How to Prepare For Scrum Master Certified (SMC) Exam

Preparation Guide for Scrum Master Certified (SMC) Exam

Introduction

SCRUMstudy is the national Scrum and Agile certification accreditation body. SCRUMstudy provides education, training, resources and certifications to practitioners of Scrum and agile. Authorized Training Providers (A.T.P.s), being the biggest collaborator network of SCRUMstudy, provides a platform to deliver trainings and certifications.

According to SCRUMstudy, Scrum Master Certified (SMC) professionals are facilitators who ensure that the Scrum Team has an atmosphere conducive to successful completion of the project. The Scrum Master acts as guide, facilitator, and teaches Scrum activities to all participants in the project; eliminates challenges for the team; and, ensures the follow-up of Scrum processes.

The Scrum Master Certified (SMC) certification has the aim to verify that the applicants have acquired the requisite knowledge of SCRUM application in SCRUM adaptation projects to a particular scenario. Candidates, with powerful agile practices learned, will be acknowledged as part of an elite group of professionals from Scrum who provide experience well beyond what a traditional project manager might contribute.

This guide provides a detailed overview of the Scrum Master Certified (SMC) certification including all sorts of prerequisites for the exam, the exam format, topics covered, exam difficulty and preparation methods, and the target audience profile.

Topics of Scrum Master Certified (SMC) Exam

The following topics are part of the Scrum Master Certified (SMC) Exam that a candidate must have a firm grip on, to pass the exam:

1. Agile Overview

Developing self-organizing and cross-functional teams to discover requirements and develop solutions. Valuing individuals and interaction, customer collaboration, accomodating changes over time and focus on working software rather than comprehensive documentation. Using agile methods like Scrum and Kanban to manage focus on workflow. Differentiating between Agile and traditional waterfall methodology.

This section constitutes of the following subtopics:

• Comparison of Agile and Traditional methodology
• Interdependence Declaration
• Methods of Agile
• The Manifesto of the Agile
• The Importance and boost of Agile
• Agile Manifesto Principles

2. Scrum Overview

Developing an agile framework to break the task in timeboxed iterations (sprints). Encourage teams to learn through interactions, to coordinate themselves when working on an issue, and to focus on wins and losses to constantly improve. Overview of a series of discussions, methods, and roles that work together to help teams coordinate and handle their work.

This section constitutes of the following subtopics:

• Characteristics of Scrum
• Processes of Scrum
• Principles of Scrum
• Advantages of Scrum

3. Scrum Roles

Learning clearly defined roles of individuals in Scrum to improve efficiency. Scrum roles define the main responsibilities for those on the team. Roles in Scrum aren't job titles. Empiricism, self-organization, and constant development are the core of Scrum. The Scrum roles, therefore, include a minimum description of responsibilities and accountability to encourage teams to conduct work effectively. Scrum Roles can be divided into two main categories; Core and Non-core. The core roles are further divided and described below:

• Product Owner
• Scrum Team
• Scrum Master

4. Phases of Scrum Project

Learning the main processes and phases involved in Scrum. These phases can be divided into 3 main groups namely pregame, game and postgame. The phases are listed below:

• Review
• Retrospect
• Initiation
• Implementation
• Estimation and Planning
• Release

5. Scaling Scrum

Scaling is becoming more effective as you grow. This refers to connecting several teams to deliver complex solutions that need proper coordinated working. The larger the size of a team, the greater the contact lines between team members, making it more difficult to establish trust and a shared goal. Scaling scrum will, therefore, help to establish personal relationships and maintain desired results. Scaling scrum comprises of the following contents:

• Transition to Scrum
• Maintaining Traditional Roles to Scrum
• Significance of Executive Support
• Use of Scrum in Portfolios and Programs
• Mapping to Scrum from Traditional Roles
• Maintaining Stakeholder Engagement
• Scrum of Scrums (SoS) Meeting
• Scrum Scalability

6. Mock Product Development

Develop mock product using the skills learned to practice agile development

7. Case Studies

Using simulated case studies to gain experience in carrying out a Scrum project

Scrum SMC Exam Syllabus Topics:

Reference: https://www.scrumstudy.com/certification/scrum-master-certification