Practicing Scrum·September 5, 2024·4 min read

Your CSM Training Experience With Michael Vizdos

What to expect during a Certified Scrum Master training event with Michael Vizdos — a session-by-session walkthrough, not a slide-deck lecture.

Here is what you may experience during a CSM (Certified Scrum Master) training event with Michael Vizdos.

Before We Begin

Prior to the training, you’ll receive preparation materials e-mailed to you beginning a week before the event. You’ll have time to prepare before we meet!

If you want to sleep or do other work, please attend another training. If you “only” want a certification stamp, please go to another training — you help build a positive learning experience with your peers here.

This training is about shifting your mindset and learning a new perspective; it is not just a “101” course. You will experience what it is like to work on a Scrum Team from the perspective of a Scrum Master. We’ll take breaks often, and your participation is both encouraged and expected over our four sessions together.

The following description is broken into four “sessions.” If the training is over two days, we’ll complete Sessions 1 and 2 on day one, and Sessions 3 and 4 on day two. If it’s over four days, we complete one session each day.

Session 1

You’ll start meeting the other attendees in an informal environment. You’ll be expected to do some pre-work — reviewing the Scrum Fundamentals course online from the Scrum Alliance and reading, listening to, or watching the Scrum Guide (2020).

Please note: this is not just a test-prep class. Both experienced people and novices find value in the interactive environment. We spend most of the first morning gathering expectations and talking through Agile principles and Scrum fundamentals.

This training talks about software development teams, but we will not dig into any technical stuff — no writing code. I’ve seen many more people outside of IT attending these trainings lately: marketing, sales, operations, legal, construction, teachers, and district administrators. Scrum is all about people; you’ll experience what it’s like to actually work on a Scrum Team.

Session 2

Getting buzzword-compliant, then exploring what it’s like to work on a Scrum Team by actually Implementing Scrum on a guided project together. We’ll complete a retrospective, then start discussions about the three accountabilities in Scrum — Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developer (not just our “geeky-software-cheeto-puff-dust-developers” — anyone who actually creates the product or deliverables).

You’ll build a reading list throughout the four sessions. Come prepared to be present and interact, not to sit through a PowerPoint. You’ll have some homework (about 15-20 minutes) after this session.

Session 3

We’ll start by discussing any overnight questions, then review the homework. We’ll talk about the Scrum Values and how they apply to your real-world environment, plus more on Servant True Leadership and the 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto.

We’ll have conversations about the interactions the Product Owner has with Developers, the Scrum Master, and outside stakeholders — as a Scrum Master, you’ll be working closely with all three, so understanding these interactions is vital. We’ll also examine the definition of Done and figure out who your real customer is.

Session 4

You’ll learn two important techniques: creating user stories and figuring out how to estimate as a team. You’ll build your initial Product Backlog so you can get started in the real world the next work day.

Your customers may really only want to know two things — when will you be done, and how much will it cost. We’ll change the conversation to delivering the highest-value scope at the end of each Sprint as a real Product Increment, at both the Sprint and Release Planning levels.

Coming out of the four sessions, you should have real, actionable things you can put into place the very next working day.

After Your CSM Training

You’ll get all the information you need to register with the Scrum Alliance and take an online assessment test. Don’t worry about scoring 100% — based on the aggregate numbers from all my international attendees, this should not be hard to finish.

Once you pass, you’ll have a two-year membership with the Scrum Alliance and be a Certified ScrumMaster. The initial membership fee is included in the cost of your workshop attendance, and I’ll take care of processing that for you. If you need PDUs for the PMI or other continuing education credits, we’ll work with you to make sure they’re applied appropriately (usually good for up to 16 PDUs).

If you have any questions about this, please contact me. If you are ready to register for an upcoming public training event, you can view them here.

Who Should Attend

This training is aimed at those pursuing a Scrum Alliance certification with a specific focus on becoming a Scrum Master — but it’s a great experience for anyone on or working with a Scrum Team:

• Scrum Master
• Product Owner
• Developer (Development Team Member)
• Stakeholders
• Managers
• Project Sponsors
• Executives working with Scrum Teams

This training is NOT intended for people just attending to get a certification stamp. There are no PowerPoint slides, and you will play an active role in learning with other participants.

Your Instructor

Michael Vizdos is a Certified Scrum Trainer^® (CST) with the Scrum Alliance who delivers consulting, training, and mentoring services internationally. Michael is the creator of Implementing Scrum and has been in the industry for over thirty years — an early agile pioneer who co-authored a book with Scott Ambler. Learn more about Michael Vizdos.

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 any participant whose actions disrupt it.