Who Can Become a Scrum Master

A detailed guide into Scrum Master prerequisites to get the CSM certification

While there are no specific requirements to take up a Scrum course, there are some checkboxes you need to tick before you can become a certified Scrum Master. We explain the eligibility for becoming a Scrum Master in this article. 

Who are eligible to become a Scrum Master

There is no domain or qualification required to attend a Scrum course. Scrum is an Agile process implemented to tackle and complete complex projects or tasks efficiently, and it can be implemented in any domain by anyone who understands Scrum. People with the following background tend to take up a Scrum course: 

  • Program Manager. 
  • Program Director. 
  • CTO, CIO. 
  • Product Manager. 
  • Business Analyst. 
  • QA Lead. 
  • Test Manager. 
  • Technical Lead. 
  • Customer Support Lead. 
  • Release and Operations Lead. 

In general, people whose job requires managing clients, teams or projects tend to benefit from learning Scrum because it helps them streamline projects and boost efficiency. That being said, even candidates who do not fall into the above categories can learn Scrum and implement it in their organization. 

BECOME AN EXPERT SCRUM MASTER

Scrum, an Agile framework has been picking up momentum in creating innovation and improving productivity across organizations. A high-performing Scrum team always contributes to the success of an Agile project and the Scrum Master is the main person responsible for steering the project in the right direction. The Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) course boosts your confidence in implementing the Scrum framework effectively in organizations.

BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH THE CSM CERTIFICATION


As a Certified ScrumMaster, you will be known as being part of an elite group engaged with Scrum Alliance. The members of Scrum Alliance are meant to be Scrum specialists, guiding the project teams to success. Here is why CSM certification should be a part of your skillset:

    • Based on recent salary surveys by ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for the Certified ScrumMaster is $ 109,448 a year.
    • Armed with a CSM certification, you can shine in several job roles across major companies the likes of IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, Capgemini, Honeywell, BOSCH, Accenture, Deloitte, and more. Here are some of the many job roles that would stand to benefit from the CSM certification: 
      • Scrum Master
      • Delivery Lead
      • Agile Scrum Master
      • Program Manager
      • Project Manager
      • Agile Coach
      • Automation Engineer
      • Project Lead

    Learn more about Scrum Master salaries and career growth.

    In today's rapidly changing world, most IT, as well as non-IT industry majors, are hiring professionals well-versed in Agile and Scrum and those with certifications from global accredited organizations such as Scrum Alliance are preferred. Certified Scrum Masters can add immense value to enterprises in several ways including: 

    • Guiding team members through product development
    • Helping the team deliver quality products
    • Participating in team activities with ease and learning how to own tasks
    • Resolving impediments and enhancing the team’s collaboration
    • Acting as change agents and enabling a culture in which teams can flourish
    • Becoming a servant leader for Scrum teams involved in developing high-value products

    Scrum Masters are highly valued across industries and the demand for skilled professionals, especially those backed by certifications is at an all-time high. The benefits of a Scrum Master certification such as CSM are severalfold:

    • You will gain a high degree of proficiency in executing Scrum
    • The certification will set you apart from your non-certified peers 
    • You will contribute to cultivating a healthy work environment
    • You will be self-motivated to perform well and elevate the performance of the team
    • You will unlock great earning potential and stand to receive job offers in IT as well as non-IT organizations with a great pay package

    Process to become a Certified Scrum Master

    Steps to become a CSM

    • Step 1: Follow an easy and hassle-free approach to register on KnowledgeHut, a Global REA of Scrum Alliance (SA).

    • Step 2: Take the 2-day CSM course and get instructed by Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs).

    • Step 3: SA will send you a link to create login credentials on successful completion of course.

    • Step 4: Click on the link received from Scrum Alliance and create your own login credentials.

    • Step 5: Take the 1 hour online CSM test which comprises of 50 MCQs by using those credentials.

    • Step 6: Score a minimum of  74% to pass the CSM® test, after completing the course.

    • Step 7: Once the test is cleared, you will be requested to accept a license agreement.

    • Step 8: After accepting it, you will receive CSM designation & a 2-year membership from SA. Also, refer to our getting started guide: How To Become A Certified Scrum Master.
    • Step 9: You have to renew the certification once every two years.

