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Frequently
Asked Questions

Questions about NextUp? We’ve got you covered. Learn who we are, what we offer, and how we can improve the way you work.

About NextUp

Q: Who is NextUp?

Headquartered in Arlington, VA, NextUp Solutions is the go-to firm for ensuring successful Agile transformations through top-rated training courses and Agile coaching. Our expert trainers have led hundreds of organizations across a broad range of industries to complete, self-sustaining Agile transitions.

Q: Why should I choose NextUp for my Agile services?

Next Up takes a quality-over-quantity, client-driven approach to teaching. Our trainers and client support team sets us apart from the competition, offering complete flexibility and guaranteed satisfaction. The NextUp difference is demonstrated by our fiercely loyal alumni that return to NextUp for their Agile services again and again.

Q: Who are NextUp’s experts?

Our Agile experts are educators first; they make learning Agile frameworks engaging and fun. With decades of experience and top credentials, they are also widely recognized and respected leaders in the industry. You can see their bios here.

Q: Is NextUp licensed to teach?

Our courses are certified and accredited by leading organizations in the education and Agile fields, including Scrum Alliance, the International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile), Kanban University, DevOps Institute, and Scaled Agile. We are also certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Contact us for our 2021-2022 school catalog.

Agile Training

Q: What is Agile?

Agile is a family of methods and frameworks that organizations can use to improve project performance, effectively manage change, and enhance overall collaboration by working iteratively. This allows teams across a wide range of departments to deliver value to their stakeholders more quickly and with fewer obstacles.

Agile development refers to any process that is aligned with the concepts of the Agile Manifesto. Scrum and Kanban are two of the most commonly used Agile frameworks.

Q: What courses are offered by NextUp?

NextUp offers a variety of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and professional development courses for a wide range of roles and goals. You can see our full list of course offerings here.

Q: How long is training?

The duration of training varies by course. Most classes are two days, but some are only one and others are up to four. Select any course of interest to see its duration and other crucial information.

Q: Do you offer private training?

We are pleased to offer any of our signature courses in a fully customizable private setting. While there is a minimum attendee requirement for our private trainings, we are glad to work with you to create a course that fits your unique business needs. Email info@nextupsolutions.com to get your quote!

Q: Are there any Agile training discounts available?

Yes! We offer a variety of special discounts on our classes. To see if you qualify and receive a personalized discount code, email info@nextupsolutions.com.

Q: How do I enroll in Agile training?

Enrolling online is easy! To join one of NextUp’s classes, simply visit our upcoming courses page, select the class that fits your schedule, and click the “Register Now” button to sign up through Eventbrite. We accept all major credit cards. Please contact info@nextupsolutions.com should you need assistance registering.

Q: I’ve registered for my training, now what?

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email. You can expect a pre-class email two days prior to the course date. If you are attending virtual training, we recommend that you download the Zoom web-based application prior to joining class.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

Students submitting cancellation requests 10 business days or more prior to the start of the course are entitled to a full refund. Students submitting cancellation requests less than 10 business days prior to the start of the course will be offered a credit toward a future NextUp Solutions course of equivalent value, or a refund less a processing fee of $100. Should NextUp cancel the course for any reason, each registered student will be issued a full refund.

Q: Can I reschedule my training?

NextUp offers full flexibility in rescheduling your class! You can swap your training for the same course at a different date. Just email info@nextupsolutions.com for assistance.

Q: Do I have to pass an exam to receive certification?

Some of the certifying bodies do require students to pass an exam as part of their certification requirements.  For courses with exams, all exam fees are included in the registration cost, NextUp does not administer any of the certification exams. All testing is handled by the certifying body, such as the Scrum Alliance. NextUp’s customer support team is here to ensure you have the best test experience possible and help you communicate with the certifying bodies as needed.

Q: Can I access course materials or talk to the instructor following class?

Yes, you can access course materials and contact instructors following training. All trainers have office hours available to students where they are happy to address follow-up questions and thoughts.

Q: What is the process to renew my Scrum Alliance certification?

Most Scrum Alliance certifications expire after two years. To renew, you can pay a renewal fee and track Scrum Education Units (SEU) in the Scrum Alliance portal. Alternatively, taking additional Scrum Alliance courses (or retaking a class) will renew your existing membership. See details on Scrum Alliance.

Q: How do I renew Kanban University or ICAgile certifications?

Good news, you don’t have to! Kanban University and ICAgile certifications do not expire.

Q: How do I track Scrum Education Units (SEUs) with Scrum Alliance?

Students are eligible to claim SEUs for most NextUp courses. SEUs follow a 1:1 ratio, where one hour of learning is equal to one SEU. You can learn more about claiming SEUs on the Scrum Alliance website.

Q: How do I track Professional Development Units (PDUs) with PMI?

Students are eligible to claim PDUs for most NextUp courses. PDUs follow a 1:1 ratio, where one hour of learning is equal to one PDU. You can learn more about claiming PDUs on the PMI website.

Q: What precautions is NextUp taking to protect students from COVID?

At this time, most NextUp courses are taught live online. However, as we welcome students back to in-person training, NextUp is committed to providing a safe environment to ensure the best learning experience possible. All students participating in in-person training must be vaccinated and will be required to provide proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination includes your physical vaccination card or a photo of the card. Participants are also required to wear a mask for the full duration of the training.

All live training venues meet strict sanitation standards, including rigorous cleaning protocols completed with increased frequency. Furniture has also been arranged to allow additional space for social distancing as needed.

Q: What’s included in my registration fee?

In addition to the training itself, your registration cost includes all applicable exam fees, high-quality digital copies of course materials, a membership to the certifying professional organization (Scrum Alliance, Kanban University, ICAgile, or Scaled Agile) where applicable, and exclusive access to NextUp’s content and expert guidance.

Coaching

Q: How is coaching different from training?

In training, we explore and demonstrate how a framework works; in coaching, an expert works with you for a set period of time to help you put practices to work in your specific environment. That may include a range of behaviors such as helping you overcome institutional obstacles, working to identify and align visions across programs and stakeholders, and providing direct support to start and improve Agile teams. Where a training class answers questions like, “How does this work?” professional coaching answers questions like, “How would I start actually doing that where I work?”

Q: How do I engage a coach?

The first step is to have a conversation about the needs of your team(s) and organization. We then collaborate with you to develop a tailored set of recommendations. These recommendations outline the approach and methods we’d use, as well as the duration and scope of the engagement, rates, personnel, and any other relevant details. This process can be as quick as a couple of discussions between our team and you.

Q: What things can a coach help me with?

All sorts of things! Our experts have implemented and improved Agile teams and programs in all sorts of environments, from 20-person startups to Fortune 500 companies, from public sector to private and nonprofits. Chances are we’ve grappled with the same challenges you’re facing. New team startup?  Scaling into a team-of-teams? Building Agile culture?  Growing Agile leaders?  We can help with all of that and more.

Q: How much does coaching cost?

Costs depend on a variety of factors, including the level of expertise of the coach (or coaches) you’d need, and the length and scope of the engagement. This is something we’d establish during our engagement discussions.