Professional Agile Leadership Essentials™ (PAL-E) is a hands-on, activity based class in which managers and leaders of agile teams gain a strong understanding of how to best support, guide, and coach their teams to create the conditions for great agility.
The course also includes a free attempt at the globally recognized Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I) certification exam.
Course Overview
Being an agile organization requires senior leaders, middle managers, and agile team members to change the way that they organize their work, manage that work, and measure the results of the work. Agile teams cannot do this on their own; they need help from the entire organization. Changes in the way that people think and work are required driving improved results by having everyone’s goals and ways of working aligned.
In this two day class* attendees develop a deep understanding of the role that leaders play in creating the conditions for a successful agile environment. Leaders and managers are critical enablers in helping their organizations be successful, yet the role of leaders and managers in an agile organization can be quite different from what they are used to. This workshop uses a combination of instruction and team-based exercises to help participants learn how to form and support agile teams to achieve better results, and how to lead the cultural and behavioral changes that organizations must make to reap the benefits of an agile product delivery approach.
View the different Focus Areas covered within this class and others. You can download the course datasheet for offline reading.
*When offered in-person, this course is generally delivered over two consecutive days. When offered as a Live Virtual Class, the course may be broken up into more, shorter days.
Course Learning Objectives
- Understand how agility can help you improve your organization’s performance
- Learn the challenges teams face during an Agile transformation and how to remove impediments
- Discover the shift in management style that a leader must make when going from traditional to agile ways of working
- Understand the leader’s role in “self-managing” teams
- Learn how to assess and foster the team’s agile maturity
- Discover how to connect values (personal, team and Scrum values) and clear goals to develop high performing teams
- Identify how to measure the benefits and impacts of agility in your organization
Note that this course is not an introduction to the Scrum Framework or to using Scrum. Attendees will get the most from this course if they have been previously introduced to Scrum.
Who Should Attend this class?
The Professional Agile Leadership Essentials course is designed for managers and those in leadership roles who are responsible for the introduction and establishment of Agile methods and techniques in an organization.
- Leaders sponsoring an Agile transformation or involved in the adoption of Agility in their organizations
- Managers or leaders responsible for developing people on Scrum teams
- Leaders of one or more Scrum Teams including Scrum Masters, Product Owners and other leaders on Scrum Teams
PAL I Assessment & Certification
All participants completing the Professional Agile Leadership – Essentials course will receive a password to attempt the Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I) certification assessment. The PAL I assessment is comprised of 36 multiple choice questions that must be completed in 60 minutes. PAL-E class participants who attempt the PAL I assessment within 14 days of receiving their free password and do not score at least 85% will be granted a 2nd attempt at no additional cost.
Venue Location
This is a Live Virtual Remote/Online Course. The course is specially designed to run online and includes frequent breaks and an hour for lunch.
The format and structure of the course remain the same and we cover all the same material and topics as if you were attending in person.
Attendees will interact throughout, joining in discussions and taking part in group exercises. Lessons are broken down into short sections followed by a break to allow regular time away from the screen.
Full details on how to participate will be sent to you by email shortly before the class.
Live Virtual Class Requirements:
- Computer with an internet connection, Microphone, Speakers & Webcam.
- Free install of Zoom.
- We can assist you with the set up if required.
- The trainer will be available before the course starts to offer assistance.
About The Trainer
Simon Kneafsey is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) with Scrum.org & TheScrumMaster.co.uk. He is on a mission to simplify Scrum for 1 million people. Simon has 25+ years of industry experience and has been using Scrum since 2005. He has already helped 25,000+ people with training. His learning resources at TheScrumMaster.co.uk have helped a further 500,000+ people. He can help you too!
Simon’s courses come highly recommended with 950+ personal LinkedIn recommendations. He is 5-star rated on Trustpilot & Google. His clients include Google, NASA, the United Nations, Amazon, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Roche and many, many more.
You can read more about Simon Kneafsey on LinkedIn, TheScrumMaster.co.uk and you can contact him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there still spaces available on this course?
