Meet Shalu Tyagi
CSP-SM™ and CSP-PO™ Shalu Tyagi lives in Haryana, India and is an Agile Trainer and Senior Manager of Process Transformation at SpiceJet Ltd.
For you, what is the main difference between where you began as a CSM®, CSPO® or CSD®, and becoming a CSP®?
I passed my CSM exam with 100 percent marks and found myself on cloud nine. After coming out with flying colors in the theory exam and having practiced and coached Agile/Scrum implementation in my company for some time, I was very confident that I was perfect for CSP and asked my trainer what was an easy way of getting through CSP exam. He said, “There is NO shortcut to success.”
I realized it later through the journey of earning 70 SEUs, after investing time in attending Live Webinars and attending Scrum Alliance® User Group Meetups. It gave me opportunity to explore the whole new world of Agile — meeting different people implementing Agile, and knowing their experiences and challenges
Definitely I believe that there is long bridge of learning the practical hands-on [skills] between when I was a CSM® and now that I am a CSP. That was a learner’s permit and this is a driving license. And the journey is still on…
What is your favorite part about becoming a CSP?
Capturing my learning and writing six articles, all published by Scrum Alliance, with an intent to contribute back to the Scrum Community is the best part I can say about becoming a CSP.
Give us an example of how the CSP certification has helped you in your career.
Being a CSP, of course, gives you more confidence than being a CSM. By virtue of gaining knowledge through different mediums to earn SEUs, I gained the additional confidence of taking new initiatives and innovations in the field of Agile/Scrum in the organization, and it became a success, which I must say was a big-time achievement and an add-on to my career.
How did you first find out about Scrum?
Being in the Process Quality Assurance Group, I was well versed with the theoretical part of Scrum as one of the Software Development Lifecycles. Later, I got chance to implement it when we worked for one of the clients who were working completely on Agile/Scrum framework. This was then followed by the certifications specific to Scrum.
What do you find easiest about Scrum?
Scrum is not [as]complex as other frameworks and is easy to understand, as it talks about the complete journey in small sprints and the cycle gets replicated for all sprints.
What do you find most difficult about Scrum?
Changing the mindset of people to adopt Agile values of FORCC to be able to be Agile besides doing Agile is the most difficult (however unmanageable) thing I have come across while implementing Scrum.
What’s your best/worst work experience using Scrum?
My best experience while using Scrum is captured as part of my article (“Agile Ecosystem for Nonsoftware Development Functions”). It was when I implemented Agile, organization-wide, in all the non-software development projects like HR, Admin, training, etc., considering that the teams [that] are working with Software Development teams following Agile/Scrum need to be equally Agile so that they talk the same language.
The best part was that I got an opportunity to come up with a hybrid model, which is a combination of best practices from the different frameworks. The Leadership Team — and specifically the VP of IT — [were] very supportive and acted like catalysts, which was one of the success factors for this project.
How has using Scrum changed you?
Scrum has changed me for sure, I must say. Now for last couple of years, my working style has completely transformed to that of a ScrumMaster who works more as a servant leader and obstacle remover so that the teams can deliver the products smoothly.
If you could add one thing to Scrum, what would it be?
Even though Scrum relates to the following, I would like explicit mention of them as a mandate in the enhanced versions of the framework: Risk Management, Metrics Management (Quantitative Project Management), considering dependencies, assumptions etc., while planning and doing estimation.
Do you use Scrum in your life outside of work? If yes, how?
I have started planning for iterations to achieve a big goal in my life and maintain a Scrum board for specific things outside of work. I am using a Big Visible Board at home as well for the tasks, which is helpful.
What advice would you give to someone new to Scrum?
I would advise to those who are new to Scrum to enter the wonderful world of Scrum. Do not just know Agile [and] Scrum, do Agile and also most importantly BE Agile by following the FORCC values (i.e., Focus, Openness, Respect, Courage, Commitment) without which you will find it difficult to follow Agile/Scrum.
What is your favorite quote? And why?
My favorite quote is the popular one that one of my friends shared with me, which generally helps me as a tranquilizer during tough time: “Don’t get upset with people or situations; both are powerless without your reaction.” Because if you follow these lines, you can change a lot in life.