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Should Scrum Master Have Technical Skills?

This is an age old question, almost as old as Scrum itself—should a Scrum Master be technical or not?    This survey from Scrum Alliance , which revealed that Scrum Masters were mainly dealing with teams with 44% in software development and 33% in IT, would have us believe that a Scrum Master’s skills would depend on the team that they are leading.   After all, Scrum is not only used in software development, but finds acceptance in other departments such as research and development, sales and marketing, finance/accounting, human resources, and more.  While many are of the opinion that a Scrum Master only needs to facilitate Agile team activities, some emphasize the necessity of a Scrum Master with basic technical knowledge. In fact, a whole new cohort of technically sound Scrum Masters has worked wonders in Agile teams in the recent past.   So while extensive technical knowledge is not a mandate for a Scrum Master, a familiarity with project-specific domains can greatly enhance the Scrum Master’s function in the Scrum team.  So how different will a technical Scrum Master be from a non-technical one? Let’s find out   Scrum Master with technical background Benefits of a Technical Scrum Master (TSM) A Technical Scrum Master (TSM) can play many crucial roles from that of a servant-leader to a technical facilitator.   A SM is not a team member per se, but can be considered to be a team coach. A technical coach plays a key role in successful Agile adoption, and in identifying possibilities to implement its usage to maximum effect.   A Scrum Master with technical skills can get involved in the software development activities by understanding them from a technical perspective.  A technical Scrum Master: Can empathize with an engineer’s point of view in addition to working with a product owner   Can triage first level issues before they get assigned to engineers   Can ask questions regarding story pointing and estimation   Can help sequence roll outs based on technical priorities/complexities   Can facilitate meetings between technical teams to arrive at solutions for technical problems  It is necessary for a Scrum Master to have basic technical skills in order to speak the same language as the developers. It can help the Scrum Master develop credibility amongst other senior management.  Issues with having a Technical Scrum Master (TSM) on board If the Scrum Master is too technical, it could lead to the blurring of responsibilities of the engineering team and the Scrum Master.   The Scrum Master, with all his or her technical knowledge, may come with preset biases and ideas that will interfere with the role of not just the development team but also with that of the product owner. So instead of improving team health, this may actually undermine the team’s morale and cohesion.  A TSM can affect the Scrum team in many ways.   He/she may:  Act as a technical SME (subject matter expert) and try to handle services  Ask team members some questions on their assessments  Force the team to adopt and use a particular technology  Guide the team on how to disintegrate stories into tasks  Guide the Product Owner on how to evaluate the work  Try to handle the project that the team is working on  Both the team and the organization should understand what a TSM is doing and when he/she is going beyond the scope of their role.  Scrum Master with non-technical background Benefits of a Non-Technical Scrum Master Q: Should a Scrum Master necessarily have a technical background? A: Definitely not!   It is not mandatory that a Scrum Master should be technical, but it is very essential for an SM to have excellent communication and management skills.   The main role of a Scrum Master is to assist the team to follow the processes properly and the team is completely responsible for the enhancement of its technical practices.    Scrum Masters with a lack of technical skills do not bring in their opinions or biases, thereby giving engineering teams freedom to work from their own perspective.  But it is still the Scrum Masters job to facilitate meetings between various technical and engineering teams and resolve any barriers that they may face during product development.  A Scrum Master need not necessarily know the domain details that the team members are working with. This is because everyone in the team has certain responsibilities, such as:  The Product Owner is responsible for having knowledge on what needs to be done  The development team is responsible for identifying how to execute this in a better way  The Scrum Master is responsible for enabling them to do what they need to do Issues with a Non-Technical Scrum Master A Scrum project’s failure can be attributed to a number of reasons; but can it be attributed to the non-technical credentials of the Scrum Master?   Here are certain scenarios which could lead to that:  No follow-up with the team on their understanding of the User Stories An experienced Technical Scrum Master follows up with the team and helps them execute the task.  May not be of help when mapping technical user stories  While a TSM may not be required for non-tech stories, in case of technical stories or technical products, the TSM can help fill gaps in user story mapping when the architect is busy with other technical assessments.  Acceptance Criteria given by the Product Owner (PO) is taken up without any discussion  Sometimes we need to examine whether the Product Owner has taken a comprehensive view while considering the acceptance criteria. A TSM can help here to negotiate the acceptance criteria  in case anything needs to be considered additionally.  Unit testing is ignored frequently  A Non-Technical Scrum Master does not understand the importance of unit testing. But a TSM understands its essence and helps the team by arranging a meeting on unit testing.  No particular plans to address the defects  A Technical Scrum Master can take on some of the responsibilities of the development team, update the program on his/her machine, run unit tests, fix the bugs, and finally ask the testing team to check them once. A non-technical Scrum Master may not be able to help a busy team in this way. Final Thoughts: Technical Scrum Master or Non-Technical Scrum Master? A Scrum Master by definition is someone responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum; a servant leader who helps everyone in the team to maximize their productivity and deliver value.    Therefore in teams that deliver technical products, a technical Scrum Master may be the best fit to help smoothen the roadblocks for the team and ensure high productivity.    On the other hand, a non-technical Scrum Master may be the best fit in large distributed teams that need a significant amount of co-ordination and motivation.  

