What is Agile Scrum? Agile Scrum Master Tutorial Guide for Beginner

Are you a tech geek and have heard of terms like scrum, agile, sprints, backlogs and more? Well, these terms have become a part of the language of floors with cross-functional teams. Let’s explore the agile scrum tutorial to be able to better understand how prioritizing and efficient backlogging can help use Agile Scrum values to resolve complicated issues and hurdles in achieving productivity through rapid release cycles.

Agile Scrum master tutorial guide for beginner

This step-by-step tutorial will help you understand these following topics.

  • Basics of Agile.
  • Fundamentals of Scrum.
  • Scrum features.
  • The persons in Scrum Framework.
  • Implementing a basic framework in Scrum.
  • Why use Agile Process.
  • Why iteration is needed.

What are Scrum and Agile?

Though the terms are used together scrum and agile have an important differentiator. Agile is described in its manifesto and is the complete method-set applicable to team collaboration, cross-functionality, self-organization and more. Scrum, on the other hand, is used to execute Agile. Just as a recipe embodies the diet-plan, so also scrum embodies Agile and hence the terms are often interchangeable.

What are the Scrum features?

Scrum can effectively quicken the process and time taken to achieve the desired results. This is so because Scrum values help not just developers, but also the other teams like DevOps, marketing, production and everyone who uses the methodology and framework.

The Scrum Agile Roles:

The roles that are normally used are those of the Agile-expert/coach, ScrumMaster, Scrum product-owner, Scrum-developer, etc. Mainly it is team-work of Scrum members where all are equally communicative, collaborative and contributive within the Scrum framework.

Scrum Methodology:

The normal flow of the Scrum methodology is as below.

  • The SPO/Product-Owner is client facing and is the final authority to bring 100% user requirements and product parameters to the team.
  • The SPO defines Backlog and how it is prioritized.
  • The time-boxed Sprint sets the framework to enable the team task of completing all tasks related to the backlog within the preset-time framework.
  • Teams huddle together in Daily Scrums to review their daily progress and targets.
  • The Retrospective forms the Review-Meet to assess the results of the Sprint and use the learning for the new Sprint.

While learning the principles is easy it is the efficient practices of Scrum that take time to learn and practice.

How to implement a basic framework in Scrum:

  • The Scrum website provides a downloadable file in PDF format to help define the framework.
  • Learn all about your role as an SM and as the unofficial Project Manager especially about conflict resolution, hurdle removals and ego-clashes in teams. Scrum team members are equals striving to achieve a common goal and hence cannot afford ego clashes and team conflicts.
  • Backlog creation is an important task leading to proper prioritization of the project. Though this is initially incomplete the SPO adds details and client requirements to enable clarity and progress with the backlog.
  • The Sprint is where the team will decide on how to work on the prioritized backlog tasks within the allocated time-frame.
  • In the next stage, the Scrum team members execute their tasks in a self-organized manner where you may need to play the enabler, hurdle remover and constant supervisor of the Daily Scrum progress. This is where what each member did yesterday and what they will do today is of utmost importance to review.
  • The Retrospective is meant for feedback, review, testing and evaluation on how to move forward and improve the upcoming sprint.
  • The Sprint ends and the next sprint will begin with a new backlog item.

In parting, the transparent Agile Scrum methodology breaks the entire project into achievable products that are viable and executed in short Sprints. Due to progress being constantly reviewed this means frequent changes, evaluation and testing.

Rather than spend on one complete project that becomes unviable later, it is a very attractive feature of Scrum that smaller market-ready products are frequently released, providing for feedback incorporation and iteration. Thus Scrum enables efficiency in production and anytime iteration in a product lifecycle.

An efficient Scrum Master can be either self-taught or use a CSM Course from a reputed institute like Imarticus Learning to learn Agile Scrum practices and earn his CSM certification. All the best in Scrum learning!

What Are The Eligibility Criteria for Agile Scrum Master Certification?

Scrum, is the buzzword of the day. When it comes to upgrading your skills you want a reliable partner who will ensure you learn the requisite skills and not just theoretical aspects. That’s where Imarticus Learning’s expertise and agility scores.
ITeS and IT majors like Google, Oracle, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Dell are Agile! There are a plethora of jobs for people with experience in practically handling Agile suites on the Scrum framework. With CSM Certification your implementation of Scrum projects will lead your organization to better its efficiency, productivity and profits. The obvious must be stated. Your payouts could be fantastic and huge! Today teams work with members who have diverse expertise and work together to collaborate on speedy resolutions and focus on new projects, speedy deliveries, and multi-location access. To make effective Agile contributions and use the latest Scrum practices you need formal industry experience and agile scrum certification training.

