What is Advanced Scrum Master (A-CSM) Certification?

Are you already working as Scrum Master and thinking what is the next challenging career goal? As a Scrum Master, you have been familiar with the Scrum Values, accountabilities, Scrum Events, Scrum Artifacts, practices, and applications. Then the next logical advancement is the Scrum Alliance’s Advanced Scrum Master (A-CSM) certification.

What is new in the A-CSM?

In the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) training, you have learned “What” is Scrum and how it benefits individuals, teams, and organizations. You were introduced to the basics of some concepts include: Facilitation, Coaching, Scrum Master Services to Product Owner, Developers and Organization. This learning was around the “What” part of them. In Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), you will get exposure on “How” to use them practically and also get to know a wide range of advanced coaching, facilitation techniques through practice. 

The practical learning is the key in Advanced Scrum Master certification training. This helps you to experience how to:  

• Facilitate effective and improved collaboration between the Product Owner, Scrum Team members, customers, stakeholders, and executives to enhance transparency.
• Respond confidently when there is resistance to change, poor engagement, low motivation, and unavailability of key people
• Increase the level of engagement to encourage higher accountability, commitment, and buy-in
• Scale Scrum and Agile practices beyond a single team and able to help resolving challenges within the teams and organization

Why should you do A-CSM?

• You will be part of a smaller group compared to large group of CSM certified group
• It increases your job opportunities due to the advanced skills you acquire through A-CSM
• It helps you to build your career towards becoming an Agile Coach
• Helps you to grow faster in the career ladder 
• It helps to work in a Scaled Scrum environment confidently
• Differentiate yourself in the global marketplace
• Show advanced value to your organization as a highly skilled Agile professional
• Your CSM certification will be automatically renewed for next 2 years

What should you have to become A-CSM certified?

• You should have at least 12 months of work experience specific to the role of Scrum Master within the past 5 years.
• You need to hold an active Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification with the Scrum Alliance. 
• Attend a certified A-CSM educational training conducted by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) or a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) or Certified Team Coach (CTC) to gain techniques and skills.
• Successfully complete all trainer-designed components that may include pre- or post-course work as deemed necessary to complete the learning objectives.
• Accept the A-CSM License Agreement and complete your Scrum Alliance membership profile.

How to identify the Right Trainer for your A-CSM certification Training?

Every trainer will be unique and comes with a certain level of experience and knowledge. However, the Trainers who came from a Coaching background with having Large Scale Agile Transformation experience, will have a lot of real-time experience that helps you gain the insights of their experience. So try to join a training for your A-CSM by a CST (Certified Scrum Master) who has coaching experience and if they have CTC (Certified Team Coach) or CEC (Certified Enterprise Coach) will be an added advantage as they bring their coaching experience into your training.