    Prerequisites

    There is no set of eligibility requirements to attend this Scrum Master Certification course and it can be taken by freshers or professionals who want to:  

    • Further their career in project management. 
    • Deepen their understanding of Scrum. 

    Our experienced CSTs deliver training in such a way that is suitable for both novice and experienced professionals. But, it is recommended that you have basic knowledge of using Scrum in a real-world context, in order to get the most from the training. You can do this by following the 1-day Agile and Scrum foundation training by KnowledgeHut. 

    Who Usually Attend CSM Training

    • Software Engineers
    • Product Managers
    • Project Managers
    • Team Leaders
    • Business Analysts
    • Development team members
    • Testers
    • Anyone who would like to build a career as a Scrum Master

    KnowledgeHut Experience

    EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS

    Learn from real-world simulations, in-class activities and the rich experience of industry expert trainers.

    ELITE PANEL OF CSTs

    Interact with accredited CSTs who also have years of experience as active Scrum practitioners across domains.

    MENTORSHIP BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS

    Get real-world tips and time-tested techniques from highly qualified mentors with extensive industry experience.

    GATEWAY TO SCRUM COMMUNITIES

    Get access to a wider community of active Scrum professionals and enhance your practical knowledge.

    CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND SUPPORT

    Avail continuous support through monthly webinars, e-books, and conferences and keep pace with the industry.

    POST-CLASS CAREER SUPPORT

    Get access to latest resources like tutorials, articles, interview QnAs, and case studies created by experts.

    GLOBAL REA

    We are a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 250,000 Agile professionals. 

    100% SUCCESS GUARANTEED

    Crack your exam in the very first attempt with our 100% Success Rate and 100% Money-Back Guarantee!

    CSM Course Curriculum from Scrum Alliance

    Get familiar with the 12 principles and 4 values stated in the Agile Manifesto through our popular in-class activity- “Draw and demonstrate”. Herein, you will be asked to form groups and illustrate all 12 principles pictorially.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Explain the 12 principles and 4 values listed in the Agile Manifesto.
    • Demonstrate the benefits of “responding to change” in Agile over “following a plan” in traditional project management.
    • Describe how the Scrum values (courage, focus, commitment, respect, openness) relate to the Scrum artifacts, events, and roles.
    • List and explain the three pillars in Scrum ― Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation.
    • Explain the differences between framework and methodology and understand why Scrum is called a framework.
    • List 5 ways to develop an Agile mindset.
    • Illustrate 2 differences between Agile and Scrum and explain why these two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

    Topics covered

    • Agile Manifesto
    • 12 Principles
    • 4 values
    • Scrum Foundations (5 Scrum Values)

    Learn more about the three roles in Scrum with role-based activities. Each group will play a simulation game called “candy catch” that will have three iterations. The Scrum Master and Product Owner (chosen by group members) will coordinate and help the team achieve the highest target within the shortest time.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Conduct a retrospective to list 3 techniques to improve the performance and turnaround time.
    • Explain the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master and a Product Owner.
    • List 3 differences between a Scrum Master and a Product Owner and understand why these two roles should not overlap.
    • Discuss how a product owner acts as a bridge between the development team and the stakeholders.
    • Understand why a Scrum Master is not an active participant but a facilitator in the Scrum events and ceremonies.
    • List 3 demerits of having a development team of less than 3 members or greater than 10 members.

    Topics covered

    • Scrum Master roles and challenges
    • Product Owner roles and responsibilities
    • Development team roles and responsibilities

    Take part in the Scrum Paper Plane game and learn how the 5 Scrum ceremonies work. There will be 3 sprints, each lasting 15 minutes. You need to prepare the user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Explain the “why” and “how” of sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and retrospective.
    • Understand why the scope and duration of a sprint are fixed.
    • List 3 ways to avoid sprint backlog spillover.
    • Define sprint goals and discuss 5 benefits of having a sprint goal.
    • Understand how the Scrum Master and the Product Owner should coordinate with the team and list 5 points to improve such communications.
    • Discuss 3 damaging impacts of sprint cancellation and how to avoid it.
    • List 10 sprint anti-patterns (E.g. sprint cancellation, variable sprint length) and understand how these impact the delivery and turnaround time.

