Why I've decided to ditch my ScrumMaster certification?

I've been a certified ScrumMaster for six years. I would have gained the certification much earlier, but I didn't have access to training and certification exam where I lived.

Over the last six years, I have been diligently keeping up with the requirements of renewal and do so every year. Now, I've decided to stop renewing my current certification or set goals to achieve new agile certifications

Although I had started on my agile journey in 2008, as soon as I got access to certification, I did the two day training and passed my exam. I have to say that I did learn from my training and more so it validated what I had practiced prior to getting certified.

So what has changed?

Experience

When I started, certification seemed like the right kind of social proof to back the mindset and skills I was practicing. More recruiters asked me about an agile certification than my college degree. But recently, I have felt that the journey itself is a greater source of confidence and the results I have achieved with the teams I work with is the best validation of my ever evolving thought process and practice.

Prescriptive Agile

I've also slowly been shifting away from prescriptive and branded (big A) Agile. I've been attracted by (small a) agile and have been pursuing simplicity. Here I use Agile for the industry that creates its own whirlpool of processes, tools and self serving role definitions that increase consulting hours. The emphasis is on 'Doing' Agile where the outward look and feel is seen as success.

Whereas, I am now increasingly practicing 'Being agile', going back to the basic values and principles. I am more focused on why we even build something and how we organise ourselves to build it.

This has meant I am now more open to learn from different knowledge domains and adapt techniques and tools that compliment the agile mindset and skills required by my teams. So I question the value of certifying for a certain brand of Agile methodology. In my case, I have even moved on from the prescriptive methods that the certifying 'alliance' propels.

Cost

When I don't see any value, why would I pay the cost of certification? It's that simple. Also, why would I pay into a system that my mind doesn't accept anymore and my heart doesn't follow?

Your turn: Tell me one reason why you still plan to renew your Agile certification?