Scrum Training today is available in many different flavors and formats around the world.
People are always debating the values of “certification” and this will be an endless discussion. While everyone is having these discussions (yawn to me), I continue to travel the world training people on Scrum. And other agile techniques. I also *use* this stuff daily to run my company (more on this in another posting) and coach individuals to help us both keep improving our skills.
Welcome back to the ImplementingScrum site. If this is your first time here, take a peek around. There is a TON of information here. This site has been around for almost five years now, and while some of the ways I implement techniques today are different (they keep improving) the comic strips here usually start some good conversations.
So I selected one of the most popular and un-politically-correct comic strips from a posting I published a LONG time ago (take a look at it here — cute, and wow that was so long ago in this internet age we live in today). I have mostly been using things like Twitter and FaceBook (and others) to get information out — but also realize this channel of communicating with people (via the blog) is important… so it is [again] restarting with more postings of my [possible rants] in the future!
And. I titled this blog posting pretty provocatively.
I know the combination of un-politically-correct and provocative will help open conversations. Who knows what kind of conversations, but hey that is up to you!
THAT is the important thing with this blog. People either love it or hate it, but talk about it.
So… Let’s bring that to the topic of “Certified Scrum Training – Debunking the Bullshit.”
This should be fun, huh? I figure if you are still with me than you are wondering why this is important.
I am a Certified Scrum Trainer and that is a trademarked name from the Scrum Alliance, the body that certifies people who have taken my class as Certified ScrumMasters.
It does not certify competency. It cannot. OK… Like it or leave it, that’s an established fact (that people will debate!).
It does certify people who have taken the workshop have paid their money, the Certified Scrum Trainer has paid the Scrum Alliance a $50.00 fee so that they can take the assessment and become members (all Certified Scrum Trainers must do that). And you can do a lot more with the Scrum Alliance — and should. Here is some good background information from the Scrum Alliance FAQ that tells you how to move forward with them after you are a Certified ScrumMaster.
There are still a limited number of Certified Scrum Trainers in the world. The market is showing that there is still a pretty strong demand for this type of Certification. Why is there a demand? People want it (possibly not the people taking the workshop — could be their bosses or organizations are forcing them to attend or organizations want to send one person expecting that the newly Certified ScrumMaster can train the rest of the organization). All of those statements are up for debate, and will always be debated.
Fine.
Move on with the debate.
So if it is so controversial, why do I do it?
I LOVE teaching this workshop. I have fun. I learn. Every time. Every place.
Here is a current description of what it is like to take the workshop with me… www.michaelvizdos.com/experiential-csm.
It has evolved (and will continue after each workshop, as no one is ever the same).
People who have taken the Certified ScrumMaster Training Workshop with me are usually satisfied. I know I cannot solve problems for all of the attendees — that is not the purpose.
The purpose of the Certified ScrumMaster Training Workshop that people attend with me today (and remember it continues to evolve) is to learn about Scrum in an experiential way. They should be able to answer questions about Scrum on their own by the end of the two days — using the framework and experiences from attending.
People who attend my Certified ScrumMaster Training Workshop receive a lot of value — because it is an environment where people can learn (from me and mostly the other attendees). My training is different than any other Certified Scrum Trainer. It should be (other organizations disagree and that is OK).
I also tell every attendee that this will not make them experts at being a ScrumMaster, Product Owner, or Team Member.
In fact, I now understand that each individual will walk out at the end of the two days latching onto only one or two things that we discussed AND that fits into their current world paradigm (it used to bug me, now it does not).
Wow.
Two days… and only one or two key things (that was said and they heard what they wanted to hear).
Is this cutting through the bullshit of debates and bla bla bla out there about Scrum Certification?
I am sure there is SO much more that can (and will be) said on this topic. Like I said up front, this is a provocative and controversial topic.
And the purpose of this blog over the years has evolved into learning about how to have tough conversations about Software Development.
Yes… Scrum can be used outside of Software Development (another topic for later again!!) but here’s the thing…
Talk about this stuff all you want.
Get out there and practice it.
Thank you!
Looking forward to hearing comments, suggestions, and ideas on here, in FaceBook, GooglePlus, or however else you want.
Talk.
But do.
Go….
Hi,
Many people continue to ask me, “What does it take to become a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer)?”
I have been a CST for many years now and have had the incredible opportunity to travel the world, meet awesome new people, and help train (and mentor) new people in the possibilities of what Scrum can deliver for teams.
For the past few months, the Scrum Alliance has been looking for input on a new CST process. I have included input early on (both in person at some face-to-face meetings and via some of the discussion groups).
The decision of the new CST process will be completed by the Board of Directors of the Scrum Alliance, the non-profit organization that certifies people as Scrum Masters in a variety of programs — including the creation of new Certified Scrum Trainers.
The note below was sent to the various lists of people who have been coming up with many competing ideas for what the “new” CST process should look like.
This is no way reflects any point of view other than my own, and I wanted to put some transparency on this topic out to the Scrum community because there are some good observations we can all take and move forward with as our community continues to grow.
Comments are welcome, as usual. Please tweet about this and send it to your friends and enemies who may be interested in what is happening within this community.
I have no inside information about “what” will happen. I am not involved in the decision process.
I *will* support whatever decision comes from the Board of Directors at the Scrum Alliance.
Here is the e-mail I sent (it is a bit long!) to the current CSTs and some of the lists of teams that are creating competing processes….
========
Please note: I have cross posted this note to a few groups discussing
the new CST process… this is a long posting and I am mainly doing it
to get some thoughts out of my head. I am not asking you to agree or
disagree (smile)].
Hi all,
I’d like to just pipe in for a few moments to express some reasons for
me being relatively silent to the various “camps” coming up with new
ideas for a CST process. I’ll relate this (good or bad) using the
framework I and others teach about facilitating great retrospectives.
[tangent on]
I have the courage to state this because I think many others who have
been silent on this topic may feel the same way (based on feedback
over the years of being with this group).
Being an introvert (as many people are in this community [we found out
recently by meeting face-to-face in Orlando]), I work very hard — by
example — to try and show others how we must step out of our comfort
zones to get better (and in the case of Orlando, I thank Jean for
stepping in and help us all keep it a positive and successful event as
Jim had to bow out at the last minute for personal life reasons!). I
highly recommend someone else step out of their comfort zone and
facilitate the next meeting face-to-face.
[tangent off]
I am a current CST and have been for a while. As many people know, I
am extremely passionate about this topic and love teaching others the
possible benefits for them in their organizations. Over the years of
doing this (both coaching and training teams internationally), I have
personally mentored and been mentored by many of the people both
within and outside of the CST group. I am continually humbled by the
incredible experiences and passion of the people in this group and
amazed at how we *somehow* continually move forward.
When the stage was set for this new introduction of a CST process, I
understood the message from Tobias of the basic rules of this and we
were able to all have input, with a decision to be made by the Board
of Directors on March 28.
Then, I watched as we started gathering data. In this phase, I
observed that the various groups got into the serious phases of trying
to setup norms for the goal and then rapidly enter into the storming
phase.
When people are not involved in this storming phase face-to-face, our
non-verbal communications (90% +) are *lost* in just pure emails. The
groups continually went back to forming and into storming as new
people came into the different and various conversations. Some new
ideas came out of meeting face-to-face in both Orlando and other
places.
Many insights were being generated.
Then, various ideas and sub-teams split off so people could get out of
both the forming and storming phases into the norming phase. This is
now where a lot of the sub-teams are in today. Feedback within each
of these teams now has been much different as I watch from the outside
as an observer. There are at least four proposals for the Board of
Directors to decide upon.
We are coming soon to the point where the Board of Directors will have
to complete the next phase — deciding what to do. This is an
incredibly important decision for both current and future CSTs.
A decision WILL be made. It has to be done. It is part of the
process that must be DONE in order to move forward.
When the decision is made, we will close the decision process.
Then.
As a group, we will then go back to the forming stages and figure out
how to inspect and adapt this updated CST process.
It will change over time as we attempt to implement it. It will not
be perfect. It never is.
And this is OK.
As we scale the CST group even more, we will actually see this pattern
continue. I say this because this has been a problem facing CSTs
since the “early days” when we were a very small group. Now, all the
issues continue to be required to scale. And this will continue.
I have personally made the decision to stay [relatively] quiet
throughout this process because of a statement I interpreted early on
as being, “Shut up.”
So, I did.
Why?
I understood that the process I described above would eventually
unfold. It was a personal decision on my part, and I applaud all the
people who have been involved on the various proposals. Thank you all
for doing that.
And.
As of March 28th, a decision will be made.
I have personally decided to work with and embrace any changes that
will be required as we move forward — even if I do not agree with it
100% (as with the many contracts I have had to sign with the Scrum
Alliance in the past as a CST). I know it will not be something that
I reject 100% (and if for some reason it is, I will decide to leave
and do something else — remember, we all have a choice to do this or
go and do something else).
As a group, we need to move forward and perform on our ideas.
It will not be easy.
I hope others will join me, and encourage you to do this. If you
decide not to embrace the continual changes, leave. Really. Maybe
start something competitive (as we have seen some key founders of the
Scrum Alliance do in the past). It is OK!
This is the only way we will be able to move forward and inspect and adapt.
Let’s see what happens. Let’s also keep doing what we have committed
to do as CSTs — keep doing the best we can as the professionals we
are.
And.
Keep learning with the people who are willing to do this with us. We
all have a choice to do this.
I hope this expresses some of the reasons I have been [relatively]
silent during this process, and some of the observations I have made
[correctly or incorrectly, I accept that responsibility].
It is not that I do not care.
I am extremely passionate about what I do and will continue to learn
how to get better with each new person I work with around the world.
Thanks for reading this long thought process.
- mike vizdos
Hey all.
First, let me apologize for not getting the latest comic strip to you.
As I write this, I am reflecting on the past week (plus) where I traveled to London, did a free talk as soon as I landed, facilitated my first [awesome] CSM class in London, hopped back on a plane to the USA, spent the morning with my youngest kid, drove three hours south to Raleigh, NC, and have spent the past two days teaching one of the most advanced public class I have done in a while — and thank all the participants here for helping me up my own game.
And now.
I am cooked.
I am actually holding back driving to Richmond tonight so I do not wind up on the side of the road. Or rather, in a ditch somewhere.
So.
Cartoon.
Coming soon.
I’ll probably be “off the grid” for the next few days (see my facebook and twitter status – link to me via the sidebar on the right of the site) for blogging.
On Sunday I am headed to Boise, Idaho for an incredible group on Monday and Tuesday, then am heading over to Phoenix on Wednesday, where I teach Thursday and Friday. (www.michaelvizdos.com/enroll). It sounds like user group meetings will happen in each place I am.
So.
I am trying to keep the “balance” on in life (whatever that is), and accept responsibility for not “being there” for all you, constant readers.
I hope there is a lesson in it for all of us 
.
Keep pluggin’ along where you are.
You are making a difference!
- mike
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com
Hi all,
[warning -- a little bit long -- over 802.13453223 words -- sorry]
This week has been instrumental in helping me get some great clarity of where I am taking the site in the future. Some people I know missed my original posting earlier this week — so if you did not read them go back a few posting to see what has lead to this posting tonight!
I am headed out this weekend (a camping trip with my two boys) and will return on Monday afternoon.
And.
I have no travel plans for next week.
So here is the Product Backlog for the site (prioritized, not estimated yet) — we’ll see what makes it to the Sprint Backlog for next week.