    Topics covered

    • Sprint planning
    • Daily Scrum
    • Sprint Review
    • Sprint Retrospective

    Experience how scrum works in real projects with our simulation game “Crime Teller”. The activity will be divided into 3 sprints, wherein the participants will actively employ Product backlog refinement among other scrum artifacts to solve a given “crime” story.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • List and demonstrate 5 salient features of a well-formed product backlog (E.g. estimated, prioritized).
    • Discuss 2 responsibilities of the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the Development team in creating and maintaining a product backlog.
    • The objective of having a product backlog and best approaches to product backlog refinement.
    • Analyze and discuss the ideal time and capacity to be dedicated to product backlog refinement.
    • Demonstrate 3 activities (E.g. budget and timeline, release schedule) that take place during a sprint review.
    • List 5 sprint review anti-patterns (E.g. delayed   acceptance) and their negative impacts

    Topics covered

    • Product Backlog
    • Sprint Backlog
    • Product Increment

    Learn about Scrum life cycle by taking part in the “coin game”. The participants will be linking ceremonies to create effective sprint goals. This module will focus on the common challenges in sprint execution and enable team members to improvise.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Explain the difference between resolution meetings and daily standups.
    • Explain the benefits of collaborations with product owners.
    • List 3 demerits of over collaboration of the product owners.
    • Demonstrate 3 ways to break the barriers and collaborate
    • Demonstrate creation of sprint burndown chart
    • Explain 3 approaches to increase efficiency in the team

    Topics covered

    • Sprint Execution Planning
    • Flow management
    • Resolution meetings
    • Communication (Taskboard, Sprint burndown chart using story points, hours effort)

    Play the “Marshmellow Tower” game and learn more about daily scrum and sprint retrospective in real scrum projects. The tallest tower built with the minimum raw materials and in the shortest time frame will win. Acceptance criteria will be defined by the instructor.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Explain the importance of 15-minute timebox for daily scrum meetings.
    • List 3 differences between traditional meetings and daily stand-ups.
    • Describe 2 roles played by the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team in daily scrum.
    • List the 3 critical questions pertaining to the daily scrum agenda.
    • List 2 responsibilities of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team during the sprint retrospective.

    Topics covered

    • Activities in daily scrum
    • Activities in sprint retrospective

    Familiarise yourself with Definition of Done (DoD) and Acceptance Criteria with the “Crazy Juggler” game wherein you need to pass a fixed number of balls to non-adjacent team members within a certain time frame and collect them in a paper bag once marked as “done”.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Explain Definition of Done at three levels ― user story (e.g. writing code), sprint, and release (e.g. preparing release notes).
    • List 3 benefits of Definition of Done and explain why it can evolve over a certain period of time.
    • Prepare a checklist (with a minimum of 7 entries) of an ideal DoD.
    • Mention 3 risks associated with an ill-formed DoD.
    • List 5 characteristics of good acceptance criteria.
    • Understand who all should be involved in drafting the acceptance criteria.
    • List 3 negative impacts of not following the acceptance criteria.

    Topics covered

    • Definition of Done for a feature (user story or product backlog item)
    • Definition of Done for a sprint
    • Definition of Done for a release
    • Definition of Done vs. Acceptance criteria
    • Done vs. Done-Done.

    Acquaint yourself with the Definition of Ready with our Lego blocks game wherein the attendees will be asked to build a city out of Lego building blocks. The “definition of ready” checklist for the final deliverable will be determined by the instructor.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Create an ultimate checklist of Definition of Done.
    • List 3 negative impacts of an ill-formed Definition of Done.
    • Identify at least 3 benefits of a shared Definition of Done for multiple teams working on the same product backlog.
    • List 2 ways to improve Definition of Done.
    • Clearly understand the differences between “done” and “done done”.

