In many agile projects, there is a strong focus on frameworks such as Scrum or SAFe - but the content, which is what it's all about, often falls by the wayside. Scrum in particular makes a clear division of responsibility: the Scrum Master takes care of the process, the Product Owner takes care of the content. Paradoxically, however, even classic product owner training courses are often too process-oriented. Stakeholder management, professional Requirements Engineering and a deep understanding of customer needs? Not a chance. This is precisely where the CARS certification on - the Certified Agile Requirements Specialist. This certification focuses specifically on agile requirements practices and fills the gap between framework knowledge and real content expertise in the Agile requirements engineering.

In this article, you will find out what the CARS certification is all about, what content you can expect, who it is suitable for and what specific benefits it will bring you for your career. This will help you make an informed decision as to whether CARS is the right next step for you.

What is the Certified Agile Requirements Specialist (CARS)?

The Certified Agile Requirements Specialist (CARS) is an internationally recognized certification for professional Agile requirements engineering. It is published by the Agile Requirements Institutewhich specializes in the professionalization of requirements work in agile contexts. The aim of CARS is to provide you with sound knowledge and tried-and-tested techniques for effectively identifying, documenting and managing requirements in agile projects.

But what distinguishes agile requirements engineering from traditional approaches?

In traditional, often waterfall-based RE, extensive specifications are created and a lot of emphasis is placed on big design up front. Agile RE, on the other hand, relies on "Just in Time RE" - This means that requirements are developed iteratively and incrementally and are detailed precisely when they are actually needed. Instead of writing thick requirements specifications, the focus is on continuous collaboration with stakeholders, fast feedback loops and evolutionary documentation. CARS combines proven principles of classic requirements engineering with agile values and practices - a perfect symbiosis for modern product development.

The CARS certification is aimed at anyone who is responsible for the "what", not the "how". It complements your framework knowledge from Scrum, SAFe or other agile methods with real content expertise. Instead of just imparting theoretical knowledge, the focus is on practical skills - so that you as a Agile Requirements Specialist you can get straight into your day-to-day work.

Content and curriculum of the CARS certification

The CARS curriculum covers all essential areas of agile requirements engineering and is divided into three main areas plus additional agile topics. The big advantage: all content is practice-oriented and directly applicable in your day-to-day work - from the initial product vision to the finished user story.

Basics and introduction

You will get to know the foundations of agile working methods: the Agile ManifestoLean principles and the Scrum values (Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, Respect). Special emphasis is placed on how these values affect requirements engineering. You will learn which Scrum roles can take on RE tasks, what Backlog refinement means and how the Definition of Done is used in requirements management. Dealing with new or changed requirements during the sprint is also covered.

Initial filling of the backlog

This area starts with the Product vision - you learn agile methods such as the Vision Board after Roman Pichler know. This is followed by the Stakeholder analysisworking with Personas and the MVP concept (Minimum Viable Product) in order to avoid undesirable developments at an early stage. With Story Mapping and use case diagrams, you will develop your first structured requirements and learn to differentiate between problem and solution. The system context and its representation are also covered.

Continuous backlog maintenance

This is where it gets particularly practical: you learn how to create professional User stories writes - including the 3 Cs (Card, Conversation, Confirmation) and the INVEST criteria. You will learn how to precisely Acceptance criteria and which questioning techniques help. Various prioritization methods such as the Kano model, MoSCoW and Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) enable you to carry out well-founded backlog prioritization. You will differentiate between functional requirements, quality requirements and framework conditions (e.g. according to the FURPS model) and learn techniques such as Story Splittingrelative estimate with Story Points as well as modern approaches such as Specification by Example, Behavior Driven Development (BDD) and Acceptance Test Driven Development (ATDD).

Further agile topics

The curriculum is rounded off with important concepts such as Test Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment. Topics such as technical debt, velocity and burndown charts are also part of the repertoire of a Certified Agile Requirements Specialist.

Who is CARS certification suitable for?