Should Scrum Master Have Technical Skills?

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Should Scrum Master Have Technical Skills?

This is an age old question, almost as old as Scrum itself—should a Scrum Master be technical or not?   

This survey from Scrum Alliance , which revealed that Scrum Masters were mainly dealing with teams with 44% in software development and 33% in IT, would have us believe that a Scrum Master’s skills would depend on the team that they are leading.  

After all, Scrum is not only used in software development, but finds acceptance in other departments such as research and development, sales and marketing, finance/accounting, human resources, and more. 

While many are of the opinion that a Scrum Master only needs to facilitate Agile team activities, some emphasize the necessity of a Scrum Master with basic technical knowledge. In fact, a whole new cohort of technically sound Scrum Masters has worked wonders in Agile teams in the recent past.  

So while extensive technical knowledge is not a mandate for a Scrum Master, a familiarity with project-specific domains can greatly enhance the Scrum Master’s function in the Scrum team. 

So how different will a technical Scrum Master be from a non-technical one? Let’s find out  

Scrum Master with technical background

Benefits of a Technical Scrum Master (TSM)

A Technical Scrum Master (TSM) can play many crucial roles from that of a servant-leader to a technical facilitator.  

A SM is not a team member per se, but can be considered to be a team coach. A technical coach plays a key role in successful Agile adoption, and in identifying possibilities to implement its usage to maximum effect.  

A Scrum Master with technical skills can get involved in the software development activities by understanding them from a technical perspective. 

A technical Scrum Master:

  • Can empathize with an engineer’s point of view in addition to working with a product owner  
  • Can triage first level issues before they get assigned to engineers  
  • Can ask questions regarding story pointing and estimation  
  • Can help sequence roll outs based on technical priorities/complexities  
  • Can facilitate meetings between technical teams to arrive at solutions for technical problems 

It is necessary for a Scrum Master to have basic technical skills in order to speak the same language as the developers. It can help the Scrum Master develop credibility amongst other senior management. 

Issues with having a Technical Scrum Master (TSM) on board

If the Scrum Master is too technical, it could lead to the blurring of responsibilities of the engineering team and the Scrum Master.  

The Scrum Master, with all his or her technical knowledge, may come with preset biases and ideas that will interfere with the role of not just the development team but also with that of the product owner. So instead of improving team health, this may actually undermine the team’s morale and cohesion. 

A TSM can affect the Scrum team in many ways.  

He/she may: 

  • Act as a technical SME (subject matter expert) and try to handle services 
  • Ask team members some questions on their assessments 
  • Force the team to adopt and use a particular technology 
  • Guide the team on how to disintegrate stories into tasks 
  • Guide the Product Owner on how to evaluate the work 
  • Try to handle the project that the team is working on 

Both the team and the organization should understand what a TSM is doing and when he/she is going beyond the scope of their role. 

Scrum Master with non-technical background

Benefits of a Non-Technical Scrum Master

Q: Should a Scrum Master necessarily have a technical background?

A: Definitely not!  

It is not mandatory that a Scrum Master should be technical, but it is very essential for an SM to have excellent communication and management skills.  

The main role of a Scrum Master is to assist the team to follow the processes properly and the team is completely responsible for the enhancement of its technical practices. 
 
Scrum Masters with a lack of technical skills do not bring in their opinions or biases, thereby giving engineering teams freedom to work from their own perspective.  But it is still the Scrum Masters job to facilitate meetings between various technical and engineering teams and resolve any barriers that they may face during product development. 

A Scrum Master need not necessarily know the domain details that the team members are working with. This is because everyone in the team has certain responsibilities, such as: 

  • The Product Owner is responsible for having knowledge on what needs to be done 
  • The development team is responsible for identifying how to execute this in a better way 
  • The Scrum Master is responsible for enabling them to do what they need to do​

Issues with a Non-Technical Scrum Master

A Scrum project’s failure can be attributed to a number of reasons; but can it be attributed to the non-technical credentials of the Scrum Master?  

Here are certain scenarios which could lead to that: 

  1. No follow-up with the team on their understanding of the User Stories

An experienced Technical Scrum Master follows up with the team and helps them execute the task. 

  1. May not be of help when mapping technical user stories 

While a TSM may not be required for non-tech stories, in case of technical stories or technical products, the TSM can help fill gaps in user story mapping when the architect is busy with other technical assessments. 

  1. Acceptance Criteria given by the Product Owner (PO) is taken up without any discussion 

Sometimes we need to examine whether the Product Owner has taken a comprehensive view while considering the acceptance criteria. A TSM can help here to negotiate the acceptance criteria  in case anything needs to be considered additionally. 

  1. Unit testing is ignored frequently 

A Non-Technical Scrum Master does not understand the importance of unit testing. But a TSM understands its essence and helps the team by arranging a meeting on unit testing. 

  1. No particular plans to address the defects 

A Technical Scrum Master can take on some of the responsibilities of the development team, update the program on his/her machine, run unit tests, fix the bugs, and finally ask the testing team to check them once. A non-technical Scrum Master may not be able to help a busy team in this way.

Final Thoughts: Technical Scrum Master or Non-Technical Scrum Master?

A Scrum Master by definition is someone responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum; a servant leader who helps everyone in the team to maximize their productivity and deliver value.   

