My Scrum Master Journey

I didn’t anticipate this path, but here I am.

In the summer of 2024, our Research and Development Director gave me the opportunity to step into the Scrum Master role. After nearly five years with the company, starting as a web designer, I saw this as a chance I couldn’t just pass up.

Though we've practiced Agile for years, we never had a certified Scrum Master. Our senior developers typically led our Scrum events. Now, I’m embracing this unexpected but exciting challenge.

My situation feels like on-the-job training for the Scrum Master role. Although I don’t have certification yet, I’m already performing the responsibilities like leading daily scrums and retrospectives. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working toward my certification.

I've decided to pursue the Professional Scrum Master™ I (PSM I) certification through Scrum.org. It’s well-regarded in the industry and proves a solid understanding of Scrum and its practical application in teams.

Earning the PSM I demonstrates mastery of the Scrum Guide and ensures consistent use of its terminology and practices. The exam costs $200 USD per attempt, and once passed, the certification is valid for life—unlike Scrum Alliance certifications, which require renewals and additional fees.

So where to begin?

My Proposed 2-month Road Map:

Phase 1: Scrum Guide Familiarization (Week 1)

Goal: Build foundational knowledge of Scrum.

Read the Scrum Guide at least 2-3 times.
Watch introductory Scrum videos.
Summarize key concepts: Empiricism, Scrum Values, Roles, Events, Artifacts, and Definition of Done.

Phase 2: Deep Dive into Scrum Framework (Weeks 2-3)

Goal: Understand the core elements of Scrum in-depth.

Study Empiricism and Scrum Values (Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation).
Review Scrum Events and Scrum Team roles.
Explore Scrum Artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment).
Clarify the Definition of Done.

Phase 3: Team Dynamics and Leadership (Week 4)

Goal: Master self-managing teams, facilitation, and coaching.

Study team dynamics in Scrum and leadership principles.
Learn facilitation and coaching techniques.
Apply these concepts to hypothetical Scrum team scenarios.

Phase 4: Managing Products with Agility (Week 5)

Goal: Develop skills for managing products in an agile environment.

Learn backlog prioritization, release planning, and product value delivery.
Understand stakeholder management and agile product development techniques.

Phase 5: Final Review and Mock Exams (Week 6)

Goal: Prepare thoroughly for the PSM I exam.

Review all key concepts from the Scrum Guide.
Take multiple mock exams and focus on areas needing improvement.

Optional Additional Review (Weeks 7-8)

Use this time for extra review and addressing any weak areas.
Take more mock exams if needed.

Exam Date: Week 9

I plan to take the PSM I exam within this window.

Wish me luck :)