CSM Exam Format in 2021

Why Scrum Master Certification high in demand?

Scrum Master Certification will give you the competitive edge in rapidly changing business need. Scrum training or Scrum master certification will turn out to be self-motivated and enable you to accept complex and big responsibilities. The industry is adapting Agile rapidly and Certified Scrum Master are in demand. You can take advantage of this competitive environment by certification and demonstrating your skills as a Scrum Master. By certification, you can prove that you have an agile mindset and core knowledge on agile methodology. Being a Certified Scrum Master enables you to convey yourself in an attractive way to the prospective employer. You can join expert Scrum Community and do networking with Agile coaches and experts and take their advantage to learn and grow your knowledge of best industry practices which indirectly help in applying at your organization and earn you recognition.

Why Scrum Master Certification high in demand?

The popularity of the Scrum Framework has raised demand for Certified Scrum Masters. Scrum Framework is popular for organizations willing to adopt an agile methodology. A survey says that 58-75% of teams following pure Scrum or hybrid Scrum with other agile approaches like XP or Kanban. Scrum framework is popular due to its simplicity. Though its simple, for new teams it is not still easy to adapt. Skilled Scrum Master plays an important role in team success by ensuring that the team is accepting and following the Scrum framework rules and adapting best industry practices and deliver the product in the best effective manner. A Certified ScrumMaster is earning a salary between Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per annum i.e. an average salary of Rs. 11,54,487 per annum. Individual’s knowledge and experience affect pay scale of Scrum Master job with skills Agile software development, Agile Project Management, Scrum and other Agile framework and methodologies.

Who can do this course and how it will advantage them?

Professionals who wish to become a professional Scrum Master, Member of Scrum team and teams who wish to adopt Scrum can take the Certified Scrum Master course. CSM Training and certification can be done by Project Managers and Product Managers

Certified ScrumMaster training will help Project Managers to understand Scrum Master role and responsibilities to Stakeholder, Product Owners, and Scrum Team as Scrum Practice requires strong coloration, work accountability among Scrum team.

Journey to scrum master certification 

An agile framework is gaining immense popularity given its advantages for businesses. To show that one has the capability and understanding to apply and use this framework in practice, one needs to have proper credentials, i.e. a valid certification as a professional.

One such highly coveted certification is that of a Scrum Master. Scrum masters are professionals in huge demand by companies and even specific teams within a company. Firstly, each agile team essentially requires a scrum expert to handle each agile project. Hence, the introduction of any new project in the agile framework requires a scrum master as a human resource. Secondly, the number of such agile projects is increasing at a fast pace, given the proven advantages of agile. Even whole organizations are transforming into the agile framework.

What is CSM scrum

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a certification program, offered by an authorized organization. Anyone possessing a certificate of CSM in their name may thus be recognized as professionally qualified scrum masters. This is a useful recognition as the CSM certified professional may even act as a scrum team leader, may later progress to be a scrum trainer, or offer professional consultancy in this field.

This CSM certification course is just the step to become a scrum master. To actually remain to be a scrum master and effectively perform the roles, is a different ball game altogether. This is because the role of a scrum master is complex and multi-dimensional. Of the multiple dimensions, the main role or the crux of all the required tasks is that of explaining the principles and strategies of the scrum to the rest of the team members working on an agile project. In this regard, the scrum master is a trainer of the scrum for the entire scrum team, orienting them towards all basics of scrum, including its principles, norms and regulations, advantages, implementing strategies, etc. Further, the scrum master also has the important role of briefly orienting the rest of the employees too regarding scrum. This brief overview for all is essential so that all understand how the scrum team functions.

The basic requirement to be eligible to carry out these roles is to have the professional certification showing that one is a valid Certified Scrum Master.

What is scrum certification

Scrum Alliance is the authorized body offering one of the best scrum master certifications for a scrum master. This body offers other best scrum certifications too and has a recognized reputation in the business world for the quality and authenticity of its courses. The Scrum Master Certification training is carried out by Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) only. This ensures the quality of the training program, maintaining the brand image of the Scrum Alliance. The Scrum certification in turn is also a detailed process with quality control mechanisms and evaluation processes in-built in the program.

