State of the digital transformation in Switzerland

Exploring Agile adoption in Switzerland:

State of the digital transformation in Switzerland

Mon, Oct 14th

13 min read

by Hyperio

Project management is essential for ensuring that software development projects are completed efficiently. In Agile methodologies, like Scrum, professionals can earn certifications as proof of their skills. We analyzed the register of 2,231 certified professionals across Switzerland to understand how Agile practices are evolving in the country.

Map of Switzerland with Agiles cantons

Map of Switzerland highlighting the top three cantons with the highest number of Scrum Master (SM) and Product Owner (PO) certifications.

Project management is a critical component of successful software development, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. Effective project management requires a structured approach, clear communication, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Having trained and certified project managers is essential, as they bring expertise in methodologies, tools, and best practices that guide teams through complex processes.

Scrum is an Agile project management methodology that emphasizes iterative progress, collaboration, and adaptability. It features two key roles: the Scrum Master, responsible for facilitating the process, and the Product Owner, who prioritizes the product backlog. Certifications like Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) and Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) ensure these roles are equipped with the skills to drive smooth, efficient project management, aligning team efforts with business goals.

The Scrum Alliance allows certified professionals to publish their certificates publicly, often including details like their city of residence or company. This transparency provides a valuable opportunity to survey the state of digital transformation in Switzerland and, in particular, to understand how the Agile landscape is evolving in October 2024.

Switzerland, with its reputation for innovation and efficiency, should be among the top five countries for Agile certifications in Europe. Given the country’s strong focus on precision and quality, as well as its leadership in industries like research, advanced manufacturing, banking, it would seem natural for Switzerland to adopt Agile methodologies more broadly.

Rank Country Scrum Masters Product Owners
#1 United Kingdom 8750 6963
#2 Germany 7365 6430
#3 Sweden 2010 1187
#4 Finland 1932 1061
#5 Portugal 1765 1120
#6 Spain 1691 673
#7 Netherlands 1304 983
#8 Switzerland 1276 838
#9 Austria 1152 833
#10 Norway 1401 542

However, despite its strengths, Switzerland ranks 8th, trailing behind countries like the Netherlands and Spain. This ranking might come as a surprise, suggesting there is untapped potential for further investment in Agile training and adoption, especially when compared to the UK and Germany, which together dominate nearly half of all certifications in Europe (with 24.1% and 21.15% respectively).

High certification rates in countries like Germany, the UK or Switzerland might reflect a competitive job market, where professionals seek certification as a differentiator. In contrast, countries with fewer certifications might be less competitive or more focused on traditional software development methodologies, which could change as global standards and practices shift.

Switzerland’s smaller market size might limit opportunities for Agile training and certifications, potentially contributing to its lower ranking. Additionally, many Swiss companies in industries like banking and pharmaceuticals could rely more heavily on traditional project management methods, making the shift to Agile more challenging due to regulatory constraints. The higher cost of professional development in Switzerland might also deter some companies and individuals from pursuing Agile certifications, which could slow broader adoption.

Shifting our focus to certifications per capita however, it is interesting to note that the top 5 is significatively represented by Nordic Countries. Lichtenstein is the most certified country per capita, with 0.18 % of the population having a Scrum Master or Product Owner certification. Switzerland then loses one position but still makes it in the top 10 most certified countries in europe. Note that countries with smaller populations, like Liechtenstein and Iceland, tend to have higher certification percentages due to the smaller denominator.

Rank Country Scrum Masters Product Owners Sum Inhabitants Percentage
#1 Liechtenstein 25 47 72 39,000 0.18462%
#2 Finland 1932 1061 2993 5,532,000 0.05410%
#3 Norway 1401 542 1943 5,525,000 0.03517%
#4 Iceland 102 29 131 376,000 0.03484%
#5 Ireland 1121 680 1801 5,300,000 0.03398%
#6 Sweden 2010 1187 3197 10,580,000 0.03022%
#7 Portugal 1765 1120 2885 10,191,000 0.02831%
#8 Estonia 177 151 328 1,331,000 0.02464%
#9 Switzerland 1276 838 2114 8,670,000 0.02438%
#10 United Kingdom 8750 6963 15713 67,815,000 0.02317%

The Nordic countries stand out as leaders, with a high per capita rate of Scrum Master and Product Owner certifications (0.034%). This strong embrace of Agile principles aligns with their cultural emphasis on collaboration and adaptability, giving them a competitive edge in digital transformation.

