Certified Scrum training versus Professional Scrum training
You have choice when determining what kind of professional training you are going to receive – Certified Scrum or Professional Scrum. Within the Scrum community you also have choice in the style of training and certification you choose to receive, and from whom you choose to receive it.
Scrum is an Agile methodology with increasing value in innovating organizations. And your options for training allow you to choose a variety of roles within the Scrum team, most notably Scrum Master, Product Owner, Team Member (Product Developer). As the Scrum framework increases in popularity, the desire for knowledgeable professionals who understand the intricacies of Scrum, not just the framework but also the roadblocks and challenges, are essential to the organization.
Take Scrum training from a knowledgeable expert, who has experience transitioning organizations from traditional project management mindset to Agile methodology. This is because learning Scrum roles and framework is only half the challenge! Implementing Scrum in the real world requires insights from a Scrum trainer who has been through the real ropes of transition before.
Scrum training options:
There are two organizations that offer Scrum training and within these organizations, professionals are certified to be trainers who deliver Scrum training to you. The organizations are Scrum Alliance, offering Certified Scrum courses, and Scrum.org, offering Professional Scrum courses.
Innovel offers Certified Scrum Product Owner® and Certified Scrum Master® courses through private in-house training options and public courses.
Choosing your Scrum training course:
- Trainer selection. Do your research and determine the right trainer for you based on references, testimonials and word of mouth. As stated above, you are looking for someone who has bench strength in implementing Scrum in the real world, not just teaching credentials. The Scrum Alliance has a rigorous process for trainers to receive credentials to teach their Certified Scrum courses. These trainers are called Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs). There are only 200 in the world as it is a highly specialized and skilled group of Scrum leaders. Robin Dymond is the lead trainer at Innovel and is a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) with Scrum Alliance Robin has been a CST since 2008, and has lead Agile transitions in the US, EU and Canada. He incorporates stories from these experiences into every training class.
- Class size. It is very important you ask what size the classes will be that you are considering attending. Scrum framework comprehension is largely achieved by the practice of exercises, teamwork and interaction with the Scrum trainer. This is best achieved when a class size allows for discussion and group work. A class that is too small does not allow sufficient discussion and peer-learning. A class that is too large does not allow sufficient opportunity to ask the trainer questions about your unique situation. Innovel recommends class sizes minimum of 10 students and maximum 30 students. Our training sweet spot is 12-24 students. All classes are optimized for this ideal learning environment.
- Certification or accreditation. Certified Scrum Master® (CSM) and Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) are the designations most widely recognized worldwide. These designations are most sought after by innovating organizations. These are provided by Certified Scrum Trainers® through the Scrum Alliance. Both designations require 2-day in depth training. Certification for CSPO is achieved when the trainer alerts Scrum Alliance that you have fully attended and actively participated in the rigorous 2-day training. Certification for CSM also requires full attendance and participation in the course, as determined by the trainer, but also requires completion of an online exam after the course is finished. The CSM exam and a 2 year membership with the Scrum Alliance are included with the cost of your training course. There are no additional fees.
Professional Scrum Master and Professional Scrum Product Owner designations are offered via Scrum.org. Designation as a PSM does not require a hands-on training course with a qualified instructor, but rather tests your knowledge based on your experience. PSM training courses are available, however gaining an accreditation is done via exam, typically with an additional fee.
Both courses are based on the official Scrum Guide. Innovel provides Certified Scrum training via the Scrum Alliance. We believe that Innovel Certified Scrum Master and Innovel Certified Scrum Product Owner training is the preferred choice of training and certification for discerning professionals, seeking both a valuable accreditation and world-class leadership in Scrum.