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Posts Tagged ‘3back’

Changes for the Certified ScrumMaster Examination Process from the Scrum Alliance

News | Posted by liz.weatherhead
Jan 23 2012

Scrum Alliance CSM Examination is changing

In the past, the Certified ScrumMaster examination process has been relatively simple. If you answer all the questions, you are awarded the certification. You could answer every question incorrectly and still pass. That is about to change in April, 2012.

The Scrum Alliance is building credibility into the certification designation by modifying the standard of passing the exam. From April 2012 forward, the CSM’s will have to demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge and proficiency of Scrum/Agile methodologies.

I think this is good news for our industry. It takes our integrity up a level. We can’t imagine all doctors passing their exams simply because they answered questions. That would be crazy. While we are not doctors, we should expect high performance standards from our peers and colleagues who regulate our trade.

All of you who have taken the CSM exam previously, I am sure you answered all the questions brilliantly and contribute highly to your Scrum teams. To all of you who will take the exam after April 1, you know you will have earned your certification. All of us need to continue to move Scrum to the forefront of great development teams and beyond.

Any questions related to these changes should be directed to the Scrum Alliance.

 

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Break the Habit

Agile Pathways, Musing, Well Formed Teams | Posted by liz.weatherhead
Oct 31 2011

Want to ditch your Retrospective?  

Are Product Demos painful and shallow on the feedback?

This is what we hear from our Scrum teams over and over.  The Scrum framework is simple and elegant, but implementation can be complex.

Communication and learning are highly intertwined and as Scrum believers, we are compelled to do both at a high level.  We need to shape questions to drive the learning and to forge a path for the product development.  How can we ever gain robust, vital feedback without engagement of our audience?
  • Don’t abandon the Scrum ceremonies, re-frame them with robust and relevant questions that drive the learning.
  • Build better products by building better teams with awareness of communication patterns.
  • Navigate the pitfalls of stuck perspective by shifting team thinking.
  • Tell stories to illustrate a point or perspective.
Asking questions is risky business.  We have no control over the answer and we may not like the answer.  But as ScrumMasters, Product Owners, and developers, we must be fearless in our quest to drive greatness for our end users.   Here are some question examples to bring life to your next Scrum ceremony.  
Daily Scrum
  • What is frustrating you?
  • What new information has surfaced?
  • What skills do we need to finish the story?
  • What’s your gut reaction to _______?
Product Demo
  • What are your biggest dreams for this product?
  • What are the pros and cons to this product release?
  • We have run into a challenge and are seeking your input to solve it.
  • If we could take one risk with this product it would be_____.  What do you think?
These are solutions that will propel Scrum meeting into a higher level of engagement. Break the habit of the same old, same old Scrum meetings.  Learn to ask significant questions.  See where the questions will take you.

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3Back Launches New Training: 4MAT® for Scrum Teams

News | Posted by The 3Back Team
Aug 09 2011

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

3Back Launches New Training:  4MAT® for Scrum Teams

ScrumMasters and their teams now can detect and maximize learning strengths to improve collaboration and build better client solutions.

Racine, WI August 10, 2011-

Today 3Back, a highly regarded Scrum consulting company, announced the newly developed training course, 4MAT® for Scrum Teams.  This course is the result of numerous requests across North America by ScrumMasters to build more effective teams in the workplace.

This is the first Scrum course designed to tap into the learning intelligence of the team engine.  The course will cover Scrum meeting effectiveness, maximizing creative tension, and how to manage team dynamics.  For a limited time, 3Back is offering a team special discount when your team of 3 or more registers for the course.  This is also an ideal workshop to bring on-site for your entire Scrum team.  The full course description can be viewed at: http://3back.com/scrum/4mat-learning-for-scrum-teams/

3Back has collaborated with 4MAT4Business to develop a team course specifically designed for Scrum environments.  4MAT4Business has worked with companies such as Merck Pharmaceuticals, Boeing, and 3M using the Learning Type Measure® assessment tool to build effective training and communication patterns in diverse and co-located environments.

 

About 3Back                                                                                                                                

3Back-logoFounded in 2004, 3Back is a Scrum management consulting and training company that assists organizations in North America to recognize the power of their teams.  Utilizing all aspects of agile product development, 3Back applies expertise through training, coaching, and consulting to develop pathways for improved proficiencies needed in today’s demanding business marketplace.   The diverse background of the 3Back team brings expertise in the pathways of Scrum, Agile, Lean, and PMBOK to all our engagements.

3Back Links:

Learn More About 3Back

Connect with 3Back on Facebook

Scrum Training Events

 

About 4MAT4Business                                                                                           

4MAT for Business Logo4MAT4Business is a consultancy group that delivers learning and performance solutions to businesses across the nation.  4MAT®, one of the most widely used training design formats in the world, has assisted Fortune 500 companies in improving meeting efficiency, enhancing communication, and building a sense of team.  By creating a common language through a learning assessment tool, 4MAT® is a model for effective communication across the organization resulting in improved team engagement with each other and with clients.  The ability of leaders to coach and nurture teams is sharpened through awareness of learning style preferences and diversity on the team using the 4MAT® model.

4MAT4Business Links:

Learn more about 4MAT4Business

4MAT Facebook

4MAT Event Calendar

###

Additional Information Contact

Brian Glatzel – VP of Marketing, 3Back
brian.glatzel@3back.com

704-621-6446

 

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