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Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®

Taught by: Rickard Jones, John Barratt

Agile Affinity LLP

Discover advanced scrum master techniques and problem-solving while renewing your membership with Scrum Alliance. Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® is delivered by Scrum Alliance-certified trainers whose coverage and exploration of advanced facilitation, coaching, and teaching are unmatched.

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5.00 out of 5.0 stars (7 ratings)

[email protected]

+44 330 223 4657

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1 hour |

Start May 21, 2026 CUT

£400

Course details

Location

Online

Schedule Details

Thursday, May 21 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CUT

Max number of students: 40

Course

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM®) credential badge from Scrum Alliance

Globally recognised by Scrum Alliance — the gold standard in Scrum certification

At a Glance

Format Self-paced mentorship, fully online via Zoom

Live Sessions Fortnightly Thursdays, 5–6 pm UK time

Duration 6 weeks to 6 months — you set the pace

Group Size Small cohorts — deliberately kept intimate for meaningful coaching time

Investment £400 + VAT | €500 | $500 USD

Exam None — certification via demonstrated practice and peer review

You already have your CSM®. You know the framework. Now the real questions start: how do you coach a team that doesn't want to be coached? How do you shift an organisation that says it's agile but isn't? How do you grow from facilitator to leader?

The Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM®) programme is a live mentorship — not a 2-day classroom sprint. You learn by doing real work with your real teams, supported by fortnightly sessions with two experienced coaches who work in the field every day. Complete it in as little as 6 weeks or take up to 6 months. You set the pace.

Traditional A-CSM providers charge £799–€1,395 and ask you to take 2–3 days off work for a classroom event. We deliver the same Scrum Alliance credential through a live mentorship model that fits around your actual job — at a fraction of the cost, led by two Certified Scrum Trainers who coach in the field every week.

What you need to join

You'll need a CSM® certification — it doesn't need to be active. To receive your A-CSM® credential you'll also need at least 12 months of ScrumMaster experience logged in your Scrum Alliance profile. You can start the programme before reaching 12 months and complete that requirement along the way.

Bonus: Completing your A-CSM® renews all your Scrum Alliance certifications for two years — a great reason to get started even if your CSM® has lapsed.

Not a Video Course. A Live Mentorship with Two CSTs.

US self-paced rivals charge $699–$750 for a learning management system and some pre-recorded videos. Our programme includes live fortnightly sessions with two Certified Scrum Trainers — Rickard Jones and John Barratt — who coach real teams every week. You bring real challenges. You get real guidance. That's the difference between a video course and a mentorship.

Traditional A-CSM classroom courses charge £799–€1,395 and require 2–3 days off work. Our mentorship model fits around your job, costs a fraction of that, and because you learn by doing with your real teams, the skills stick in a way a two-day event cannot match.

What Will You Receive?

A-CSM® Certification

Earn your Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (A-CSM®) from Scrum Alliance — the gold standard in globally recognised Scrum education.

Coaching, Not Just Content

Fortnightly live mentoring with two CSTs who coach in the field daily. Bring real challenges, get practical guidance — not textbook theory.

Learn Around Your Job

No time off work required. The self-paced format means you practise with your actual teams — your workplace becomes your learning environment.

Peer Community Between Sessions

Stay connected via group chat between mentoring sessions. Participants regularly arrange peer sessions to accelerate their learning and share challenges.

Ongoing Community Access

Lifetime access to the Agile Affinity Discord and the Scrum Event Meetup community — plus 20% off all future Scrum Alliance courses when you subscribe to our newsletter.

Renew All Your SA Certifications

Completing your A-CSM® automatically renews all your Scrum Alliance certifications for two years — even if your CSM® has lapsed. Two birds, one programme.

Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 48+ verified Google Reviews

★★★★★

"Great experience gaining my certificate with Agile Affinity. The mentoring sessions helped me gain valuable feedback across my training!"

— Vasileios Manolas

★★★★★

"Almost a year-long mentorship programme. The course really focuses on experience-based case evaluation. Hard, but worth it — fun and energizing."

— Pricillia G.

★★★★★

"The knowledge I get — I can apply it in real life. It's made me have big energy again. Thank you so much for the best course and your support."

— Unchasa Anong

Included: A 1:1 Close-Out Session with Your Trainer

When you're ready to validate your learning and close out the programme, your trainer will sit down with you one-on-one to review your journey, reflect on your growth, and ensure you're confident applying everything you've practised.

✓ Review your learning log and reflect on the real outcomes you've achieved with your teams.
✓ Leave with clarity on your next steps as a more capable, confident ScrumMaster — and your certification confirmed.