Therefore in teams that deliver technical products, a technical Scrum Master may be the best fit to help smoothen the roadblocks for the team and ensure high productivity.   

On the other hand, a non-technical Scrum Master may be the best fit in large distributed teams that need a significant amount of co-ordination and motivation.  

KnowledgeHut

KnowledgeHut

Author

KnowledgeHut is an outcome-focused global ed-tech company. We help organizations and professionals unlock excellence through skills development. We offer training solutions under the people and process, data science, full-stack development, cybersecurity, future technologies and digital transformation verticals.
Website : https://www.knowledgehut.com

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For renewal, 20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years along with a renewal fee of $100.Average Salary: The average salary of a CSD professional is $71,750 per year.CertificationCertified Scrum Developer® TrainingAccreditation BodyScrum AlliancePrerequisitesFive days of formal training, which is taught by a Scrum Alliance-approved CSD instructor and Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP®).CSM certification holders can skip the first 2 days of training and directly take the technical training from the 3rd day.Career PathSalesforce DeveloperAssociate Salesforce DeveloperSenior DeveloperScrum MasterScaled Agile Scrum and Transformation ManagerAgile Scrum LeadAgile Project ManagerAverage Salary$71,750Cost of CertificationThe cost of certification is included in the course tuitionRenewal Cost20 SEUs (Scrum Educational Credits) should be earned every two years along with a renewal fee of $100.Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM) PSM™ I:Professional Scrum Master™ training is a two-day training course entailing the basics of Scrum along with topics like Scrum Frameworks, roles of a Scrum Master. The course integrates team-based exercises with instructions, focusing on team dynamics, team motivation, conflict resolution and improved planning and estimation.Accreditation Body: Scrum.orgPrerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites needed for attending this course or undertaking the examination. The Professional Scrum Master™ training can be attended by any individual who is interested in attending the training and giving the examination. After course completion, you will receive a password for PSM I assessment which is conducted by Scrum.org. Subsequently, you can opt to proceed and undertake the PSM II and PSM III assessments.Who can take up this certification?Taking up the Professional Scrum Master™ training course will benefit the following individuals:Scrum Team members such a Product Owners and developersProfessionals who wish to pursue the Professional Scrum Master™ CertificationTeams which are transitioning to ScrumScrum Team managersJob opportunities after Professional Scrum Master™ certification:After being a certified Professional Scrum Master, the candidate can apply for the following fieldsScrum MasterAssociate Scrum MasterProduct OwnerCoachMentorCost: Starts from  $150.Average Salary: The average salary for a certified Professional Scrum Master is $100,500.CertificationProfessional Scrum Master Training (PSM)Accreditation BodyScrum.orgPrerequisitesBasics of Scrum to understand the overall framework perfectly in less time.Exam InformationAnswer a set of 80 questions within an hour.Type of questions asked is multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false.Passing score: 80 percent.Career PathScrum MasterMentorCoachManagerProduct OwnerAverage Salary$100,500Cost of Certification$150PSM™ II:PSM™ II is a 2-day long, advanced level Scrum Master course. It is designed in such a way that it will help you in your professional development. However, it is required that you have a minimum of one-year work experience as a Scrum Master and wish to increase your abilities to be a Scrum Master.Accreditation Body: Scrum.orgPrerequisites: Certified Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM™)Minimum of one-year work experience as a Scrum MasterWho can take up this certification?If you have cleared the PSM™ I assessment, then you can opt for PSM™ II assessment. However, before attempting the PSM™ II assessment, it is important that you possess advanced knowledge on Scrum, as well as experience in implementing Scrum or have attended a PSM™ course.Job opportunities after Professional Scrum Master II™ certification:The candidate can apply for the following fields:Scrum MasterAssociate Scrum MasterProduct OwnerCoachMentorCost: The cost of PSM™ II assessment is $250.Average Salary: The average salary of a PSM™ II certified professional is $117,000.CertificationProfessional Scrum Master II Training (PSM II)Accreditation BodyScrum.orgPrerequisitesCertified Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM™)Minimum of one-year work experience as a Scrum MasterExam InformationAnswer a set of 30 questions within 90 minutes.Passing Score: 85%Type of questions asked is multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false.Career PathScrum MasterMentorCoachManagerProduct OwnerAverage Salary$117,000.Cost of Certification$250PSM™  III: The Professional Scrum Master™ level III (PSM III) is an assessment which is available to candidates who have passed