Certified ScrumMaster Certification Guide

About the Certification

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is an agile development methodology certification issued by Scrum Alliance. It is an intermediate-level certification that evaluates the ability to understand the Scrum framework and successfully lead teams.

This certification is based on Scrum core values and principles. It covers understanding of all Scrum events and roles, including sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and retrospective. It teaches methods to effectively collaborate with development teams, product owners, and stakeholders to deliver value.

Job Application Guide

The Certified ScrumMaster certification is highly useful for agile development-related positions.

Scrum Master: Suitable for positions supporting Scrum teams and facilitating Scrum processes. Requires team collaboration and process improvement skills.

Agile Coach: Helpful for positions supporting organizational agile transformation. Understanding agile values and principles is important.

Project Manager: Advantageous for positions managing projects in agile environments. Must understand differences between traditional project management and agile.

Product Manager: Suitable for positions managing product development in agile ways. Requires product backlog management and priority setting skills.

Development Team Leader: Helpful for positions leading agile development teams. Team self-organization and collaboration skills are important.

Required Knowledge

Scrum Fundamentals

• Scrum values and principles
• Scrum framework understanding
• Agile manifesto and principles
• Scrum vs other methodologies

Scrum Roles

• Product Owner
• Scrum Master
• Development Team
• Stakeholders

Scrum Events

• Sprint planning meeting
• Daily Scrum
• Sprint review
• Sprint retrospective
• Sprint

Scrum Artifacts

• Product backlog
• Sprint backlog
• Increment
• Definition of Done

Scrum Master Role

• Servant leadership for teams
• Impediment removal
• Process facilitation
• Coaching and mentoring
• Stakeholder management

Product Backlog Management

• User story writing
• Backlog refinement
• Priority setting
• Story point estimation
• Velocity measurement

Sprint Execution

• Sprint planning
• Daily Scrum facilitation
• Impediment identification and resolution
• Sprint review preparation
• Retrospective facilitation

Scaling

• Multi-team Scrum
• Scrum of Scrums
• Nexus Scrum Master
• Nexus framework
• SAFe

Preparation Methods

Stage 1: Scrum Fundamentals (1-2 months)

Study Scrum Guide and Agile Manifesto. Understand Scrum core concepts and principles.

Stage 2: Understanding Scrum Roles (1 month)

Learn roles and responsibilities of Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. Understand interactions between roles.

Stage 3: Learning Scrum Events (1-2 months)

Learn purpose and facilitation methods of 5 Scrum events. Understand Scrum Master role in each event.

Stage 4: Learning Scrum Artifacts (1 month)

Learn concepts of product backlog, sprint backlog, and increment. Master backlog management and priority setting methods.

Stage 5: Official Training Course (2 days)

Complete 2-day training from Scrum Alliance authorized training providers. Build experience through practice and workshops.

Stage 6: Exam Preparation (1 month)

Take online exam after completing training. Pass by answering 24 out of 35 questions correctly.

Stage 7: Continuous Learning (Ongoing)

Build Scrum practical experience and prepare for advanced Scrum Master certifications.

Recent 5-Year Pass Rates

The average pass rate is approximately 79.6%, relatively high. Pass rates increase after completing official training courses.

Practical Tips

Read Scrum Guide Thoroughly: Read official Scrum Guide at least 2-3 times. All exam content comes from here.

Build Practical Experience: Work in actual Scrum teams or participate in projects to build experience. Linking theory and practice is important.

Complete Official Training: Completing official training greatly helps exam preparation. Also allows sharing practical experience.

Practice User Story Writing: User story writing ability is important for Scrum Masters. Practice with various scenarios.

Learn Retrospective Facilitation Techniques: Learn methods to facilitate effective retrospectives. Ability to drive continuous team improvement is important.