How the A-CSM® Programme Works

Self-Paced Mentorship — Your Workplace Is the Classroom

This isn't a course compressed into two days. It's a rolling mentorship programme designed around the reality of being a working ScrumMaster. You join at any time and can complete the programme in as little as 6 weeks or up to 6 months — you set the pace. We meet fortnightly on Thursdays, 5–6 pm UK time via Zoom. Between sessions, the group stays connected via online chat and often arranges additional peer sessions. Your trainers coach in the field more than they train — they're on this journey with you.

No Exam — You Earn Your Certification Through Practice

There is no exam. During your first mentoring session, we'll review the Agile Coaching Growth Wheel, discuss your self-learning log, and set your personal outcomes. To achieve certification, you must attend at least four mentoring sessions and demonstrate competency across all learning objectives. The programme takes a minimum of 6 weeks to complete.

Your Learning Log — In Any Format That Works for You

As you progress, you'll record what you learn in a concise log — the format is entirely yours to choose: written notes, slide decks, video reflections, sketches, whatever helps you learn and communicate that learning. A peer-reviewed reflection session evaluates how the programme has developed your skills. Everything you practise is something you can repeat with your teams — your work becomes your proving ground.

The Agile Coaching Growth Wheel — mapping eight competency areas including Teaching, Mentoring, Facilitating, Coaching, Leading, Advising, Technical Mastery, and Business Mastery

The Agile Coaching Growth Wheel — we use this to map your starting point and track your growth throughout the programme.

Is This Programme Right for You?

This programme is for practitioners who prefer learning by doing over a 2-day classroom. It is deliberately deep and challenging — the outcomes show in your team's results, not your exam score.

ScrumMasters

Who want to deepen their coaching skills and move beyond facilitation into genuine team and organisational leadership.

Agile Coaches, Consultants & Programme Managers

Who want to deepen their knowledge of Scrum and agile coaching in a structured mentorship setting.

HR, L&D & People Professionals

Who want to develop staff to the next level of Scrum Mastery within their organisation.

Anyone Who Learns by Doing

Where reflection and real-world application matter more than passing a test. If you're looking for a 2-day classroom, this programme isn't for you — this is something better.

What Topics Are Covered?

The A-CSM® programme deepens your knowledge across all core competency areas of advanced Scrum Mastery:

✓ Agile & Lean Values, Principles, and Worldview
✓ Empirical Process Control
✓ Agile Facilitation Techniques
✓ Agile Coaching Stance
✓ Self-Organisation & Team Dynamics
✓ Definition of Done

✓ Value of Engineering Practices
✓ Coaching the Product Owner
✓ De/Scaling Scrum
✓ Organisational Change Leadership
✓ Servant Leadership
✓ Stakeholder Engagement & Value Delivery

Meet Your Trainers

Both Rickard and John co-deliver every session. You get two CSTs for the price of one programme.

Rickard Jones

CST · Certified Team Coach (CTC) · LeSS Trainer · ICAgile Trainer · 20+ years

Rickard has spent two decades coaching organisations, teams, and individuals through complex agile transformations. A former XP developer, programme manager, and transformation lead, he brings deep hands-on experience to every session. He is a co-author of the AgileHR Manifesto and an international conference speaker.

John Barratt

CST · Enterprise Agile Coach · Military Background

John combines a military background with extensive enterprise coaching experience to help organisations simplify and build resilience. Client results include helping IAG Loyalty meet ambitious targets during COVID while reducing staff turnover, creating an internal coaching capability for Maersk saving £50,000 annually, and helping Vodafone's Secure Net product pass 20 million paid subscribers.

Why Train with Agile Affinity?

Boutique, Not a Factory

Small cohorts, personal attention, and both trainers present every session. We cap group sizes deliberately — you're not a seat number here.

Practitioners Who Coach Daily

Rickard and John coach real organisations every week — IAG, Maersk, Vodafone. They don't teach theory; they share what worked last Tuesday.

A Community, Not Just a Course

We run the Scrum Event (Europe's largest SA meetup), Agile Coach Camp UK, and the Kanban Coaching Exchange. Your network grows long after you certify.

750+ Certified. Since 2019.

Established, trusted, and consistently rated 4.9 on Google. We've been doing this long enough to know what actually develops great ScrumMasters.

Why Agile Affinity?

Agile Affinity has served the agile community since 2019, certifying over 750 practitioners a year across Scrum Alliance and ICAgile programmes. We run Scrum Event — the largest Scrum Alliance meetup in Europe — alongside the Kanban Coaching Exchange, the Agile Coaching Exchange, and Agile Coach Camp UK. When you train with us, you're joining a community of practitioners — not just attending a course.

Our trainers are practitioners first. Rickard and John coach more than they train — they work with real teams in real organisations every week. This is what makes the fortnightly mentorship sessions genuinely useful: you bring a real challenge, they've probably coached through something similar last Tuesday.

