Benefits of CSM® Certification

Learn all you need to know about Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) benefits

There are several advantages of the CSM® certification.  In this article, you will find out the value of the CSM® certification and how it will help you land a job that is highly rewarding and growth-oriented.

Certified ScrumMaster® - Benefits

CSM Certification Benefits 

Every Scrum organization needs a committed and accountable person to run Agile and Scrum projects without any hiccups, enhancing the quality of the product delivered and increasing ROI. Here is a quick view of the individual and organizational benefits of the Scrum Master certification.   

  • Here is how Scrum Masters help an organization in boosting performance and improving the growth trajectory: 
  • Guiding and mentoring the teams to adopt the Agile and Scrum approach 
  • Motivating teams to work collaboratively for achieving greater success 
  • Taking part in Daily Scrum meetings and assisting the team in being self-organized 
  • Removing the impediments that hamper smooth working 
  • Working as a change agent and creating a healthy work environment for the teams  
  • Helping teams to develop the Agile mindset 
  • Becoming a facilitator for the smooth progress of team functions 
  • How can individual benefits from gaining the Certified ScrumMaster® certification? Here’s how: 
  • Gain the skill-sets needed for implementing Scrum the right way 
  • Become part of the Scrum Alliance community --this niche community comprises of Scrum experts from around the world 
  • Enhance ROI for the Stakeholders 
  • Achieve greater agility and boost performance of team members 
  • Showcase your achievement as a Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster® 
  • By being part of Scrum Alliance, you demonstrate your dedication to continuous learning   

BECOME AN EXPERT SCRUM MASTER

Distinguish yourself as a Scrum Alliance-Certified Scrum Master and be ready become part of an elite group of Scrum specialists responsible for the effective implementation of the Scrum framework and building high-performance Scrum teams and guiding them to success.

Master the core concepts of Scrum, including the roles and responsibilities of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, as well as Scrum ceremonies and artifacts in our experiential learning sessions, power-packed with activities, role-plays, real-world simulations, and case studies. Our expert Scrum Alliance-Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) will deliver a captivating course bringing on board their vast expertise in the most engaging way.  

Learn in fun, interactive sessions by CSTs experienced across industries along with peers from all over the world. Say goodbye to boring lectures and death by PowerPoint and hello to a world of fun and exciting learning that will help you achieve your Certified ScrumMaster certification.

BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH THE CSM CERTIFICATION


Armed with this coveted Scrum certification, not only will you be well positioned to command salaries 21% on average higher than that earned by your non-certified peers, but also ready to land in-demand Scrum roles like Scrum Master, Delivery Lead, Agile Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Program Manager and Project Manager.

At the end of the course, participants will take an online exam to demonstrate their understanding of Scrum and earn their Certified ScrumMaster certification. This certification is recognized globally and demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and skills to effectively facilitate Scrum in a team or organization.


Learn more about Scrum Master salaries and career growth.

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

In today's rapidly changing world, most IT, as well as non-IT industry players, are hiring professionals well-versed in Agile and Scrum frameworks and those holding 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

Process to become a Certified Scrum Master

Your Path to Guaranteed CSM® Exam Success

  • LEARN with Live, Instructor-led Sessions

    Learn with interactive live training sessions from accredited CSTs who also have years of experience as active Scrum practitioners across domains. KnowledgeHut a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 250,000 Agile professionals, and you can get the best of this experience by learning with KnowledgeHut.  

  • STUDY with Scrum Alliance-Approved Curriculum

    Study with a curriculum crafted by Professionals licensed by Scrum Alliance and understand the core concepts of Scrum events- Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective.

  • PRACTICE with Case Studies, Role-Play, and Scrum Activities
    With the knowledge gained through experiential workshops, you can practice the concepts learnt with real-life case studies, role-play exercises where you replicate work-like environments, and participate in Scrum activities to embrace the role of a Scrum Master across enterprises. Clear all your doubts with mentors in weekly Scrum enablement sessions, which are vital in your exam success.

  • GET EXAM-READY with 4 CSM Mock Exams
    After mastering the knowledge learnt through ample practice, you can opt for 4 CSM mock exams that follow the exam pattern thoroughly and help you gain the confidence to crack the exam in your first attempt.

  • TAKE THE EXAM and Ace it in the Very First Go!
    Take the exam confidently and crack the 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions in 60 minutes. You will need to pass with a score of 74%. We're by your side through every step of your CSM exam preparation. With us, you'll ace your exam in the very first go and gain a Certified ScrumMaster certification!

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 in an engaging and interactive session with real-world simulations, in-class activities, and industry case studies.

ELITE PANEL OF CSTs

Get trained by Scrum Alliance accredited CSTs with more than a decade’s experience as Scrum practitioners.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SUPPORT

Leverage comprehensive CSM exam prep support, practice with 4 Mock Tests and clear your exam in the first attempt.