The accreditation procedure incorporates two sections, to be specific; they are the preparation and then assessment. At the point, after completing the preparation you gain certainty as you have aced Scrum system, working technique, and all ideas related to it. With this certainty, you show up for the test to show success and get certified. 

The scrum certification training centers on characterizing the observational procedure and a nitty-gritty prologue to a nimble approach. The philosophy clarification begins with its history, framework, principles, and manifesto. At that point, it includes a complete framework that gives insights about sprint, backlog, standup meetings, products, retrospective, burndown chart, and refinement. It explains about all scrum way of SDLC and portrays appropriated scrum's accepted procedures.

Reasons to get scrum master certificate

Each group needs a pioneer; in any case, there's no association or responsibility. Scrum groups are no special case to the standard. Scrum Masters serve the team, PO, and all the stakeholders. 

Here's a rundown of jobs and capacities that a Certified Scrum Master satisfies: 

• Can understand how to plan for the product development in an experimental situation 
  
• Coaches and leads the entire team and stakeholders to accept Scrum 
• Ensures that everybody in the group has a strong comprehension of the objectives, extension, and product scope.
• Facilitates Scrum occasions 
• Finds strategies to oversee the backlog management 
• Helps explore the Scrum group through conditions where Scrum is neither completely actualized nor comprehended 
• Helps the group convey the high-esteem project 
• Introduces changes that improve group profitability 
• Provides an idea to the team for handling the work and themselves to work towards delivery 
• Removes obstacles to the group's advancement 
• Understands and practices the skills acquired 
• Works with other SMs in the association to improve generally Scrum adequacy 

As should be obvious by that rundown (and it's not finished!), any able Certified Scrum Master has a difficult, but not impossible task ahead. That is the reason a certificate is such a basic component for any Certified Scrum Master. Just a CSM who has been prepared and affirmed by a licensed organization can effectively deal with the entirety of the requests put on them.

Steps involved in scrum master certification course

There may be several portals offering this certification, but it is essential to choose only an authentic institution so that the final certificate received is valid and accepted by companies. Hence, the first step is to select a service provider. Next, the mandatory two-day training has to be attended and all its requirements, including readings and assignments, need to be satisfactorily carried out. Based, on this training, the participant then has to clear a qualifying examination to become a certified scrum master. This is an online test for which one has to register on the portal of Scrum Alliance. The registration process is simple enough, requiring a few details and setting of own login details. The test performance is considered successful of one score at least 74% in it. On achievement of this score or above, one is awarded the certificate.

Prerequisites for CSM exam

There is no particular qualification or experience required to get certified. Be that as it may, it is essential to have information about the scrum procedure. Likewise, a strong urge for learning and implementing is mandatory. One ought to have essential information about how the scrum team works. These can be acquired by perusing through the web or going to a preparation program with recognized organizations.

CSM course

The scrum training must be given by a CST - Certified Scrum Trainer. The preparation is finished with an example of an online assessment. 

Scrum Alliance CSM certificate is given to make you an SM and confirm that you are a pro in that. The goal of the preparation is to walk each participant through the system of Scrum. It covers all topics in basic agile methodology and Scrum framework making the participant execute scrum. One can comprehend the scrum life cycle and thus can compose a powerful scrum group. Start to finish subtleties is shrouded in the 2-day preparation.

Certified scrum master training online curriculum

The goal of the CSM® course is to show you the basics of Scrum procedures and give you the scholarly instruments expected to execute Scrum. The CSM course educational plan is intended for both growing and experienced undertaking supervisors. The Certified ScrumMaster Syllabus covers the nuts and bolts and paves the way to cutting edge Scrum ideas. 

1. Scrum Basics 

The Certified Scrum Master training acquaints you with the fundamental ideas of Agile and Scrum. It covers the four qualities and twelve standards contained in the Agile Manifesto, and the 5 scrum values. Then it walks you through the 7 agile and scrum objectives as mentioned below 

1. Introduction to Lean
2. Facilitation
3. Coaching
4. Development Team and how to serve them 
5. How to serve the PO
6. How to fulfill company goal 
7. Scrum Mastery. 