Similarly, the Baltic region shows a significant commitment to Agile practices, with 0.0138% of the population certified, despite its smaller size. This highlights how smaller economies can leverage Agile methodologies to stay nimble and competitive in an ever-evolving market landscape. Western Europe, with its larger economies and workforce, has the highest overall number of certified professionals but a lower certification rate per capita (0.015%).

Rank EU Region SM + PO Population Per Population Percentage
#1 Nordic Countries 9469 27,835,000 0.0340%
#2 Western Europe 40,825 271,685,000 0.0150%
#3 Baltic Countries 816 5,931,000 0.0138%
#4 Southern Europe 7769 129,022,800 0.0060%
#5 Southeastern Europe (Balkans) 1300 22,990,000 0.0057%
#6 Eastern Europe 4590 137,606,000 0.0033%
#7 Caucasus 70 16,656,000 0.0004%
#8 Transcontinental Countries 372 250,249,000 0.0001%

Focusing now on the states (cantons) of Switzerland, the clear correlation between the number of certified professionals and the economic significance of a canton suggests that Agile certifications are concentrated where the demand for modern project management is highest. Cantons with a strong presence of financial services, technology firms, and multinational companies, like Zürich, Bern, Vaud, and Geneva, are leading in certifications.

Comparison of Scrum Masters and Product Owners Certifications in the Top Cantons of Switzerland, highlighting the leading regions in Agile adoption.</

Comparison of Scrum Masters and Product Owners Certifications in the Top Cantons of Switzerland, highlighting the leading regions in Agile adoption.

As one could expect, Zürich is the most certified state in Switzerland with a total of 250 Scrum Master and Product Owner certifications, followed by Bern and Vaud (with resp. 137 and 47 total certifications). Geneva barely makes it in the top 10 and ranks #8 with 14 Scrum Masters and 6 Product Owners.

Rank State Inhabitants Scrum Masters Product Owners
#1 Zürich 1,570,000 160 90
#2 Bern 1,055,000 93 44
#3 Vaud 834,000 30 17
#4 Aargau 703,000 24 16
#5 Zug 130,000 25 11
#6 Basel-Stadt 201,000 19 7
#7 Lucerne 428,000 17 7
#8 Geneva 513,000 14 6
#9 St. Gallen 525,000 13 5
#10 Schwyz 164,000 10 4
#11 Solothurn 292,000 9 4
#12 Basel-Landschaft 294,000 8 3
#13 Fribourg 333,000 7 3
#14 Ticino 364,000 4 6
#15 Valais 363,000 5 2
#16 Thurgau 296,000 5 1
#17 Neuchâtel 176,000 3 2
#18 Jura 74,000 2 1
#19 Schaffhausen 84,000 0 1
#20 Appenzell Ausserrhoden 56,000 1 0
#21 Glarus 41,000 1 0
#22 Obwalden 39,000 0 0
#23 Uri 37,000 0 0
#24 Graubünden 201,000 0 0
#25 Appenzell Innerrhoden 16,000 0 0
#26 Nidwalden 45,000 0 0

While Basel is home to some of Switzerland’s largest pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, its numbers are lower than expected. Basel-Stadt hosts only 19 Scrum Masters and 7 Product Owners, while Basel-Landschaft has 8 and 3, respectively. Given the concentration of innovation-driven industries here, one would anticipate a stronger adoption of Agile practices. This could suggest that these companies may still be relying on traditional project management approaches, or that Agile frameworks are being adopted in less formalized ways without certification.

Rank State Population SM + PO Per 1/1000 Inhabitants
#1 Zug 130,000 25 0.1923
#2 Zürich 1,570,000 160 0.1019
#3 Bern 1,055,000 93 0.0882
#4 Basel-Stadt 201,000 19 0.0945

Normalizing the number of certifications by population reveals an interesting shift in the ranking: Zug emerges as the leader, with its 25 Scrum Master and Product Owner certifications. This figure is more than two times the median number of certifications cross Swiss cantons, showcasing Zug's unique position. This high concentration of certifications is likely due to Zug’s role as a business hub, known for its favorable tax conditions, which has attracted a significant number of tech and consulting firms. These industries typically have a high demand for Agile expertise, driving the need for certified Scrum Masters and Product Owners.

Cantons like Appenzell Innerrhoden, Graubünden, Nidwalden, and Uri have very few or no certified Scrum Masters or Product Owners. While lower numbers are expected due to smaller populations and fewer companies, this scarcity of certifications suggests that Agile methodologies may not yet be perceived as necessary or relevant for the industries and businesses in these rural regions.

