If you are looking for a certification that can put your talents to use, then becoming a Certified Scrum Master would be a great choice. Don’t worry if you do not know much about the CSM® certification! We will help you with this! Well, to begin with, the discussion, the first thing to know is that the CSM certification is valid across the globe and provides you with numerous career opportunities.
But what is it and how can one become a CSM®? In this article, we will provide you with the answer to this question.
What is a CSM® (Certified Scrum Master)?
The agile development teams need a Scrum Master to produce the desired profits. A CSM® is responsible for facilitating the team and increasing the probability of success in the organization.
It is essential to note that a Certified Scrum Master is not a Project Manager or a project leader. He/ she is a servant leader who is dedicated to helping the team succeed within the Scrum framework.
A Scrum Master has many responsibilities like helping the team, protecting them from distractions, increasing productivity, etc. A Certified Scrum Master training and certification expands the career opportunities of the individual and helps them land great job options.
How to Become a Certified Scrum Master®?
There are three steps that one has to follow in order to have a career as a CSM®. Here they are!
- Step 1 – Take Up a Course
In order to become a successful Certified Scrum Master®, candidates must enroll in a CSM® course. The course will provide the candidates with experiential learning using case studies, role plays, simulations, etc. By taking up the CSM course, candidates will have in-depth knowledge of the Scrum framework.
- Step 2 – CSM Training
Once you have enrolled in a CSM® course, you will get hands-on experience in practical training. You will learn to apply the skills, knowledge, and concepts of the CSM course in training, thereby refining them and helping the company reach success.
- Step 3 – Pass the Exam
After you have gained the necessary knowledge and concepts, the candidates have to give the exam. In order to excel in the examination, a candidate has to get 37 correct answers out of 50. If the candidates fail, they can again take the exam within 90 days after the result. The second attempt will cost $25 to the candidates.
Once a candidate gains the CSM® certification, it needs to be renewed after every two years. For this, a CSM must complete 20 SEUs and pay $100 to the Scrum alliance.
Let us look at why CSM® certification and training are necessary.
Importance of CSM® Training & Certification
The CSM® certification gives a candidate an edge over other competitors in agile organizations. Below are the reasons why CSM® certification is important.
- A Firm Base
A CSM® certification endows the candidates with a solid foundation of Scrum concepts, practices, principles, etc. The knowledge provided via the certification is highly relevant for assisting the project teams & obviating roadblocks. Thus, CSM certification provides a firm base for the candidates regarding the Scrum framework.
- Implementation of Agile Approach
The Scrum Master certified professionals have the necessary tools & skills to implement the streamlined agile methods in the organization. A CSM® certification signifies the fact that a person has the formal capabilities to help the company yield profits. A CSM® professional is good at deploying apt & constructive strategies & maneuvering precisely in the agile environment.
- Provides Value and Quality Products
A CSM® certification provides candidates with a knowledge of satisfying customers by producing high-quality products. Meeting the needs of customers is one of the essential cornerstones of an agile framework. Thus, agile organizations strive hard to achieve and exceed the expectations of the customers by offering them valuable and high-quality services and products.
- Better Return on Investment
Expert application of Scrum principles and concepts strengthens the business workflow, resulting in optimum project outcomes. This provides the customers with a higher return on investment. A successful Scrum Master takes frequent feedback and valuable insights from the stakeholders in order to remain aligned and prevent mistakes in the organization.
- Market Trends
Another important benefit of the CSM® certification is that it keeps the individual updated about the market trends, technologies, and practices. Without market insight, a CSM would be lost among the competitors, thereby leading to stagnation of career growth of a CSM.
- Improved Risk-Assessment Skills
A CSM learns to identify the risks & remove the impediments at every step ranging from the beginning of the project to its delivery. Practicing the Scrum methodology enables the individual to sharpen the assessment skills for risks, which are integral in managing unexpected situations arising in the organization.
- Boosting Team Productivity
A CSM® certification helps one manage the team efficiently. Agile professionals have a good notion of how to motivate their team members in order to deliver quality products. A CSM motivates the team members with proper guidance.
So, these are the reasons why CSM® certification is important. Now, in order to become a successful CSM, there are certain skills that a candidate needs to acquire. Let us discuss them in detail.
Skills of CSM® (Certified Scrum Master)
Today, every company looks for certified individuals with specialized skills. Below are the Scrum Master skills that help the individual as well as the organizations in the long run.
- Communication is a necessary skill to guide the process teams and inspires them to lead meetings.
- Interpersonal skills like empathy and active listening are vital to building positive relationships with other team members.
- Collaboration helps the members share ideas and responsibilities with one another.
- A CSM has to train and inspire the team members. They protect the members from distractions.
- A CSM is responsible for resolving conflicts, thereby creating a positive environment to improve performance and product delivery.
- A CSM can easily adapt to changes to suit the processes and framework of the team.
Apart from these soft skills, there are some technical skills as well that a Certified Scrum Master should have. Here they are!
- Agile & Scrum Knowledge
Scrum Masters are experts in Scrum and Agile principles. They make sure that the teams are following the pre-specified processes & techniques to complete and release projects on time.
- Software Development & Management Skills
In order to work on software products and projects, candidates must have a basic knowledge of structure, requirements, processes, etc.
- Business Analysis
A CSM has to focus on improving a product to meet the needs of the stakeholders, consumers, and the company.
Responsibilities of a Scrum Master
A Scrum Master has to fulfill certain duties and responsibilities in the company. They are:
- Ensuring the team’s incorporation with agile practices.
- Performing daily Scrum and agile meetings to help the team understand the work and plan ahead.
- Ensuring a positive work environment and relationship between the product owner and the team.
- Ensuring that the team is making progress by working on the right tasks.
A Certified Scrum Master® has to perform several roles in the organization. Being a servant leader, a CSM strives hard to make the company yield profits by improving the efficiency of the business processes.
Today, many companies are adopting the agile framework to drive real value in the products and services offered. The agile framework helps in increasing productivity by reducing the roadblocks throughout the improvement processes.
To become a Certified Scrum Master, a candidate has to gain the CSM® certification. The certification will provide the candidates with experiential learning and hands-on experience. In the certification and training program, the candidates will have an in-depth knowledge of agile and Scrum concepts. Apply today for the CSM® certification and commence your success journey!
