Let’s face it, you’re really busy. So, the idea of taking time out of your crazy work day to get a certification may make you ponder, “Is this really worth it? Will it help me do my job better?” If this is what comes to your mind about becoming a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), don’t feel bad. Critically walking through the “why should I do this?” argument is time well spent. So is getting your ScrumMaster Certification. Here are some important reasons why.
1. You’ll get your work done better. Period.
Scrum enables Teams to perform at a higher level. (We’ve written an entire white paper on this subject.) Becoming a CSM means you and your Team will approach work differently. And, without getting into the nitty gritty of it (that’s what CSM training is for), this approach ensures dramatic improvements in:
- Productivity
- Return on Investment
- Delivery of Releasable Software
- Reductions in Product Failure
2. You’ll make more money.
Successful completion of a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) class accrues Contact Hours or Professional Development Units (PDU’s) and is a recommended method to acquire or maintain the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP)® ScrumMaster Certification also helps you achieve or maintain your PMI- Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) credential. PMI-ACP recognizes a proven command of Agile principles, practices, tools and techniques, such as Scrum. According to the PMI Project Management Salary Survey – Tenth Edition[1], PMI certifications positively impact your marketability, leverage your credibility, and garner a higher salary. Plus, recent surveys show that CSMs earn a salary[2] compatible with Lead Developers.[3] This is welcome news, as it wasn’t always the case. Need we say more?
3. Your boss says so.
We know this isn’t your favorite reason. But, it’s a real reason. And, we bet there’s some smart thinking behind why your boss wants you to get your ScrumMaster Certification. Maybe your boss has his or her certification or is a Business Owner[4] or a Stakeholder[5] or a whole bunch of other Scrum roles that come with responsibilities that impact your job and would make a lot more sense to you if you were certified. (Meaning, you’d do your job better, which is what you wanted in the first place.) Or maybe your Team has some projects on the horizon where the contract requires ScrumMaster Certification. Or maybe your boss sees you as the type of inspirational Team Member that can help shape your Team’s performance through Scrum. Regardless of why your boss says so, run with it. Because we know you’ll reap the rewards.
Heard enough? Ready to become a Certified ScrumMaster?
We’ve got training for that.
As Always, Stay Agile.
Notes and Sources
1 “Earning Power Project Management Salary Survey 10th Edition.” Earning Power Project Management Salary Survey 10th Edition. January 22, 2018. Accessed February 12, 2018. http://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/salary-survey-10th-edition.pdf?la=en.
2 Certified Scrummaster (CSM) Salary. Accessed February 20, 2018. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Scrummaster_(CSM)/Salary.
3 Lead Web Developer Salary. Accessed February 20, 2018. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Lead_Web_Developer/Salary.
4,5 “Stakeholder,” “Business Owner.” Accessed February 12, 2018. https://scrumdictionary.com.