How to become a Scrum Master

A Scrum Master is a principal role within an Agile project using the Scrum framework. As a Scrum Master, you will be a facilitator responsible for improving your team’s performance, maximise productivity, and arrange required meetings.

In this article, we explain the steps you can take to become a Scrum Master.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is not a methodology. It is however simple. Scrum replaces a programmed algorithmic approach with a heuristic approach, to help an organisation solve complex problems and deal with unpredictability.

Scrum is a lightweight framework used by individuals, teams, and organisations to generate value by providing adaptive solutions to complex problems.

A Scrum Master is the person used to harness an environment where they can implement the below 4 stage process:

• Product Owner puts forward work for a complex problem.
• Scrum Team turns part of the work into an ‘Increment of value’.
• Scrum Team and stakeholders then inspect results and amend for the following Sprint.
• Repeat the process.

Scrum Values

The Scrum Values are Courage, Focus, Commitment, Respect, and Openness. They were added to the Scrum Guide in July 2016.

Scrum Events

The Scrum Events are Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective. Events are used to minimise the need for meetings (not defined in Scrum) and create regularity.

Scrum Artifacts

The Scrum Artifacts are Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment. These artifacts represent value or work used to provide opportunities for inspection, transparency, and adaptation. They are specifically designed to maximise transparency of core information, to ensure everyone has the same level of understanding of the artifact.

Find out more about Agile Scrum basics.

How to become a Scrum Master

To become an effective Scrum Master, you will need to undertake training. Below, we review the three-step plan to help you train to become a Scrum Master. 

Step 1 - Learn the basics of Scrum.

To become a Scrum Master, it’s essential that you first learn and understand the basics of Scrum, including the principles and values of Agile and the general Scrum framework.

Principles of Agile:

• Satisfy Customers Through Early & Continuous Delivery.
• Welcome Changing Requirements Even Late in the Project.
• Deliver Value Frequently.
• Break the Silos of Your Project.
• Build Projects Around Motivated Individuals.
• The Most Effective Way of Communication is Face-to-face.
• Working Software is the Primary Measure of Progress.
• Maintain a Sustainable Working Pace.
• Continuous Excellence Enhances Agility.
• Simplicity is Essential.
• Self-organising Teams Generate Most Value.
• Regularly Reflect and Adjust Your Way of Work to Boost Effectiveness.

Four core values of Agile:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
• Working software over comprehensive documentation.
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
• Responding to change over following a plan.

Three pillars of Scrum:

• Transparency
• Inspection
• Adaption

Scrum principles are:

• Control over the empirical process.
• Self-organisation.
• Collaboration.
• Value-based prioritisation.
• Timeboxing
• Iterative development.

Step 2 - Start your Scrum certificate training.

You can start training towards a career as a Scrum Master with e-Careers. We have a range of courses and study methods, so you can be sure to find the best training option for you.

Explore our Scrum training courses.

Step 3 - Register for your exams and start studying to pass them.

Once you have completed your training, you can book your exams and start revising.

Many of our training courses also include exams and our ‘Exam Pass Guarantee’, where if you fail your exam after attending our training course, you can attend the same training again.

What is certified Scrum Master training?

To know, understand and use agile scrum principles and techniques effectively, you will need to undertake official Scrum Master training, pass your exams, and earn your certificates. This way, you can support your knowledge and show hiring staff that you have the appropriate skills for a job requiring these techniques.

Certified training refers to training courses or classes that have been developed around the official syllabus to meet the exam requirements and offered through a professional training provider. Our Agile Scrum Master training courses have been developed with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, who are a recognised awarding body for Scrum Master training.  

How to get a Scrum Master certification

You first need to choose a qualification that is recognised in the industry and that will teach you everything you need to embark on a career in this sector.

You will also want to choose to study with a professional training provider, like e-Careers, so you can be sure to o receive high-quality training materials, expert advice, and support.  

Explore the full Agile Scrum Master qualification.

Ready to start your journey towards becoming an Agile Scrum Master? Explore our range of Scrum training certifications below.

Online Training Courses

• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Master
• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner (eLearning)
• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner (eLearning) (BRIDGE)

Virtual Classroom Training

• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Master - Virtual Classroom
• BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in Agile Scrum - Virtual Classroom
• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner - Virtual Classroom
• BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Product Owner (Bridge) - Virtual Classroom

Speak to one of our Project Management Course Consultants to discuss your training options and see which training courses suit your career goals best. Call us on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch shortly.