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Unlocking Your Potential: Transformative Training for Aspiring Scrum Masters

Comprehensive Scrum Master training offering interactive workshops, practical activities, community support, and assessment to build Agile skills and foster continuous improvement.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Unlocking the True Potential of Scrum: Why Professionalism Matters in Agile Teams

Explores how true professionalism in Scrum enables Agile teams to deliver production-ready products, highlighting the importance of transparency, standards, and work ethic.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Why Pursuing Agile Certifications is Your Key to Career Advancement

Explains how Agile certifications validate knowledge, support continuous learning, and help employers assess candidates, while emphasising real skills for career growth.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Immersive Learning: Bridging Theory and Experience

Explains how immersive learning combines Agile and Scrum theory with hands-on practice, real-world scenarios, and expert guidance to boost skills, confidence, and teamwork.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

The Power of Immersive Learning in Agile Training

Explores how immersive, hands-on learning in Agile training fosters real-world application, continuous improvement, and lasting organisational change through feedback and adaptation.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Beware the Fake Agilists: How to Protect Your Team from the Agile Apocalypse

Learn how to identify and prevent the harm caused by unqualified Agile leaders, protect team trust, and ensure genuine Agile practices drive software development success.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

3 reasons why you should level up your knowledge and skills?

Discover how continuous learning, embracing trial and error, and caring deeply about your craft drive professional growth, resilience, and lasting industry success.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

Hardest part of becoming a professional Scrum Master?

Explores why embracing true professionalism is the hardest part of becoming a Scrum Master, highlighting the importance of deep understanding, mastery, and continuous learning.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

How will the Immersive Learning experience change the game for people with a couple of years experience in the field?

Discover how immersive learning empowers experienced Agile professionals to deepen skills, tackle real-world challenges, and accelerate growth through hands-on practice.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Videos

What are the hierarchies of competence vs control? Why does this matter?

Explains the differences between competence-based and control-based hierarchies, their impact on decision-making, and why competence-driven models suit today’s fast-changing markets.
Competence : 82% Find out More
Signals

Hiring a Product Owner? Avoid copying job specs from the internet

Learn what makes an effective Product Owner, why generic job specs fall short, and which key responsibilities and skills are essential for true product leadership and success.
Competence : 80% Find out More
Course

Applying Professional Kanban (APK) Course with Certification

Revolutionize Your Team’s Performance with Kanban: Join our Immersion Training Course for a deep, practical dive into Kanban principles, designed to seamlessly integrate into your work life and foster continuous improvement and real-world application. Transform the way you deliver value today!
Competence : 78%
Overview More Resources
Table of Contents
Related Blog
The Evolution of Agile Learning: Insights from Scrum.org's Webinar Evolution not Transformation: This is the Inevitability of change I spell it as Favourite and you as Favorite
Related Videos
Unlocking Unrealised Value: The Key to Elevating Your Product Development Strategy Empowering Leadership: Driving Cultural Change for Agile Success Where Agile Went Wrong: Understanding the Competence Crisis
Related Signals
Understanding Blocked Columns and Stalled Work in Project Boards Deploying Windows OS Directly to Production: Then vs Now Not all delays are the same
Related Guides
Detecting Agile BS Investing for Business Agility - Using evidence-based portfolio management to achieve better business outcomes Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams
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