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Training and Certification:
Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®)
This is the most widely recognised Agile training and certification. We have been running and improving this course for over 16 years! Thousands of professionals have completed this course with us and have achieved a high score on the certification test.
Our Certified Scrum Master (CSM) course is about understanding effective Scrum in a way that connects principles with practical application. Also being well-informed about what is involved in being a team-centric capability leader a.k.a. Scrum Master.
Course Information:
We use highly immersive adult learning techniques such as visual modelling, simulations, role-plays and ‘Training from the Back of the Room’ activities to enable self-directed learning and enhanced retention.
This course is organised and run using Scrum. This allows for feedback and flexibility as well as experiencing Scrum in action throughout the course.
Come away with techniques that you can apply to improve teamwork amd create a continuous improvement culture in a wide vary of contexts with or without Scrum.
What pre-requisites are there?
There are no accreditation or educational pre-requisites for this course.
Some experience in a product development or project environment is beneficial however.
Who should attend?
CSM is for anyone interested in understanding the most popular Agile framework beyond the basics; or considering becoming an Agile capability leader – whatever the job title.
This includes:
- Scrum Masters,
- Agile coaches,
- Individual contributors across all specialisations (programmers, testers, business analysts etc. or equivalent for non-software work)
- Team leaders,
- Project managers, and
- Development managers.
How do I earn CSM certification?
Earning CSM accreditation involves 3 steps.
- Approximately 90 minutes of preparation prior to the training
- 2 days or 4 half days of highly interactive training.
- Completing the online CSM certification test within 90 days of the training.
Step 3 is a multiple-choice test that you take online within 90 days of course completion. It has 50 questions to be completed within 60 minutes. Whilst the pass mark is 37, graduates from our CSM course typically come close to 100%. We provide practice quizzes and guidance on CSM Test coverage during our CSM course.
What is included when I register?
- 2 days or 4 half days of highly interactive training.
- Active CSM certification with Scrum Alliance*.
- A copy of all course material.
- Ongoing support via direct contact and our online community.
* for participants who meet the training participation requirements and pass the CSM certification test administered by Scrum Alliance.
Course Information:
- Scrum ConceptsCore principles underpinning agility including empirical management and iterative incremental development.
- Events - iteration 1How Sprints work including the purpose, duration and relationship of all events.
- ArtefactsThe purpose, ownership, characteristics and examples of the artefacts that all enhance transparency.
- Accountabilities - iteration 1How the cross-functional, self-managing teams covers all aspects of value discovery and creation.
- Events - iteration 2The practicalities of running effective Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective events.
- Product Backlog RefinementOutcomes from effective PBR and how to find the balance from pre-Sprint backlog preparation.
- Definition of DoneDefining quality and cross-functional capability using the DoD and definition of Undone.
- Agile and ScrumHow to leverage Agile values and principles to enhance your Scrum adoption.
- Quiz and QuestionsGame show-style review of concepts and discussion of participant questions.
- Scrum Experience InceptionFrom vision to ready Product Backlog including an easy way to adopt story point estimation.
- Scrum ExperienceFull Sprint creating real product increments with opportunity to practise Scrum Master techniques.
- Accountabilities - iteration 2In depth exploration of Scrum Master, Product Owner and Developer authorities, responsibilities, characteristics and myths.
- Accountabilities - iteration 3How Scrum covers project management and goes beyond this to cover the long term product lifecycle.
- Scrum Master skillsLeading continuous improvement of product ownership, teamwork and empiricism through skillful application of Scrum Master stances.
- Continuous ImprovementPractical techniques for persuasively removing impediments and leading improvement to cross-functional capability, release frequency, technical practices and organisational constraints.
- Next StepsHow to excel with the certification test and start implementing what you have learnt with resources and ongoing support.
Next Upcoming Course:
Looking for corporate / private training?
Learning Facilitator:
Rowan Bunning
Biography:
In 2008, Rowan founded Adapt WithStyle (formerly Scrum WithStyle) to bring world-class Agile training and independent consulting to south-east Asia. As a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST®) with not-for-profit Scrum Alliance, Rowan has delivered over 530 certification courses including the full three level Path to Certified Scrum Professional® (CSP®) for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches.
Rowan holds a WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP) from the Singapore Institute for Adult Learning (IAL).
Rowan has played project management roles in the U.K. and Australia. This includes taking a high-profile online business to launch, and safely introducing frequent change to critical infrastructure processing AUD $250 billion worth of financial transactions daily.
Rowan is passionate about developing leaders skilled at developing teams and simplifying their organisations to compete at scale on the basis of agility, innovation and highest customer value.
Accreditations:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is CSM?
CSM stands for “Certified ScrumMaster”. It is the world’s most widely recognised certification in Scrum and Agile generally. Earning a CSM certification requires:
- awareness of foundational Scrum concepts prior to training
- participating in an interactive CSM training course, and
- passing the online CSM test.
CSM is not just for Scrum Masters, it covers all Scrum Roles and is for anyone wishing to understand Scrum for application in any industry.
CSM certification is awarded by the global nonprofit Scrum Alliance who have accredited over 1.8 million people since 2003.
Who awards CSM accreditation?
Scrum Alliance is the global organisation that awards CSM certification. Training is organised through a separate training provider such as Agile WithStyle. Agile WithStyle has been providing CSM training since 2008.
