Certified Scrum Master is certification and designation conferred by Scrum Alliance a non profit body situated in USA on a assessment of pass/fail.

If you've been considering certification for project management, then you might want to look into becoming a Scrum Master. Scrum is an agile framework for completing complex projects. Scrum originally was formalized for software development projects, but works well for any complex, innovative scope of work. The possibilities are endless. Scrum is an iterative, incremental framework for project management often seen in agile software development, a type of software engineering. Scrum is an agile project management method that focuses upon short, focused work periods called "Sprints." During this time period, no extra tasks are added to the list called the sprint backlog. The Scrum Master is the one who implements and facilitates the use of scrum by a team during a project. The Scrum Master ensures that the scrum methodology is properly implemented.

The Certified ScrumMaster plays an important role in applying Scrum, helping the project team use Scrum properly and increasing the likelihood of team success; as such, it’s essential they understand Scrum values, practices, and application. The new testing policy helps ensure individuals have the knowledge to confidently offer value in the business world. (Source: www.scrumalliance.org)

Is Scrum Master Certification for You?
Scrum Master certification is a process that is helpful and can make you more marketable if you are in the IT industry. Because the IT industry has increasingly used Scrum in software development practices, obtaining the certification for Scrum can be an incredibly useful tool for your career. If you obtain the certification you can not only serve in your company, but you can serve as a scrum consultant throughout the industry.

Duration: 2days    Credits: 14 PDU's    Delivery: Classroom

• Introduction to Agile Principles
• Introduction to Scrum Principles
  • Scrum Core Elements & Practices
  • Product Visioning
  • Roles & Responsibilities
  • Product Backlog & Release Planning
  • Sprint Backlog & Sprint Planning
  • Sprint
  • Daily Standup Meeting
  • Burndown Charts & Project Reporting
  • Sprint Review & Retrospective
  • The 59 minute Scrum
• Course contains multiple simulations, exercises and role plays

Please note the course outline can be slightly modified by trainers to suit the needs the participants.

Becoming a Certified ScrumMaster® takes a level of knowledge and expertise above that of a typical project manager. As such, there are several requirements for becoming a CSM. The first is the two-day CSM course, in which you immerse yourself in the foundation and application of the Scrum framework. Participants who complete the two-day course will be required, within 90 days of the course date, to take an on-line, 36 question, multiple choice exam.

Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive official designation as a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) by the Scrum Alliance, along with a two-year membership of the Scrum Alliance.

This is the first step on the road to Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP) and further Scrum education. Your membership includes additional access to Certified ScrumMaster material and information on the Scrum Alliance website.

• Participants, who have completed the two-day classroom workshop will be required to take an on-line CSM Exam.
• The Exam consists of 36 MCQ (multiple choice questions)
• Evaluation Duration: 90 Min

NEW REQUIREMENTS TO GET THE CSM CERTIFICATE (EFFECTIVE FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2012)

There are important changes to the requirements to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). A new version of the CSM exam has been developed and beginning 1 September 2012, anyone wishing to become a CSM will need to achieve a passing score on the exam.

The new web-based exam has 35 questions and no time limit but must be completed within 60 days of taking a CSM course. You will be able to bookmark questions, change answers to questions, and even stop the exam, returning to it to complete the questions at a later time within the 60-day period.

After completing the exam, you will be shown any questions you answered incorrectly, but will not be shown a list of possible answers. This is an effort to balance the integrity and security of the exam questions with the opportunity for people to learn through the exam process.

If you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you may retake it any time during the 60 sixty days following your CSM course. You may even re-take the exam immediately if you would like.

If you fail the exam a second time, you will need to pay a $25 exam fee to the Scrum Alliance before taking the exam a third time. The Scrum Alliance recommends that anyone who fails three times, re-take the CSM course before attempting the exam a fourth time.

Reference: www.scrumalliance.com

Why does the Scrum Alliance offer a certification program?
When Scrum was first introduced, the only available training was in the form of articles, presentations, and books. By reading these resources, many grasped the iterative nature of Scrum, but missed the principles and practices that are necessary for successful implementation. In response, the Scrum Alliance developed a certification program.

What makes the Scrum Alliance certification program different from other Scrum training programs?
The certification courses posted on the Scrum Alliance site are all taught by Scrum Alliance Registered Education Providers (REPs) and Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs). All of these providers have been vetted by their peers to verify that they have the depth of knowledge, experience, and training ability to teach others about Scrum. Their courseware has been approved as being consistent with Scrum and agile principles. You can be assured that a course from a Scrum Alliance REP or CST is an accurate representation of Scrum and is being taught by a recognized authority on Scrum and agile practices and principles.

Can I become certified without taking a course?
No. It is our belief that true learning requires hands-on practice and in-person training. The CSM evaluation is not offered as a replacement for formal training.

What does it mean to have a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) designation?
A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is someone who has been taught (by a Certified Scrum Trainer) the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles that will enable them to fulfill the role of ScrumMaster or Scrum team member. A Certified ScrumMaster course is a first step on the path to growing more agile. Experience and continuing education are necessary next steps to become a true, practicing Scrum professional. To demonstrate deep understanding and experience with Scrum, CSMs are encouraged to apply for and become Certified Scrum Professionals.