2019 Established

750+ Practitioners certified / year

4.9 ★ Google rating, 48+ reviews

2 CSTs On every A-CSM session

£400 + VAT €500 | $500 USD

✓ Full A-CSM® mentorship programme with rolling intake
✓ Fortnightly group sessions with two CSTs (Rickard & John)
✓ 1:1 close-out session with your trainer
✓ Peer community access (Discord + Scrum Event Meetup)
✓ 20% discount on future Scrum Alliance courses
✓ Up to 6 months to complete at your own pace

14-Day FULL Refund Guarantee. Not satisfied within 14 days of joining? We'll refund your full fee — no questions asked.

To pay in another currency, select your location at the top right of the AgileAffinity website. UK-based buyers must pay in GBP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites for the A-CSM® programme?

You'll need a CSM® certification — it doesn't need to be active. To receive your A-CSM® credential, you'll also need at least 12 months of ScrumMaster experience logged in your Scrum Alliance profile. You can begin the programme before reaching 12 months and complete that requirement along the way. Completing your A-CSM® also renews all your Scrum Alliance certifications for two years.

Is there an exam?

No. There are no written tests or exams. You earn your A-CSM® by demonstrating that you can apply what you've learned with a real Scrum or Agile team. Your trainers look for evidence of practice, reflection, and growth — not exam scores.

When can I start? How long do I have to finish?

You can start immediately after registering. If you see a "start date" on the Scrum Alliance website, those are marker dates due to how their system works. You have up to 6 months to complete the programme, and you go at your own pace — completing in as little as 6 weeks depending on your schedule.

How many people will be in the group?

Because the programme runs on a rolling basis, numbers vary from session to session. We deliberately keep groups small so everyone gets meaningful coaching time and space to discuss real challenges. This isn't a webinar — it's a mentorship.

Are the sessions recorded?

No. Sessions are not recorded. Because the programme runs fortnightly on a rolling basis, if you miss a session you simply attend the next one when it comes around — no recordings needed. You have up to 6 months to complete, so missing the occasional session won't hold you back.

Can I take a break if something comes up?

Yes. Life happens. You can pause and resume as needed within your 6-month window. Just let us know and we'll pick back up whenever you're ready. There's no penalty for taking a break.

What's the best way to approach the learning log?

The format is entirely up to you — written notes, slide decks, video reflections, sketches, whatever helps you learn and communicate that learning. The key is that everything you practise should be something you can repeat with your real teams, so your work becomes your proving ground.

Can my employer pay, or can I get a corporate invoice?

Yes. Select "Pay by Bank Transfer" at checkout on AgileAffinity.com and an invoice will be generated automatically. Payment must be received before joining instructions are sent. For larger corporate bookings or bespoke requirements, contact us at [email protected].

What's your refund policy?

We offer a 14-day FULL refund guarantee. If you're not satisfied within 14 days of joining the programme, contact us at [email protected] and we'll refund your full fee — no questions asked. Your success is our priority.

What software do I need?

A laptop or PC with a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone. Sessions are delivered via Zoom. Full details of any additional tools will be sent with your joining instructions after registration.

Details

Agile Affinity's vision is to enhance organisations with world-class Coaching and Training.

We do this not only by talking about Being Agile but also by Doing Agile coaching with Scrum.

It is why we coach more than we train to bring real experience to the classroom, run the highest-quality courses at a price people can afford, and invest in the agile community.

Scrum Alliance Courses Agile Affinity delivers:

Certified Scrum Master® (CSM)

Gain practical knowledge and certification as a Scrum Master.

Certified Advanced Scrum Master® (A-CSM)

Enhance your skills and advance your Scrum Master certification.

Certified Scrum Professional Scrum Master® (CSP-SM)

Achieve the highest level of Scrum Master certification.

Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)

Experience unique content and learnings by starting your Product Ownership certification journey.

Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® (A-CSPO)

Deepen your Product Ownership expertise and advance your CSPO certification.

Certified Scrum Professional Product Owner® (CSP-PO)

Achieve the highest level of Product Ownership certification.

Certified Agile Leader® (CAL 1)

Shift from managing work to leading organisational growth in a complex world.

Certified LeSS Basics - Scaled Scrum (CLB)

Understand the basics of Large Scale Scrum (LeSS).

Whatever your needs, we have a team of experienced experts ready to support you on your Agile journey. Our professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various industries, ensuring tailored guidance that aligns with your unique challenges and goals. Whether you're just beginning your Agile transformation or looking to enhance your existing practices, our experts are equipped to provide the insights and support necessary to achieve lasting success. From comprehensive assessments to hands-on coaching and strategic consulting, we are committed to empowering your teams and leaders to thrive in an Agile environment.

Private Training

We offer bespoke private training solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Get in Touch

Agile Services

We provide a full range of Agile coaching and consulting services, including team and programme coaching, Scrum Master Academies, Product Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Agile Transformations, and LeSS adoption.

Get in Touch

Agenda

What Topics Are Covered?

