Hello and thanks for stopping by to read this.
If you are interested in registering for your CSM (Certified Scrum Master) training with me (Michael Vizdos), please click here and I’ll get you registered to get started on your journey with me.
I also know you have many options from other incredible trainers you are scrolling through as you hunt for a CSM Training – and most of them are much lower priced than me.
Instead of telling you how “awesome” my training is (compared with everyone else here), I’d rather you spend some time reading real information you can use to prepare for your CSM training – even if you do not take the training with me.
I promise it’s worth your time.
Every CSM training requires you to understand the Scrum Fundamentals as a prerequisite for receiving your certification.
You’re an adult. You got this.
If you don’t take CSM Training from me, it’s a great resource for you to prepare for your CSM training no matter who you select for training.
No matter which Certified Scrum Trainer you select to deliver your CSM training, this is another FREE resource available to you, the other attendees, and the CST delivering your training.
Even if you don’t take the training with me, share this with your fellow attendees and let your Certified Scrum Trainer know this resource is available for their use too.
CTRL-F is your friend (smile).
I’ve recorded a FREE audiobook version of the Scrum Guide for over 10 years (and yep, it’s listed as an official resource by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland on their official website).
Youtube. Some people love it.
So, I published a free video for each section of the 2020 Scrum Guide.
23 videos.
Each one is between 2-4 minutes and contains the direct information from the official 2020 Scrum Guide.
You can view the entire 2020 Scrum Guide Youtube Playlist at sg20_playlist.mvizdos.com.
Like the audio book, the online Interactive Scrum Guide contains links to each specific section of the youtube video if you need that for reference.
You have a choice of “who” to get your CSM from.
I’ve created a “Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide” with 10 questions that you should get answered before you register for any CSM training. You can read my answers to the 10 Questions You Should Ask Your Scrum Trainer HERE.
Yes. I’ve answered all the questions (duh, right?) and feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions BEFORE you sign up for any CSM Training.
Whoever you take your CSM Training with, make sure you feel good about your investment in time and money (even if it is “not your money”).
I created and published over 100 “Scrum Chicken and Pig” cartoons from 2006 through about 2012.
I use them in my CSM training.
Other trainers might use them too. That’s cool.
The cartoons are my creation but yeah, they are now part of Scrum History so if you see them around, those are from me.
They also help people on their journey of Implementing Scrum, including those who are starting, practicing, coaching, leading, or even “managing" (but do not click the link on “managing scrum” lol).
You can get a FREE Scrum Chicken and Pig cartoon delivered right to your inbox every Saturday morning.
I’ve delivered millions of emails (I’ve done the scary math, and since 2006 that adds up huh) to my subscribers with real world concepts around Implementing Scrum.
You can click subscribe.mvizdos.com to start getting those emails this Saturday morning.
Free.
Eesh… you’ve read this far.
Congratulations.
Now, do you want some “inside information” around untangling the marketing hype of “CSM Training”?
Since you’ve gotten this far… keep reading. I promise it’ll be worth your time (and I appreciate it).
Hey…
Follow Me On LinkedIn and send me a direct message if you’ve read this and received some valuable information for your time.
Removing Any “Confusion” Behind How To Get Your CSM
First.
PLEASE make sure you take the CSM Training with an authorized “CST” (Certified Scrum Trainer) with the Scrum Alliance. I am one of those people so I check that box (smile).
A CST does NOT work directly FOR the Scrum Alliance.
We are all independent contractors who either run our own business or work for a company and/or market through an external training company.
Every CST – including me – signs a contract with the Scrum Alliance, maintains our SEUs (Scrum Education Units), and pays $5,000.00 every year to the Scrum Alliance for our license to teach this CSM Training for you (read more about how the CST process works here if you are interested -- it's not an easy journey for any of us). You don’t pay the 5k for the CST license, so no worries there.
You can purchase your CSM training from a marketing company or directly from a CST.
I do not currently sell through any marketing companies (you can learn more at training.mvizdos.com).
Either way, each CST is the ultimate person responsible for getting you processed as a CSM with the Scrum Alliance.
The Three Steps To Become A CSM
No matter which CST delivers the training – either online or in-person – you’ll need to do the following three things to become a CSM:
STEP 1: Register For A CSM Training From A CST With The Scrum Alliance.
Take it with me (register here), or take it with another CST. That’s the only way to be able to take the assessment and become a CSM with the Scrum Alliance.
Yes, there are other certification bodies that allow you to get a different certification than a CSM without taking the training class.
STEP 2: Complete The CSM Course
You can read about what it’s like to take CSM Training with me here and here.
STEP 3: Take the Online Assessment and “Pass the Test”
Once you complete your training, the CST has the authority to process you through this final step for you to become a CSM with the Scrum Alliance.
You’ll take the “assessment” test online with the Scrum Alliance.
Once you’ve completed your training, your CST should submit your name and email address to the Scrum Alliance for processing.
The processing fee paid to the Scrum Alliance is usually included in what you paid to the CST or marketing company (even if they make a big deal about “the fees are included” woot).
EVERY CST must pay the $50.00 fee to process your request with the Scrum Alliance and. Once our payment clears, you’ll get the invite via email to take the assessment test online with the Scrum Alliance.
A Bit More About “The Test”
You’ll have two chances to pass the CSM assessment (within 90 days).
It’s online, non-proctored, and you’ll have up to an hour to take the assessment (remember the InteractiveScrumGuide).
You’ll need to get 37 out of 50 questions correct, and there is no gold star for getting 100% on the test.
Really.
You don’t need to stress about getting into the 100% club (I see you). I’ve got a 99.x percent “pass rate” from the thousands of people I’ve trained (since 2006) all around the world – and in many places where English is not your first language.
Once You Pass “The Test” You Are A CSM For 2 Years
Wahoo. You’ll become a CSM and “member” of the Scrum Alliance for 2 years.
Yep, even though some CSTs make a big deal that “it’s included” – guess what, it’s included in the additional fee we pay for you to take the assessment with the Scrum Alliance.
It’s a benefit you receive from ANY CST who delivers the training and then you pass the Scrum Alliance test.
Do I Need To Renew My CSM?
Yes, you’ll need to renew your license every two years to maintain the badge.
You can read more about the current requirements to do this for the Scrum Alliance here.
Do I Need To Pay For Another CSM Training To “Renew” My CSM After Two Years?
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE CLASS AGAIN.
Sure, you can.
And people who take the training with me always have the option to do that at a reduced price. But… you only have to pay the “CST” one time to get started on your journey as a CSM with the Scrum Alliance.
That’s it. You’ve gotten to the end.
Questions or Comments?
Contact me now.
Or…
Register to take a CSM Training with me soon.
Either way, have an awesome day (and subscribe here for my free Scrum Cartoons).
PLEASE NOTE
We are committed to supporting an environment that fosters dignity and respect for all participants, regardless of gender, race, disability, or political affiliation. During each event, participants must keep communications professional and supportive of the learning environment. We reserve the right to remove from any event a participant deemed by the facilitator whose actions disrupt the learning environment.
This is a production offered by Vizdos Enterprises, LLC.
PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL VIZDOS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
FOR IN-PERSON CSM TRAINING WITH MICHAEL VIZDOS IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
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