As you may have heard by now, the Scrum Alliance has announced the new paths to Certified Scrum Professional® (CSP). There are 2 paths that you can follow:
Certified Scrum Professional-ScrumMaster® CSP-SM®
Certified Scrum Professional-Product Owner® CSP-PO®
As part of these new paths, the Scrum Alliance will be introducing Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ (A-CSM™) and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner™ (A-CSPO™). Of course, as one of the lead training providers in the US, The Braintrust Consulting Group will be rolling out new classes to fulfill the Advanced requirements at the beginning of 2018. To help you understand these new certifications and how they affect you, we sat down with Braintrust President, Kate Megaw and asked her our most pressing questions. We started with Advanced Certified ScrumMaster and then in the coming weeks be on the lookout for a follow up interview specifically covering Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner™.
So, what exactly is Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ and what does it mean for me?
Over the last several years, the Scrum Alliance has been examining the need for a deeper, more intensive ScrumMaster program, developed specifically for practicing ScrumMasters. Basically, Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ (A-CSM™) picks up where Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) leaves off. In Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®), you are introduced to the roles, the events, the artifacts, and the basics of Scrum. In the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ (A-CSM™), you’ll be focused on applying that knowledge to achieve true mastery of Scrum. Participants in an A-CSM™ course can expect to delve deeper into Agile facilitation and coaching by expounding upon impactful techniques in the workplace. Throughout the program, aspects of personal development and servant leadership will be carefully evaluated as a means of achieving Scrum mastery. Additional learning objectives will explore service to the development team, the product owner, and the organization. Participants will be well-versed in countermeasures to reduce the impact of challenges and pitfalls, key attributes of effective Agile teams, as well as methods of team performance improvement. With this new certification under your belt, resolving impediments in the organization will be a struggle of the past. Click here to read the full learning objectives from the Scrum Alliance.
Should I take an Advanced CSM class? What are the benefits?
In my mind, there are two types of people who are ideal for this new advanced training. The first type is anyone who is currently working as a ScrumMaster. If you are a ScrumMaster in your organization, then you should definitely pursue an Advanced Certification. The learning objectives that the Scrum Alliance have developed are perfect for becoming a better leader, a better ScrumMaster, and a better asset to your organization. You’ll take a deeper dive into Agile principles, you’ll study real-world examples, and you’ll learn true servant leadership. The other type of person is anyone who wants to eventually become a Certified Scrum Professional. The Scrum Alliance® has positioned this Advanced class to be a direct stepping stone to earning your CSP®. Once you have earned your Advanced CSM, you will need 12 months of work experience and then you will be ready to complete your journey with advanced training at the CSP-SM® certification level.
What are the requirements to be eligible for the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™?
In 2018, this advanced certification will be available to candidates who have 12 months of experience after obtaining his or her CSM® certification. These prerequisites are essential as participants will be using examples from his or her own work throughout the program. This advanced program does not diminish or compete with any other certifications, instead it offers a path for continued learning for those who are still working in a Scrum environment.
What if I’m already a Certified ScrumMaster®?
If you are already a CSM®, that’s great. You will definitely get to keep your certification and you will be grandfathered into the current requirements. Nothing will change for you and your status as a CSM® will remain active. And the even better news is that if you are already a CSM® with 12 months of experience, then you fulfill the prerequisite for the new Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™. So, if you are a CSM® and a practicing ScrumMaster, you should definitely consider the new Advanced Certification.
When will Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ Classes be offered?
Our goal is to begin offering Advanced Certified ScrumMaster™ by January of 2018.
What happens to my existing CSP?
Don’t worry, you won’t lose your existing Certified Scrum Professional® (CSP®). You will receive the designation that best fits your role.
- If you are a CSM and a CSP, then you will get the CSP-SM® designation.
- If you are a CSPO and a CSP, then you will get the CSP-PO® designation.
- If you are a CSM, CSPO and CSP, then you will get both the CSP-SM® and CSP-PO® designations.
Thanks so much for your time Kate. Hopefully this gives everyone a better idea of what to expect from these new classes. Remember to check back in the next week or two to read Kate’s thoughts on Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner.
