Certified ScrumMaster

Certified ScrumMaster Training

All CSM courses are taught by Certified Scrum Trainers. Taking a CSM course, passing the CSM test, and accepting the license agreement designates you as a Certified ScrumMaster, which indicates that you have been introduced to and understand the basic concepts you need to perform as a ScrumMaster or team member on a Scrum team. This course also satisfies two elements of the CSD track: Scrum Introduction and Elective.

This class runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lunch will be included. Attendance for the full 2 days and participation in group exercises are required for certification.

Course attendees are encouraged to have basic knowledge of the Scrum process obtained from books, journal articles, and online content. Prior experience with Scrum a plus. We highly recommend that you also read Agile Project Management with Scrum by Ken Schwaber.

Scrum is the fastest growing Agile project management approach and this course provides the Scrum framework, how to apply Scrum to your projects, and how to navigate the cultural change necessary to implement Scrum. By the end of the 2-day course, you’ll be eligible for membership in the Scrum Alliance™ with the designation of Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) and will have the background to begin your journey towards increased productivity, faster ROI, and improved value to your end customers through Scrum.

Certification requires that you be present and participating for the entire class and that you take a short on-line exam within 90 days of completing the couese. Read this page for details.

This is a highly interactive and immersive course leveraging many techniques of accelerated learning. Come prepared to participate in a practice Scrum project along with many other group exercises to help get both the concepts and the feel of Scrum.

Scrum Framework

• Agile software development implements Lean principles and dynamics. 
• Scrum is one form of Agile, designed initially for software development but applicable to other kinds of work. 

Scrum Roles 

• Scrum has 3 roles 
• The roles share the responsibility of creating value in small increments 
• The roles complement each other to create a balanced team 

Scrum Execution 

• Scrum organizes work into 1-4 week time boxes called Sprints 
• Each Sprint has 4 primary meetings 
• The bulk of the time is spent creating value in the form of a product 

Fundamental Dynamics 

• Scrum works because it is based on fundamental principles of human behavior, complex systems and mathematics 
• Scrum is a framework for continuous improvement 

Scrum Planning 

• Scrum planning is continuous 
• Scrum planning happens at 5 levels, each with a different time horizon 
• The Product Backlog is the primary source of work to be completed and value to be delivered 

User Stories 

• User Stories are simple descriptions of desired functionality 
• User Stories have two attributes that are helpful for planning: size and priority 
• Stories are elaborated just-in-time for implementation 

Prioritization 

• Priorities help the Scrum Team decide what to do next 
• Priorities help with long term planning 
• Prioritization can be done in many ways, based on many criteria 

Estimation 

• Agile estimation is done at both the high level and the low level 
• Estimates are used for planning and for tracking progress 
• Estimates are done quickly, by the Delivery Team 
• Estimates are not commitments 

Long Term Planning 

• Scrum-built products may have Roadmaps and Release Plans 
• Team velocity is a measure used in long term planning 

The ScrumMaster Role 

• The ScrumMaster is responsible for the health and growth of the Scrum Team 
• The ScrumMaster is a facilitator, mentor, negotiator, protector, coach and servant leader 

Team Growth 

• Scrum motivates more effectively that traditional financial motivators 
• Teams go through stages 
• Agile technical practices enhance Team success 

Scrum Adoption 

• Scrum is simple but not easy 
• Organizations are resistant to change 
• Choosing the easy parts may fail to give the desired results 

Scaling Scrum Up and Out

• Scrum can scale to many Teams 
• Distributed Scrum is constrained by the laws of physics but there are patterns that can help

Class Project 

• Scrum Simulation 

Parking Lot 

• Your Topics 

Certification 

• Personal Actions 
• Class Evaluation 
• Class Picture 
• Graduation Ceremony 

Project, program, business, and IT managers interested in Scrum training.