Become a Certified Scrum Master and Help Your Team Thrive

If you want to deliver products of the highest value, it is critical for you to know how to guide teams to deliver products in minimum time, ensure faster feedback with continuous improvement, and adaption to the changing business framework. Becoming a CSM (Certified Scrum Master) equips you with these skills while ensuring optimal performance and productivity.

Although gaining a Scrum Master is not hard, understanding the principles of Scrum requires commitment, courage and focus. In this blog, we will explore the significance of CSM certification and know how to become CSM certified.

What is Scrum and a Scrum Master?

Scrum is an agile framework in software development and project management. It is widely adopted all over the world as it offers a structured and flexible approach in product development and enhances collaboration and transparency.

A scrum master, on the other hand, is a scrum team member who serves as a servant leader, coach and facilitator to the team. As a certified Scrum Master, you will be able to:

• Showcase your skills through the gold standard of agile certification.
• Coach and train your team to effectively use Scrum and establish why Scrum values are important.
• Help remove obstacles through product development.
• Promote collaboration and improve leadership skills.
• Excel career opportunities and expand your professional network.

How to Become CSM Certified

You need to follow the steps below to become a successful scrum master:

1. Attend a CSM Course: You need to start by completing a certified Scrum Master training. These courses are typically led by Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) like Knowlathon, who provide comprehensive knowledge on Scrum fundamentals, its roles, and its practical implementation.

2. Get CSM Training: engage yourself in hands-on learning and gain knowledge to apply Scrum principles in real-world scenarios. Knowlathon provides you with interactive exercises, simulations, and case studies to help gain practical insights into Scrum practices.

3. Pass the CSM Exam: After the course completion, you need to pass the CSM exam. This exam assesses your understanding of Scrum principles, roles, events, and artifacts. Without taking a proper training, you will find it quite hard to ace your exam.

4. Join the Scrum Alliance: Once you have cleared your exam, you will be Scrum certified and will be able to gain access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities through the Scrum Alliance.

Who Provides Scrum Master Certification

There are several reputable organizations that offer Scrum Master Certification, but the Scrum Alliance stands as one of the most widely recognized. It was founded in 2001 and is a non-profit organization, which is committed to advancing the adoption of Scrum worldwide.

Scrum Alliance offers a variety of certification programs that include Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), and Certified Scrum Developer (CSD), among others.

Who Should Earn Scrum Master Certifications?

Scrum Master Certification is beneficial for a wide range of professionals. Any individual working on with agile teams can take advantage from a Scrum Master Certification.

• Project Managers: With Scrum Master Certification, project managers can improve team collaboration, and streamline processes.
• Software Engineers: CSM training helps candidates adapt to changing requirements, and provide them skills to divide complex work into manageable portions.
• People Managers: As a CSM you will be able to foster team harmony and understand how to strengthen your intervention skills.
• Quality Assurance Professionals: The Scrum Master are known as experienced quality assurance professionals who can detect defects at an early age, and are responsible to deliver quality from the start.
• Business Analysts: CSM training hones your skills to identify areas for collaboration improvement, and help you understand how scrum can be used for better communication with the stakeholders.
• Designers: The Scrum Masters training equips designers to streamline their workflows, enhance collaboration, and provide them an opportunity to optimize the creative process with an adaptive approach.
• Scrum Masters and Coaches: The CSM certification will refine your skills, enable team and organizational agility, and assist scrum teams rectify their mistakes timely.

CSM Certification Cost in India

The cost of CSM certification in India varies and largely depends on the training provider, location, and delivery format (in-person or virtual). However, on average the cost of CSM training in India ranges between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000. The fee usually includes course materials, exam fees, and membership charges with Scrum Alliance.

Some of the key factors that affect CSM cost are:

• Training Provider: The training institute chosen plays a significant role in determining the overall certification cost. Reputed training providers known for quality instruction and experienced trainers often charge high.
• Delivery Format: CSM courses are offered in various formats, including in-person, virtual, or a combination of two. The delivery format also impacts the certification cost.
• Course Duration: The duration of the CSM training varies. Shorter-duration courses are less expensive as may not often offer a comprehensive range of Scrum principles compared to longer-duration courses.
• Instructor Experience: The experience and credentials of the Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) also impact certification cost. Highly experienced professionals with a proven track record are likely to charge more than their counterparts.
• Additional Resources Offered: Some training providers also offer supplementary materials and resources as training support. These additional resources, while enhancing the learning experience, also contribute to higher certification costs.
• Exam Fees and Membership: Most of the training institutes include the cost of the CSM exam and membership with the certifying body. Candidates need to reconfirm any additional fees associated with exam registration and membership renewal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking the first step towards becoming a Certified Scrum Master can transform your personal and professional journey. The CSM certification not only helps you gain a deep understanding of scrum principles, it also unlocks the techniques needed to lead your team to success.

As you start empowering your team to embrace agility, you will witness the tangible impact of your leadership on productivity and innovation. Your investment in CSM is not just about acquiring another credential, it is about equipping yourself with the skills to help navigate complex challenges and foster a culture of excellence within your team. Click here to get your CSM Certification today.

Click here to get your CSM Certification today.