While geographic trends offer valuable insights, it's equally important to explore how individual companies are driving Agile adoption across Switzerland.

Approximately 37.3% of Scrum Alliance-certified individuals have disclosed their employer at the time of certification. The data reveals that Die Mobiliar leads in this regard, with 32 certified Scrum Masters and Product Owners among its employees. Notably, the ranking shows a balanced representation across sectors, with financial institutions, healthcare companies, and IT services providers all appearing prominently.

Roche, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, ranks second with 20 Scrum Masters and 9 Product Owners. The company's emphasis on Agile methods likely reflects the increasing importance of digital transformation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Rank Company Scrum Masters Product Owners
#1 Die Mobiliar 24 8
#2 Roche 20 9
#3 SBB 13 9
#4 bbv Software Services AG 7 4
#5 LGT Financial Services AG 5 6
#6 AXA 4 6
#7 Swisscom 5 5
#8 Hitachi Energy 9 0
#9 Quickline AG 6 3
#10 F. Hoffmann-La Roche 7 1
#11 OMEGA 4 4
#12 Safran Vectronix AG 1 7
#13 Zurich Insurance 6 2
#14 EM Microelectronic 2 4
#15 kiwi Consultants AG 5 1
#16 SCOR 1 5
#17 UBS 4 2
#18 Deloitte 5 0
#19 JobCloud AG 2 3
#20 EPAM Systems 3 2

Surprisingly Lower Numbers in Financial Services
While UBS and Zurich Insurance are major players in the financial sector, their numbers are relatively low compared to other industries (UBS with 4 Scrum Masters and 2 Product Owners; Zurich Insurance with 6 Scrum Masters and 2 Product Owners). More on this below...

Companies like Swisscom, AXA, and OMEGA show a balanced distribution between Scrum Masters and Product Owners, while others like Safran Vectronix AG and Hitachi Energy have more focus on one role.

The lower number of Product Owner certifications in comparison to Scrum Masters indicates a strategic focus on team dynamics rather than just product vision. This suggests that companies might believe that having strong facilitation skills and ensuring effective team dynamics is more critical than focusing solely on the strategic aspects of product development.

The higher number of Scrum Masters in IT service companies like Hitachi Energy, Deloitte or kiwi Consultants AG could indicate a preference for technically oriented roles within Agile teams. In these companies, Scrum Masters might be expected to have a technical background that allows them to understand and address specific development challenges, making their role more valuable than that of a Product Owner.

Swisscom has a balanced number of Scrum Masters and Product Owners which may indicate a need for both strong product vision and effective team dynamics.

Some companies prioritize Scrum Masters over Product Owners. This could suggest a preference for technically-oriented roles and a focus on team facilitation over product vision.

The Scrum Alliance offers a range of additional certifications, such as the Certified Agile Leader® 1 (CAL 1™) certification, which goes beyond the standard Scrum Master and Product Owner paths. These alternative certifications provide specialized knowledge and skills that can be valuable for companies seeking to foster leadership qualities and a broader understanding of Agile practices within their teams.

Rank Company Total Other Agile Certifications Number of Employees Certified
#1 PostFinance AG 192 70
#2 DasScrumTeam AG 26 2
#3 Die Mobiliar 11 29
#4 SBB 11 19
#5 Roche 7 25

Interestingly, some organizations seem to prioritize these alternative certifications over the traditional ones. For example, PostFinance employs 70 individuals with such alternative certifications, yet only one of them holds a Scrum Master certification. This might indicate a strategic focus on leadership development and a broader approach to Agile adoption, emphasizing skills that go beyond team facilitation and product ownership.

DasScrumTeam AG holds 26 additional Agile certifications across just two employees, both of whom are also certified as Scrum Masters and Product Owners. While the company has a smaller number of certified employees, those two individuals collectively hold 30 certifications. Given DasScrumTeam AG’s focus on Agile consulting and training, it is understandable that their staff would be deeply committed to acquiring multiple Agile certifications, ensuring a high level of expertise.

Now that we've explored how individual companies are adopting Agile practices, it's essential to consider how entire industries are engaging with Agile methodologies. Different sectors vary in their adoption rates and challenges, each influenced by their unique operational demands and market environments. By examining these trends, we will gain a clearer understanding of Agile performance in key industries such as banking, insurance, and healthcare.