    Topics covered

    • Definition of Ready for user story
    • Definition of Ready for sprint

    Play the self-organization game “Human Knots” by forming teams of 5-6. Groups where team members can untie themselves first win. The time frame for this activity will be decided by your instructor. Each team will have a Scrum Master and Product Owner chosen by group members.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Define and understand the steps involved in release planning.
    • List 3 benefits of a well-organized release planning.
    • List 3 outputs of release planning.

    Topics covered

    • Definition of release planning
    • Who takes part in release planning
    • Steps in Release planning
    • Output of Release Planning

    Acquaint yourself with the Sprint Burndown Chart concepts by taking part in the ball point game. There will be 5 iterations and the number of points being expected at the end of the release will be communicated to the team.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Define and understand sprint burndown chart.
    • List 3 primary reasons to use a burndown chart.
    • Learn how to create and calculate a burndown chart.
    • Explain how to adjust upcoming sprints based on the burndown.
    • List 3 critical information obtained from a burndown chart.
    • List 5 merits and 2 demerits of using a burndown chart.
    • Understand 5 common errors that lead to misleading information in burndown charts.

    Topics covered

    • Definition
    • Why and when to use a sprint burndown chart
    • Information obtained from sprint burndown chart

    Take part in the ball point game and understand the in-depth concepts of release burn-up charts and why Scrum teams use them. There will be 5 iterations and once the sprint is completed, the team will put a mark on the release burn-up as to how many points are completed.


    What you will learn

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Understand the importance of having a release goal (based on historical data and agreement).
    • Demonstrate the importance of release burn-up in understanding the current status.
    • List 2 differences between burndown and burn-up charts.
    • Explain how to adjust release planning (if needed) based on the burn down.
    • Tell one primary advantage of a burnup chart over a burndown chart.  

    Topics covered

    • Definition
    • Features
    • How to create a release burn-up chart (steps)

    Topics covered

    • What is product planning
    • What is product vision
    • How to create a product backlog
    • Product Roadmap 
    • Minimum Releasable features (or) Minimum Marketable Features 
    • Minimum Viable Products

    Be a part of the Lego Building Blocks game wherein participants will be asked to write user stories for every activity involved. The game will entail 3 iterations and attendees will prepare user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria. 


    What you will learn 

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • Define and explain user stories and understand the importance of user stories in real-time projects.
    • Explain the 3 Cs in user stories.
    • Discuss the importance of acceptance criteria and list 3 scenarios that might arise when the acceptance criteria are not met.

    Topics covered

    • What are user stories?
    • Structure/format of user stories
    • INVEST criteria

    Learn more about the “what” and “how” of Agile estimation with our in-class Agile board game “Scrumble”. In an interactive setting, this game will let you analyze the common challenges faced by Scrum team members during implementing different estimation techniques in Agile.


    What you will learn 

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • List and demonstrate 5 benefits of Agile estimation.
    • Understand the 7 popular Agile estimation techniques and decide which one is the best for your project.
    • Discuss 3 benefits of Relative Estimation and Planning Poker.
    • List and explain 3 common mistakes made while using Relative Estimation and their negative impacts.
    • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 

    Topics covered

    • Definition
    • Benefits of Agile Estimation
    • Agile estimation techniques

    Know everything about planning poker from our popular poker card estimation game. Team members/estimators have to privately select one card and the value on each card would represent the story point. Once all cards are revealed, the values need to be discussed.


    What you will learn 

    At the end of this activity, you will be able to-

    • List 5 benefits of planning poker estimation technique.
    • Decide the best sequence for the values (story points) on cards for your real-time projects.
    • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 
    • List 3 points to heed for employing planning poker for distributed teams.

    Topics covered

    • Definition
    • Benefits
    • Participants
    • How to play planning poker
    • Planning Poker rules

    FAQs

    KnowledgeHut Support On Your CSM Journey

    As long as you attend the training and understand the curriculum, passing the exam should be easy. If you do fail in your first attempt, you can make 2 more free attempts within 90 days of completing the course. 

    Yes, you can. There are no designation or degree requirements to attend a Scrum course and the examination. 