Scrum Alliance is the only member-driven nonprofit certifying body in the Agile space. Their vision is to be a trusted ally for members as they create a world of work that is joyful, prosperous and sustainable.
How do you become a Scrum Master?
To become a Scrum Master, we recommend following the step below.
Step 1: Scrum training to understand Scrum and the Scrum Master role
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) covers the practical application of Scrum as well as knowledge about the Scrum framework. It teaches you what good Scrum looks like and what the Scrum Master role involves. As such it is excellent first training if you are interested in the Scrum Master role or trying to decide whether to pursue it. It also provides you with the most sought-after certification globally in the Agile-related jobs market.Step 2: Gain experience on a Scrum Team
Apply what you learned on CSM training as a member of a Scrum Team. If you play a role other than Scrum Master initially, observe how an experienced Scrum Master operates. Ideally seek mentoring toward becoming a Scrum Master from your Scrum Master or an Agile Coach.Step 3: Look for opportunities to serve as a Scrum Master
Be creative about how you explore opportunities to serve as a Scrum Master or servant leader outside of work. For example with a charity or community organisation, coaching your kid’s sports team or using visual management and Scrum Master skills to help your family to self-organise. The initiative-taking and ability to apply Scrum principles to varied contexts are likely to be particularly compelling to employers.If your organisation is pursuing an Agile adoption, find out how Scrum Masters are recruited and make it known that you are interested. Finding an opportunity to work as a Scrum Master within your organisation for a year or two will increase your employability as a Scrum Master in the job market.
Step 4: Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) training to deepen your skills and advance your career
Your employment prospects, as well as confidence and effectiveness as a Scrum Master, will be greatly enhanced by earning an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification. The ideal time to do this is 12 months after you begin serving in a Scrum Master role. A-CSM provides an expanded toolkit to lead Scrum Teams to be increasingly effective, even in a challenging environment.How much does CSM cost?
Please find pricing on course listings.
Early bird discounts may be available for booking multiple weeks prior to the course and when booking multiple participants together. If there are many people in your organisation interested in CSM training then having everyone learn together on a private course just for your organisation may be a choice. Please contact us for further information.
How much do Scrum Masters earn?
Scrum Masters earn differently based on their location. In Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand) Scrum Master earn an average of AUD $196,000 annually (based on USD $149,507) according to the 2019 Scrum Master Trends report.
Is the Scrum Master test difficult?
No, Scrum Master’s test is not difficult for a candidate who has paid attention during their CSM training and read The Scrum Guide carefully. It is not something that requires weeks of study.
The CSM test is a multiple-choice test taken online within 90 days of completing a CSM training course. The questions in the CSM test focus on understanding the Scrum framework and the basics of the Scrum Master role.
Participants on Agile WithStyle’s CSM courses have the opportunity to practise for the CSM Test through multiple quizzes and discussion of answers during the course. These quizzes are more difficult than the CSM Test and help participants to do exceptionally well at the CSM Test.
The pass mark for the current CSM test is 37 out of 50.
Which Scrum Master certification is best?
Of all the Scrum certification bodies that have emerged in recent years, only Scrum Alliance and scrum.org are both widely recognised and held in high regard by experienced Scrum professionals. One reason for this is the material taught in programs by these organisations is aligned to true Scrum as per The Scrum Guide by the creators of Scrum. Organisations that use their own definitions of Scrum teach something that is not considered Scrum by Scrum’s creators.
The Scrum Master certification programme from Scrum Alliance starts with: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) and progresses through Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) to Certified Scrum Professional-ScrumMaster (CSP-SM).
The Scrum Master certification programme from scrum.org starts with Professional ScrumMaster (PSM I) and progresses through PSM II to PSM III.
The CSM and PSM I certifications differ in several ways including the following.
Practical application
CSM certification emphasises the demonstration of learning, including through practical application. PSM I certification emphasises passing a knowledge-based multiple-choice test. If you are seeking practical techniques for enacting Scrum then CSM is the best choice.
Interactive training requirement
CSM certification requires interactive training, PSM I certification does not. You can attain a PSM I without doing any Scrum training and without meeting anyone who has practised Scrum. CSM certification indicates to employers that you have participated in Scrum training with a highly qualified Certified Scrum Trainer.
Trainer teaching skill variability
An optional PSM I test preparation training can be taught by anyone whereas CSM can only be taught by a highly skilled trainer who has been awarded a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) designation by Scrum Alliance.
Many PSM I preparation courses are taught by Professional Scrum Trainers (PSTs) vetted by scrum.org, however, these credentials differ in the level of training experience and adult learning skills required to achieve them.
Becoming a CST who teaches CSM courses is widely considered to be considerably more difficult than becoming a PST who teaches optional PSM I test preparation courses.
Ongoing professional development
CSM certification requires an active pursuit of further professional development to remain active, PSM I does not. You can retain a PSM I for life without ever practising Scrum or doing any Scrum or Agile related training. To retain a CSM beyond its initial term of 2 years you must log a minimum of 20 Scrum Education Units worth of professional development activity over that period. This demonstrates to employers and others a more significant commitment to ongoing learning than a PSM I.
Scrum beyond software
CSM certification addresses the use of Scrum in varied contexts including those outside of software development. PSM I is focused on the use of Scrum in software development.
Where your money goes
A financial investment in CSM goes to a not-for-profit organisation to reinvest in the Agile community. A financial investment in PSM I goes to the shareholders of a for-profit company.