the PSM™ I and  PSM™ II courses and wishes to master an eminent level of Scrum. PSM™ III is the highest level of knowledge that a Professional Scrum Master™ can obtain.Accreditation Body: Scrum.orgPrerequisites: Certified Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM™) and Professional Scrum Master™ II (PSM™ II)Who can take up this certification?If you have cleared the PSM™ I and PSM™ II assessments, and wish to gain a distinguished level of Scrum Mastery, then you can take up the PSM™ III assessment. Job opportunities after Professional Scrum Master III™ certification:The candidate can apply for the following fields:Scrum MasterAssociate Scrum MasterProduct OwnerCoachMentorDevelopersDeveloper ManagerSenior DeveloperCost: The cost of PSM™ III assessment is $500.CertificationProfessional Scrum Master™  III Training (PSM™ III)Accreditation BodyScrum.orgPrerequisitesCertified Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM™) and Professional Scrum Master™ II (PSM™ II)Exam InformationAnswer a set of 34 questions within 120  minutes.Passing Score: 85%Type of questions asked is multiple choice and essay types.Career PathScrum MasterAssociate Scrum MasterProduct OwnerCoachMentorDevelopersDeveloper ManagerSenior DeveloperCost of Certification$500Kanban Management ProfessionalKanban Management Techniques provides a developmental transformation approach instead of abrupt changes. The main motive behind this course is to improve the workflow of your team. The course discusses the Kanban values, methodologies, and other factors that are involved in a Kanban system. Get to understand and learn about the early stages of the Kanban method. In order to obtain the certification, you do not need to clear any examination. Instead, you will have to attend courses recognised by KMP in order to get the certifications. The Kanban Management Professional courses hold a lifetime validity, without any need for renewal.Accreditation Body: Lean KanbanPrerequisites:It will be beneficial for you if you have the basic knowledge about Kanban. There are no specific prerequisites.Who can take up this certification?If you are a professional who wishes to optimise their career in the following fields:Agile CoachProject ManagersProgram ManagersSoftware developersBusiness analystsJob opportunities after Kanban Management Professional certification:After completion of the course, you can opt for any of the following job profiles:Scrum MasterTeam ManagersAgile CoachSenior Agile CoachCertificationKanban Management ProfessionalAccreditation BodyLean KanbanPrerequisitesIt will be beneficial if the candidates have basic knowledge about Kanban. There are no specific prerequisites.Career PathScrum MasterTeam ManagersAgile CoachSenior Agile CoachAgile Certifying Accreditation BodiesThe following is a list of a few Agile Certifying Bodies:ICAgileScaled AgileProject management InstituteScrum AllianceScrum.orgLean KanbanICAgile:ICAgile is the abbreviation for International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile). It is an organisation that consists of experts, pioneers, and trusted advisors. They help people and organisations become more agile. Their main motive is to achieve agile sustainability with the main focus on the transformation of people instead of the process.Scaled Agile: Scaled Agile, Inc. (SAI) is the leading provider of SAFe® courses. It uplifts the career growth of an individual as well as organisations as it offers various role-based courses and certifications, along with being a knowledge base for enterprises to adopt Agile.Project Management Institute (PMI): The Project Management Institute (PMI) was founded in the year 1969. Till date, it has delivered value for more than 2.9 million executives around the globe through education, advocacy, collaboration and research. They help professionals advance in their careers and organisational success.Lean Kanban: Lean Kanban university holds classes that guide the candidates and their organisations through the Kanban Method and model their work using Kanban.Scrum Alliance: Founded in the year 2011, it is now a globally renowned organisation which supports Scrum adoption, research and networking, with its main focus on organisational transformations. It is the most established organisation for Agile membership and certification and has trained more than 750,000 professionals worldwide.Scrum.org: In order to improve software delivery, Scrum.org provides training, assessments and certifications based on the principles of Scrum and Agile manifesto. They empower people all around the globe to achieve agility through Scrum. Scrum.org was found in the year 2009 by Ken Schwaber.ConclusionWith many options available in the market, it is important for you to make a wise call after looking out for all options and decide what you need. If they wish to achieve benefits in their career or are willing to change their jobs, CSM and PMI-ACP can prove to be the best choice. If you target on attaining knowledge, then opting for PSM I and then going on to its higher level will help you achieve so. Choose the best course according to your requirement and make a leap at the chance to achieve what you wish for!
Top-paying Agile Certifications to Consider in 2022
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Top-paying Agile Certifications to Consider in 202...

