What is Certified Scrum Master Certification?
5 min read
Certified Scrum Masters are the most versatile professionals, capable of getting a job in any company worldwide. They are highly-paid experts and perform a vital role in their organizations. Due to these reasons, the prestigious Scrum Master Certification has become a popular credential among many individuals. However, many people are relatively new to the CSM domain and find it challenging to understand the accreditation’s subtle (and not-so-subtle!) aspects.
Becoming a Certified Scrum Master may be the best option if you’re seeking a new career where you can utilize your skills. If you don’t currently know all the details of the role, don’t worry too much! This article will emphasize all you need to know.
We’ll start by outlining the purpose and requirements for the CSM certification. Next, we’ll review the exam’s layout and all other associated topics. Ideally, after reading this page, you will have a thorough grasp of Certified Scrum Master Certification and be in a position to decide if this is the appropriate career route for you.
What Do You Mean By a Certified Scrum Master(CSM) Certification?
To become a top-tier certified Scrum Master, you must have the CSM Certification. It’s a significant leadership position that will boost your career, giving you more credibility and recognition.
The idea is simple to understand. In many industries, agile approaches are currently being embraced for project and product management, and the Scrum Master plays a crucial leadership role in agile development.
With the Certified Scrum Master credential, professionals may demonstrate knowledge of the Scrum methodology and values, including team accountability and performance.
Discussing the Requirements for the CSM Certification
Although there are no requirements to enroll in CSM training, certification requires instruction. Candidates must comprehend the Scrum framework and its guiding principles and practices to acquire a Certified Scrum Master certification. The Scrum Alliance provides a wealth of materials on the principles of Scrum, including the Scrum Alliance expert blog, member essays, videos, presentations, and reports.
A two-day (16-hour) CSM training conducted by a Certified Scrum Trainer is required of applicants. The course thoroughly explains how to set up and assist a Scrum team. Scope, Lean, Agile, Scrum, Agile facilitation, coaching, and service to the development team, product owner, and organization are covered in the CSM course’s learning objectives.
The Certified Scrum Master certification exam is then taken online through the Scrum Alliance portal by applicants. You must pay some amount to take the exam if it has been more than 90 days after you completed the course. The two-day course is essential to take the exam.
You must accept the license agreement after passing the CSM exam. Completing the membership profile for the Scrum Alliance is essential.
Things to Know About the Certified Scrum Master Certification Exam
You can expect fifty multiple-choice and true/false questions on the CSM exam, which has a time limit of 60 minutes. For a passing score of 74%, you must answer 37 questions accurately.
Key Scrum components, such as general Scrum knowledge, Scrum roles, Scrum meetings, and Scrum artifacts, are covered in the Certified Scrum Master certification exam. Within the 90-day window following the completion of the required two-day course, applicants are only permitted to take the exam twice.
The Certified Scrum Trainers pay the initial certification fee for each student who completes a Certified Scrum Master certification course successfully. Each additional test costs $25 if you don’t pass the first time.
The training course fees cover the following:
- Two years of initial certification
- The exam must be taken twice (within 90 calendar days of attending the course)
- Each instructor in class provides course materials (must be Scrum Alliance approved)
- The in-person, two-day course
- Membership in the Scrum Alliance for two years
Skills you need to have
Given the extensive number of duties that Scrum Masters must perform, a particular skill set is necessary for them to be fully effective. Here are the skills you should focus on:
Knowledge of Scrum and Agile
The primary goal of having a Certified Scrum Master certification is to ensure that the team actively adheres to the Scrum and Agile principles. Although the concept of Scrum can appear straightforward and uncomplicated, the framework has terminologies and expressions that leaders must be familiar with to apply effectively. Therefore, familiarity with these terms and systems is a must.
Organizational Abilities
Scrum teams need proper planning to stay organized. Thus, Scrum Masters must have a strategy that keeps everyone on track. Implementing a well-tuned organizational structure is a talent that Scrum Masters must also have.
Technical Know-How
Scrum’s primary goal is to enable software development teams to create programs with the fewest possible obstacles. Working with the Product Owner to identify a system that enables the team to complete tasks effectively is one of the Scrum Master’s significant responsibilities. Therefore, some technical acquaintance and instruction are required. Scrum Masters need to be familiar with the established technical language and procedures.
Teaching and Coaching Skills
The Scrum Master’s role includes assisting the team in correctly implementing Agile techniques. Not only must a great Scrum Master know what to do, but they also can communicate the how and why to all parties involved. Strong teaching abilities are thus required, especially for groups unfamiliar with the Scrum methodology.
Conflict Resolution
People who make up scrum teams have different perspectives, personalities, and working methods, which can occasionally lead to conflict. Any visible difficulties that appear to have the potential to impede the team’s development must be resolved by the Scrum Master if the team members themselves cannot settle them.
Of course, it’s much simpler to say than to accomplish. A Scrum Master must be a skilled negotiator and facilitator to be beneficial because teams frequently have to compromise to find a solution to the problem at hand.
Wrapping Up!
You are now familiar with the challenging Certified Scrum Master certification exam. So, you can start preparing for the test by registering with a leading Certified Scrum Master certification training course, like Simplilearn online bootcamp, and earn the credential successfully.
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