SCRUM ENABLEMENT SESSIONS

Get all your doubts about the exam or how to implement Scrum effectively in weekly AMA sessions with expert CSTs.

ACCESS OUR STELLAR HIRING POOL

Get access to KnowledgeHut’s elite group of hiring partners for elevating your career path at zero extra cost.

MENTORSHIP BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Get mentored by Scrum Alliance accredited professionals and get real-world tips and industry-proven techniques.

GLOBAL REA OF SCRUM ALLIANCE

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

GATEWAY TO SCRUM COMMUNITIES

Join a Global Network of 250,000+ Agile and Scrum Practitioners certified through KnowledgeHut across the world.

CERTIFICATION RENEWAL SUPPORT

Earn 20 PDUs and 20 SEUs to renew your CSM® certification through webinars, e-books, on-demand videos and more. 

CONTINUE YOUR LEARNING

Redeem a discount coupon on your next course enrollment with KnowledgeHut and fast-track your career! 

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

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 their expertise in various domains, including Certified ScrumMaster certification, ensuring organizations gain agile capabilities and enhance their project management practices. Here are some major impacts that we’ve created in the market:

  • 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.

5 to 9 people 10%
10+ people 15%
Enroll your Group Now

JOURNEY OF A CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTER PROFESSIONAL


FAQs

KnowledgeHut Support On Your CSM Journey

Here is why you should choose KnowledgeHut to help you get CSM certified:

  • Experiential learning with real-world simulations, in-class activities, and industry case studies
  • Live Instructor-led training sessions from trainers certified by the Scrum Alliance 
  • Flexible schedules (half-day and full-day workshops) to help busy professionals balance work and learning 
  • Exclusive focus on each learner with limited seats 
  • 100% exam pass guarantee and 100% money-back guarantee 
  • Batches are guaranteed to run, ensuring higher availability and choice 
  • 20 additional PDUs/SEUs through webinars, blogs 
  • Weekly doubt-clearing sessions for better concept clarity 
  • 4 Mock tests that help you gain the confidence to ace the exam in first go 

Looking to know everything about CSM certification training with KnowledgeHut? Check out this blog!

At KnowledgeHut, we pride ourselves on having some of the best trainers in the industry. Our trainers are not just experts in their respective fields but also hold the Certified Scrum Trainer certification from Scrum Alliance. Dedicated, and invested in understanding the unique challenges that different enterprises face, these highly skilled professionals with vast experience in delivering courses, are keen to impart their real-world wisdom in high-energy workshops replete with activities.

The venue will be listed on the KnowledgeHut website under the selected workshop. If it is not, then you can please contact our supporting team.

We provide the hard copy of the courseware for our classroom participants.

KnowledgeHut is a leading Registered Education Ally (REA) of Scrum Alliance offering good knowledge to corporate organizations and professionals across the globe. It is the fastest growing CSM certification training firm, with footprints in 70+ countries. We frequently conduct CSM training in all the cities across the globe and here are a few listed for your reference:


Bangalore  Hyderabad Mumbai
Delhi Kolkata Gurgaon
Noida Chennai Cochin
Pune New York Chicago
San Francisco Atlanta Washington
Houston Austin Los Angeles
Dallas Boston Seattle
San Jose Singapore Kuala Lumpur

Our CSM training is live and is available in both Live Instructor-Led Virtual and Classroom Training formats. The batches at KnowledgeHut are guaranteed to run, so you can enrol in the earliest available batch easily.

Yes, but this needs to be done at least 10 days prior to the training start date.


Note: In some instances, it also depends on the location, trainer, discounts/offers availed.

We do not provide transportation. Yes, refreshments and lunch will be provided by KnowledgeHut.

We offer a variety of discounts with the dates and time that fits your requirements. The larger the group*, the larger the overall discount. Our discounts vary depending on various factors such as size of the group, training location, etc.

Apart from this, we also provide a discount coupon which you can avail to enrol for another course on KnowledgeHut and fast-track your career. 

*Note: Not applicable for Singapore region

The process of enrolling for CSM classroom training is simple. The payment can be made through different options by using a debit/credit card which includes MasterCard, Visa Card, American Express or through PayPal. Acknowledgment will be issued automatically via email to the candidates once payment is done.

You can cancel your enrolment and receive refunds in line with our Cancellations and Refunds policy.

To ask further questions, please send in an email to support@knowledgehut.com, and we will answer any queries you may have!

We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Should you require additional clarification, please reach out to your Learning Advisor.

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 the 2-year membership with Scrum Alliance, 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.