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Best Product Owner Certifications in 2022

The one person responsible for maximising the product value, representing the stakeholders, prioritizing the backlog, empowering the team, maintaining Agile and Scrum processes and defining the product vision—who is that one superstar on an Agile team who does all this? The Product Owner!Product Owner roles have seen a sharp rise in recent years. If you see yourself as a Product Owner, managing business and stakeholders, then it is prudent that you validate your skills with a Product Owner certification and set yourself up for career success.Product Owners with industry-recognized credentials earn upwards of $105,845, significantly more than their peers who are not certified.Irrespective of whether you are a seasoned Product Owner or are just sinking your teeth into the world of Agile and Scrum, a credential in your toolkit will greatly enhance your career prospects. So, here’s a roundup of the most valued Product Owner certifications you can choose from and get ready for 2022.CSPO Certification Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner℠ Training Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO™) Training PMI-ACP® Certification TrainingSAFe® Product Owner Product Manager1. CSPO Certification TrainingThe Certified Scrum Product Owner certification is an offering from Scrum Alliance. Among the most popular Product Owner certifications, this credential is a validation of your knowledge of Scrum, the scope of the Product Owner’s role and skill in maximizing value and the Scrum team’s work.CSPOs are in great demand across industries as they have the credibility to lead product development initiatives.Other benefits of the CSPO certification include:Training led by Scrum Alliance approved Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs)Get a 2-year membership with Scrum AllianceGain access to a number of local groups of Scrum users and social networksQualify for higher certifications such as the A-CSPO®Widen the scope of your career with the knowledge of popular Agile practices.Enhance your repertoire with in-demand Scrum skills and demonstrate your Scrum knowledge.Actively engage with the community of Agile practitioners dedicated to continuous Scrum practice and improvement.Create a better product by leading and implementing Scrum in the team.Define the product vision and direct team members to yield high value at the end.Ensure smooth communication between the stakeholders and team members.Earn higher salaries than your non-certified counterparts (USA: $105,845)Top companies hiring CSPO professionalsFidelity InvestmentsCapital One Financial CorpAmazon.comT-Mobile, IncAmerican ExpressSource: PayScaleWhere to take training for certificationThe training must be taken from a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or Registered Education Provider (REP) or a Certified Agile Coach of Scrum Alliance.Who should take the training for CSPO certification?This course can be taken by:Project Managers Developers Product Owners Managers-Software development Architects-Software development Product Managers Software developers Software testers Team leads/Team members interested in learning ScrumWho is eligible for the CSPO certification?There are no eligibility requirements for the CSPO certification.Duration to get CSPO certifiedAll participants need to attend the 2-day in-person or 14 hours live online CSPO training from a CST, at the end of which they will receive their credential. Course/Training fee for CSPO certificationThe course fee depends on the training provider and differs from region to region.In India: INR 24999  U.S: USD 1295Canada: CAD 1495Exam fee for CSPO certification: No exam needs to be taken in order to earn the CSPO credential. Attending a 2-day/14-hour course is mandated to earn the credential.Renewal fee for CSPO certification: $100, every 2 years2. Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner℠ TrainingThe Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner℠ (A-CSPO℠) credential is also offered by the Scrum Alliance, and as the name suggests is an advanced course to be pursued after gaining the CSPO. The A-CSPO validates your ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders and deliver business value. A-CSPO being an advanced level certification is much sought after by organizations who want to hire professionals with advanced Product Owner abilities.Other benefits of the A-CSPO certification include:Training by Scrum Alliance approved Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs)2-year membership with Scrum AllianceAccess to a number of local groups of Scrum users and social networksGain enhanced Agile Scrum implementation skillsSet yourself apart from others in the marketplaceAs a highly trained Agile professional, show advanced value to your employerEarn high salaries - 111033 USD (average)Top companies hiring A-CSPO professionalsSAP LabsSalesforceAdobeWikispeedOracleVisteonGEBBCMicrosoftBarclaysRobert BoschWhere to take training for A-CSPO certification?The training must be led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and delivered by a Registered Education Provider (REP) or a Certified Agile Coach of Scrum Alliance.Who should take the training for A-CSPO certification?Professionals in the following job roles can take this course:Project ManagersDevelopersProduct OwnersManagers-Software developmentArchitects-Software developmentProduct ManagersSoftware developersSoftware testersTeam leads/Team members interested in learning ScrumWho is eligible for the A-CSPO certification?The A-CSPO requires the following eligibility:At least 12 months of work experience specific to the role of Product Owner (within the past five years) and an active CSPO credentialDuration to get A-CSPO certified: All participants need to attend the 2-day in-person or 14 hours live online A-CSPO training from a CST, at the end of which they will receive their credential.Course fee for A-CSPO certificationThe course fee depends on the training provider and differs from region to region.In India: INR 41999U.S.: Will be updated shortlyCanada: Will be updated shortlyExam fee for A-CSPO certification: No exam needs to be taken in order to earn the A-CSPO credential. Attending a 2-day/14-hour course along with the required experience is mandated to earn the credential.Renewal fee for A-CSPO certification: $175, every 2 years3. Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO™) TrainingProfessional Scrum Product Owner™ Level I (PSPO™) is a credential offered by the Scrum.org. While the certification does not require you to take a training, an assessment needs to be cleared in order to get certified. The PSPO is a reflection of your ability to maximise skills, enhance product value and use Agile perspectives to deliver successful products.The PSPO is highly regarded in the industry as it is a rigorous exam and is based on the objectives outlined in the Scrum Guide.   Other benefits of the PSPO certification include:Own the product visionMaximize your team’s ROIImprove business value and ROIMotivate and lead Agile teams and team membersValidate your commitment to continued excellence and qualityDemonstrate your proficiency in ScrumGrow your career in Scrum with confidence Ace your interviews and get noticed for promotions at your current jobCommand higher salaries than your non-certified peersBe part of a network of industry leaders and Agile professionalsGain a stepping stone for the advanced level Professional Scrum Product Owner™ II Certification (PSPO™ II)Get the PSPO I logo that you can use to identify your achievementGet your name listed on Scrum.orgEarn salaries in the range of $98,612Top companies hiring PSPO professionalsJ.