Why Should You Get CSM® Certification, And What Comes After That?
The Certified Scrum Master (CSM)® certification is a widely recognized program from the Scrum alliance. This coveted credential can help you demonstrate your skills in the terminology, principles, and practices in the workplace. In this article, we will be discussing the benefits of completing the CSM® course and getting the certification and what you should do after it.
Why should you get CSM® certification?
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A strong foundation of Scrum knowledge
If you have just started working with the Scrum framework, getting this certification will help you acquire the knowledge and skills needed to implement it effectively. The certification will fill the gaps you might have in handling barriers, specifically while handling large teams from different departments.
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An agile mindset
If you want to implement the agile/lean methodologies in your company effectively, the most important thing you need is an Agile mindset. The training provided to you through the CSM® certification will ensure that you have everything required for successfully executing the framework at all enterprise levels. A team with an agile mindset is a crucial part of an effective and autonomous Agile approach. Gaining the ability to think that way will avoid challenges, create productive products, and promote collaboration.
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Relevant and marketable
By earning a scrum master certification, you will be opening doors to a multitude of job opportunities. It proves that you have Agile expertise as well as an Agile mindset that is crucial for any organization that is implementing these methods. The training will equip you with the required skills needed for leading the organizational progress that ensures that you bring value to the customers and meet your company’s goals. Once you get the CSM® certification, your career prospects are bound to increase.
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Beneficial to the company
Adopting a new methodology is a big decision for any company as it affects them, including their processes, clients, employees, and management. With the CSM® training, you will be capable of handling all the risks at the different team, program, and portfolio levels. With a highly motivated team, release schedules, and processes, Scrum will surely lead your project to success. Having a trained Scrum Master like you implementing the framework will increase the chances of success and help the management be assured.
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Influence agile adoption
If a company already has qualified and trained Agile practitioners, it will be more confident in investing in the Scrum framework. With the CSM® certification, you are indicating to them that you are a Scrum expert who will be able to handle the implementation successfully. As a scrum master, you will better understand implementing Agile in an organization like yours. And since the Scrum framework is implemented in almost all industries, it is safe to say that your opportunities will significantly increase. The CSM® certification will turn you into an asset to any organization.
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Better collaboration
The CSM® course will teach you how to better collaborate with your coworkers. If you and your team members are getting certified, the entire team will have the knowledge and Scrum to work together and accomplish the common goal. Your organization will benefit from the expertise gained through all the scrum professionals who are working on ensuring an efficient implementation of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
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Validation
The CSM® certification is the perfect way for you to validate your knowledge of Scrum and demonstrate your commitment towards working for the better of your company and yourself. This way, you don‘t have to talk or show your credit to the potential employer as your credential will do all the talking.
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An online community
Apart from the knowledge and proof of expertise, the CSM® certification will also give you an online community of scrum experts, trainers, and practitioners. These experts have been working on enhancing the Scrum implementation areas for years. So, whenever you are in a challenging situation, they can give you advice on resolving it. Scrum Alliance is the body featuring a network of Scrum Masters from all over the world. Through this group, you will get the exposure needed to enhance your knowledge, provide solutions to other challenges and get advice when needed.
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Get projects
If a company wants to get an Agile project, having a team of trained and certified scrum masters will be a big advantage. The clients know what a scrum team can do, and they will identify their worth.
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Badge of honour
Having a CSM® certification is like having a badge of honour that can be worn with pride. If your company is getting you training to be a certified Scrum Master, it shows that they believe in your abilities and calibre. Once you become a scrum master, you will have sharpened your skills and become an expert and deeply professional in your field. This will result in massive growth for you and your company.
It is clear from the benefits mentioned above that the CSM® certification is a great stepping stone for your career. But, what should you do after that?
CSM® certification is just the first step towards a successful career. Once you have earned that, here are the certifications you can go for:
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Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM)®
This is an immediate-level Scrum master certification you can earn right after the CSM® certification. During the training, you will learn how to facilitate smooth communication between the user, employees, and stakeholders to increase engagement. With the course, you will improve your Scrum implementation skills and showcase yourself as a highly skilled Agile professional. Prerequisites for the certification are an active CSM® certification and at least one year of working experience as a Scrum Master.
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Certified Scrum Professional®-ScrumMaster (CSP-SM)
As a Certified Scrum Professional, you will constantly be working on improving how you can implement the principles of Agile and Scrum in your organization. The course will provide you with the required knowledge and experience for elevating your career as a Scrum Master to the next level. To be eligible for this certification, you must have an active A-CSM® certification and at least two years of experience as a Scrum Master.
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Certified Team CoachSM (CTC)
With this guide-level certification, you will be able to work with the Scrum teams, management, and stakeholders. The CTC works at the team level for training, mentoring, and leading the team. They also remove obstacles to leverage team collaboration, value delivery, and continuous development. The prerequisites for this certification are an active CSP certification and 1000+ hours of coaching experience in Agile in the past two years other than your work as a Scrum Master. Other requirements are coaching organizations in 2 or more organizations, practical experience of implementing Scrum, and active participation in more than 5 Agile events.
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Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST)
This is a trainer-centric certification for anyone who wants to transform the way their teams work. To be a CST, you must have a strong foundation of the principles, practices, and concepts of Scrum. Also, you must have an active CSP-SM certification and hands-on experience as a Scrum Master, development team owner, or Product Owner. You must have taught more than 100 candidates and hosted a Scrum Master training session for at least ten days.
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Certified Enterprise Coach℠ (CEC)
As a CEC, you will be exhibiting your experience in implementing Scrum methodology at an enterprise level and an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of Scrum. You will be skilled at guiding organizations during their Scrum and Agile transformation journey. To become a CEC, you must have knowledge of Scrum practices and proven coaching and leadership skills along with an active CSP, CSP-SM, or CSP-PO certification, coaching experience in 3 or more organizations, and over 2000 hours of work experience as a coach in the past three years.
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Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)®
As a Product Owner, you will be responsible for creating the product vision, delivering what the customers are looking for, and prioritizing the product backlog. With the CSPO certification, you will be able to handle the business aspects of a project. Currently, there aren‘t any prerequisites for attending the CSPO training. If you want to get the certification, you have to attend the mandatory 2-days CSPO course.
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Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)®
The CSD certification can validate your skills in developing software using the Scrum methodology and as a Scrum team member. Any programmer can attend the CSD course. To get the certification, you need to attend at least 50 days of the CSD training course taught by a Scrum Alliance Authorized Instructor and a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP). Candidates with the CSM® certification can skip the first two days and join directly from the 3rd day.
The role of the Scrum Master is not the end game. It is merely a stepping stone, and you have to focus on consistent improvement. As a Scrum Master, you mustn’t restrict yourself to limited skills. By taking on the above-mentioned advanced certifications, you can elevate your career to the next level.