    Scrum is a methodology you implement to run projects more efficiently. If your organization delivers products or services to clients via teams, you can benefit from becoming a Scrum Master and implementing Scrum. 

    https://www.watermarklearning.com/blog/become-certified-scrummaster/ 

    What You Will Learn in this CSM Workshop

    Why Global Corporates Prefer KnowledgeHut As Their Training Partner

    A provider of Enterprise Learning Solutions (ELS), KnowledgeHut creates industry-fit talents through training, coaching, and consulting by globally-acclaimed trainers. Much of KnowledgeHut’s repute in co-creating business value stems from:

    • Training delivered in 100+ countries.
    • 250+ industry-relevant courses.
    • Consulting and coaching to transform organizations.
    • Trainers with experience in Retail, E-commerce, Energy & Utilities, etc.
    • 500+ Clients
    • Accenture
    • Amazon
    • Capgemini
    • Coca-Cola
    • Cognizant
    • Honeywell
    • HP
    • IBM
    • JP Morgan
    • Nokia
    • Philips
    • Sony
    • Wipro
    Talk to scrum expert

    Individuals Can Enroll In Groups To Avail Huge Discounts

    By registering in groups, you can save up to 15% on the course fees. The discount you can avail will depend on your group size.

    JOURNEY OF A CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTER PROFESSIONAL


    CSM Training and Certification FAQs

    Certified ScrumMaster®

    A Certified ScrumMaster is a professional designated by Scrum Alliance as a Scrum practitioner who can skillfully lead project teams. A Scrum Master is not a project leader or project manager but instead, a Servant Leader who assists the team to succeed with the Scrum framework.

    When it comes to being a successful Scrum Master, there are certain roles and responsibilities that need to be performed. Following are the primary roles and responsibilities of a scrum master:

    • Act as a facilitator and servant leader who encourages self-organization
    • Remove obstacles so that the team can focus more on work and follow practices of Scrum
    • Protect the team from internal and external distractions
    • Ensure a good relationship between the product owner and the team along with the members outside the team
    • Set up an environment where the team can perform more effectively
    • Manage the scrum process in coordination with the scrum team
    • Conduct retrospective meetings
    • Address team progress

    The most important skills that every Scrum Master should have are as follows:

    • Systems Thinking: This skill helps the Scrum Master to build a comprehensive perspective towards the whole organization as a system. 
    • Facilitation ability: The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum events for the team members to reach a high-end decision.
    • Complex Problem Solving: The Scrum Master will be able to handle various complex situations while undertaking product development.
    • Coaching: Team members need someone to guide and coach them to follow Scrum principles properly, which the Scrum Master does.

    The exponential growth of Scrum, combined with the rising Scrum adoption in 65% of IT enterprises globally indicates the need for Certified ScrumMasters who can facilitate complex project execution. A CSM certification from any Global REP (Registered Education Provider) helps reinforce your industry identity as an Agilist who can lead projects to successful execution.

    The Scrum Master role is created to be a part of the Scrum framework. The name itself indicates that a person is an expert at Scrum and ensures that his/her team is also following the Scrum framework correctly. Scrum Master is responsible for creating a culture of trust, self-organizing teams, and transparency while removing the obstacles that are inhibiting the project’s progress. Here is a list of several Scrum Master certifications along with the certification bodies:


    Certification Body Certificate Name
    Scrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster (CSM)
    Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master (PSM ™ )
    Scaled Agile Academy SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)
    Project Management Institute (PMI)®Project Management Institute- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
    SCRUMstudyScrum Master Certified (SMC ™ )

    Scrum Alliance, the renowned Agile membership and certification organization for the professionals offers various levels of certification to become proficient in Scrum. The certifying body always believes in a high level of personal interaction to understand Scrum. The newly designed course model of Scrum Alliance fosters collaboration, increased productivity, and success among the team members.


    Membership of the Scrum Alliance community offers you a networking platform if you are interested in your Agile journey and lets you connect with other Scrum practitioners. It aids you to get future growth through certification, knowledge sharing, and community support, which is very rare in the IT domain.

    A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) training workshop is conducted by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and teaches the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles that will enable the participant to act as a Scrum Master or Scrum team member. This credential is a first step on the path to a successful Agile career.

    Yes, there is an online/virtual course for CSM. 

    Through this membership you can join local user groups, online social networks, gain access to deep discounts on gatherings, and additional member-only resources.  In addition, CSMs can use a specially designed logo to highlight their credentials.