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPMCC)Cisco Systems IncImproving EnterprisesUnitedHealth GroupBank of America Corp. (BOFA)Source: PayScaleWhere to take training for the PSPO certification: Take the training from Scrum.org’s Professional Training Network under the guidance of certified Professional Scrum Trainers (PSTs).Who should take the training for PSPO certification?This course can be taken by:Project ManagersDevelopersProduct OwnersManagers-Software developmentArchitects-Software developmentProduct ManagersSoftware developersSoftware testersTeam leads/Team members interested in learning ScrumLeadership Team Who is eligible for the PSPO certification?There are no eligibility requirements for the PSPO certification.Duration to get certified: If you opt for training, you will have to attend two days or 16 hours of PSPO™ I training under a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST). You will then receive a key to the PSPO™ I Assessment. Once you pass the Assessment, you are declared PSPO™ I certified and can download your certificate.Course fee for PSPO certificationThe course fee depends on the training provider and differs from region to region.In India: INR 25999  U.S.: USD 1299Canada: CAD 1499Exam fee for PSPO: $200 USD per attemptPSPO Exam DetailsExam Type: Closed book,Format: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer and True/FalseDifficulty: IntermediateLanguage: English onlyTime limit: 60 minutesNumber of Questions: 80Passing score: 85%Retake fee for PSPO Exam: $200 USD for each re-take attempt. Participants of Scrum.org classes get free retakes if they take and fail the assessment within a certain time frame. Renewal for PSPO certification: Your PSPO certification has a lifetime validity and does not require renewal4. PMI-ACP® Certification TrainingThe Project Management Institute (PMI)® a world-renowned body known for its flagship project management credentials, now offers professionals a chance to hone their agile skills with the PMI- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® credential. Its mandatory requirement of real-world Agile expertise and a thorough knowledge of Agile practices, tools and techniques means that holders of the PMI-ACP are Agile experts in every sense of the word.The PMI-ACP has huge demand in Agile organizations as it gives holders a 360-degree view of Agile and adds huge value to the skill set of a product owner.Other benefits of the PMI-ACP certification include:Helps you qualify for Agile jobs with expertise in Agile methods like Scrum, FDD, Kanban, etc. which are in demand in the industryEquips you with knowledge of various Agile methodsMakes you marketable as it opens doors to many project development methodologiesGain soft skills to manage your role eloquently  Earn more than your non-certified peers ($109,556)Top companies hiring PMI-ACP professionalsBooz, Allen, and HamiltonAccentureInternational Business Machines (IBM) Corp.Usaa InsuranceAmazon.com IncSource: PayScaleWhere to take training for the PMI-ACP certification: The training must be taken from an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) of PMIWho should take the training for PMI-ACP certification?This course can be taken by:Project ManagersProject PlannersQuality Assurance StaffDevelopers/ProgrammersDesigners, TestersProject ControllersProduct OwnersScrum MastersScrum Team MembersWho is eligible for the PMI-ACP certification?The PMI-ACP requires the following eligibility:Secondary degree21 contact hours of training in agile practices12 months of general project experience within the last 5 years. A current PMP® or PgMP® will satisfy this requirement but is not required to apply for the PMI-ACP.8 months of agile project experience within the last 3 yearsDuration to get certified: Once you complete the required training you must take time out to vigorously prepare for the exam. You then need to set the date and give the 3-hour exam. Once you pass the exam you may refer to yourself as a certification holder although your certificate package can take six to eight weeks to arrive in the mail.Course fee for PMI-ACP certification:The course fee depends on the training provider and differs from region to region.In India: INR 25999  U.S.: USD 1299Canada: CAD 1499Exam fee for PMI-ACP: $435 (for members), $495 (for non-members)PMI-ACP Exam Details:Exam Type: Closed book Format: Multiple Choice Difficulty: Intermediate Time limit: 3 hours Number of Questions: 120 of which 20 are considered pre-test questions and do not affect the score. Passing score: 85%Renewal for PMI-ACP certification: To maintain your PMI-ACP, you must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) in agile topics every three years.5. Certified SAFe® Product Owner / Product Manager (SAFe® POPM)If scaling Scrum is your forte, then this is the right credential for you. This credential, an offering from the Scaled Agile, Inc., validates your product owner skills in delivering value by applying the principles of Lean to ensure Agile success at the enterprise scale, improving the Agile Release Train and ensuring customer satisfaction while improving bottom line margins.Considering that the Scaled Agile Framework is widely used in Agile organizations, there is a huge demand for SAFe POPM certified professionals, who can deliver continuous value at the enterprise level.Other benefits of the SAFe POPM certification include:Master key SAFe® product ownership/product management concepts like Lean Agile principles and valuesCollaborate with Agile teams to deliver valueMaster Program Increment PlanningOne-year membership to the SAFe Community PlatformOpen yourself upto new opportunitiesSAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (SPOPM) salary ranges from $83,865 to $124,613Access to Meetup groups and events that connect you with other Certified SAFe ProfessionalsTop companies hiring SAFe POPM professionalsBoschLockheed MartinPepsiCoAnthemCiscoStandard CharteredCapitalOneThalesFitBit  AstraZenecaSource: PayScaleWhere to take training for the SAFe POPM certification: The training must be taken from an authorized training partner of Scaled Agile, Inc. Who should take the training for SAFe POPM certification?This course can be taken by:Program or Project ManagersScrum MastersRelease Train EngineersBusiness AnalystsAgile CoachesSAFe Program ConsultantsDevelopment ManagersCTOsConsultantsArchitectsEngineersDirectorsProduct ManagersProduct OwnersDelivery ManagersSolution Train EngineersSoftware DevelopersWho is eligible for the SAFe POPM certification?The SAFe POPM requires the following eligibility:Two-day training from an authorized training provider of Scaled Agile Inc. Experience in Lean and AgileDuration to get certified: Once you complete the mandatory 2-day training you can set a date to take the 1.5 hrs SAFe POPM exam. On passing the exam, you become a Certified SAFe® 5 Product Owner / Product Manager. You will receive your SAFe®️ 5 Product Owner / Product Manager PDF Certificate and Digital Badge within 5-7 working days.Course fee for SAFe POPM certificationThe course fee depends on the training provider and differs from region to region.In India: INR 55999  U.S.: USD 1099Canada: CAD 1395Exam fee for SAFe POPM: First exam attempt is included as part of the course registration fee if the exam is taken within 30 days of course completion.SAFe POPM Exam DetailsExam Type: Closed book Format: Multiple choice, multiple response Difficulty: Intermediate Time limit: 1.5 hours Number of Questions: 45 Passing score: POPM4 = 35 out of 45 (77%); POPM5 = 33 out of 45 (73%)Retake fee for SAFe POPM Exam: Each retake costs $50Renewal for SAFe POPM certification: SAFe POPM needs to be renewed each year by paying a $100 fee and earning a minimum of 10 continuing education/outreach hours (PDUs).SummaryProduct Owners are the rock stars of an Agile team—confident, articulate, sharp, great communicators and problem solvers! A solid Product Owner certification along with these qualities can give your career a total makeover and make you a team favourite. 
Best Product Owner Certifications in 2022
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Best Product Owner Certifications in 2022

