Introduction

In an increasingly complex and competitive landscape, organizations need more than just project management—they need true agility. The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certifications are globally recognized credentials that validate an individual's deep understanding and practical application of the Scrum framework. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to prepare you for all three levels of the PSM assessments, from foundational knowledge (PSM I) to advanced coaching and facilitation (PSM II) and finally, expert-level application (PSM III).

This 10-day immersive program will transform you from a practitioner to a master of Scrum. We will move beyond the basic rules to explore the nuances of servant leadership, complex team dynamics, and organizational change. Through a combination of interactive sessions, case studies, and hands-on simulations, you will learn to navigate the toughest challenges faced by Scrum teams and become an invaluable asset to any organization striving for agility. By the end of this course, you will be fully prepared to ace the assessments and confidently lead any Scrum initiative.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Aspiring and practicing Scrum Masters
• Agile coaches and consultants
• Project and program managers
• Product owners
• Development team members
• Business analysts
• Leaders and managers
• Anyone with a desire to deepen their understanding of Scrum
• Professionals seeking to validate their advanced Scrum knowledge

Objectives

• Understand the foundational principles and theory of Scrum.
• Learn how to effectively apply Scrum in a variety of contexts.
• Master the responsibilities of the Scrum Master as a servant-leader.
• Gain expertise in facilitating complex team dynamics and events.
• Develop advanced skills in coaching individuals and organizations.
• Learn to identify and remove systemic impediments to agility.
• Understand the relationship between the Scrum Master and other roles.
• Prepare thoroughly for the PSM I, II, and III certification assessments.
• Cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and organizational change.

Course Modules

Module 1: Scrum Foundations Refresher (PSM I)

• Core principles of the Scrum framework.
• The purpose and role of the Scrum Master.
• Key Scrum events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
• Scrum artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment.
• The Scrum values and their practical application.

Module 2: Advanced Scrum Mastership (PSM II)

• The Scrum Master as a servant-leader.
• Coaching the Development Team, Product Owner, and organization.
• Advanced facilitation techniques for Scrum events.
• How to remove complex impediments and address organizational dysfunction.
• The role of the Scrum Master in fostering self-managing teams.

Module 3: Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) Exam Prep

• Review of the Scrum Guide and key concepts.
• Common pitfalls and misconceptions in the PSM I assessment.
• Effective study strategies and practice questions.
• The importance of understanding the core Scrum principles.
• Tips for time management and question analysis during the exam.

Module 4: Advanced Facilitation (PSM II)

• Facilitating difficult conversations and conflicts.
• Techniques for encouraging engagement and collaboration.
• The art of asking powerful, open-ended questions.
• Using visual tools to enhance facilitation.
• Creating a psychologically safe environment for teams.

Module 5: The Scrum Master as a Coach (PSM II)

• Differentiating between coaching, mentoring, and teaching.
• A structured approach to coaching conversations.
• The Scrum Master's role in coaching the Product Owner for value maximization.
• Coaching teams to improve their technical practices.
• Developing a personal coaching toolbox.

Module 6: Organizational and Systemic Change (PSM III)

• The Scrum Master’s role in influencing organizational change.
• Identifying and addressing systemic impediments.
• Working with leadership to adopt an agile mindset.
• Communicating the value of Scrum to non-agile stakeholders.
• The importance of a continuous improvement culture.

Module 7: The Professional Scrum Master (PSM II) Exam Prep

• In-depth analysis of the PSM II assessment format.
• Case study review and problem-solving exercises.
• Advanced questions on real-world Scrum application.
• The Professional Scrum Competencies and how they are assessed.
• Strategies for writing effective answers for the assessment.

Module 8: The Scrum Master and the Product Owner

• Advanced techniques for Product Backlog refinement.
• The Scrum Master's role in managing stakeholder relationships.
• How to help the Product Owner manage multiple stakeholders.
• Strategies for effective forecasting and release planning.
• The Scrum Master's role in the "Why" and the "What" of the product.

Module 9: Complex Product Delivery (PSM III)

• Applying Scrum in highly complex, uncertain environments.
• The importance of empiricism in complex adaptive systems.
• Techniques for managing dependencies and integrations.
• Working with multiple Scrum teams on the same product.
• Advanced scaling considerations and frameworks.

Module 10: Scaling Scrum (PSM III)

• An overview of various scaling frameworks (e.g., Nexus, LeSS).
• The role of the Scrum Master in a scaled environment.
• Addressing common challenges when scaling Scrum.
• The importance of maintaining a "Scrum-at-Scale" mindset.
• Best practices for coordinating multiple teams.

Module 11: The Scrum Master's Stance (PSM III)

• The five stances of a Scrum Master: servant leader, coach, facilitator, mentor, and teacher.
• How to switch stances based on the situation.
• The importance of self-awareness and self-management.
• Building credibility and trust with your team and organization.
• The Scrum Master's role in creating high-performing teams.

Module 12: Advanced Metrics and Measurement

• Moving beyond basic velocity to more meaningful metrics.
• Measuring agility and team health.
• The use of burndown and burnup charts.
• Understanding and using flow metrics.
• The importance of data-driven decision-making.

Module 13: The Scrum Master and the Development Team

• Fostering a culture of accountability and ownership.
• Helping the team improve their technical practices.
• Dealing with resistance and conflict within the team.
• The Scrum Master's role in promoting cross-functionality.
• Techniques for improving team collaboration.

Module 14: Liberating Structures and Advanced Tools (PSM II & III)

• An introduction to Liberating Structures for dynamic facilitation.
• Using collaborative whiteboarding tools (e.g., Miro, Mural).
• The role of technology in a distributed Scrum environment.
• The importance of a shared team space.
• Case studies in advanced tool usage.

Module 15: The Professional Scrum Master (PSM III) Exam Prep

• Deconstructing the PSM III assessment questions.
• Strategies for writing persuasive and well-structured answers.
• How to demonstrate a deep, nuanced understanding of Scrum.
• The importance of leveraging the Scrum Guide as a primary resource.
• Mock exams and peer review of answers.

Module 16: The Agile Journey Continues

• Creating a personal development plan as a Scrum Master.
• The importance of continuous learning and growth.
• Exploring advanced topics in agility.
• The role of the Scrum Master in communities of practice.
• Building a professional network and seeking mentorship.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.