    According to Scrum Alliance, a Certified ScrumMaster course helps increase the likelihood of a project’s overall success by applying Scrum principles and techniques in the right way. By understanding the values, practices, and applications, you can act as a ‘servant leader’ rising above and beyond an average project manager and helping your organization achieve meaningful goals

    Job opportunities are continuously increasing in number which in turn is raising the demand for professional and skilled scrum masters. Our training will give you an edge in your job search and help you to get a high-paying job that will set you up to go in a new direction in your Agile journey.

    Not just software companies but many other industries are looking for Scrum Masters to improve their organizational processes. Here is the list of top industries and companies that have hired Certified Scrum Masters:


    Information Technology:

    • Philips
    • Dell
    • Honeywell
    • Allstate India
    • Goldman Sachs
    • Siemens
    • Informatica
    • Capgemini
    • Intel
    • Zensar Technologies
    • Accenture
    Telecom:
    • Vodafone India Services Private Limited
    • Techstar Software Development India Pvt
    • Nokia Siemens Networks Ltd
    • France Telecom
    • NewWave Telecom & Technologies
    • ENGIE Insight
    • Rockwell Automation
    • Synacor
    • Frontier Communications Corporation
    Federal:
    • First Tech Federal Credit Union
    Manufacturing companies:
    • Applied Materials India Private Limited
    • Applied Materials
    • Johnson Controls

    There are plenty of useful Scrum tools available to enhance your management capabilities. Here's a list of the top tools you can use to take leaps in your career

    Tool Name

    Features

    Cost

    Jira

    The most popular and widely used cloud and subscription-based software for Agile teams.

    $10/month for up to 10 users

    $7/month for 11-100 users

    Vivify Scrum

    A well-balanced tool with an appealing UI and useful Scrum features.

    Offers free version for 14-days

    $8/user/month

    ScrumDO

    This is the tool built and priced to scale your Agile projects.

    $8.99/month for up to 10 users

    Manuscript

    A new tool built for the real-world barriers that exist in a software development environment.

    $62/month for 5 users

    Axosoft

    This scrum tool offers organization and structure to many components of Scrum project management.

    $25/month for 5 users

    Targetprocess

    This Scrum tool enables software development teams to speed up product delivery at all levels of the organization.

    Offers free Team version

    $20/user/month

    Yodiz

    It offers a greater degree of visibility into your team’s progress and increases overall efficiency.

    Offers free version for up to 3 users

    $3/user/month

    Quickscrum

    This Scrum tool helps your team to collaborate better, reach goals, and improve continuously.

    $3/user/month

    Scrumwise

    It allows you to focus on your project, improve communication, enhance teamwork and gives you faster results.

    $7.50/user/month

    ScrumDesk

    Designed for teams implementing Scrum or Kanban and supports Agile practices like root cause analysis or retrospectives.

    Free for up to 4 users

    $9/month for up to 5 users

    ClickUp

    It helps to make projects more productive with a well-designed and intuitive platform.

    $5/user/month

    Zoho Sprints

    A tool that helps Agile teams plan and track their work.

    Offered as a free tool for up to 3 users and 2 projects

    $8.30/user/month for up to 10 users

    The certifications offered by Scrum Alliance provide several ways of proving yourself as a competent and skilled Scrum and Agile practitioner. Here are the three Scrum Master certification levels by Scrum Alliance:


    1. CSM (Certified Scrum Master)

    Introductory course for those wishing to become a Scrum Master or play a role as a Scrum team member.

    2. A-CSM (Advance – Certified Scrum Master)

    Advanced course for those who have work experience as a Scrum Master.

    3. CSP (Certified Scrum Professional)

    Pinnacle/Expert-level course for individuals wishing to build mastery in the Scrum Master role.

    Your next step toward a Certified Scrum Professional after earning your CSM certification and a year of experience working as a CSM on a Scrum Team is to achieve your Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM℠) certification.

    Agile refers to a mindset on how to approach software development. Scrum is the most widely used Agile framework, amongst others such as Kanban and Extreme Programming.