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What is the Cost of Top Scrum Certifications in 2022?

Over the past few years, the job market has witnessed an exponential growth in the demand for Scrum Master professionals.  LinkedIN listed Scrum Master as among the top 10 most promising careers in 2019. Two years on, the popularity for Scrum and Agile related roles is at an all-time high.  Getting a certification to demonstrate your capabilities will help you reach milestones in your Scrum Master career. As a certified professional, you can increase your employability, rise up the career ladder and earn high remunerations.There are a number of Scrum Master certifications available from world renowned accreditation bodies. These certifications are accepted all over the world and give you the unique benefits associated with holding an acclaimed credential.As a certified Scrum Master, you will be able to:Validate your commitment to continued excellence and quality in Scrum,  Demonstrate proficiency in Scrum values, principles, and tools,Advance your career in Scrum with confidence,  Stand out at interviews and leverage on career growth opportunities,  Earn higher than experienced non-certified peers,Become part of the global Scrum and Agile community,Network with industry leaders and Scrum professionals, and  Advance your Scrum journey with each certification.To help you understand the Scrum Master certification cost and other details, we bring you a compilation of the most popular Scrum Master certifications that are available.The following table lists different certifications with their cost and renewal cost.Sr. No.CertificationScrum Master certification CostRenewal Cost1.CSM2-day CSM training cost: INR 24999 in India, USD 1295 in US and CAD 1495 in Canada, includes examination feeRetake at no cost for the first 2 attempts within 90 days after you receive your welcome email.  You will be charged a minimum of $25 each from the third attempt or after completing 90 days post training.$100 and 20 SEUs, every two years2.PSMTraining cost: INR 25999 in India, USD 1299 in US and CAD 1899 in Canada, includes examination fee$150, if opting for the examination without trainingNot required, has lifetime validity.3.SAFe® Scrum MasterTraining cost: INR 55999 in India, USD 1099 in US and CAD 1395 in Canada. Includes examination fee.Each retake after the first attempt costs $50.Not required, has lifetime validity.4.A-CSMTraining cost: INR 41999 in India, USD 1299 in US and CAD 1499 in Canada. Includes certification fee.$175 and 30 SEUs, every two years5.Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)Training costs will be updated shortlyCourse fee covers one exam attemptRetake costs US$150.$50 USD annual renewal fee and 7 hours of professional development (minimum 5 Disciplined Agile hours) are required each year for maintaining the credential6.Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ CertificationTraining costs will be updated shortly$100, every year.Read along to know more on the Scrum Master certifications listed above in the table. The main objective of the same is to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the various Scrum Master Certification costs as well as their renewal costs.1. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®)Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is the most widely acknowledged Scrum Master certification. This entry level credential is a great way to start and maintain your career in Scrum. To gain the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification, you will be required to attend a 2-day classroom training, following which you will have to take an online test.Certified ScrumMaster Certification CostDepending on where you choose to get your training from, the 2-day Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) course costs around $1295. This cost covers the following:A 2-day instructor led live training / 16-hour instructor-led online courseFirst two years of certification  Two attempts to take the exam (within 90 days of attending the course)  Course materials will be provided by the instructor in the class  Two-year membership to the Scrum Alliance communityCertified ScrumMaster (CSM) Renewal costEvery two years, you need to renew your CSM credentials by paying a renewal fee of $100 and earning 20 Scrum Educational Units (SEUs). This renewal fee includes the Scrum Alliance membership fee, which has a validity of two years.CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostCSM2-day Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) course costs around $1295 (costs can vary) depending on the region you train from$100 and 20 SEUs, every two years2. Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM)Offered by Scrum.org, Professional Scrum Master™ certification is highly sought after by Scrum Masters who want to lead more efficient and effective teams. This 2-day course covers the principles and processes of the Scrum framework, and helps aspirants understand the advanced thinking behind servant leadership and empiricism. The Professional Scrum Master™ assessment is available for anyone who wishes to exhibit their fundamental level of Scrum mastery.Professional Scrum Master™ Certification CostIf you feel that you have good knowledge of Scrum, understand the Scrum Guide and know how to apply Scrum within Scrum Teams, then taking the course is optional. You can take the PSM I assessment directly, which costs $150 per attempt.But if you choose to attend the 2-day training, then the exam fee will be included in the course fee, which costs around $1299, depending on the training provider. You’ll have two attempts to clear the exam if you choose to attend the training, as opposed to the one chance that you will get when attempting the exam without any training.Professional Scrum Master™ Renewal CostCertifications provided by Scrum.org hold a lifetime