Agile Scrum Master Certification Exam Prep (CSM) from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will introduce the course and cover the basics of Scrum. We will discuss what Scrum is, its advantages, and the pathway to becoming a certified Scrum Master.

Agile History

In this module, we will delve into the history of Agile, examine the Agile Manifesto, and compare Agile project management with traditional methods. You will learn about the principles that underpin Agile and how they foster a collaborative and adaptive work environment.

Scrum Principles

In this module, we will cover the core principles of Scrum, explaining how they contribute to the success of a project. We will look into each principle in detail, discussing the importance of empirical process control, self-organization, collaboration, value-based prioritization, timeboxing, and iterative development.

Why Use Scrum?

In this module, we will explore why Scrum is a preferred framework for managing projects. We will compare it with traditional project management, highlight its benefits, and walk through the different phases of a Scrum project. Additionally, we will look at various Agile methodologies and the history of Scrum to provide a comprehensive understanding of its evolution and effectiveness.

Roles and Organization in Scrum

In this module, we will delve into the fundamental aspects of Scrum roles and organization. We will examine the different roles within a Scrum team, including Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Development Teams, and understand their responsibilities and authorities. Additionally, we will explore crucial elements such as quality, change, and risk management in the context of Scrum.

Scrum Events

In this module, we will explore the critical events that drive the Scrum process. We will start by understanding how Sprints initiate the Scrum workflow and delve into the key tasks and planning required for successful Sprints. We will also cover the concept of a Sprint timebox, the importance of early Sprint planning, and the creation and management of a Sprint backlog.

Scrum Artifacts

In this module, we will explore the critical artifacts that are integral to the Scrum framework. We will start by introducing the key artifacts and then delve into designing and managing the Product Backlog. The module will also cover the purpose and conduct of daily Scrum meetings and Sprint reviews, and the importance of monitoring progress. Finally, we will understand the significance of the Increment and the "Definition of Done" in ensuring project success.

Scrum Values

In this module, we will delve into the essential values that underpin the Scrum framework. We will begin by understanding the core values of commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect, and how they contribute to a successful Scrum process. Through this module, we will explore the practical implications of these values, including how they drive continuous improvement, foster transparency, enhance focus, and build mutual respect within the team.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive overview of Scrum principles, roles, events, and artifacts, which are essential for anyone preparing for the Scrum Master certification

Explores Agile history and compares Agile project management with traditional methods, which helps project managers understand the benefits of Scrum

Develops skills in team building, time management, and critical thinking, which are valuable for management students and professionals alike

Aligns IT with business objectives, which is crucial for IT professionals seeking to improve project outcomes and collaboration

Requires familiarity with pivotal tracker accounts, which may pose a barrier for individuals completely new to project management tools

Focuses on global implementation, which may not be relevant for learners primarily interested in local or small-scale projects

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Agile Scrum Master Certification Exam Prep (CSM) with these activities:

Review Agile Principles

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Review the core principles of Agile to build a solid foundation before diving into Scrum specifics.

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Read the Agile Manifesto and its principles.
Reflect on how these principles apply to project management.
Identify areas where your understanding is weak.

Review 'Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time'

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Read this book to gain a deeper understanding of Scrum principles and practical application.

View Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time'.
Read the book, focusing on key concepts and case studies.
Take notes on important takeaways and implementation strategies.

Simulate Scrum Events

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Practice simulating Scrum events like Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective to reinforce understanding.

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Gather a group of peers or colleagues.
Assign roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team).
Simulate each Scrum event, following the prescribed guidelines.
Rotate roles to gain experience from different perspectives.

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Create a Scrum Glossary

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Compile a glossary of Scrum terms and definitions to solidify your understanding of the terminology.

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Identify key Scrum terms from the course materials.
Research and write clear, concise definitions for each term.
Organize the glossary alphabetically for easy reference.

Apply Scrum to a Personal Project

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Apply Scrum principles to manage a personal project, such as planning a trip or organizing an event.

