After the wide awareness and adoption of the revolutionary Agile methodology for product development, businesses are shifting in numbers to adopt Scrum, one of its frameworks. Scrum is an innovative framework through which teams and organizations create value and enhance productivity through innovative adaptive approaches to complex problems. The wheel that steers the success of any Scum-powered project is the team involved in the implementation of its concepts. These teams work to deliver iterations of a product in short fast cycles to allow for fast feedback, adaptation to change, and continuous improvement which are core to the Agile methodology.
A scrum team is composed of around five to nine individuals, one product owner, one ScrumMaster, and five developers. The Scrum team is cross-functional and self-managing and not hierarchical typical of most teams. The role of the product owner is to define stories and prioritize the backlog for the team to execute. He is generally responsible for maximizing the value of the product being built. The ScrumMaster, just as the name suggests, is the master of Scrum. He is well versed with the Scrum framework and guides, coaches, and educates the team to ensure that the Scrum framework is implemented in the project accordingly.
The effective ScrumMaster has typically undergone a Certified Scrum Master or CSM Certification in Atlanta, Chennai, Toronto, Singapore, or in other places as the Scrum framework is recognized across the globe. This certification is designed for professionals who intend to begin or advance their careers in the Agile world. A ScrumMaster certification demonstrates one’s knowledge of the Agile methodology and Scrum framework.
Atlanta’s vibrant tech industry
Atlanta boasts a vibrant tech industry and a promising one for professionals hoping to make it in the field. It has over the years drawn aspiring and talented professionals interested in building a career in the IT industry which includes programmers, software engineers and developers, system support specialists, and more for established and emerging technologies like blockchain, virtual/augmented reality, gaming, mobile apps, artificial intelligence, and the cloud. Thanks to an industry that is constantly thriving, welcoming, and spurring growth for both startups and large organizations in an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture upon which the innovative Agile methodology is built.
How to become a CSM Certified Professional in Atlanta
The most widely recognized certification for Scrum is the Certified Scrum Master offered by Scrum Alliance. It is the first of a series of certifications that advance to higher certification levels including The Advanced Certified Scrum Master certification (A-CSM), The Certified Scrum Professional- ScrumMaster (CSP-SM), and The Certified Agile Coach or Certified Agile Trainer.
Becoming a CSM certified professional can be quite rewarding career-wise and remuneration-wise.
Who is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)?
The certified ScrumMaster, as mentioned, facilitates the Scrum team in the implementation of the Scrum framework successfully in a project. His responsibilities include:
- Educating and coaching the development team, management, and other stakeholders on the theories, concepts, principles, and good practices of the Scrum framework.
- Promoting transparent and effective communication between members, product owner, management, and other stakeholders.
- Protect the team from distractions from project managers, product owners, management, and others that derail their productivity.
- Facilitating stand-up, sprint planning, sprint review, and other meetings.
- Dispute resolution
What are the requirements for becoming a CSM?
- The skills
- Well conversant with the Scrum framework
- Patient
- Collaborative
- People-oriented
- Emotional intelligence
- Prerequisites for undertaking a CSM course
Before enrolling in a CSM course, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the Scrum framework including its principles, concepts, practices, theory, and values. A CSM-certified professional has in-depth knowledge of the framework to be able to manage the implementation of the framework and help people understand and apply the practices of the framework successfully in a project.
Therefore, the purpose of undertaking the CSM certification is to gain an in-depth understanding of the framework including scrum roles, artifacts, and events as well as its overarching Agile methodology.
- CSM training course
Once you have familiarized yourself with the Scrum framework, register for a CSM certification course with a registered training provider. The course should be led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or Certified Agile Coach (CAC). Alternatively, you can opt for one-on-one coaching by CST or CAC. It is important to note that you are required to undertake at least 14 hours of online training with your CST, 16 hours of in-classroom training with your CST, or 25 hours of interaction with your CAC to qualify to take the exam.
- The CSM exam and certification
After completing your course, you are eligible to enroll for the CSM certification exam with Scrum Alliance. The CSM examination takes one hour and comprises 50 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark for this exam is 74% after which one is expected to accept the license agreement to receive 2 years membership with Scrum Alliance. This membership gives you access to valuable Scrum e-learning resources and materials.
The certification is renewable every two years.
Who should attend the CSM Training?
The CSM certification is designed for professionals who lead project teams and desire to implement the Agile methodology, specifically the Scrum framework. Individuals who can undertake the CSM certification include general managers, project managers, product managers, product owners, Scrum Masters. Software developers, software architects, team leaders, quality assurance professionals, automation engineers, and program managers among others.
Conclusion
Going by the 14th State of Agile report, 58% of companies have adopted and are using the Scrum framework and its variants. A survey carried out by Ziprecruiter indicates that the average salary of a certified ScrumMaster is $116,659 annually. Agile is popular, but Scrum is even more popular thanks to the fact that it delivers high business value and a practical flexible approach to software development.
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Is the CSM certification worth pursuing?
By all means, yes!
