Certified Scrum Master
Our Bundle of CSM Certification and E-Learning
With a Certified Scrum Master Training from the Agile Academy you get the exclusive mix of live training and e-learning. This gives you the opportunity to ...
- Start your personal Scrum Master journey with guidance from world-class trainers.
- Find solutions to the professional challenges you and your team face
- Find out which conditions are necessary for Scrum to be successful in your organization
- Achieve the official certification as a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) of the Scrum Alliance
- Deepen your knowledge even after the live training through the companion Scrum Master online course
Inspiring!
Online and live: The perfect training.
The benchmark for professional agile training.
Professional, friendly, competent.
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Duration: 14-24 hours
- Certified by: Scrum Alliance
- Prerequisite: none
Scrum Master Online Course
Your online course matching the training. Repeat and deepen the training content with 24 hours of video + assignments
Our Certified Scrum Master Training
with Scrum Alliance CertificateIn an Agile Academy Scrum Master training, you will learn the skills and know-how to become an excellent Scrum Master. During the two- or three-day training, you will gain insight into the tools and methods that are relevant for this role.
Of course, it's not realistic to become an adept Scrum Master in just a few days. However, our outstanding trainers are known for guiding you in the right direction. In addition, we offer a companion online course that allows you to continue learning and deepening your knowledge even after completing the in-person course.
Scrum Alliance vs. Scrum.org Certification
Since we offer both Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) and Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) trainings, it is important to understand that while these trainings all have the same intention they do slightly differ.
The Scrum Alliance workshops are in general more holistic, whereas the Scrum.org workshops are more software focused. More on the differences between these two, in the FAQ section below.
Agenda of the Scrum Master Training
The Agile Academy Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM) courses cover the following topics in depth:
1. Context of Agile
What is agility? Why does it matter? When shall we apply agile practices? Is agile the solution to every problem? How does agile differ from Lean?
These are all questions that any Scrum Master will face at some point. Our intention is to provide you with the level of understanding so that you can answer these questions whenever you are confronted with them.
We use simple tools and models to help you understand and be able to explain. These tools include the Stacey diagram or the Cynefin model from Dave Snowden. They also include simple ways to visualize how value is created over time. And of course each of our trainers has some stories to share from organizations they have worked with.
2. Road to Sprint One
One of the challenges every Scrum Master faces is how do I prepare a team for the very first sprint. What is it that we need to do before we can get the first sprint started?
Scrum does not define these things very clearly. Still, they need to be done and it is often the Scrum Master who is in charge.
These things include:
- Facilitating the creation of Working Agreements
- Crafting a Product Goal or a Product Vision (we use these terms interchangeably)
- Creating and refining an initial Product Backlog
In most cases, our trainers do this during the workshop using the workshop as an example of how various tools can be applied to systematically achieve that goal.
3. The Scrum Framework
Once you understand the context of agile, we will dive deeper into Scrum. You learn that Scrum is a framework that helps teams and organizations get to be more agile. We build a mindset through practice.
Scrum consists of three roles/accountabilities, five events, and three key artifacts which each have a commitment to them. During our training you will learn everything you need to know about the Product Owner, Developers, and Scrum Master.
We will share with you how Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Product Backlog Refinement, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective are facilitated.
And you will learn how a Product Goal and Product Backlog, Sprint Goal and Sprint Backlog, and Definition of Done and Product Increment are connected, defined, and can be created.
4. Systematic Approaches to developing high-performing teams
Any Scrum Master has one goal and one goal only: create a high-performing team. Most Scrum Masters are not aware of that goal. And those who are in many cases lack the skill to do it.
Although the Certified Scrum Master and Professional Scrum Master course are considered to be introductory courses to the role of the Scrum Master, we believe you have to explore this topic sooner rather than later.
Depending on the trainer you will learn about coaching techniques, various models such as Hackmann and Tuckmann. You might even learn about Psychological Safety. Our online course for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches captures all of these topics.
5. Additional topics (especially for three-day trainings)
Depending on the pace of the class driven by the experience of participants, the number of participants, and a few other factors, we might even address some of the topics below during a two-day course:
- Kanban as an additional tool/technique for helping teams and organizations succeed
- Organizational change and transformation
- Product Backlog creation and prioritization
- Stakeholder management
- Scaling Scrum beyond one team
- Facilitation techniques for aligning a group of people
- And other topics based on your request
Bring Your Own Ideas & Questions
We encourage participants to bring their questions to the training. Any question and real-world example from your side will make everything you and others learn more tangible. It will also result in more energy throughout the training which is connected to better learning.
