Becoming a Professional Scrum Master proves to an employer that you can apply Scrum principles within an organisation. This means doing more than your usual project manager. Due to the edge the certification can give you, according to itjobswatch.co.uk, the average salary for a Professional Scrum Master is £50,000 – at least £5,000 more than without the cert.
This means the Professional Scrum Master certification is not easy to pass. On top of this, the sheer amount of books written about Scrum means wading through resources can be difficult. If you’re looking for the best revision resources and ways to get more familiar with the processes and ideas used, don’t waste time searching around. Below are the best books to help you learn the skills you need.
1. Agile Certification Study Guide: Practice Questions for the PMI-ACP exam and the Scrum Master Certification PSM I exam: Volume 5 (Part of the Agile Education Series) by Dan Tousignant
ISBN: 978-0984876785
The most up to date revision guide on the market. Volume 5 of the series contains 50 new questions that outline the new exam content. The best book out there specifically designed to help you study for the exam.
Includes:
- A total of 370 practice questions to help prepare you for Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master assessment (PSM 1) exam
- A complete Scrum and Agile glossary
- A wide list of web resources for you to refer to whilst you study
How good is it?
Tousignant has 20+ years of business management experience, managing software and web development projects. Combine that with the wide range of questions, it covers all aspects of the exam and is sure to be a great help to your revision.
2. Scrum Mastery: From Good To Great Servant-Leadership by Geoff Watts
ISBN: 978-0957587403
Written by one of the most respected and experienced Scrum coaches in the world, it breaks down the components of Scrum and states how you can become a better Scrum Master in a straightforward manner. A quick read that will give you tips on how to improve personally.
Includes:
- Practical examples, helpful stories and cautionary tales from someone who has years of industry experience of Scrum
- How to go beyond being the average Scrum Master
- Ways to continually improve the actions of you and your team
How good is it?
All 14 reviews on Amazon gave it 5 out of 5 stars and many in the industry use it as a handbook for daily guidance. A trustworthy resource for tips and tricks.
3. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland
ISBN: 978-0385346450
Written one of the inventors of the Scrum software development process, he explains why the world needs Scrum to become more efficient. Discussing the relevance and values of Scrum in today’s world, amongst other things, the book will allow you to see why Scrum is used and gives you a unique insight, which you may not have considered before.
Includes:
- Insight into the idea of constant improvement
- Explanations of how Scrum can help you achieve things others consider to be impossible
- Various rules and initiatives to follow so you can understand the basic underlying principles of Scrum
How good is it?
It averages 4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon (152 reviews), and is a succinct book to help you become more productive. A good read, but lacks explicit revision material and is better used to your improve overall understanding.
4. The Professional Scrum Master's Handbook (Professional Expertise Distilled)
ISBN: 978-1849688024
Viscardi’s guide is jargon-free and relaxed, helping you to easily grasp what it takes to become a better Scrum Master. It also clearly outlines how the role of a Scrum Master differs from that of a project manager.
It looks at defining what a true obstacle is and the best ways to overcome them using Scrum. Plus, it covers the mental side of Scrum and establishing trust between you and your team members.
As well as this, it covers fundamental issues with such depth, that it is a great revision guide when combined with practice questions.
Includes:
- Questions and exercises to get you thinking like a Scrum Master
- How to create a backlog between you and your team to support continuous improvement
- Creating and transitioning between cultures so your team can deliver results efficiently
How good is it?
It averages 4.8 stars out of 5 on Amazon (12 reviews), many describing it as “indispensable” for anyone serious about Scrum. Because it is comprehensive about the basics as well as offering unique advice and insight, it should be considered a valuable resource, for revision and general study.
5. Scrum and XP from the Trenches (Enterprise Software Development) by Henrik Kniberg
ISBN: 978-1430322641
A unique Scrum book, following how one Swedish company implemented Scrum and continuous improvement over the course of a year.
As you would expect, it’s hugely practical and acts as a starter kit for anyone new to Scrum. Henrik and his team conduct various experiments which allow you to see the impact of different permutations of Scrum in different situations, that are rarely covered in Scrum books.
Includes:
- Practical tips for Scrum and XP (Extreme Programming) practices
- Typical shortcomings and how to address them
- Dealing with internal and external resistance
- Diagrams and photos illustrating day-to-day happenings and situations
How good is it?
Averaging 4.7 stars out of 5 on Amazon (19 reviews), this book resonates well with people because of its personality and unique format. Reading about someone, from start to finish, how Scrum works in a way that seems real-time is much more interesting than a standard textbook. Combined with informative insight, means the book is a stimulating and valuable resource.
Firebrand’s training for Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master certification
If you’re looking to get training for Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master certification, Firebrand offers an accelerated learning course designed to prepare you and get you certified in just two days.
About the Author:
Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق