Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification from scrum.org is often the first choice. Its prestige within the industry, the rigorous nature of its examination and the abundance of preparation material available undeniably contribute to its appeal. A simple search of job vacancies on platforms such as indeed.com or even LinkedIn corroborates its importance, showing that it is often mentioned as an essential qualification for a variety of Scrum and Agile roles. But the question remains: Is it the optimal starting point for every individual? The title of this article suggests a more nuanced perspective worth exploring.
Let’s talk about Professional Scrum Master
Although PSM I enjoys considerable respect, it is primarily a certification for future Scrum Masters, and the associated training deepens the Scrum theory and practical skills required for this specific role, encompassing scenario analysis, case studies and specialized techniques. While this approach is invaluable for those who aspire to become Scrum Masters, it may not speak as directly to people with different goals in this framework.
The aim of this article is to address those who are seeking to understand the essence of Professional Scrum without necessarily aiming to become Scrum Masters. A more strategic approach often emerges from interactions with private customers, where the overriding ambition is to equip teams with a fundamental understanding of professional Scrum – a goal both noble and pragmatic. Understanding the scrum.org framework is essential to applying it effectively. However, this objective is often overshadowed by the default inclination towards the PSM course, propelled by its fame or prevailing misconceptions. As consultants, it’s normal to adapt to these preferences, but it’s always a good idea to reflect on the true intention behind these choices. Is the goal to cultivate a cadre of Scrum Masters, or to foster a widespread understanding of Professional Scrum among team members?
So what training should you choose?
For those more closely aligned with the latter objective, the Applying Professional Scrum (APS) course is a more appropriate alternative. Valued for its focus on basic Scrum theory combined with hands-on learning, the APS course facilitates direct engagement with the practices proposed by Scrum.org, offering participants a tangible experience. It is designed to be universally applicable, addressing entire teams that may include Scrum Masters, Product Owners, developers, and even members of management. Sharing the same certification assessment as SHP I, APS provides a distinct educational pathway to suit a diverse range of roles within a software team, with the APS-SD variant aimed specifically at software development teams.
Opting for APS rather than PSM can lead to inquiries about possible learning gaps. For Scrum Masters, elements such as facilitation and team management may receive less attention, and Product Owners may see the emphasis diluted on backlog management and goal setting. However, developers and other team members lose nothing, as they instead gain a complete and experiential understanding of Scrum.
What does Applying Professional Scrum offer?
The APS course provides a consistent learning experience for the entire Scrum team, promoting a uniform understanding and application of Scrum principles. This unified approach facilitates a collaborative, fail-safe environment for tackling common organizational challenges, contrasting with the segmented educational path of the PSM course. Its program is carefully designed to ensure universal relevance, so that participants don’t waste time on inapplicable content.
The value of APS lies in its broad and practical approach to the teaching offered by Scrum.org, ensuring that every team member emerges with a definitive understanding of their role and responsibilities within the framework, ready to effectively apply empirical product delivery processes. As a basic course, it is ideally suited to anyone involved in a Scrum team, laying the foundations for later specialization in roles such as Scrum Master, Product Owner, or Agile Leader, if one chooses to pursue this path.
In summary, while the PSM I certification retains its prestige and value, those seeking a more comprehensive introduction to the principles of professional Scrum may find that the APS course better suits their objectives. By recognizing the distinct outcomes offered by each path, organizations and individuals are able to make informed choices that best support their Scrum journey.
This article is (more than) inspired by Why the first Professional Scrum class you choose might not be the best one by Ryan Brook
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