Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC) Practice Exam

The Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC) Exam is the final step towards earning the DAC certification, which validates your expertise in coaching teams and organizations on adopting Disciplined Agile (DA). DA is a framework that combines best practices from various Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, SAFe®, and Lean to create a customizable approach for different project needs.

Exam Learning Objectives:

• Gain insight into aligning teams with organizational strategies and goals to facilitate agile transformation.
• Drive cultural change and transformation within and among teams.
• Guide diverse teams and groups through identifying the most suitable approaches to working and learning together, considering their current circumstances.
• Work closely with your organization's transformation team and potentially become an integral part of it.
• Become proficient in utilizing the Disciplined Agile toolkit to expedite process improvement, utilizing established practices and strategies in relevant contexts.

Who should take the exam?

The audience for the Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC) Exam is composed of:

• Experienced professionals in the Agile space who want to specialize in coaching teams and organizations on adopting the Disciplined Agile (DA) framework
• Team Leaders with Agile Experience
• Agile Experts

Exam Eligibility:

The initial step toward achieving the DAC certification involves successfully completing the instructor-led two-day DAC course, which is available virtually through a PMI Authorized Training Provider (ATP). Once the course is finished, candidates can proceed to apply for the certification exam.

To qualify for the DAC certification, candidates must possess three years of agile experience to ensure a thorough understanding of the DA toolkit, including its practices and strategies. Candidates are required to attend a three-day training course offered by an Authorized Training Provider. Upon completing this course, candidates gain access to the exclusive DAC Community of Practice, which offers additional learning resources, exam preparation materials, and the DAC Case Study. 

Agile Experience Required:

• Three Years (36 Months) of Agile Coaching Experience

Exam Details

• Exam Name: Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC)
• Exam Languages: English
• Exam Questions: 60 Questions
• Time: 120 minutes

Course Outline 

The Exam covers the given topics  - 

Topic 1: Learn about The Disciplined Agile Coach 8.3%

• Define and Describe the DA Coach and how it fits into the certification journey
• Explain why DA coaching is important and how it is more effective than “regular” agile coaching
• Explain how the DA Toolkit supports coaching
• Describe the different process goals

Topic 2: Facilitate the DA way 6.7%

• Demonstrate how to plan and facilitate training, events, and ceremonies
• Identify, plan, and refine the flow and techniques the DA way
• Develop ground-rules and facilitate collaboration

Topic 3: Learn how to Engage the Stakeholders 15%

• Identify when and how to involve all stakeholders
• Analyze the purpose and context for the transition to DA
• Identify training needs and DA gaps
• Develop a coaching agreement and build confidence
• Define metrics and other approaches for a successful transition
• Develop the roadmap and identify sponsors for the transition
• Construct and document brainstorming sessions across the enterprise
• Explain, market, and promote the new vision to stakeholders
• Explain core concepts and change management to stakeholders

Topic 4: Communicate Continuously 10%

• Analyze information in gap analysis
• Construct and verify objectives that support the vision
• Identify and sequence the initial initiatives
• Explain impacts to stakeholders throughout the process
• Demonstrate support for the organization in communicating and making the change process visible
• Identify the key components of a successful community of practice

Topic 5: Mentorship and Leadership 16.7%

• Develop mentorships at individual levels up and down stream
• Demonstrate different methods to seek DA solutions
• Apply team building skills and knowledge
• Utilize and apply emotional intelligence skills and principles (i.e. empathy, etc.)
• Apply team building skills and knowledge
• Model the continuous improvement of communication skills
• Apply psychological safety and the creation of an open and safe environment
• Apply negotiation, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrate active listening
• Model and encourage collaboration

Topic 6: Guided Transition and Continuous Improvement 11.7%

• Apply various methods, practices, and techniques to a situation
• Construct, introduce, facilitate, and review actions/experiments to the organization using systems thinking
• Identify initiatives for visible continuous improvement
• Define success criteria, set, and manage expectations
• Identify short term wins to determine early successes
• Identify training needs
• Facilitate organizational re-design and develop formal paths for change

Topic 7: Coaching, Consulting, Counseling, and Lean Leadership 18.3%

• Identify issues and explore ’why’ with the working group
• Demonstrate an understanding of personal emotional regulation and presence
• Demonstrate listening, questioning, flexibility, and continuously adapt to situations
• Plan goals with individuals, teams, and the organization
• Develop, integrate, and tailor frameworks and toolkits
• Explain to the client areas of improvement and benefits of solutions
  
• Define the appropriate measurement and tracking systems
• Identify ways to create and cultivate a psychologically safe environment
• Explain how to nurture the motivation people
• Explain the practice of mission command
• Model methods for a middle-up-down management approach

Topic 8: Training and Development 6.7%

• Develop an environment for continuous learning
• Develop formal learning outcomes
• Utilize different content delivery mechanisms
• Identify and socialize sources of information

Topic 9: Thought Leadership 6.7%

• Relate how the DA Toolkit relates to other practices
• Take part in Communities of Practice
• Identify ways that challenge the DA program to always improve
• Apply DA Value for the benefit of the community