If you can see the ‘Register’ button at the top of the page then there is space available.
How do I take the assessment?
The fee includes up to 2 attempts at the assessment, which is taken online in your own time following the course. Further details are listed above.
What are the course hours?
Courses hours are listed at the top of the page.
Can I attend from my country?
Yes. Everyone is welcome at all of our courses. You can attend from anywhere!
Can I attend on a different date?
Yes. We run courses regularly and you can find all our upcoming dates on our public course page.
Why learn with TheScrumMaster.co.uk?
- We have helped 25,000+ people learn Scrum since 2012.
- We have 950+ LinkedIn recommendations and are 5-star rated on Trustpilot & Google!
- We provide extensive practice assessments to ensure you gain certification.
- We provide an eLearning version of the course for reference and revision.
- Join our Community for ongoing coaching, events & resources.
- Join our Affiliate program and earn free courses.
- Receive regular chances to attend another course at no cost.
How many people will attend?
Our courses are kept small to ensure a premium experience.
How should I prepare for the course?
The only preparation required is to read the Scrum Guide. We provide a range of free additional resources to help you learn more in advance if you wish.
I’m not sure if I have enough experience to take the course. What should I do?
Email us at [email protected] and we will advise you.
Can I claim PMI PDU credits for attending the course?
Yes. You can claim 7 PDU’s for each day of the course.
Do you offer discounts?
We usually offer discounts for group bookings, not for profit organisations and hardship cases. Find out more at our Discounts page.
Can I pay via Credit/Debit card?
Yes. Please click the ‘Register’ button at the top of the page, then select the ‘Register now and pay via Credit Card’ option.
Can I pay via Invoice?
Yes. Please select the ‘Register now and pay later via Invoice’ option when you register. Find our company information and contact us to request a quote or invitation letter.
Do I need to pay VAT?
For Live & Online Courses, VAT is added if you are in the UK. VAT will not be added if you are in the EU or the rest of the world.
For In-Person Courses, VAT is added if the course is taking place in the UK or EU.
Where can I find your course booking policies?
Visit our course policy page.
Where can I find more answers to common questions?
Visit our full FAQ page for more answers to frequently asked questions.
Where can I contact the trainer with further questions?
Email us at [email protected].
Course Feedback
“He’s a phenomenal teacher of Scrum techniques and articulated the Scrum concepts professionally with classic real life examples. Simon has complete mastery about Scrum Framework and proficiently teaches on how it applies in Complex Projects. I think Simon is the best Scrum Trainer out there and I highly recommend him for all your Scrum Training needs”
Praisewin Dinakar. Sr. Staff Software Engineer at Motorola
“I have been lucky enough to attend the Professional Scrum Master presented by Simon. I spent a lot of time searching for, and finding a good course presented by an experienced tutor. Simon lived up to his online profile for professional knowledge and experience and this ensured his course that I attended was both insightful and practical.
Chris Hall. Lead Software Engineer and Scrum Master at Kingfisher IT Services
“If there is one man who knows about Scrum – it is Simon Kneafsey. Buckle up and hold tight as Simon will take you through everything you need to know about Scrum. Engaging, entertaining and drawing on both theory and practice, he is the only man for all your Scrum training needs.”
Davin Mac Ananey. Head of Online / Senior Digital Professional
“How to teach about being a Scrum Master while acting as a great Scrum Master? That’s what Simon did. Experienced, precise with excellent communication skills.”
Josep F. Barranco. Scrum Master at King
“Simon clearly has a mastery of what he teaches and made the course both enjoyable and simple to follow with real-world examples and good use of visuals. Simon has deep knowledge of Scrum and Agile frameworks having previously run leading edge projects prior to becoming a trainer. If you’re serious about Scrum, I recommended you attend one of Simon’s courses.”
Arun Malhotra. Engagement Leader at Pegasystems


