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Choose a personal project to manage using Scrum.
Define the product backlog and prioritize tasks.
Plan sprints and track progress using a Scrum board.
Conduct sprint reviews and retrospectives to improve the process.

Review 'Agile Project Management with Scrum'

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Read this book to gain a practical understanding of how to implement Scrum in project management.

View Agile Project Management with Scrum on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Agile Project Management with Scrum'.
Read the book, focusing on practical implementation strategies.
Take notes on key takeaways and how to apply them to projects.

Mentor Junior Scrum Practitioners

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Mentor junior Scrum practitioners to reinforce your understanding and help others learn.

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Find junior Scrum practitioners who need guidance.
Offer to answer their questions and provide support.
Share your knowledge and experience with them.

Career center

Learners who complete Agile Scrum Master Certification Exam Prep (CSM) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Scrum Master

A Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum framework, ensuring the team adheres to Scrum principles and practices. This course is a direct preparation for the Scrum Master role. The course teaches the principles of Agile and Scrum, covering global application and focusing on team building, time management, and critical thinking. The course details how to create a Scrum team, define roles, delegate responsibilities, and plan Sprints, all core responsibilities of a Scrum Master. It also provides key knowledge about product backlogs, daily Scrum needs, reviews, and Sprint retrospectives, helping the Scrum Master monitor progress and develop action plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course helps a Project Manager by providing a detailed understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies, critical for managing complex projects. The course's focus on team building, time management, and critical thinking aligns perfectly with the skills required for a Project Manager. The ability to define team roles, delegate responsibilities, and plan Sprints, as taught in the course, are crucial components of planning and execution. By understanding product backlogs, daily Scrum needs, and sprint retrospectives, a Project Manager can ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Process Improvement Specialist

A Process Improvement Specialist aims to enhance organizational efficiency. This course is particularly useful for a Process Improvement Specialist because it teaches the fundamentals of Agile and Scrum methodologies. The course covers team building, time management, and critical thinking, all critical to process improvement. The focus on iterative development, collaboration, and self-organization promotes a culture of continuous improvement. The practical skills the course teaches in areas like creating a Scrum team, defining roles, planning sprints, and managing backlogs, are all important for enhancing processes within an organization.

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Iteration Manager

An Iteration Manager guides teams through the iterative development process, ensuring smooth and efficient work cycles. This course may be useful for an Iteration Manager. The course's emphasis on iterative development techniques directly aligns with the core tasks of an Iteration Manager. The knowledge gained about timeboxing, sprint planning, and retrospectives from the course is key to managing an iterative process. Furthermore, the skills learned about daily Scrum and sprint reviews are directly applicable, allowing an Iteration Manager to ensure smooth operations within the team. This background also supports the core duties of building teams.

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Team Lead

A Team Lead manages a team, facilitating collaboration and ensuring project goals are met. This course may be useful for a Team Lead, as it teaches team building, time management, and critical thinking, skills essential for leading a team. It covers the Scrum framework, enabling a Team Lead to facilitate team-based projects. The course teaches how to define team roles, delegate responsibilities, and plan Sprints, which are all important aspects of a Team Lead's work. The understanding of daily Scrum needs and Sprint retrospectives also helps Team Leads monitor team progress and improve team performance.

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Agile Coach

An Agile Coach guides organizations in adopting and improving agile practices. This course may be useful as it covers the core principles of Agile and Scrum, providing a strong foundation for someone aspiring to become an Agile Coach. The course's focus on the Agile Manifesto, self-organization, and collaboration, are essential for coaching teams. Understanding the Scrum framework, including roles, events, and artifacts, equips an Agile Coach to effectively guide teams through the agile process. The practical skills learned in this course, such as creating Scrum teams and planning Sprints, are directly applicable to an Agile Coach's daily activities.

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Software Development Manager

A Software Development Manager leads software development teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products. This course may be useful for a Software Development Manager. The course provides expertise in Agile and Scrum methodologies, which are often used in software development. The course covers team roles, delegation, and sprint planning that are all vital aspects of a development manager’s responsibilities. By understanding product backlogs, daily Scrum, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, a Software Development Manager can lead their teams more effectively. The course helps a Software Development Manager understand all stages of the development process.

