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Welcome back to another week at www.implementingscrum.com.This week we are looking at a topic that comes up quite often in the real world.Much like everything on this blog (smile).Last week I was in Minneapolis teaching a bunch of new Certified ScrumMasters (hi to all you new ones!) and this week I am in Philadelphia and then Arizona (then… pretty much hanging home for the rest of the year with a few days here and there with clients). I need to remember to keep having a life (or at least try!).

One of the topics I see a lot (in fact, after Tony sent me the comic over the weekend, I saw a similar question on one of the yahoo groups) is, “What is the value of a Certified ScrumMaster?” I have written about the topic here (wow this is the most popular comic strip on the site!) and a summary of others here (and talked about it in person all around the world).

This is not just a question I see in the USA. This is worldwide.

Remember this!

And.

The other question I see coming from this is, “Do I need to hire a Certified ScrumMaster help me?”

This week the comic depicts what a lot of Chickens struggle with.

And Pigs.

And even newly Certified ScrumMasters.

Really.

And it is OK.

But. And you knew a “but” would be coming….

I want you to help me get the word out to the various people looking to hire a Certified ScrumMaster that it is not as easy as “just” placing an ad on one of the online job boards and hoping you will come up with the right person.

Huh?

Just to remind myself that I am not totally insane (just a little, as people who know me can attest), I went out looking on some of the more popular job boards and did a search on a few keywords — like “Certified ScrumMaster” and “Scrum” and for kicks I did a combination of “PMP (or PMI) and Scrum” in various combinations.

Ug.

It is scary what is out there today.

As I was reminded last week during a CSM Workshop I was teaching, I should not keep promoting the “divide” between traditional waterfall method Project Managers and Certified ScrumMaster roles.

It got me thinking.

Wow. I do this. And it is not a good thing.

So. I will try — and this will be hard for me (and think about it… possibly anyone in the agile community) to compare “traditional project managers” with “Certified ScrumMaster” roles.

It is easy to do.

Should we keep doing it?

No. As it was pointed out to me, this keeps the two “camps” separate on a lot of occasions.

Wow.

OK.

So.

Read the comic strip above.

Are you — and your HR or purchasing people (for contractors) doing the same thing today?

The sad thing is this instance is not made up (it is a mixture of various ad postings we see today).

Next week, I will dive a little deeper into the process of interviewing people for the ScrumMaster position.

And why this Certification is of value. Really… there is value in having it!
This week, while I am teaching and working with clients, I will make sure I stop making the distinction between “traditional project managers” and “Certified ScrumMaster” roles.

Can I do it?

How about this.

I will try.

And. I will ask for feedback during the workshops (and please send it to me!).

And.

Next week I will report on my progress AND tell you about various interviewing techniques for hiring a Certified ScrumMaster.

It may be a few more comics before we are “done” with this topic.

It has a lot to be examined.

Where are you with doing this today?

Gotta run….Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

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