The CARS certification is aimed at anyone who works with requirements in agile contexts - regardless of whether you are responsible for the "what" or are closely involved with requirements. CARS is particularly valuable for roles with content responsibility that want to go beyond pure framework knowledge.

Typical target groups:

• Product Owner & Product Manager: You have the core responsibility for the "what" in the team. CARS gives you professional RE skills that go far beyond process knowledge - so that you can really build and maintain your backlog strategically.

• Requirements Engineers: Are you familiar with classic RE and want to transfer your knowledge to agile contexts? CARS shows you how to combine proven RE principles with agile values.

• Business Analysts: As a bridge between business and development, you need agile RE techniques to elicit and communicate requirements efficiently.

• Scrum Masters & Agile Coaches: With a deeper understanding of the content work, you can support your teams even more effectively - especially with backlog refinement or sprint planning.

• Software developers & architects: You will learn to better understand requirements, identify quality requirements and recognize architecture drivers at an early stage.

• QA/Tester: The connection between user stories, acceptance criteria and test cases becomes crystal clear for you - ideal for ATDD and BDD.

• Job seekers & career changers: CARS is a sought-after qualification on the job market and opens doors for you in agile product development.

Prerequisites:

There are No formal requirements for the CARS certification. Ideally, however, you will have knowledge and practical experience in agile projects - for example with Scrum or Kanban. Basic knowledge of requirements engineering is also helpful; the IREB CPRE Foundation Level provides a solid basis for this. But don't worry: CARS is doable even without prior knowledge - the training teaches you everything you need to know from the ground up.

Your benefits as a Certified Agile Requirements Specialist

Why should you go to the CARS certification invest? It's simple: it brings you concrete benefits for your career and your everyday working life. Here are the most important reasons why CARS is worthwhile:

1. lifelong valid certificate - proof of your agile RE competence

Once passed, valid forever: the CARS certification does not require recertification. It is the documented proof of your deep understanding of agile principles and your excellent skills in requirements engineering. You position yourself as Certified Agile Requirements Specialist - clear proof of your expertise to employers and clients.

2. practical relevance - directly applicable skills in everyday agile life

CARS is not a theoretical finger exercise: from the initial product vision to the finished user story, you will learn concrete techniques that you can use immediately in your team. Better requirements engineering shortens development cycles, reduces misunderstandings and minimizes expensive rework. You will master practical tools such as Story Mappingvarious prioritization methods and the professional formulation of Acceptance criteria - Skills that are needed every day in agile everyday life.

3. international recognition - career opportunities worldwide

The Agile Requirements Institute is internationally recognized and your certification will open doors for you - both in the DACH region and worldwide. The specialization in Agile requirements engineering is in high demand in modern, agile companies. With CARS, you show that you can do more than just memorize a framework.

4. optimal positioning in the job market

The combination of agile methods and sound RE expertise is rare - and that's exactly what makes you valuable. CARS gives you a real competitive advantage when applying for jobs and increases your salary potential. You will be particularly strong if you combine CARS with classic RE knowledge - for example with the IREB CPRE Foundation Level. This dual qualification makes you an all-rounder who excels in both classic and agile contexts.

5. improved cooperation within the team

With CARS, you speak a common language with all stakeholders - from business to development to testing. You create a better understanding between the product owner, development team and business side. The result? More efficient backlog refinement, sprint planning and sprint review meetings - and less friction in day-to-day project work.

CARS is an investment in your professional future that pays off. But how does the exam actually work?

CARS test procedure

After the training, it's time for the exam - and you can take it online whenever and wherever it suits you.

The exam details at a glance:

• Format: Multiple-choice exam with 75 questions
• Duration: 60 minutes - i.e. just under one minute per question
• Passing limit: 75%
• Examination mode: Closed Book - No aids or documents permitted
• Language: The test is limited to German or English available
• Costs: 195 EUR - as a rule, this amount is already included in the training price
• Access code: After the training you will receive your personal access code by e-mail, which Valid for 4 weeks is
• Implementation: Online exam - you can take it from the comfort of your own home or office

After the test: You will see your result immediately after completing the exam. If you pass, you will receive the Certified Agile Requirements Specialist certificate immediately available for download - and it is valid for life without the need for recertification.