The A-CSM certification program will help you take that next step in your growth as a ScrumMaster and Agile Coach. By the end of this program, you will have deepened your knowledge on:

Agile and Lean Values, Principles, and Worldview
Empirical Process Control
Agile Facilitation
Agile Coaching Stance
Self Organisation
Team Dynamics
Definition of Done
Value of Engineering Practices
Coaching the Product Owner
De/Scaling Scrum
Organisational Change
Servant Leadership

What is the Program Schedule?

People want to know more about Scrum and Agile but do not have time to spend 14 hours straight (or more!) in a classroom. If that's your situation, this rolling mentoring program could be for you. As it is rolling, you can join at any time and gain certification when ready.

The certification program can be completed in as little as four weeks or up to 6 months—you decide, working at your own sustainable pace. You're in control!

By being empowered to learn in your own way and in your actual work time, practical Scrum Mastering, you can enjoy the freedom of getting certified when it’s convenient and works for you.

When do we meet?

We meet fortnightly on a Thursday between 5 pm and 6 pm UK time.

Between sessions, the group uses online chat to stay focused and connected and often arranges additional sessions with each other to accelerate their certification.

Learn by Doing!

Unlike classroom-based training, we offer the chance to try new skills and techniques during your day-to-day work.

You can then discuss these learnings in our regular mentoring sessions with leading industry experts doing Scrum in the field themselves from years of real-world practical experience.

All our educators coach in the field more than they train. We are on the journey with you.

Validation

During your first mentoring session, we will discuss the required self-learning log, review the Agile Coaching Growth Wheel and agree on what outcomes you desire from gaining the certification.

You can then attend peer events, workshops, conferences, and mentoring sessions while working individually to complete the validation log (a brief record of your learning).

Once the self-learning log is complete and checked by a peer, we will spend some time with you, reflecting on the difference the program has made to you. We will do this by reflecting on the updated agile coaching growth wheel and the agreed outcomes.

You must attend at least four mentoring sessions to validate your competency against the program learning objectives.

Who should attend

The A-CSM program can be taken at any time after completing your CSM certification. However, you must have at least 12 months of Scrum Master experience logged into your Scrum Alliance profile before you are eligible to receive your A-CSM certification.

Great Scrum Masters who wish to advance their skills and become more effective for their teams and organisations.
Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, Developers, Product Owners, Product Managers, Consultants, Program and Project Managers, and Facilitators who want to deepen their knowledge of Product, Agile, and Scrum.
HR, People, Learning and Development professionals who want to develop staff to the next level of Product Ownership.

Gain a deeper understanding of Scrum Master practices and principles.
Learn how to engage stakeholders effectively and create value-driven solutions.
Enhance your career prospects with a globally recognised certification.
Gain an additional FREE Certified LeSS Basics Certification.
Make new, long-lasting learning connections.

Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 stars

(7 ratings) TrustPilot logo

I really enjoyed John and Rick's A-CSM sessions. This was different from all other certs I have taken in the past. The combination of self learning, mentoring and peer based reviews was aligned with my research based learning style. Also the availability of a lifetime community to come back to anytime is definitely an additional benefit. Thank you!

Rickard and John run a great course that brings all Agile practitioners into one virtual room. It’s a great opportunity to learn and grow with others in the Agile community. The self paced program was perfect for my busy schedule. The instructors are very knowledgeable and take time to walk you through any struggles you may encounter.

Good material, Great Session, Worth !! For A-CSM Course I want to say "Thank you so much for the best course and your support". This course has benefit to me really really really really. I chose a self-paced course because my English skill for listening is not good. I want more scrum deeply knowledge and I think a 1-2 day course cannot give that to me. Your course helps me to learn step by step and cover the necessary perspectives. Although I regret that I could not understand all of the sessions (because my English skill for listening is not good) however, when I reviewed LO's others, I could get the positive energy is pass their stories. I really thank your course, It's made me have big energy again. And the knowledge that I get, I can apply it in real life.

I'm really sold by the approach of the trainers and would like to see more of it in this world. The two trainers show they master their craft and like to challenge us, all in a nice atmosphere. This specific program is also very inspirational and rewarding to me as I get to help my peers grasp the contents as much as they are helping me.

John and Rick did an excellent job teaching the material and providing lots of resources for learning outside the course to take things to the next level. They are very knowledgeable about Agile and Scrum, so I felt comfortable trusting them to train me adequately. I appreciated the asynchronous nature of the course, as it gave lots of flexibility. I would definitely take a course with them again. The course was also a steal - it was the most affordable option on the market and it is insane how much content and value is provided for the price, especially compared to the company I took the CSM course with.

John gives immediately actionable insights into what it takes to be a Scrum leader at an organization.

Great instructor and great peers to discuss and learn. Materials provided are very helpful with the learning objectives.