Which Certification to Do?

There are two certification courses to enable your career as a CSM. The first is the CSM certification by Scrum.org.
About the CSM online exams and certification:
An understanding of the concepts of Scrum coupled with a 2-day CSM Course with a reputed institute like Imarticus enables you to take the CSM test online. You need to score at least 24 of the 35 questions rightly. You get two free attempts and can work on your wrong answers just in case you fail. The third-and-after attempts are paid-attempts at the certification.
On successfully clearing your certification exams you gain membership with Scrum Alliance, access to online support groups and forums, opportunities for continued learning and a Scrum website profile-page validating your CSM credentials.

The benefits of the Agile Scrum Master Certification Course:

The CSM course is your best route to the CSM certification exams. The course allows you to learn Scrum fundamentals and core concepts. The duration differs from 14 to 16 hours and is spread over two days.
• The CSM Course enables you in just 2 days on the weekend or on weekdays working 9 am to 5 pm the best practices, tricks, and tips on how to resolve issues in diverse environments.
• Scrum Alliance has Global REPs ensuring your certification is worth the money you pay.
• You will be comprehensively trained and prepared for the online test and CSM Certification.
• Effective CST-led training and global curriculum which is approved by Scrum to ensure you are industry and job ready on course completion.
• The reasonable course fee includes the fee for the examination by the Scrum Alliance.
• The courses offered are always based on demand-trends and future technology developments.
• Topics like core concepts, Scrum Foundational principles, the Agile Manifesto, Scrum roles and their differences and impact are covered. You explore how the SM manages Scrum and Sprint Meets, Daily Scrum Meets, the Retrospective Meet and more. You also learn about backlogs, iterations, burn-down charts, increments, and various Scrum artifacts.
• Scrum Scaling is an advanced module that will help implement work environment Scrum. No rote learning is present and you learn through real-time, industry-relevant scenarios, role plays etc to evolve and emerge a confident CSM.
• You also earn PDUs required for the PMI-ACP agile scrum certification examination and certification.
The second and harder to attain certification is the PMI-ACP® certification which is the goal of every agile scrum certification course. The ACSM course will help you prepare for the certification while providing you with training to earn PDU’s which are mandatory to take the examinations. The PMI-ACP includes Agile approaches like Lean, Scrum, Kanban, testing TDD, and XP.

Who can apply for this certification?

Transitioning enterprises and their Agile team members/employees will discover the certification path enhances career choices and prospects as agile scrum certification endorses and measures your practical skills and theoretical learning applications to real-world scenarios.
Essentials to get certified and retain certification:
The agile scrum certification exam consists of 120 objective type questions to be done in 3 hours. To maintain it you need to earn 30 PDUs on Agile related topics once every 3 years from training organizations.

Eligibility Criteria for Agile Scrum Master Certification

• 2,000 hours of general experience hours working on teams/ requisite PDUs from a training course.
• Agile practice of 21 contact training hours.
• And 1,500 working hours on Agile teams/methodologies.
Concepts learnt at the Agile and Scrum training:
You will imbibe the basics and explore the following topics
• Scrum (3*3) concepts, Product Backlogs, Estimation, and Planning.
• Core Scrum tenets, Release Planning and more.
• Comparing methods like Waterfall and Agile.
• Agile Process Introduction, project delivery and flavors.
• Kanban, Advanced Scrum, Project Simulation and Agile adoption.

Who Will Benefit and How?

The Agile suite has become popular for resolving complex issues in enterprise and project management opening up the market for CSMs, domain experts, BAs and developers too. The increased use of emerging technology and tools has transformed how business today is being done.
There are no prerequisite educational qualifications for the course. A high-speed internet connection, smartphone or computer, and the will to achieve your dreams are your investment. Dedicated teams in different teams like marketing, operations, finance et are a thing of the past. Being Agile is a continuous process of team contribution, collaboration and communication with each team member bringing domain expertise to the table especially in cross-functional teams. With this Agile and Scrum training you are ready for certification and to make a difference to the organization by ensuring project management, rapid release-cycles, teamwork collaborations, and in helping adapt to and resolve complex issues rapidly.
In conclusion, it must be said that the CSM certification and doing the courses have huge advantages. Here is how you can achieve the goal of certification as a CSM from either Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org. Enrol for an agile scrum certification with a recognized training partner like Imarticus Learning. The course will earn you the training certification and PDU’s required to take the certification exams. Obviously, this is the first step at equipping yourself and you get better with experience.
Tomorrow never pays in this fast-changing technological world. Set your goals high and do it today!