2. Terms used 

The Certified ScrumMaster course educational program will at that point spread the essential ideas and normally utilized wordings. Scrum terms like Burndown, Backlog, Velocity, Poker Planning, Kanban, and daily stand up which are used across the globe is introduced and explained in detail. 

3. Roles and Ceremonies 

You will be acquainted with the ceremonies and 3 key roles of the Scrum framework. The 3 key roles are 

• PO
• SM
• Team 

The artifacts include backlog (product and sprint) and increment.  At last, it likewise comprises of four significant exercises: the everyday standup meeting, sprint retrospective meeting, planning meeting, and review meeting. You will be taken through all other Scrum concepts.

4. Scrum Core Competencies 

The Certified Scrum Master training program will include the subtleties and abilities expected to oversee and inspire a group as the Scrum Master. Further, insights about Agile Practices, rules enforcing, distractions removal, forecasting methods will be taught. 

5. SM Responsibilities 

A Scrum Master can embrace numerous jobs inside an association namely 

• Team manager 
  
• Servant-Leader
• Motivator
• Mentor
• Facilitator
• Coach
• Advisor

The strategies for overseeing the work and people could change dependent on duty, and you will be instructed on how to encourage every obligation inside the association. 

The application process to get a scrum certificate

Access to the test is available only after completing the training. Once that is done, one has to register on the portal and create own profile and login details.

Scrum master certification cost

For Indians, the CSM certification cost, on average, is about 25,000 INR. This may vary slightly from institute to institute. This certified scrum master training cost is inclusive of the two-day training, the first attempt of the test as well as the virtual certificate.

Scrum master certification exam

Online test with 50 MCQs to be finished in an hour. 

The scrum master certification online will contain 50 MCQs distributed in the following topics. 

You need to complete the test in 60 minutes. Post the training you have time for 90 days to prepare. On the off chance that the test window is shut unintentionally, it very well may be revived. If connectivity is lost, then you now need to contact the admin of scrum alliance inc. 

It is possible to take breaks, attend to unforeseen delays, etc. as these get registered on the portal and are not included in the test duration. Skip questions and attend later. You can move back and forth between questions. Regardless of whether you press the submit button by mistake, still it will show you an alert message and provide an opportunity to continue back to the test.

Score 

At least 74% marks are required to successfully clear the test. Since the test has 50 questions of equal marks and weightage, a minimum of 37 of these need to be answered correctly.

Fortunately, it is possible to make a second or even third attempt, if one is unable to successfully pass the exam in one go. These additional attempts are made possible at an additional cost of $25 each, payable on the portal within one’s login page.

Scrum certification online

Being an online and objective test, the scores are available right after the exam for the examinee to see. Hence, one knows the outcome right there. Having cleared the test, one can receive the virtual certificate on the portal itself. For this, one has to login and access their profile, then acknowledge the acceptance of the license agreement. Once this is done, the certificate will be available to the professional.

CSM certificate renewal 

Until 2 years the certificate validity holds good. 

• Enter in your login using the user name, password that you created in the beginning and arrive at the dashboard. Then reach the action window to restore the confirmation. Check for the payment prompt. 
  
• SEU earned must be entered and it should be done after you get the certificate for the first time. Every point you earn will be accumulated within those 2 years. 
• You can renew even before 180 days before your certificate expiry. 
• However, you have 3 months given from the date when your certificate expires.

From Feb 2019 onwards, $100 fee charged for renewal and extension of validity. 

CSM certification online training 

In a nutshell, the Certified Scrum Master certification from Scrum Alliance is a professionally advantageous deal, especially due to the following reasons – 

• Continuous updating of knowledge and skills is a virtue for employees or business professionals, and this is a very relevant and contemporary course.
• Scrum Alliance promises the highest quality and reliability and chance for interaction with certified Scrum trainers.

You choose us 

We would like to reiterate that at Staragile we can provide you with all guidance and walk you through the CSM certification process. Make a career in agile today by choosing us to train you.