FAQ about Certified Scrum Master CSM
The Scrum Alliance, a globally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 2001, has been at the forefront of promoting Scrum and Agile development principles worldwide. With a diverse community of over 1 million practitioners, it stands as the largest and most influential Agile and Scrum certification body.
Among the range of professional certifications offered by the Scrum Alliance, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) designation is particularly prominent. This certification is granted to professionals who have undergone a Scrum Alliance-approved training course and have demonstrated their understanding of the Scrum framework through a comprehensive examination.
A Certified ScrumMaster possesses an in-depth understanding of Scrum's values, practices, and applications, enabling them to provide knowledge and expertise beyond that of typical project managers. Specifically designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to empower their teams within a Scrum context, the CSM certification is valuable for roles such as project managers, team leaders, and Scrum team members involved in software development.
Continuing education is a crucial part of maintaining your Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) designation and progressing further in your Agile journey. To this end, the Scrum Alliance requires CSM holders to earn Scrum Education Units (SEUs) for their certification renewal every two years. SEUs represent your commitment to professional growth, reflecting the time spent on continuing education in Scrum and Agile practices.
Once you have a strong foundation as a CSM, there are opportunities to advance to the next levels of Scrum Mastery with the Scrum Alliance: the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) certifications.
The A-CSM is intended for practicing CSMs who have one or more years of work experience in a Scrum Master role. This certification expands on the foundational knowledge of the CSM and dives deeper into the implementation of Scrum and Agile principles, helping you manage complex Scrum projects and drive meaningful organizational change.
The CSP-SM is the highest level of Scrum Master certification offered by the Scrum Alliance. It's designed for experienced Scrum Masters who have proven their practical and theoretical understanding of Scrum framework over a number of years and are ready to elevate their Agile and Scrum expertise.
Each certification signifies a higher level of mastery in Scrum, showcasing not only your commitment to professional growth but also your capability to contribute to the success of your teams and organization. These advanced certifications set you apart in the industry, demonstrating your extensive knowledge and experience in Agile and Scrum practices.
Our Scrum Master trainings are either 2- or 3-day courses. This is based on the learning objectives we aim to cover and also the policy from the certification organizations we partner with. If you are new to Scrum and the role of the Scrum Master, we always recommend the 3-day course.
Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) exam focuses on your understanding of Scrum principles, practices, roles, and artifacts. Here are some typical topics:
- Scrum Roles: Questions might focus on the responsibilities and interactions of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Developers.
- Scrum Artifacts: You may be asked about the purpose of the product backlog, sprint backlog, and the increment, and how they contribute to the Scrum process.
- Scrum Events: Expect questions about the purpose and timing of the Sprint, Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
- Scrum Principles and Values: You should understand and be able to explain Scrum’s empirical process control, the five Scrum values (commitment, courage, focus, openness, respect), and the three pillars (transparency, inspection, adaptation).
Remember, the Scrum Alliance focuses on practical understanding, so questions are designed to assess whether you can apply Scrum principles effectively in a real-world context.
Here's a concrete example of a typical question you might encounter on a Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) exam:
Question: During a Sprint, the Developers realize that they won't be able to finish a planned item from the Sprint Backlog. What should they do?
- Continue working on the item and carry it over to the next Sprint.
- Remove the item from the Sprint Backlog and inform the Product Owner.
- Ask the Scrum Master to add more team members to complete the item in time.
- Inform the Product Owner and renegotiate the scope of the Sprint.
In this scenario, the correct answer would be D. According to Scrum principles, the Development Team should inform the Product Owner and renegotiate the scope of the Sprint when they realize they won't be able to finish a planned item from the Sprint Backlog.
This question evaluates your understanding of the principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation, which are foundational to the Scrum framework.
Passing the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) exam requires a blend of theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of Scrum principles. Here are some steps to help you prepare:
- Attend a Scrum Alliance-approved CSM Course: Before you can take the exam, you must first attend a CSM course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). These courses provide you with an understanding of Scrum principles, practices, and roles, as well as the opportunity to engage in practical exercises and discussions.
