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Why Become a Scrum Master?
Scrum Masters lead their teams in software development projects. A Scrum Master is responsible for the implementation of Scrum methodologies. Scrum Masters make $70,000-$100,000 on average in the industry serving as consultants, team leaders, and product managers. By obtaining a Scrum Master certification, you can increase your employment and career opportunities.
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What is Involved with Scrum Certification?
Most people interested in becoming Scrum Masters take a course, a 2 day program. Courses generally cost around $1,000. Once the course has been completed, they have a certain amount of time, between 30 and 90 days to take the Scrum Master exam. The Scrum Master exam covers the following topics:
- Scrum history and basics
- Scrum roles
- Sprints
- Product Backlogs
- Problems that can occur while implementing scrum methods
- Planning releases and sprints
- Conducting the daily scrum and other meetings
- Scrum scalability
- Team organization and building
- Creating reports and tasks
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Choosing a Scrum Certification Program
Aside from cost and scheduling considerations, a scrum certification program should be chosen based upon its merits, the number of students who passed, and the reputation of the training institution. There are many programs for obtaining the training for Scrum Certification, including working directly through Scrum Alliance using their suggested Scrum Master study materials. These materials provide a background context for the training an Scrum Master candidate will receive during the course of studies. The Scrum Alliance lists dates of upcoming training seminars on their website.
Other options exist as well. Mountain Goat Software also offers two day training courses. If you're looking to have your entire team become Scrum Certified, you may wish to have them participate in Rally Software's two day training program for groups.
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Do You Need Scrum Master Certification?
Scrum Master Certification has been criticized as being unnecessary, or a waste of time since critics often point out that many of the participants receive certification, making them question the rigor of the Scrum Master certification process. It is suggested, however, that even though former participants critique the system, that should you have the opportunity, you should take advantage of the program and become a certified Scrum Master.
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Do You Need to Take the Scrum Master Course?
Some certifications in life require only that you can pass the certification exam after self-study. The Scrum Master Course is not like that. In order to receive eligibility to take the Scrum Master exam, you must first take the two-day Scrum Master course. Also, if you were thinking you could participate in a distance learning program for your Scrum Master certification, you will find that unfortunately, this is not currently an option. The reason for this is because Scrum Master certification requires participants to interact with one another in a live format. Finally, Scrum Master students must learn how to manage projects in an organic environment, without the impediments of internet interactivity. This facilitates the implementation of the Scrum methodologies into a workplace environment.