ADVANCED CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTER (A-CSM) - Certified Scrum Alliance Training

Are you prepared to elevate your Scrum Master skills to new heights? Our intensive two-day advanced course is specifically designed for Scrum Masters like you, who are ready to advance beyond the basics and master the nuanced competencies essential for success in complex agile environments. 

In this course, you will delve into sophisticated techniques for coaching and facilitation, learn advanced team-building strategies, and acquire the skills necessary for resolving complex problems that agile teams often face. We go beyond the foundational knowledge and focus on practical, real-life applications that will enhance your effectiveness and make you an indispensable asset to any Agile team. 

By the end of this course, you will not only have a deeper understanding of your role as a Scrum Master but also possess the advanced skills needed to lead your team towards continuous improvement and greater achievements in the Agile journey. 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) training, participants will be able to:

• Deepen Coaching and Facilitation Skills: Master advanced coaching techniques to support and grow agile teams. Become proficient in facilitation skills that drive effective communication, resolve conflicts, and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Enhance Team Dynamics and Performance: Learn how to diagnose and enhance team dynamics, creating an environment where agile teams can thrive and deliver higher value.
• Navigate Organizational Challenges: Acquire strategies to effectively navigate the complexities of organizational culture and structure that impact agile implementation and success.
• Develop Agile Leadership Capabilities: Understand and apply agile leadership principles to enhance personal leadership qualities and support the organization’s agile transformation.
• Implement Advanced Scrum Techniques: Gain insight into advanced Scrum techniques and practices, including scaling Scrum and integrating practices from other agile frameworks to improve team effectiveness.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Equip with the tools and knowledge necessary to instigate and lead continuous improvement initiatives within agile teams, promoting ongoing growth and adaptation.
• Effectively Manage Multiple Team Dynamics: Learn techniques for managing multiple teams and dependencies in larger projects or programs, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery of complex agile projects.

Our Course includes

• All-Inclusive Pricing: Certification fee is covered with no hidden costs.
• Lifetime Access: Enjoy indefinite access to online training materials for continued learning and reference.
• Alumni Events: Gain exclusive access to alumni-only events such as Lean Coffee sessions, Ask Me Anything discussions, and more to support your ongoing education.
• Assessment Tools: Reinforce your learning and track your progress with quizzes integrated into each class.
• SEUs and PDUs: Earn 16 Scrum Educational Units (SEUs) towards your Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) designation, as well as 15 Project Management Institute (PMI) Professional Development Units (PDUs) that can be applied towards the 21 required to become an Agile Certified Trainer (ACT) or maintain other PMI certifications.
• Scrum Alliance Membership: Includes a two-year membership to the Scrum Alliance, enhancing networking opportunities and supporting your professional growth.

How our A-CSM Class Works

Engaging, In-Person Format: Join our interactive, in-person Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) course, which combines face-to-face learning with innovative digital tools like Mural. Experience hands-on learning with the added benefit of digital collaboration during exercises.

Optimized Learning Structure: Our sessions are meticulously organized to enhance understanding and retention. The course schedule is designed to explore complex topics deeply and provide practical experience in advanced Scrum techniques.

Pre-Class Materials: Start with essential pre-class video content to build a solid foundation in Scrum fundamentals. This ensures all participants are well-prepared and can dive straight into advanced discussions and activities during the live sessions. 

Interactive Sessions with Mural: Enjoy collaborative exercises using Mural, even in our in-person sessions, enabling real-time interaction and visualization of Scrum practices. This blend of face-to-face engagement and digital tools fosters a deeper understanding and application of Scrum principles.

Continuous Assessment: Stay engaged with interactive quizzes following each video module to reinforce learning and ensure mastery of the content before advancing.

Certification Process: For the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification from the Scrum Alliance, no exam is required. Participation in the course and proof of practical experience as a ScrumMaster are sufficient to obtain the certification. Additionally, participants must already hold the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification and demonstrate that they have accumulated practical experience in this role over a certain period. Upon completing the A-CSM course and fulfilling all requirements, participants will receive the A-CSM certification.

Course Prerequisites

Elevate your Scrum mastery with our Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) course! This program is tailored for experienced Scrum professionals who have accumulated at least 12 months of hands-on work experience as a ScrumMaster within the past five years. To qualify, you must also meet the following requirements: 

• CSM Certification: You must hold a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) designation from the Scrum Alliance. While your CSM certification does not need to be active at the time of enrollment, an initial CSM credential is required.
• Documented Experience: You must demonstrate 12 months of ScrumMaster work experience within the last five years by updating your Scrum Alliance profile at scrumalliance.org.

Target Audience

• Experienced Scrum Masters - Ideal for Scrum Masters who have been working in the role for over a year and are eager to deepen their skills, expand their toolkit, and tackle more complex challenges within agile teams.
• Product Owners Expanding Their Knowledge - Product Owners looking to improve collaboration with Scrum Masters and understand the nuances of advanced Scrum practices to enhance their product development processes.
• Agile Coaches and Facilitators - Professionals responsible for guiding teams and organizations through agile transformations who wish to refine their coaching, facilitation, and team-building skills in advanced Scrum practices.
• Aspiring Agile Thought Leaders - Professionals aiming to build expertise in Scrum mastery, further their careers in agile leadership, and serve as mentors to others within their organizations.
• Project Managers Transitioning to Agile - Project Managers with Scrum experience who are interested in fully adopting the ScrumMaster role and applying advanced Scrum principles to enhance team performance and project outcomes.
• Leaders and Managers in Agile Environments - Managers and leaders working with agile teams who want to gain a deeper understanding of the ScrumMaster’s role and how advanced Scrum practices can drive team success and support agile transformation. 

This course is designed for individuals who are committed to advancing their Scrum mastery and wish to apply advanced techniques to lead their teams and organizations towards agile excellence.

Course Outline Advanced Certified Scrum Master Training:Modules and Key Topics

Unmasking "ScrumButs":

Identify common dysfunctions introduced by partial Scrum adoption („We do Scrum, but…“) and develop strategies to guide organizations toward full adoption and reaping the benefits of Scrum.

Collaboration and Communication Mastery:

Explore advanced facilitation techniques to foster effective collaboration and communication within cross-functional teams, including handling conflicts, navigating diverse perspectives, and building consensus.

Coaching for High-Performing Teams:

Master coaching stances and techniques to guide teams toward self-organization, continuous improvement, and conflict resolution. Learn how to „challenge people“ constructively to unlock their potential.

Navigating Agile Transformations:

Develop strategies to address common challenges faced by organizations undergoing Agile transformations, including resistance to change, organizational impediments, and scaling Scrum effectively.

Working Agreements and Sample Agendas:

Learn how to facilitate collaborative creation of Working Agreements and design effective agendas for Scrum events to maximize productivity and engagement.

Scrum and Development Practices:

Explore various development practices, such as Test-Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), and DevOps, and understand how they integrate with Scrum to enhance value delivery.

Crafting the Definition of Done:

Master techniques for facilitating collaborative workshops to create and refine a Definition of Done that ensures transparency, quality, and shared understanding within the Scrum Team.

Trainer: Mitch Lacey