Transition to Scrum role from developer role

Hi Bindu,

I was a developer and now I'm a Scrum Master.

2 years ago there was a need for a new scrum master in my company, so the company send me to the Professional Scrum Master training lead by Ralph Jocham. The training was great containing a lot of examples from real life. Then I got the PSM I (Professional Scrum Master) certification.

After 1 month I started first time as a scrum master for a team. At the beginning it was a little bit difficult. Almost every day I tried to read from The Scrum Guide (http://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html) in order to see if what I've done was ok. Before the planning I reread the planning chapter from the Scrum Guide as well as from the Scrum and XP from the trenches (http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/2R690/doc/ScrumAndXpFromTheTrenchesonline07-31…). The same with all Scrum Events. The Scrum Guide contain only the framework but for the methods/real stuff I read the Scrum and XP from the trenches.

For difficult issues I asked other colleagues from my company but I tried to be all the time in line with the Scrum Guide.

After a couple of month of experience as Scrum Master I tried to extend my area of knowledge reading books:
* general scrum/agile subject as:
- http://www.amazon.com/Scrum-Pocket-Guide-Practice-Publishing/dp/9087537…
- http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Scrum-Agile-Revolutionary-Transformation/…
- http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Scrum-Agile-Revolutionary-Transformation/…
- http://www.amazon.com/Scrum-revolutionary-approach-deadlines-productivi…

* and specific subject books as:
- http://www.amazon.com/Agile-Estimating-Planning-Mike-Cohn/dp/0131479415…
- http://www.amazon.com/Agile-Retrospectives-Making-Teams-Great/dp/097761…
- http://www.amazon.com/Succeeding-Agile-Software-Development-Using/dp/03…

I think a good source of new info is reading the scrum.org, blogs and participating on conferences where is a cross pollination process.

My next step is to take PSM II certification (https://www.scrum.org/Assessments/Professional-Scrum-Master-Assessments…)

I hope that you can find something useful for you from my journey.

Regards,
Daniel

Bindu,

One of the important distinctions here is to understand that when you start playing the role of a ScrumMaster, you don't stop being a developer if you choose to be.

If you are not an excellent developer or your natural inclination is towards entrepreneurship then by all means go full hands with *ONLY* being a ScrumMaster (SM) but being a SM should not stop you from being a good developer if you choose to be!

For most professionals, it is not the case. Just because your company is asking you to take the course, you would not get optimum value.

ScrumMaster is much like an entrepreneurship role. SM's prime accountability is to work towards removing impediments and facilitate that things get done. Regardless of who's doing what.

This is an important career decision so you should consider the following questions carefully:

1) Are you an average (or bad) developer?
2) Do you have a natural inclination towards entrepreneurship?
3) Do you do things for the sake of doing them? If getting a Scrum certification is one such exercise then I'd recommend that you avoid that.
4) Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line? Architecturing a Complex Software? Managing a Project or a Program? Providing Technical Consulting? Leading people? Running businesses?

Remember, there are no right answers to these questions, only unique answers that will help you make the right decision.

I'd recommend that you take SM certification only if you are convinced that you will significantly advance your career if you understand the subject deeply otherwise there are no big benefits.

Effective (and successful) SMs are problem solvers and if you're a problem solver than it hardly matters if you have a certification or not :)

Now coming to your second question: Scrum certification or PMP?

I would say that no matter which certification you take, you must take 360 degree overview of its applications in your career.

If you look at current trends, then most small businesses are practicing agile and from that standpoint SM certification would make sense.

If you look at enterprise market, and employability, then PMP certification also enjoys good regards.

The point is, no matter what certificates (or formal educational degrees) you have, if you are a difference maker in your role, you will ride the ladder of the career.

If I were at your place, I would retrospect how I have done in my life thus far, what are my strong and weak points, where do I see myself 3-5-10 years down the line and would pick a path.

If you provide me more specifics then I shall be able to provide more relevant guidance. Feel free to contact me via email if you are not comfortable discussing specifics in a public forum.

Best luck!
UV

Here is a good comparison. It is German, so just translate it anywhere online.

http://www.oose.de/nuetzliches/fachliches/zertifizierungen-vergleich/

no guarantee!

In a nutshell (Import this text as csv - i have no clue how to format it right in this limited forum text box)

;CSM I;CSM II;PSM I;PSM II;PMI-ACP;;;
Training length;2d;-;-;-;21h;;;
Proofed work experience;-;2000h;-;-;2000h general project managment, 1500h agile;;;
Other requirements;-;CSM I;-;PSM I;;;;
Test / difficulty;35 multiple choice / easy;150 multiple choice / hard;80 multiple choice / average;30% multiple choice, 70 % essay / hard;120 multiple choice / hard;;;
Period of validity;2y;2y;life time;life time ;3y;;;
Price;2 tries incl., then 25$;300$;100 $;500$;415 EUR for non members ;;;
Recertification / Eductation Units;-;40 Units;-;-;30 Units;;;
Recertification price;150$;300$;-;-;?;;;

Thanks Daniel for your inputs. Its definetly hepful.