validity. Hence, PSM certification does not require any additional payment or renewal.CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostPSM$1299, depending on the training provider$150, if opting for the examinationNot required, has lifetime validity.3. SAFe® Scrum MasterSAFe ®  is a framework that helps scale agile to the enterprise. The SAFe® Scrum Master credential is a validation of the holder’s ability to be an effective Scrum Master in the SAFe environment. By attending the 2-day course, you can master the responsibilities of a Scrum Master in a SAFe® environment, learn ways to execute the Program Increment successfully and learn proven approaches to become a servant leader and coach in order to build high performing Agile teams.The SAFe® Scrum Master certification is accredited by Scaled Agile, Inc.SAFe® Scrum Master Certification CostThe course registration fee includes the first attempt of the exam, provided the exam is taken within 30 days of completion of the course, after which each retake attempt costs $50.The certification costs around $1099, which includes the mandatory course fee as well.SAFe® Scrum Master Renewal CostSAFe® certifications are valid for one year. After completion of the first year, you will have to get your certification renewed by paying a renewal fee of $100.CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostSAFe® Scrum Master$1099, depending on the region you train fromEach retake after the first attempt costs $50.Not required, has lifetime validity.4. A-CSMThe Advanced Certified ScrumMaster℠ (A-CSM℠), is the next step after the CSM in your evolution as a Scrum Master. While the CSM is a great entry level certificate, the A-CSM is an advanced level credential that displays your proficiency in scaling Scrum, coaching Agile teams and being an exceptional Scrum Master/servant leader.A-CSM Certification CostThe A-CSM workshop fee which includes your certification fee costs around $1099 and includes:2 Days Live Instructor-Led Online Training16 PDUs and 16 SEUs2-year Scrum Alliance MembershipYou have to attend a 2-day workshop conducted by a Scrum Alliance REP or Certified Scrum Trainer and complete all the learning objectives in order to gain the A-CSM credential.A-CSM Renewal costsEvery two years, you are required to log in 30 SEUs and pay a renewal fee of $175 to keep your certification in good standing.CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostA-CSM2-day A-CSM course costs around $1299 depending on the region you train from$175 and 30 SEUs, every two years5. Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)Offered by the globally recognized PMI®, the DASM is a perfect certification for those who want to be efficient Scrum Masters, improve processes and drive results with the help of the Disciplined Agile toolkit. Ensure business outcomes and gain a reputation in your organization by successfully meeting goals and bringing together enterprise architecture, portfolio management, vendor management and finance together.DASM Certification CostThe course fee for DASM certification includes the exam fee. Your training should be conducted by an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) of PMI®.DASM Renewal costTo keep your DASM credential active, you are required to pay the annual renewal fee of $50 and log in a minimum of 7 PDUs.CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostDisciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)Training fee will be updated shortly$50 USD annual renewal fee and 7 hours of professional development (minimum 5 Disciplined Agile hours) are required each year for maintaining the credential6. Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ CertificationThis course and subsequent credential approved by Dr. Jeff Sutherland, the co-creator of Scrum and inventor of Scrum@Scale, is among the most respected credentials in the Scrum world. It helps you understand Scrum principles, techniques and processes of creating high performing teams and make a mark for yourself in your team and organization as an exceptional Scrum Master.Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ Certification CostThe designation is offered by Scrum Inc.™ to practitioners who successfully complete training by an authorized training provider and demonstrate their understanding by passing the exam. The training fee includes the cost of the examination, and training material approved by Dr. Jeff Sutherland. Participants need to successfully complete the course and pass the exam to gain the credential.Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ Certification Renewal CostCredential holders must renew their Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ certificate annually within one month from the expiration date. The renewal fee for Scrum Inc. Scrum Master™ certification costs $100 (USD).CertificationCost of CertificationRenewal CostScrum Inc. Scrum Master™ CertificationTraining fee will be updated shortly  $100, every year.What’s Your Next Step?In this article, we’ve introduced you to the most popular Scrum certifications in the industry, and compared the costs of getting certified as a Scrum Master to help you make an informed decision.  While the cost certainly is an important consideration, you should also keep in mind your primary objectives for getting certified before you make your choice. Which is the certification that will add value to your resume and help to take your career places? Or, which is the certification that is most prized by your organization? What are the skills that you’re looking to gain, and what outcomes do you hope to accomplish?  Choose wisely, and take the right steps in your Scrum Master journey!
What is the Cost of Top Scrum Certifications in 2022?
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What is the Cost of Top Scrum Certifications in 20...

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