Does the Scrum Alliance offer an online CSM course?
No. While we acknowledge that online seminars can be an effective teaching forum for some subjects, we believe that understanding Scrum requires a greater level of personal interaction than can be delivered in a virtual environment.
The Certified ScrumMaster courses engage participants in live, interactive learning, free from the obstacles inherent in an online activity. Additionally, students of online courses do not have the same opportunity to connect and exchange their perceptions that students in live courses do. There is no virtual coffee break that could replace meeting real people with real experiences. For this reason, online learning has a place in preparing participants for the Certified ScrumMaster course and for passing the evaluation, but is insufficient to fully prepare Scrum participants, which is ultimately the goal of Certified ScrumMaster program.

Do I receive PDU credits for a CSM course?
Yes. Please follow PMI's procedure for Category B: Continuing Education. According to the PMP handbook: 'Contact hours of project and/or program management education may be earned by attending relevant educational courses offered by organizations not registered with PMI. To calculate the number of PDUs earned, use the following formula: one contact hour of learning relevant to project and/or program management within a structured activity or course equals one PDU. Documentation required upon PMI audit/request: registration form, certificate or letter of attendance, and a brochure or course materials outlining the subject matter covered and the qualifications of the instructor/lecturer.' Most CSTs can tell you how many PDUs their course offers.

What is the membership fee?
Our Certified Scrum Trainers pay a $50 membership fee for each student who successfully completes a Certified Scrum Master course. This membership fee covers the cost of the CSM Evaluation and the first two years of membership.

How do I renew my CSM?
This process is currently being developed. For CSMs who have never taken the evaluation, recertification will require that you take the evaluation.
Maintaining your certification not only secures the investment you have already made, but also demonstrates your commitment to retaining competency or even broadening your skills in the practice of Scrum. The Scrum framework is evolving and growing as a result of the engagement and contributions of those who share their ideas and practical experiences in the workplace. Recertification validates your participation in this evolution and your continued proficiency in the fundamental principles and practices of Scrum.

What can I expect from the CSM Evaluation?
The evaluation consists of approximately 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions. You have 60 minutes to complete it. You’ll be required to demonstrate your understanding of key Scrum elements, including:

• Scrum Terminology
• Scrum Practices
• Scrum Principles

What is the cost of the CSM Evaluation?
The cost of the evaluation is included in the cost of your CSM course and paid by your trainer. You will pay no additional evaluation fee.

How soon after my course do I have to complete the CSM Evaluation?
After receiving your membership email, you have 90 days to take and complete the evaluation.

How to obtain for CSM certiciation?
Obtain your CSM certification after completing the course and taking the CSM Test (a link to the test will be sent to you following your course). The test becomes pass/fail on September 1, 2012 and a score of 24 out of 35 questions must be obtained. There will be two free attempts included in your membership and any attempt thereafter will have a charge of $25.

Can I take the evaluation without taking a CSM course?
No. The evaluation is not intended as a substitute for formal training.

What does it mean to be a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)?
A Certified Scrum Professional has proven experience and expertise in the art of Scrum. CSP is the level of certification that all practitioners of Scrum should strive to attain. Before becoming a CSP, applicants must be CSMs, CSPOs, or CSDs.

A lot number of Scrum adoptions or scrum projects fail or fall short of their intended benefits and objectives – 75 percent, according to Ken Schwaber, one of Scrum’s creators. KnowledgeHut has the experience and flexibility to tailor Scrum for your environment. And we will help your teams move quickly and successfully up the learning curve and meet the objectives and intended benefits.

Problem: Questions You Need to Answer

• We need to increase development speed
• We need better predictability
• How can we enhance project visibility?

Solution: What's Included in the Consulting package

• Deliver training to provide a shared understanding of Scrum methodology and terminology
• Conduct a requirements elicitation workshop to create a product backlog
• Work with your teams on release planning to create a roadmap to guide the project
• Facilitate sprint planning to create a backlog for the next sprint
• Coach and mentor the Scrum master, product owner, and team members

Positive Results: Skills/Knowledge You Will Gain, Deliverables/Documentation You Will Receive

• Identification and implementation of any changes from "by the book" necessary to fit Scrum into your environment
• Software delivery based on a prioritized product backlog
• A shared vision for the release captured in a release rodmap
• An understanding of velocity data and a team set up to continuously improve delivery predictability
• A self-learning team that can continuously improve

Benefits

• In addition to your team learning from an expert they also work on your project
• Your team works with an expert software architect experts who will teach them the tricks you don't learn in books.
• An KnowledgeHut mentor can work on your terms and can be on call when required by your team
• The KnowledgeHut mentor will help your team setup and architect your solution
• Each KnowledgeHut mentor is also a Scrum Master and can run your team as a scrum team

Certified ScrumMaster Training is suited for people who have experience being on Scrum or Agile development Teams or are faced with complex product/project development efforts. Individuals from all levels of the corporate structure who deal with rapidly changing demands and complex efforts - managers, testers, project managers, analysts, developers, or directors are great candidates for Certified ScrumMaster Training.

This course focuses on the basics of the Scrum framework, including team roles, activities, and artifacts, so that you can be an effective member of a Scrum team. If you have experience being on Scrum or Agile Development Teams or are faced with complex product/project development efforts, this class might be right for you. It is recommended that you have some familiarity with Agile. It is an intensive, interactive course designed to leverage your knowledge, skills and experiences so that you can learn the practice of Scrum in the context of the work that you do.

An indicative list of people who should attend this training and certifications are:

• Project Managers
• Developers
• Product Owners
• Managers-Software development
• Architects-Software development
• Product Managers
• Software developers
• Software coders
• Software testers
• Team Leads or Team Members who are interested in learning more about Scrum and leading Agile projects, as well as anyone pursuing either Certified Scrum Master or PMI Agile Certification.