A Scrum Master certification is a credential that recognizes an individuals competency in Scrum project management principles. It verifies an individual's knowledge and skills in the Scrum framework, which emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and iterative progress toward a well-defined goal. There are several Scrum Master certifications available, including:
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Certified Scrum Master (CSM): This certification is administered by the Scrum Alliance, the first organization to offer a Scrum certification. It is recommended for current and aspiring Scrum team leaders across industries, or anybody who expects to work on cross-functional teams and solve complex problems.
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Professional Scrum Master (PSM): This certification is offered by Scrum.org, an organization founded by one of the co-creators of Scrum Alliance, Ken Schwaber. The PSM I validates an individual's understanding of the Scrum framework, as well as how to apply it. It is the first level of Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org, and individuals can go on to take the PSM II or PSM III, which will test them on more complex Scrum processes.
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Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM): This certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and teaches individuals how to apply Scrum project management techniques across industries and implement Scrum.
Earning a Scrum Master certification can help individuals stand out among other job candidates, improve their risk assessment and collaboration skills, and open up new career opportunities. The certification process typically involves a course or training program that teaches the fundamentals of Scrum project management and culminates in an exam covering the history of Scrum and the basics of the process.