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Program Manager

A Program Manager oversees multiple related projects to achieve strategic business goals. This course may be useful for a Program Manager, as it provides an understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies for managing projects efficiently. The course's focus on team building, time management, and critical thinking, are crucial skills for managing multiple project teams. By learning how to define team roles, delegate responsibilities, and plan Sprints, a Program Manager can oversee the delivery of projects within a program. The concepts covered in this course, such as product backlogs, daily Scrum, and sprint reviews, help with monitoring the progress of multiple projects.

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Business Transformation Lead

A Business Transformation Lead drives significant changes within an organization to improve performance. This course helps a Business Transformation Lead understand Agile and Scrum principles that are often central to modern transformation initiatives. The course focuses on core concepts like team building, self organization, and iterative development, which directly align with a business transformation context. By learning how to create Scrum teams, manage product backlogs, and plan sprints, a Business Transformation Lead can apply these methodologies to guide an organization through change efficiently. The course also helps in understanding reviews and retrospectives for continuous improvement during a transformation.

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Product Owner

A Product Owner defines the vision for a project and manages the product backlog. This course may be useful for a Product Owner, as it provides insights into the Scrum framework, particularly the management of product backlogs. Understanding Scrum principles, roles, and events helps a Product Owner collaborate effectively with the development team. The course's emphasis on time management and critical thinking helps Product Owners prioritize features and manage product development effectively. By learning about sprint planning and reviews, a Product Owner can ensure that the product backlog aligns with stakeholder needs and project goals.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant advises organizations on improving efficiency and effectiveness. This course helps a Management Consultant understand Agile and Scrum methodologies, which are valuable in modern organizational settings. The course's focus on team building, time management, and critical thinking, provides practical insights that can be applied to various consulting engagements. By understanding how to create Scrum teams, plan Sprints, and monitor progress, a Management Consultant can advise businesses on optimizing their project management and workflow. The course also covers important concepts like product backlogs, daily Scrum needs, and Sprint reviews.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst identifies business needs and determines solutions. This course may be useful for a Business Analyst, particularly as they work with project teams. Understanding the Scrum framework, as covered in the course, provides Business Analysts with insight into how projects are managed. The course's focus on product backlogs and sprint planning can help a Business Analyst understand how requirements are translated into project activities. The teamwork principles taught in the course are important to understand how business needs are communicated and implemented through development teams.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of an organization to ensure efficiency. This course may be useful for an Operations Manager because it provides insights into how Agile and Scrum frameworks can improve operational processes. The course focuses on team building, time management, and risk elimination, which are crucial in managing operations. By understanding the principles of Scrum, an Operations Manager can apply these concepts to streamline workflows and ensure teams are working effectively. The knowledge gained about planning Sprints, understanding reviews, and conducting retrospectives may enable an Operations Manager to implement structured changes within the organization.

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Change Manager

A Change Manager guides organizations through periods of transition. This course may prove useful to a Change Manager, given that it teaches principles of Agile and Scrum, which aid in managing change. The course emphasizes the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and iterative development. Skills taught within the course, including team building, delegation, and time management, support the change process. By covering topics such as sprint planning and retrospectives, the course gives insight into how to monitor progress and make adjustments during a change initiative. The understanding of self-organization provides guidance on how to empower teams to handle change.

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Project Coordinator

A Project Coordinator supports Project Managers, handling tasks that keep projects running smoothly. This course may be helpful for a Project Coordinator, as it introduces them to the Agile and Scrum methodologies used in many project environments. The course's emphasis on team roles, time management, and critical thinking are all relevant to supporting the project management process. By understanding Scrum principles, such as sprint planning and daily stand-ups, a Project Coordinator can more effectively assist project teams. The knowledge the course provides about product backlogs and monitoring progress directly supports a Project Coordinator's daily tasks.

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Agile Scrum Master Certification Exam Prep (CSM)

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