    The term Agile was coined in 2001 when the "Manifesto for Agile Software Development" was created. The authors were the two creators of the Scrum famework, together with 15 others who had a similar mindset on how to approach software development. The manifesto stresses the need to deliver software that customers value early and continuously during development. This way, that what is delivered can be changed rapidly during development, based on customer feedback. To make this possible, close collaboration is needed between developers amongst each other, and with their clients.

    Scrum provides a structure on how to work from an Agile mindset. While originating from software development, Scrum is defined in a more generic manner. It is also applied in other domains than software, such as marketing. The framework helps a self-organizing team to get things done frequently and in close collaboration. There will be many opportunities during development to inspect what has been delivered so far, and to improve the way the work is conducted.

    The cost of the 2-day Certified Scrum Master or CSM course is between $800 and $1500 in US and between INR 18,000 to INR 25000 in India. The cost of the exam is included in this. Apart from this, you will also have to pay $100 every 2 years to renew the CSM certification.

    CSM and PSM certifications focus on the software development process. Neither is better than the other. The certificate that you should go for depends on your current knowledge and your goals. Here are some differences between the two that will help you make the decision:

    • Getting the certification

    You can get the CSM certification by attending the 2-day training. You will need to enroll yourself in an institute and undertake the training. You will have free 2 attempts to pass the exam, within a 90 day period after completion of the course. If you fail the test twice or take it up only after 90 days, you will be required to pay a $25 USD test attempt fee. PSM certification from Scrum.org has three certification levels - PSM I, II, and III. You need to purchase the password from scrum.org for enrolling yourself. For taking the PSM I exam, you must have a deep understanding of Scrum.

    • Passing rank

    You need at least 74% marks in the exam to get the CSM certification exam. For PSM, you need at least 85%.

    • Exam pattern

    CSM only has multiple choice questions while PSM might have multiple choice questions, true/false type questions, multiple answer questions, and essay type questions depending on the level.

    • Cost

    The cost of the CSM certification ranges between $800 and $1500 in US and between INR 18,000 to INR 25000 in India depending on the training institute. PSM certification costs differ depending on their levels. The cost of PSM I, II, and III is $150, $250, and $500 respectively.

    • Need for renewal

    CSM certification is valid for only 2 years. You will be required to pay $100 every two years to renew your certificate. For PSM, on the other hand, there is no need for renewal. Once you have passed the exam, the certification will be valid for life.

    Here is a step-by-step process to get the CSM certification:

    1. Attend the in-person or online course from a training institute. Make sure that you select the right Certified Scrum Trainer or CST.
    2. Once you have completed the course, accept the license agreement, and take the CSM test. There are 50 questions that you have to answer within 60 minutes. You need to answer 37 out of 50 questions correctly to pass the test.
    3. You will be required to earn t

    Meet top CSTs and active practitioners

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    Fred

    Fred Mastropasqua

    Trainer

    Fred Mastropasqua, a Scrum Alliance, Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) based out of Tampa, Florida. As well as a Certified Scrum@Scale Trainer (CS@ST), ScrumMaster (CSM), Developer (CSD) Product Owner (CSPO), an Agile Practitioner with the PMI group (PMI-ACP), and a Microsoft System Engineer (MSCE) with over 25 years of experience with Windows Networking and Software Development. 

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    Daniel James

    Daniel James Gullo CST

    CSM, CSPO & Agile

    For more than 25 years, Daniel has been teaching, mentoring, coaching, and consulting for organizations of many sizes; from startups to multi-national enterprises. Daniel has led large-scale Agile adoption initiatives for organizations in Financial Services, Education, Health Care, Bio-tech, Pharma, Information Technology Consulting, Professional Associations, and Federal Government.

    Daniel is well known and highly revered as 'The hardest working man in the Agile community.' He is the founder of Agile Delaware and frequent reviewer, volunteer, and speaker for the Scrum Alliance, Agile Alliance, PMI and other organizations, including delivering keynote addresses.