1) Cartoons – Publish one translated (of the original chicken and pig) along with a new one (this is actually on Sprints!). We have three more comic strips in the pipeline for release on the blog in the future.
2) Job Board – The infrastructure is setup. Now we need about 3-5 people to help bring it to fruition. I need to schedule a call or start an email thread with those who are interested in helping me on this project. If you are, please contact me and you’ll hear from me early next week.
3) Training Material – The infrastructure is setup. I need to publish the rollout plan for making this happen and start implementing it next week by people signing up for a new list. The goal will be to get people enough information on an on-going basis that they can then take it back to their locations and deliver it with ease. Options will include FREE, a subscription to talk to the trainers who are developing this (and recorded web-casts), and of course on-site paid consultation with me and other trainers to help you jump-start the tailoring process and we will work with you hand-in-hand to develop and even co-teach the class with you. The free information will be just as good as the other available options… I promise that! I’ll need you to keep me honest on that!
4) Remember that “Scrum on a Page” that I asked for comments on a few months ago. Wow. I had so much information to synthesize that I am now ready to meet with Tony and have him do a “Implementing Scrum” overhaul on it to match the site. This will become the cornerstone of the site and will be used in multiple ways. I am super-excited about this! And. It will not be perfect; however, just like the theme of our site, we need to have something to start those tough conversations. I think this will hit that mark!
5) Build a small affiliate program. As many of you know, I travel a LOT around the world. One of the ways this is possible is by making sure I can sell seats into the workshops (or create billable consulting hours). If you are interested in becoming an affiliate for selling seats into my classes — or even consulting engagements — this is the time for you to contact me and let me know your interest. The model rocks, and will be rolled out soon too.
6) I am in need of a developer to help me take an XML file and run it through some sort of converter so that I do not have to manually create the page www.michaelvizdos.com/enroll. I have access to the XML file and I’d like the output to look similar to what is out there today. This is something that just irks me because the data is available and without automation we have dual work to do (bad thing!).
7) I need to port the site www.michaelvizdos.com to a wordpress site. The infrastructure is setup. Just time is needed to actually do it. Fun stuff. But… I need to keep driving revenue from that site and keeping the implementingscrum.com site as free from advertisers as possible (I hope you enjoy that it REALLY does not have any advertising except for some things about me.
I need a few people who can commit to checking the forum a few days per week and making sure that spam does not get interjected. I have been really bad at checking this on a regular basis and know the forum is an important place for REAL people using Scrum to exchange information. Interested? Please let me know. I’d appreciate it.
So, this is the PRODUCT backlog of what I have going on just for the site. This is in addition to all the traveling I am currently doing and plan on doing in the future.
Have a great weekend!
If you have any input on the priority of things listed above, please comment about it here and I will listen to all my stakeholders (you) [smile].
Thank you, again, for everything you do.
- mike vizdos
This is an explosive new post where I (Michael Vizdos) in conjunction with some other Certified Scrum Trainers – will RELEASE ALL our material into public domain (under creative commons) so that anyone can use what we have developed over the years.
Is this selfish of us doing this?
We will promise that you will not be able to “certify” new Scrum Masters (from the point of view of the Scrum Alliance, a non-profit organization).
Does this matter?
If you *would* like “Certified” trainers to come in and help with your training roll-outs — we are available to do that. In the end, we have realized that there is more of a need to get people exposed to the Certified Scrum Training materials that a few of us have been selling (the training services of) for many years.
Here is the plan.
Try to use this information in your organization.
If you need help, contact one of us who have basically open-sourced our full two-day CSM class.
Fair?
Inspect and Adapt.
Let’s see where it leads.
Ready?
Contact us for more information on how to get this information. Now!
Also.
Contact us with your success stories!
Thanks for believing in this.
Let’s see where it goes!
- Mike Vizdos (mvizdos@gmail.com)
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