- Review the Scrum Guide: The Scrum Guide is the definitive guide to Scrum and is a key resource for understanding its roles, events, artifacts, and rules. Review it thoroughly and understand the underlying principles and values of Scrum.
- Understand the Scrum Roles, Artifacts, and Events: You need to be familiar with the roles of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, as well as the various Scrum Artifacts like Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment, and Scrum Events like the Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
- Practice with Sample Questions: Practice as many sample questions as you can. This will not only help you familiarize yourself with the format of the exam but will also enable you to assess your understanding of the subject matter.
- Be Prepared for Real-World Scenarios: The CSM exam is designed to test your ability to apply Scrum principles in real-world situations. Reflect on your own experiences or study case studies to understand how Scrum principles can be practically implemented.
- Stay Calm and Focused: Finally, during the exam, stay calm and read each question carefully. Use the process of elimination to narrow down choices for multiple-choice questions.
Remember, the key to passing the CSM exam is not just rote memorization but truly understanding and internalizing the principles and values of Scrum. With proper preparation and practice, you'll be well-equipped to pass the exam and become a Certified Scrum Master.
No, you do not need to prepare anything or have any significant experience as a Scrum Master. We have had complete newbies and very experienced Scrum Masters in our courses and all of them loved the course and learnt a lot.
It works for both. We have had complete newbies and very experienced Scrum Masters & Agile Coaches participating in our course. They all loved it and learnt a ton.
This course is run by very experienced guides with sometimes decades of experience as a Scrum Master themselves and as a trainer of these frameworks. Compared to many other providers of regular Agile courses, we have handpicked every trainer and validated their experience to provide a premium learning experience for you and ensure that you will succeed in your role as a Scrum Master.
Yes, there are. Please connect with our team and we will see what we can do for you.
In general, it is the job of a Scrum Master to make a team - and later an organization - succeed with Scrum and Agile. We will teach you the tools and techniques to do just that. But learning a tool does not mean mastering a tool. That happens in practice after the live training and of course you can still benefit from our self-paced online course.
Yes you can. A second attempt of the certification exam is always free of charge.
Yes, you will. Both organizations we partner with - Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org - require you to take a certification exam after the live course.
Prices vary mainly based on the duration of the course. At Agile Academy, you will always also get access to the accompanying self-paced online course. No other provider does that.
Yes. All of our trainers will share a detailed documentation of the training with you - usually within a week after the training. Further, you will get life-time access to the self-paced online course for Scrum Masters & Agile Coaches.
Certification for Teams & Companies
Certified Scrum Master as In-house Training
Opting for an in-house Scrum Master course, especially for groups of 8 or more, offers distinct advantages. Training can be customized to fit your organization's needs, promoting team alignment and practical application. An in-house training provides a private setting for open discussions about challenges your organization is facing.
In-house training is typically more cost-effective per employee than public courses, while also saving on external expenses e.g. travel and accommodation. Additionally, these in-house courses can be certified by various reputable organizations, adding value to your team's professional development.
In summary, in-house courses offer beneficial customization, confidentiality, cost savings and - if needed - recognized certification.
CSM with Volume Discount
Agile Academy offers volume discounts in public Scrum Master training which allow our clients to achieve significant cost savings. When multiple team members enroll (minimum 3), volume discounts are applied, making large-scale training more economical.
Compared to an in-house training these discounts come with flexibility. Team members can choose different training dates to suit their schedules, maintaining business continuity.
In essence, volume discounts offer a more cost-efficient solution for quality Certified Scrum Master training, blending substantial savings with scheduling convenience, making it an attractive choice for organizations striving to enable their Scrum Masters.
Contact us with your special requirements and we are sure to offer you a custom, tailor-made solution for your training needs.
Philip Rogowski
Customer Success Manager
team@agile-academy.com +49 151 610 59 938 Mo-Fri.: 9am - 5pmWhat is Next After the Certified Scrum Master?
Embark on your personal sustainable learning journey with some of the world's best trainers and become successful in your new Scrum Master role.
The Advanced Certified Scrum Master Training of the Scrum Alliance is for advanced Scrum Masters and the next step in your career as a Servant Leader after the Certified Scrum Master.
The Certified Scrum Professional - Scrum Master is the expert level in the Scrum Master track of the Scrum Alliance. As a prerequisite, you must have completed the CSM and A-CSM and have the corresponding professional experience.