For businesses to stay profitable, they must deliver products that are of the highest possible value. As a Scrum Master, you would have to help the teams in delivering products in short cycles, continual improvement, enabling fast feedback, and adapting rapidly to change.
Becoming a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is not difficult. However, if you want to lead your team as per the Scrum principles, you will need focus and commitment. Through the CSM training, you will learn just how to do that.
What is CSM?
In every Agile Development team, there should be a Scrum Master. As a CSM, it will be your responsibility to facilitate the team and increase the probability of the team’s success. It is important to note that a Scrum Master is not a project leader or a project manager. The most appropriate term for them is a ‘servant leader’. You will help the team succeed while working with the Scrum framework. The responsibilities of a CSM including helping the team members work together and protecting them from any distractions that might derail their productivity. You will also be enjoying several benefits like engaging with other CSM professionals and expanding your career opportunities.
How to become a Scrum Master?
One of the main roles in an Agile project is that of a Scrum Master. They act as the key facilitator of the project. Their job includes improving team interactions, arranging daily meetings, and maximizing productivity by supporting the team and removing the roadblocks. In order to become a Scrum Master, you must become certified. Here is how you can become a Certified Scrum Master in a few simple steps:
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Learn the Scrum’s basics
Before you start working as a Scrum Master, you have to familiarize yourself with the principles and values of the Scrum framework and Agile. Apart from the course material provided to you during the certification course, you should also go through the Agile Manifesto in order to get an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts, beliefs, and practices.
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Attend the certification course
You must enroll yourself in a recognized CSM course. There are no eligibility requirements for the course. However, by investing the course, you will be able to learn about everything that the framework has to offer. Here is how a certification program can help you:
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Agile and Scrum Training
If you want to incorporate the methodology safely in the organization, you should have deep knowledge of the terms, terminologies, systems, and phrases related to Scrum. Through the CSM certification training, you will learn about the different Scrum practices that you can use. This will impact the team’s and project’s success significantly.
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Technical Familiarity
A Scrum Master is also responsible for helping the software development teams in building programs and avoiding any roadblocks. For this, you must have an understanding of the technical terms and processes. You must know how to use the tools that are used by the team. It will be beneficial for your role as a Scrum Master.
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Coaching Abilities
When a Scrum Master has strong teaching skills, it helps them in teaching the teams who have no idea how the Scrum framework works. As a Scrum Master, you will know exactly what to do and will be able to explain to everyone the why’s and how’s. You will be playing the role of a coach and encouraging the team members to work on their weaknesses and improve their strengths. You have to work with every team member in order to enhance the team’s potential.
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Handling Conflicts
If the team is unable to handle the conflicts by themselves, you will have to resolve it so that the team’s progress is not hampered. A Scrum master role also involves being an experienced facilitator and negotiator to help the team members. You must have the right interpersonal skills for handling the disagreements and finding a solution that is satisfactory for everyone involved.
- Leadership
A Scrum Master is a part of the team. This is why they should keep the needs of the team above that of an individual. They have to be a part of the team and lead the team at the same time.
- Register for the CSM exam
Once you have finished the certification program and feel like you can take the exam and have enough understanding of how to be a Scrum Master, you should register for the exam. It is advised that you take the CSM exam soon after completing the course. This way, you will be able to retain the maximum information taught during the training program.
- Study for the CSM exam
Even if you have enrolled for the exam just after completing the course, you should continue going through your notes and studying right until the day of the exam. You can read additional Scrum resource material and watch Scrum webinars. This way, you can ensure that you are completely prepared for passing the exam.
The exam will be focusing on the key principles and practices of Scrum including team building, project management, progress reporting, release planning, and scalability. However, there might be some questions about the history, philosophy, and evolution of the framework.
- Take the CSM exam and pass it
The CSM is conducted online and contains 50 Multiple-Choice questions. You will have 60 minutes (1 hour) for finishing the exam. In order to pass the CSM exam, you should score at least 74%. You can take the exam after completing the course. The Subject Matter Experts at the Scrum Alliance community will decide the exam pattern.
- Renew the certification
You have worked hard for earning your CSM certification. However, you have to work continuously in order to avoid lapsing the certification after 2 years. In order to renew the certification, you have to earn 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs). These units are used for validating your participation as well as continuous proficiency in the Scrum’s fundamental practices and principles. You have to earn the SEUs within 2 years. Also, you have to pay a renewal fee of $100.
So, what are you waiting for? Enroll in a CSM Certification course and become a Scrum Master.
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