Rank Industry Product Owners (P.O.) Scrum Masters (S.M.) Other Agile Certifications Number of Employees Certified
#1 Technology & IT Services 119 71 61 169
#2 Engineering & Manufacturing 85 43 36 122
#3 Consulting & Professional Services 79 42 64 105
#4 Financial Services 14 17 198 99
#5 Insurance 50 31 37 79
#6 Consumer Goods & Retail 42 26 25 64
#7 Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals 37 21 17 52
#8 Banks 20 11 17 32
#9 Transportation 25 12 13 32
#10 Other Services 14 9 7 20

Technology & IT Services: This sector leads the way in Agile adoption, with the highest number of certified employees (169) and a significant emphasis on both Product Owners (119) and Scrum Masters (71). This reflects the industry's strong reliance on Agile methodologies to manage complex software projects and adapt quickly to market demands. It's no surprise that Technology & IT Services leads in Agile adoption because the Agile methodology was originally designed to address the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of software development. The tech industry thrives on innovation, speed, and flexibility, which are key pillars of Agile.

Engineering & Manufacturing ranks second on the list probably because, these industries have increasingly recognized the value of Agile methodologies for managing complex projects. While traditionally rooted in more rigid, sequential project management approaches like Waterfall, the shift towards Agile allows engineering and manufacturing companies to be more adaptive and responsive to technology advancements. Agile’s iterative approach is beneficial in managing product development cycles, especially when it comes to innovation and continuous improvement in manufacturing processes.

Banks and Insurances rank relatively low in Agile adoption probably due to several key factors specific to the financial industry:

  • Regulations: These sectors are highly regulated, with compliance standards that often require detailed planning. These constraints can slow down Agile adoption, as traditional, sequential approaches may seem more aligned with the need for meticulous record-keeping and risk management.
  • Cultural Resistance: The banking industry has long been associated with more conservative, hierarchical, and risk-averse organizational cultures Legacy Systems: Many banks still operate on large, complex legacy systems, which can be difficult to update or overhaul using Agile practices.
  • Transitioning these systems to a more Agile-friendly infrastructure requires significant time, investment, and technical resources, which may limit how quickly they can embrace Agile.

Banks and Insurances are going digital: Although their industries may not lead the rankings, specific banks and insurance companies like Die Mobiliar (the first in Switzerland to have 24 Scrum Masters), AXA, and UBS, still rank among the top 20 companies. This indicates that change is underway, and while there may be some resistance, the shift towards Agile is indeed happening—albeit gradually and with caution.

Given the sensitive nature of financial and insurance operations, companies often implement strict compliance measures that limit what employees can disclose about their work. As a result, bank employees may choose not to disclose their employment details. This suggests that the actual number of Scrum Masters and Product Owners in these industries could be higher than what the current data reflects.

By examining how certifications are distributed by gender and across industries, we can gain valuable insights into who is driving Agile adoption and where there may be opportunities for greater inclusion and diversity.

Map of Switzerland with Agiles cantons

Gender Distribution Across Agile Certifications: Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Other Certifications

Certification Female Male
Scrum Master 379 895
Product Owner 248 590
Other Agile certifications 309 944

On average, males account for more than three-quarters (72.2%) of all Agile certifications. Interestingly, there is little variation across certification types: women show nearly equal interest in Scrum Master certifications (29.8% female representation) and Product Owner certifications (29.6% female representation). Other Agile certifications attract slightly more women, with a 27.8% female representation.

The research highlights a significant presence of Agile certifications in Switzerland, though the country lags behind some European counterparts in total certification numbers and per capita rankings. Despite this, specific regions like Zug and Zürich, as well as key industries such as Technology & IT Services, have embraced Agile methodologies, showcasing a shift towards more innovative project management frameworks.

The research also reveals a gender imbalance in Agile certifications, with males making up over 72% of certified professionals. However, there is encouraging data showing nearly equal interest from women in both Scrum Master and Product Owner certifications.

Notably, the banking industry and insurance sectors, while historically slower to adopt Agile practices, are showing signs of gradual change, as evidenced by companies like Die Mobiliar and AXA ranking high in Scrum Master certifications.

At Hyperio, we not only prioritize technical expertise but also believe in fostering diverse teams to drive innovation. Our consultants, from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, are equipped to support your digital transformation, helping your organization navigate the challenges and opportunities of the Agile landscape in Switzerland. Whether your need is leadership, collaboration, or technical expertise, Hyperio is here to help you bridge the gaps and achieve sustainable success.

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