Scrum Master Training

The Scrum Master Training Agenda

The Agile Academy Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM) courses cover the following topics in depth:

1. Context of Agile

   What is agility? Why does it matter? When shall we apply agile practices? Is agile the solution to every problem? How does agile differ from Lean?

   These are all questions that any Scrum Master will face at some point. Our intention is to provide you with the level of understanding so that you can answer these questions whenever you are confronted with them.

   We use simple tools and models to help you understand and be able to explain. These tools include the Stacey diagram or the Cynefin model from Dave Snowden. They also include simple ways to visualize how value is created over time. And of course each of our trainers has some stories to share from organizations they have worked with.

2. Road to Sprint One

   One of the challenges every Scrum Master faces is how do I prepare a team for the very first sprint. What is it that we need to do before we can get the first sprint started?

   Scrum does not define these things very clearly. Still, they need to be done and it is often the Scrum Master who is in charge.

   These things include:

   • Facilitating the creation of Working Agreements
   • Crafting a Product Goal or a Product Vision (we use these terms interchangeably)
   • Creating and refining an initial Product Backlog
    

   In most cases, our trainers do this during the workshop using the workshop as an example of how various tools can be applied to systematically achieve that goal.

3. The Scrum Framework

   Once you understand the context of agile, we will dive deeper into Scrum. You learn that Scrum is a framework that helps teams and organizations get to be more agile. We build a mindset through practice.

   Scrum consists of three roles/accountabilities, five events, and three key artifacts which each have a commitment to them. During our training you will learn everything you need to know about the Product Owner, Developers, and Scrum Master.

   We will share with you how Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Product Backlog Refinement, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective are facilitated.

   And you will learn how a Product Goal and Product Backlog, Sprint Goal and Sprint Backlog, and Definition of Done and Product Increment are connected, defined, and can be created.

4. Systematic Approaches to developing high-performing teams

   Any Scrum Master has one goal and one goal only: create a high-performing team. Most Scrum Masters are not aware of that goal. And those who are in many cases lack the skill to do it.

   Although the Certified Scrum Master and Professional Scrum Master course are considered to be introductory courses to the role of the Scrum Master, we believe you have to explore this topic sooner rather than later.

   Depending on the trainer you will learn about coaching techniques, various models such as Hackmann and Tuckmann. You might even learn about Psychological Safety. Our online course for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches captures all of these topics.

5. Additional topics (especially for three-day trainings)

   Depending on the pace of the class driven by the experience of participants, the number of participants, and a few other factors, we might even address some of the topics below during a two-day course:

   • Kanban as an additional tool/technique for helping teams and organizations succeed
   • Organizational change and transformation
   • Product Backlog creation and prioritization
   • Stakeholder management
   • Scaling Scrum beyond one team
   • Facilitation techniques for aligning a group of people
   • And other topics based on your request
    

   We encourage participants to bring their questions to the training. Any question and real-world example from your side will make everything you and others learn more tangible. It will also result in more energy throughout the training which is connected to better learning.

On-site or remote

Ever since the pandemic started in early 2020, all of our instructors have built significant expertise in delivering live-online classes in addition to their ability to do amazing in-person workshops.

As a truly agile organization, the Agile Academy believes in offering a variety of setups so that you as our clients can choose what suits you best.

The benefits of an in-person course are that you get to meet new people. Being in the same class, but also sharing lunch and other breaks with each other helps you truly connect with other participants and the trainer.

The benefits of a live-online training are that you can participate from the comfort of your home without having to travel. You will also see how our trainers facilitate a two or three day highly interactive class using virtual tools such as breakout rooms, virtual whiteboards, and other facilitation techniques.

Our advice: If most of your own work is done in a virtual environment, you will benefit from a virtual course. If most of your work is done in-person, you will benefit from the in-person class.

Our promise: No matter what you pick, we are certain you will be happy. And if not, we give you your money back or enroll you in an alternative course.