Leadership and Agile Production Management micro-credential established in partnership with DigiBC

Iterative development has become more commonplace in many software and technology companies. The biggest obstacle for successful iterative development is understanding the role of management and leadership on adaptive pipelines. In order to succeed as a project manager, scrum master, producer, project coordinator, or team leader in a digital media and/or technology environment, individuals must be able to lead teams to efficiency and effectiveness.

Developed with the support of DigiBC, the new Leadership and Agile Production Management micro-credential will equip students with a broad understanding of management and leadership through agile and hybrid methodologies. Students will develop essential skills for people management while exploring leadership management practices and tools. The industry has seen a significant shift in “how we work” and this course will address remote/hybrid work models.

“I'm very excited that we are now offering micro-credential opportunities to our alumni and other industry professionals,” says Carman Neustaedter, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology. “Our offerings currently focus on leadership and agile production management, yet this is just the tip of the iceberg as we move forward to offer more opportunities for career and skill advancement in the workplace. Learning and skill development is a continuous endeavour in the workplace and I'm happy to be supporting this as a faculty.”

The course will be delivered remotely and taught by Centre for Digital Media faculty member Rachel Ralph. There are no prerequisites and the course is open to anyone who wants an introduction to project leadership roles and practices, particularly those who work in a hybrid space, and who have limited or no experience leading teams in professional settings. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a digital badge to add to their online profiles and portfolios.

“As a certified scrum master, certified agile leader and instructor of digital media I am very excited to offer this micro-credential,” says Ralph. “Working closely with industry we found a course that can not only assist current students, but also workers looking to up-skill or re-skill. I am thrilled to be the instructor and focus on an introduction to leadership management.”

This is one of six new micro-credential programs at five BC post-secondary institutions established in partnership with DigiBC, The Creative Technology Association of British Columbia, which is a member-supported non-profit organization representing the creative technology sector which includes video games and interactive, visual effects, animation, and VR/AR industries.

“Micro-credentials offer novel opportunities for people to pursue a career in this dynamic sector — from recent grads looking to develop specialized skills, to workers re-skilling from adjacent industries, to existing creative tech staffers up-skilling for career advancement,” says Loc Dao, DigiBC executive director. “This collaboration between government, industry and post-secondary institutions is a first for our sector, and will allow these programs to stay current with the industry needs and technology shifts that will support job growth and the changing demands of this expanding workforce.”