Weekend CSM in the Thames Valley

The ScrumMaster Certification is a 2-day course introducing the concepts and application principles of the Scrum framework.  

You will learn the essential concepts, roles and the tools of Scrum, providing you with a roadmap for adopting Agile. Learn how to lead development teams towards agile operations by managing product backlogs, planning releases and sprints, tracking and reporting progress, and holding retrospectives.

Upon completion of the course, you are eligible to take an exam, the successful completion of which gains you the designation of Certified ScrumMasters (CSM), a first step in the journey towards this more adaptive form of projectwork and leadership. Included in the course is membership in the Scrum Alliance, where valuable ScrumMaster material and information is available exclusively to CSMs.

About the Trainer

This course is taught by Simon Bennett a Certified Scrum Trainer with over 20 years real-world experience in software and hardware development, the last 12 of which have been focussed on using Agile frameworks and methods including Scrum, XP, Crystal & Kanban.

From 2008 through 2010 Simon was also the Product Owner for the Scrum for Team System TFS process template.

Simon has considerable experience in organisational agile adoption, large scale Scrum and using Scrum in an offshore environment, as well as successfully blending Scrum with other methods including UCD.

His wealth of experience brings a unique depth and flavour to the course, as students will learn from real world case studies rather than only theory and simulations.

With regard to delivery, Simon is also a seasoned trainer with over two decades of experience, and a regular speaker at major international conferences. Recent engagements include:

Scrum Gathering South Africa, September 2010
  “Contracts & Pay Packets” (5 hour Deep Dive)
  Opening Address

Agile 2010, Orlando August 2010
  “The Incentive Trap” (3 hour invited tutorial)

Scrum Gathering Orlando March 2010
  “The Incentive Trap”

PDC 2009, Los Angeles
  “Scrum in the Enterprise with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010”
  http://microsoftpdc.com/Sessions/FT09

Scrum Gathering Munich 2009
  “The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Applying Game Theory to Agile Contracting”
  “Best Practice in Agile Product Ownership” – Panel Chair
  Conference Selection Committee Member

Agile 2009, Chicago
  “The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Applying Game Theory to Agile Contracting”
  “Why do (so many) testers (still) hate Agile?”

PDC 2008, Los Angeles
  “Agile development on the Microsoft Platform”

Scrum Gathering Stockholm 2008
  “Lean vs. Agile: Stop fighting, start delivering”

About the Venue

A hearty lunch is provided both days.

Enjoy the country surrounds at this tranquil location. DeVere Sunningdale is easily accessible from the M4, M25 and M3, there is ample free parking available. Complimentary transportation to and from Sunningdale railway station can be provided with prior notice. Sunningdale is on the London Waterloo - Reading line and is approximately mid way between the two.

Fully catered accommodation on the grounds is also available and is a popular option, please contact us for details.

Praise for the Course

"I wanted to say thank you for organising the Scrum Master course last week. Everyone has come in this morning buzzing about the potentials of how productive it could make us, and with a real enthusiasm to try and change our practices for the better. Definitely a good course!!"

"Thanks for organising an enjoyable course and I have passed the exam as well. The course was very useful  and we had a great time.Overall the whole experience completely exceeded our expectations, specially the penny game :-)"

"Just a quick note to thank you again for the CSM course. It was a very enjoyable two days, I found the mix of Simon’s teaching and the practical exercises really helpful in learning more about Scrum. Having such a knowledgeable and experienced tutor was great as it meant that we were able to cover learning points as they came up rather than having to rigidly follow a set agenda. I’m looking forward to evangelising Scrum back at work and encouraging my colleagues to learn more and attend courses like this. Thanks, also for setting me up on the Scrum Alliance website. I’m pleased to say that I logged in this morning and passed the assessment with a 100% score. I definitely want to gain the experience needed to enable me to apply for the CSP certification."

"The course was absolutely brilliant.  I'm always trying to promote being Agile and think loads of people would benefit from your Scrum course.  I'll definitely promote you guys when I'm in the sorts of positions where I believe we can all have a positive effect."