Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master

Overview

Scrum is a simple, lightweight framework that helps people and teams deliver greater value in complex environments. It supports frequent inspection, fast feedback, and continuous improvement, enabling organisations to respond to change with clarity and confidence.

This interactive Certified ScrumMaster course provides a detailed introduction to the Scrum framework, including Scrum roles, events, artefacts, values, and principles. Learners will explore how Scrum differs from traditional project management and how servant leadership, collaboration, and empirical process control support higher-performing teams.

The course combines practical exercises, real-life examples, and guided discussion. It is designed to help learners understand Scrum in depth and develop the knowledge needed to contribute effectively as a ScrumMaster or Scrum team member.

Prerequisites

Learners should complete the essential pre-reading before attending:

• The Scrum Guide

Suggested pre-reading includes:

• Scrum values: commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect
• Scrum roles, including ScrumMaster, Product Owner, and Development Team
• Dan Pink: Drive: the surprising truth about what motivates us
• Product Ownership in a Nutshell

Target audience

This course is suitable for anyone who is new to Scrum or who is applying Scrum within their organisation. It is particularly relevant for:

• Aspiring ScrumMasters
• Current Scrum team members
• Product Owners
• Project managers moving into agile ways of working
• Team leads, delivery managers, and change professionals
• Organisations looking to improve delivery, collaboration, and value creation

Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Describe the purpose, principles, and benefits of Scrum
• Explain empirical process control and how it supports complex work
• Identify the roles and responsibilities within the Scrum Team
• Describe Scrum events and how they support inspection and adaptation
• Explain Scrum artefacts, including the Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Definition of Done
• Understand how Scrum values guide team behaviour and decision-making
• Apply practical agile techniques, including user stories and relative estimation
• Recognise key ScrumMaster competencies, including facilitation, coaching, and servant leadership
• Support the Product Owner, Development Team, and wider organisation in adopting Scrum effectively

Outline

Scrum theory

Learners begin by exploring why Scrum is used and how it supports teams working in complex environments. This section introduces the thinking behind Scrum and the conditions needed for it to deliver value.

Key topics include:

• Why Scrum?
• Scrum as a framework for complex work
• Empirical process control theory
• Transparency, inspection, and adaptation
• How Scrum supports customer value and return on investment
• The shift from directive management to leadership-based support

Agile values and principles

This section introduces the agile mindset that underpins Scrum. Learners examine the Agile Manifesto and the principles that guide agile ways of working.

Key topics include:

• The Agile Manifesto
• Agile principles
• How agile differs from traditional project management
• Responding to change through feedback and learning
• Creating value through collaboration and continuous improvement

Scrum values

Learners explore the five Scrum values and how they influence behaviours, team culture, and decision-making.

Key topics include:

• Commitment
• Courage
• Focus
• Openness
• Respect
• How Scrum values support trust and accountability
• Applying Scrum values in day-to-day delivery

The Scrum Team

This section explains the accountabilities within the Scrum Team and how each role contributes to delivering value.

Key topics include:

• ScrumMaster
• Product Owner
• Development Team
• Collaboration within a multi-disciplined team
• Supporting self-management and shared ownership
• Helping teams remove blockers and improve performance

Scrum events

Learners examine the purpose of each Scrum event and how these events create a regular rhythm for planning, inspection, feedback, and improvement.

Key topics include:

• Sprint Planning
• Daily Scrum
• Sprint Review
• Sprint Retrospective
• Product Backlog Refinement
• The Sprint
• How Scrum events support transparency and adaptation
• Common challenges when running Scrum events

Scrum artefacts

This section covers the core Scrum artefacts and explains how they make work, progress, and quality visible.

Key topics include:

• Product Backlog
• Sprint Backlog
• Definition of Done
• Potentially releasable product increment
• Release forecasting
• Using artefacts to support shared understanding
• Maintaining transparency across the Scrum Team and stakeholders

Agile practices that support Scrum

Learners explore practical techniques that help Scrum Teams plan, estimate, and refine work effectively.

Key topics include:

• User stories
• Relative estimation
• Working with feedback
• Refining work for clarity and value
• Supporting effective Sprint Planning
• Using practical techniques to improve delivery confidence

Introduction to ScrumMaster competencies

This section introduces the core competencies that help ScrumMasters support teams, Product Owners, and organisations.

Key topics include:

• Agile facilitation
• Agile coaching
• ScrumMaster as a servant leader
• Supporting the team
• Supporting the Product Owner
• Supporting the wider organisation
• Coaching teams through change
• Helping organisations remove barriers to effective Scrum adoption

Certification preparation

Learners will understand the certification pathway and what is required after completing the two-day course.

Key topics include:

• Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster assessment process
• Exam format and requirements
• Certification eligibility
• Scrum Alliance registration process
• Two-year Scrum Alliance membership following successful completion

Exams and assessments

This course includes the Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster online assessment, which is taken after the two-day training has been completed.

Assessment details:

• Format: online, multiple choice
• Number of questions: 50
• Pass mark: 37 out of 50
• Time limit: 60 minutes

Following the course, the trainer will register eligible learners with the Scrum Alliance. Learners will then receive an email containing a link to sit the assessment. Registration fees are included in the course price.

On successful completion of the assessment, learners will be awarded the Certified ScrumMaster certification and receive a two-year Scrum Alliance membership.

Full attendance across both days is required to be eligible for certification. This course requires a minimum of 12 hours of training time, delivered as six hours per day. The trainer reserves the right to withhold Scrum Alliance registration for learners who do not meet this attendance requirement.

Hands-on learning

This is a highly interactive course delivered by a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainer. Learners will take part in practical exercises, real-life examples, and group discussion to build confidence in applying Scrum.