Course description
The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) course is designed for those who want to deeply understand the Scrum framework and the role of the Scrum Master, going beyond simple theory to learn how to apply it effectively in their organization.
Through a combination of explanations, group exercises, and discussions on real cases, participants explore the principles of empiricism, the functioning of Scrum roles, events, and artifacts, and how to use them to increase value, productivity, and quality of developed products. The course also prepares for the Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification exam, providing the theoretical and practical foundations necessary to support high-performance Scrum teams and promote a true agile mindset in the company.
Scrum.org certification and PSM I exam
The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) course prepares participants to take the Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification exam offered by Scrum.org.
At the end of the course, participants receive a pass to take the PSM I exam online on Scrum.org, which includes:
- One PSM I exam attempt (online assessment).
- Unlimited access to the exam code (the code is valid until used).
- Lifetime certification upon passing (no annual renewal fees).
- Issuance of a digital badge (Credly) usable on LinkedIn and CV.
The PSM I exam has the following main features:
- Format: remote online test, offered on Scrum.org.
- Duration: 60 minutes.
- Number of questions: 80.
- Question types: multiple choice, multiple answers, and true/false.
- Language: primarily English.
- Minimum passing score: 85%.
Participation in the course is not mandatory to take the exam, but it is strongly recommended by Scrum.org to increase the chances of passing on the first attempt and to consolidate the practical understanding of the Scrum framework.
Main Topics
Introduction to Scrum and the Agile mindset
- Context: why Scrum is suitable for complex products and uncertain environments.
- Principles of empiricism: transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
- The values of Scrum and their impact on team collaboration and performance.
Scrum theory, empiricism, and framework
- Differences between predictive and empirical approaches to work management.
- Framework structure: Scrum roles, events, and artifacts and how they relate to theoretical principles.
- Timeboxing, frequent increments, and managing complexity in Product Delivery.
Definition of Done, product quality, and delivery
- Meaning and importance of the Definition of Done to ensure transparency and quality.
- Using the Product Backlog for agile planning: ordering, estimation, and forecasting.
- Techniques for monitoring progress and making the delivered value visible.
People, teams, and the role of the Scrum Master
- Characteristics of self-organizing and cross-functional teams.
- Relational and facilitation skills needed to support the team.
- Scrum Master as a servant leader, coach, and facilitator serving Developers, Product Owner, and organization.
Scrum in the organization and practical cases
- Introduction, adoption, and scaling of Scrum in different contexts and various industries.
- How to address myths, impediments, and resistance to agility.
- Practical exercises on real scenarios and Scrum event simulations to connect theory and practice.
Participant profile
The course is aimed at:
- Scrum Masters and aspiring Scrum Masters who wish to consolidate or start their professional journey.
- Agile/Scrum Coaches and consultants who want to strengthen their ability to apply Scrum effectively.
- Anyone involved in product delivery with Scrum (Product Owners, development team members, managers, stakeholders).
It is suitable for professionals in any sector where cross-functional teams work to solve complex problems and generate value.
Objectives
The course aims to:
- Provide a clear understanding of the theoretical principles underlying Scrum and empiricism.
- Explain how each element of the framework (roles, events, artifacts) contributes to transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
- Clarify the leadership role of the Scrum Master and the skills required to support teams and organizations.
- Show how to use the Product Backlog, Definition of Done, and agile planning to improve product delivery.
- Prepare participants for the PSM I certification exam, increasing the likelihood of passing successfully.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
– Deeply understand the theory and principles of Scrum and empiricism, recognizing when and why the framework is effective in managing complex products.
– Explain and apply Scrum roles, events, and artifacts, coherently linking them to the values and principles that support them.
– Use Product Backlog, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Retrospective to help a team plan agilely, inspect results, and adapt work.
– Define and use a clear Definition of Done, understanding its impact on quality, transparency, and the ability to release a truly usable increment.
– Act as an effective Scrum Master, adopting a servant leadership posture, facilitating Scrum events, removing impediments, and supporting the development of self-organizing teams.
– Promote the agile mindset in the company, addressing myths, resistance, and obstacles to Scrum adoption and contributing to creating an environment conducive to continuous improvement.
Participation conditions
No advanced technical prerequisites or previous certifications are required: the course is designed to be accessible to anyone working (or intending to work) in product development or project management contexts and wants to adopt Scrum professionally.
However, a basic familiarity with project/product management concepts and prior reading of the Scrum Guide is recommended to gain the most benefit from the interactive sessions.