Our tip: The pass mark of 75% is sporty - good preparation is important. The CARS Training prepares you optimally for all exam content so that you can take the exam with confidence.

How to optimally prepare for CARS certification

With a pass mark of 75%, good preparation is crucial for your exam success. Fortunately, there are several ways to reach your goal - and you can choose the one that suits you best.

The recommended way: CARS Training

The best preparation is a 3-day CARS training course - either in person or as an online course. Here, you will systematically work through all the content of the official syllabus and benefit from practical exercises, case studies and direct application of the techniques. Experienced trainers with real agile practical experience will answer your questions and prepare you optimally for the exam. With Obvious Works you will also receive a special bonus.

Exclusive bonus: The CARS Coach from Obvious Works

All participants in our CARS training courses receive access to the CARS Coach - one AI-supported learning toolwhich prepares you specifically for the certification exam after the training. The CARS Coach offers you:

• Exam-related exercises in the style of the official CARS exam - topic-specific and available at any time
• Intelligent explanations on all topics: Just ask "Explain Scrum to me" or "What are the main tasks of a product owner?"
• Topic-based in-depth studyYou decide what you want to practise - from MVP to Definition of Done to FURPS, WSJF or MoSCoW
• Learning progress tracking & evaluation: Keep an eye on your progress and see where you can improve

The CARS Coach complements the training perfectly, but does not replace it - and is your smart companion on the way to certification.

Alternative: Self-study

Theoretically, you can also prepare yourself through self-study using the official literature of the Agile Requirements Institute. However, this is much more time-consuming as you have to organize all the content yourself. Without a structured exchange with a trainer or a learning group, you will also lack valuable feedback. This option is only recommended for very self-disciplined learners.

Practical preparation tips:

• Work through the curriculum systematically - focus on the three main areas
• Practice practically: write user stories, create story maps, apply prioritization techniques
• Refresh your Scrum basics if necessary
• Use the CARS Coach intensive (for Obvious Works participants)
• Exchange ideas with other participants

With good preparation, the CARS exam is absolutely feasible - and the investment in structured training pays off. But what about the overall costs?

Costs and investment - What does CARS certification cost?

Transparency is important to us - so here is a clear overview of the costs. Think of CARS certification as an investment in your professional future that will pay off in the medium and long term.

The cost overview:

The Examination fee amounts to 195 EUR and is normally already included in the training price. A serious 3-day CARS training course costs on average between 2'500 and 3'000 CHF.

Important note: There are also cheaper offers on the market - but caution is advised here. The reliability of these providers and the practical experience of the trainers are often questionable. When preparing for a demanding certification, you should not save money at the wrong end.

• 3-day training - either face-to-face or online
• All training documents and materials
• Exam access code (value: EUR 195)
• CARS Coach - the AI-supported learning tool (exclusive to Obvious Works)
• Lifelong valid certificate after passing the exam

CARS certification pays off in several ways: You can start with a Salary increase and have significantly better job opportunities in an agile environment. You will become more efficient in your day-to-day work - less rework due to better requirements means time and cost savings for your company. The long-term value is enormous: the certificate is valid for lifeThere is no recertification. You will be particularly valuable if you combine CARS with classic RE knowledge such as the IREB CPRE Foundation Level This dual qualification makes you a sought-after specialist.

• Employer sponsorship: Many companies have training budgets - speak to your manager
• Education vouchers: In some cases, the employment agency covers the costs
• Tax deductibility: You can claim the costs as further training for tax purposes
• Company training courses / in-house options: Often cheaper for several participants
• Payment by installments: Some providers offer flexible payment models

CARS certification is an investment that pays off in the medium and long term. Quality has its price - so pay attention to the experience of the trainers and the seriousness of the provider.