Introduction

In today's fast-paced, digital world, the ability to adapt and deliver value quickly is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) credential is the definitive first step for professionals seeking to lead high-performing teams and navigate complex projects with agility. This comprehensive training program provides you with the foundational principles and practical techniques to not only master the Scrum framework but also to embody the servant-leader mindset that drives team success and organizational efficiency.

This immersive 10-day course goes beyond theoretical knowledge, offering a deep dive into the real-world application of Scrum. You will engage in hands-on exercises, simulations, and collaborative discussions, preparing you to confidently facilitate Scrum events, coach your team, and remove impediments. By the end of this program, you will be equipped to foster a culture of continuous improvement and become a true agent of change within your organization, all while earning an industry-recognized certification.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Project managers
• Team leads
• Business analysts
• IT professionals
• Developers
• QA testers
• Product owners
• Aspiring ScrumMasters
• Managers and executives
• Anyone interested in agile methodologies

Objectives

• Understand the core values and principles of the Scrum framework.
• Learn the roles, artifacts, and events in Scrum.
• Facilitate Scrum events, including Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
• Guide and coach the Scrum team and the organization on how to use Scrum effectively.
• Remove impediments to the team’s progress.
• Help the Scrum team understand the need for clear and concise Product Backlog items.
• Understand the role of the Product Owner and their relationship with the ScrumMaster.
• Learn techniques for agile estimation and planning.
• Gain confidence to lead and implement Scrum in any environment.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Scrum

• History and origins of the Scrum framework.
• The Scrum theory and its pillars.
• The values of Scrum: commitment, focus, openness, respect, and courage.
• How Scrum differs from traditional project management.
• The role of an agile mindset in successful implementations.

Module 2: The ScrumMaster Role

• The ScrumMaster as a servant-leader.
• Responsibilities of a ScrumMaster.
• Distinguishing between a ScrumMaster and a traditional project manager.
• How to remove impediments for the team.
• The ScrumMaster's role in organizational change.

Module 3: The Scrum Team

• Characteristics of a self-organizing and cross-functional team.
• The role of the Development Team.
• Team size and its impact on performance.
• How to build trust and psychological safety within the team.
• Facilitating effective team communication and collaboration.

Module 4: The Product Owner Role

• The Product Owner’s responsibilities and accountability.
• Maximizing the value of the product and work of the Development Team.
• Techniques for effective Product Backlog management.
• The Product Owner's relationship with stakeholders.
• How to write effective user stories.

Module 5: Scrum Artifacts

• The Product Backlog: purpose, characteristics, and refinement.
• The Sprint Backlog and its relationship to the Sprint Goal.
• The Increment and what "Done" means.
• User stories, epics, and themes.
• Defining the Definition of Done.

Module 6: Sprint Planning

• The purpose and agenda of the Sprint Planning event.
• Facilitating the "What" and "How" of the Sprint.
• Creating the Sprint Goal.
• Techniques for team-based estimation.
• The outcome and key takeaways of Sprint Planning.

Module 7: The Daily Scrum

• The purpose and time-box of the Daily Scrum.
• Common anti-patterns and how to avoid them.
• How the ScrumMaster facilitates this event.
• The three questions and their importance.
• Encouraging team ownership and accountability.

Module 8: The Sprint Review

• The purpose and agenda of the Sprint Review.
• Facilitating a collaborative and engaging review.
• How to gather feedback from stakeholders.
• The ScrumMaster's role in preparing for the review.
• The value of a working Increment.

Module 9: The Sprint Retrospective

• The purpose and agenda of the Sprint Retrospective.
• The ScrumMaster as a facilitator of continuous improvement.
• Common techniques for effective retrospectives.
• Actionable improvements for the next Sprint.
• The importance of a safe environment for reflection.

Module 10: Scaling Scrum

• An introduction to scaling frameworks like Scrum of Scrums and LeSS.
• When and why scaling may be necessary.
• Challenges and common pitfalls of scaling.
• The role of multiple ScrumMasters in a larger organization.
• The importance of maintaining agile principles at scale.

Module 11: Agile Estimation and Planning

• The difference between estimation and forecasting.
• Techniques like Planning Poker and affinity mapping.
• Creating release plans and roadmaps.
• The cone of uncertainty and its relevance.
• Managing stakeholder expectations with data.

Module 12: Agile Engineering Practices

• An introduction to technical debt.
• The importance of continuous integration and continuous delivery.
• The role of test-driven development (TDD).
• Behavior-driven development (BDD).
• The ScrumMaster’s influence on technical practices.

Module 13: The ScrumMaster as a Coach

• Coaching versus mentoring and training.
• Coaching the Development Team on self-management.
• Coaching the Product Owner on maximizing value.
• Coaching the organization on adopting agile practices.
• Developing your personal coaching style.

Module 14: Overcoming Common Scrum Challenges

• Dealing with resistance to change.
• Handling external pressures and demands.
• Managing distributed or remote teams.
• The role of Scrum in non-software environments.
• Tips for long-term Scrum success.

Module 15: Scrum and Other Methodologies

• Scrum and Kanban: similarities and differences.
• An overview of Lean and its principles.
• The relationship between Scrum and DevOps.
• Integrating Scrum with other frameworks.
• When to choose Scrum over other methods.

Module 16: CSM Certification Prep

• Tips and strategies for preparing for the CSM exam.
• A review of key concepts and terminology.
• Practice questions and exam simulation.
• Understanding the scoring and pass requirements.

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.