    Daniel is the Conference Chair for the 2015 Scrum Gathering in Phoenix; he was the Conference Chair for the 2013 Scrum Gathering in Las Vegas; serves on the Trainer Acceptance Committee; is a member of the Coaching Retreat Planning Committee; host of Coaches Clinic events; facilitator of Open Space Events, including the Scrum Alliance's largest Open Space ever in Berlin; and a prolific contributor to a vast array of online forums, blogs, and other social media. Daniel is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Development.

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    Madhavi

    Madhavi Ledalla

    CST

    Madhavi Ledalla is an Agile enthusiast, and brings her real-world experience and perspectives of both traditional and agile methodologies while coaching organizations and teams during transformation engagements. She is a sought-after trainer, mentor and counselor in varied agile methods including Scrum and Kanban, and in Scaling frameworks such as SAFe and LeSS. As an acclaimed agile expert, she has led large scale agile transformations across multiple domains. She is passionate about building teams that are focused on outcome instead of output. Madhavi takes keen interest in doing customized training workshops on agile, retrospectives and innovation games. She holds a B.E. qualification from Osmania University and has worked with leading organizations as an advisor during their agile implementation.

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    Taghi

    Taghi Paksima CST

    Enterprise Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Trainer®

    CST

    Heitor De Sa Roriz

    Heitor De Sa Roriz Filho CST

    CSM, CSPO & CSPO

    HeitorRorizFilho is an 'agilero'. He currently works as an Agile Coach and Trainer worldwide, based in Sao Paulo. He is a writer, speaker and trainer in the area of Technology Management. He has been dealing with Agile since 2004 and in addition to speaking for Agile/Scrum, Six Sigma and PMI conferences, he is the founder activist of the ScrumAmazonia user group.

    He is also the co-founder and Agile Coach of Massimus (https://www.massimus.com) a company focused on APM (Agile Project Management) training and coaching. He holds a M.Sc. in Information Technology from the University of Stuttgart, Germany. Has worked and gathered experience in companies like Itautec-Philco SA, DaimlerChrysler AG, FraunhoferInstitut, FPF (Fundação Paulo Feitoza), among others. He worked for 3 years as a ScrumMaster and Product Owner for FPF and Siemens-Mobile where he also coached, trained and mentored teams to implement and improve Scrum in projects.

    For more than 2 years he worked as an Information Manager for the local government at Municipal Institute of Urban Planning where he applied Scrum outside of software, in architectural and building projects. He participated as a research assistant in projects belonging to LBA (Large-scale Biosphere-atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia) at INPA in cooperation with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Agency).

    Heitor is passionate for Agile and Scrum. He truly believes Agile can change the way we work achieving excellent levels of precision and performance. He is very interested in Agile Leadership and Agile Project Management as levers of improving our ways of work.

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    GAURAV

    GAURAV RASTOGI CST

    CST

    Gaurav is an experienced IT professional for 20+ years helping enterprise teams transform into Agile mind-set, create innovative culture and feel empowered.

    Gaurav holds specialisation in Agile,Scrum implementation & training. For past 10 years, he has facilitated several Agile workshops,  innovation games and has trained 1000’s of professionals in these areas.

    Gaurav is also co-creator of Leadership coaching model (www.exepediacoachingmodel.com) & a frequent speaker at global and regional Agile & Scrum conferences.

    In his coaching assignments & workshops, Gaurav has engaged with global banks, asset management companies, technology firms, telecom giants and several start-ups across the globe. He has also conducted public trainings for the employees of large organizations.

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    This 2-day training session helped me widen my knowledge of Scrum methodologies and Agile principles. Everything was well-organized, though it was an online session. My trainer explained the concepts with real-life examples and ensured every participant was on the same page. I highly recommend this course to everyone who wants to become a Certified Scrum Master. Kudos to the team efforts behind this!

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    Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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    Wonderful workshop for beginners .A great learning experience. Thank You Knowledge Hut. Instructor made it a interactive session which helped us to understand, learn. Completed successfully CSM course wit good grade!!

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    Senior Software Engineer
    Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in January 2022
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    Interactive and with enough activities to make the course interesting. Handle time well according to 2 differrent timezones Allocate enough time for each activities. Love the Q&A session Improvement: Answers provided by coach Give more real live scenarios and how to handle

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    IT
    Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in December 2020
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    Customer Relationship Manager
    Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in November 2020

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