We've laid out a sure path for anyone interested in fast-tracking their Agile and Scrum career to get the CSM certification:

  1. Learn Scrum with live, instructor-led sessions from accredited CSTs who are active practitioners across domains.
  2. Study with a Scrum Alliance-approved curriculum crafted by licensed professionals.
  3. Practice with real-life case studies, role-play exercises, and Scrum activities. Get mentored in weekly Scrum enablement sessions to clear your doubts and prepare for the exam.
  4. Get exam-ready and gain confidence with 4 CSM mock exams that follow the exam pattern thoroughly.
  5. Take the CSM exam confidently and crack the 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions in 60 minutes. You will need to pass with a score of 74%.

We're by your side through every step of your CSM exam preparation. With KnowledgeHut, you'll ace your exam in the very first go and gain a Certified ScrumMaster certification!

CSM and PMP are both in-demand certifications from reputed accreditation bodies. CSM certification is offered by Scrum Alliance, while the PMP certification is offered by PMI (Project Management Institute). 

A CSM certification is best suited for a professional who is interested in the Scrum Master role or wants to get a better understanding of the Scrum framework. This certification is beginner friendly, and anyone interested in the Scrum Master role can pursue this certification. You can get certified by passing the CSM exam after completing the course.

PMP certification is more difficult to acquire. You need to fulfill certain academic and work experience requirements to even attempt the PMP exam. PMP is a certification for professionals with at least three years of project management experience. You will also need to invest some time and effort into preparing for the PMP exam.

Both certifications are valuable and whether one is better than the other depends on your context. You can decide on which certification you want to pursue depending on your profile, background, and career goals. 

Anyone interested in working in an Agile way of working will find the CSM training and the Certified ScrumMaster credential useful. Scrum is now used across all industries at various levels. Scrum gives a framework to do work and solve problems in a way that can accommodate other factors in a changing environment. 

Project managers, software engineers, business analysts, or any professional working in a Scrum team will find the training to be valuable and the certification will give a boost to their career.  

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a certification that can be acquired by completing the CSM course and passing the CSM exam. There isn’t any requirement you need to fulfil to take the course. While anybody can pursue the certification, the most frequent background of people who pursue this certification are:

  • Software Engineers 
  • Product Managers 
  • Project Managers 
  • Team Leaders 
  • Business Analysts 
  • Developers 
  • Testers 

Meet top CSTs and active practitioners

Become an Instructor
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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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.

www.exepediacoachingmodel.com) &amp; a frequent speaker at global and regional Agile &amp; Scrum conferences.</p> <p>In his coaching assignments &amp; 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.</p>" data-trainer-image="https://d2o2utebsixu4k.cloudfront.net/users/profile_images/13a9e710-3717-43ee-bb68-18cf15a66587.png">More
Naveen

Naveen Nanjundappa

Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Coach and Mentor

I work with organisation and teams who struggle to accomplish everything they want to in product and people development. The clients I work with generally understand the value of agile and are ready to learn how to build self-organizing teams and transform to effective ways of product development, but find it challenging to do it themselves, without hampering their releases.

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Jem

Jem Jelly CST

CST

Since 2005 I have served well over 150+ teams using Scrum & Agile. I pride myself on being a hands on practitioner enjoying both coaching teams & teaching students. I specialise in Scrum Master training, my scenario & metaphor based approach  in the classroom helps learners truly absorb the essence of Agile.

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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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Taghi

Taghi Paksima CST

Enterprise Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Trainer®

CST

Hear From Our Scrum Trainees

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Knowledgehut upGrad’s training is truly world-class. I had enrolled for CSM® training and what I experienced was more than I ever expected. The classes were very engaging, and the concepts were explained with examples for ease of understanding. I recommend Knowledgehut upGrad to anyone interested in getting CSM training and other certifications.

Dibin Babu

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Enrolling for the CSM® training was one of the best decisions that I had made. The service right from enrolling to certification was excellent. The training was filled with real-time Scrum activities and simulations which made the concepts easy to understand. This helped me clear the exam with confidence.

Antriksh Vashistha

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Confidence is necessary to take advantage of opportunities. Kudos to KnowledgeHut upGrad for boosting my confidence with their training and helping me grab new opportunities in my career and reach new highs. Lavanya Mohan Kumar

Lavanya Mohankumar

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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It was a great start and an awesome experience to get (CSM)® certified through KnowledgeHut. I appreciate the good management and coordination of the team. Thanks a lot.

Praneetha Kotha

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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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!

Akshay Patole

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!!

pooja Shukla

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

Lea Keng Chua

IT
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in December 2020
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The lecturer is very knowledgeable and very clear in explaining the concepts. The workshop experience was great. This is a very helpful course in providing more clarity on how the Scrum framework works in real life situations.

Vanessa Wong

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

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