What's Next After CSM? Advanced Scrum Certifications

Topic Scope: This guide will review certifications developed after CSM and the various pathways available to CSM holders. This will include advanced Scrum certifications, various SAFe certifications, Agile coaching, and broader project certifications, including PMP. Determine what certifications suit your set career aims, anticipated salary, expenses involved and the duration for the preparation.

You've achieved the CSM certification. That's wonderful! But now comes the next question: what now? With the numerous Scrum Masters I have trained, I have guided them in making exactly this decision, and I know the challenges.

The next certification you undertake should, unfortunately, be your professional aspirations, the organizational context in which you find yourself, and your current standing. There are coaching and facilitation tracks, and there are pathways toward managing programs at the enterprise level. Allow me to take you through every option available.

Your CSM certification taught you the foundations of Scrum. You know about sprints, daily standup sessions, retrospectives, and the servant-leader role the Scrum Master plays. You are able to conduct basic Scrum ceremonies and assist your team in resolving their challenges, which are fundamental Scrum Master roles and responsibilities.

It should be noted, though, that CSM is the bare minimum in certification level. It does provide a basic understanding of the concepts. However, at most organisations, you will find a Scrum Master with multiple certificates to show for it, and that level depicts a more complex set of organizational challenges, along with large-scale Agile adoptions and implementations. Scrum Masters are more and more expected to hold multiple credentials in today's global workforce.

Absolutely regard CSM as your bachelor's degree equivalent in Scrum. Advanced certifications are akin to master's degrees and their specialization. Organizations employing Agile at scales need Scrum Masters who understand frameworks and are above basic Scrum.

Progressing in Agile is predicated on continual learning. Additional certifications have value, as illustrated below.

Pay increases tend to be disproportionate. Scrum Masters with more qualifications are guaranteed to earn 20-35% more than those with CSM alone. Advanced CSM holders in the US earn an average of $118,000, whereas basic CSM holders earn $106,000 on average, demonstrating significant CSM salary growth potential with additional credentials.

The market has more to offer. Enterprise organisations using SAFe, for instance, specifically look for Scrum Masters with SAFe certifications. Agile coaching positions require coaching credentials in addition to CSM, reflecting strong Scrum Master job demand for specialized skills.

It is easier to compete in the market. With thousands of CSM holders with little experience, advanced certifications are guaranteed to further your chances of employment. Employers set apart serious practitioners from those who completed a two-day course ages ago.

This section will summarise your available options:

A-CSM: Advanced Certified Scrum Master

Most holders of CSM would consider A-CSM their next core step, and this certification from the Scrum Alliance is focused on gaining more facilitation and coaching mastery about Scrum, already at an advanced level.

What you will learn from A-CSM:

• Advanced techniques in the facilitation of difficult situations
• Coaching at the individual and the team level
• Greater understanding of the values and principles of Scrum
• Organisational impediment removal techniques
• Improved capabilities in conflict resolution
• Fundamentals of a Professional Coaching Stance

You will need a minimum of one year as a Scrum Master in order to get access to A-CSM. The two-day course costs $1,000 to $1,500 and has to be renewed every two years. A-CSM allows you to apply for Senior Scrum Master roles, and equally prepares you for the CSP-SM, the highest level of certification by the Scrum Alliance.

CSP-SM: Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster

CSP-SM is the highest level you can reach in the Scrum Alliance as a Scrum Master. This certification signifies a deep level of understanding and serious dedication to the role and the craft.

In order to obtain CSP-SM, you need to have A-CSM, a minimum of two years of experience as a Scrum Master, and 70 Scrum Education Units (SEUs). As a holder of CSP-SM, you will be recognised as an expert practitioner, which can greatly augment your reputation in coaching numerous teams or in Agile leadership roles.

Leading SAFe: SAFe Agilist Certification

If your company practices the Scaled Agile Framework or you want to work in large organizations, then Leading SAFe is a must-have. This certification provides an introduction to the principles, practices, and approaches to implementing SAFe.

Through Program Increment (PI) planning, business agility and Lean-Agile leadership and team integration have been succinctly captured and divided cohesively in Leading SAFe. The offering as a complete package, including the SAFe Agilist (SA) certification exam, has a cost of $995-$1495 for a duration of two days. Renewing your subscription comes at the cost of Professional Development Units (PDUs) per year.

Leading SAFe fits best for people who are:

• Part of organizations that have at least 50 people in the development team.
• Want to grasp the understanding of coordination across many teams.
• Aspire to work as a Release Train Engineer.
• Strategy to bring SAFe to your organization.
• Work as consultants in enterprise Agile.

Understanding CSM vs SSM helps clarify how SAFe Scrum Masters differ from traditional Scrum Masters in scaled environments.

SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)

SASM deals with the role of Scrum Master, who works within SAFe structures the most. It focuses on team and program level facilitation, coaching Agile Release Trains, helping with PI planning, and the application of Kanban at scale.

SASM has a course fee that varies between $1,200-$1,800 for a two-day duration. The CSM certification is not a requirement, but in conjunction with Leading SAFe, it would provide the most value to your certification. Many people regard SASM as the SAFe version of A-CSM for environments that have been scaled.

ICP-ACC: ICAgile Certified Agile Coach

If you are looking to move from team-level Scrum Master to organizational Agile Coach, ICP-ACC is meant for you. It is the first step to acquiring the strong coaching foundation needed for the role, focusing on the master's in leadership coaching, and understanding Agile Coach vs Scrum Master distinctions helps professionals evaluate this career transition.

The three-day course covers coaching stance, active listening, powerful questioning, and coaching agreements. It also includes an ease in overcoming the barriers in differentiating coaching from mentoring, teaching, and facilitating. ICP-ACC is priced $1,500-$2,500 and never expires.

Preparatory activities advantage ICP-ACC:

• Positions as an Agile Coach,
• Team and individual coaching engagements,
• Leadership in organisational transformation,
• Consulting roles that need coaching competencies,
• Advanced certifications, such as Certified Enterprise Coach.

A typical path some Agile Coaches take is: CSM → A-CSM → ICP-ACC → Certified Team Coach, demonstrating how agile teams benefit from a Scrum Master who evolves into a coaching role.

CSPO: Certified Scrum Product Owner

There is a great deal of advantageous synergy from earning the CSPO together with your CSM. Mastering both sides of the partnership markedly increases your effectiveness in either role.

CSPO training includes product backlogs, stakeholders, value, and releases. In addition, the training will teach you techniques on how to deal with the challenges and pressure that a Product Owner faces, clarifying Scrum Master vs Product Owner responsibilities.

The CSPO is a two-day course that is highly priced at $1,000-$1,500 and has many prerequisites. Many organizations value candidates who have both CSM and CSPO certifications due to their versatility in hybrid roles or in small team contexts. Possessing both certifications strategically helps in career movement between the roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner, and comparing CSM vs CSPO helps professionals understand the complementary value of both credentials.

CSM prides itself on the variety of frameworks that aid in product development. While that is true for most organizations, they tend to hybridise the Agile framework with traditional frameworks.

PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the latest feather in your cap that keeps you relevant in this day and age. Most of the time, fulfilling the CSM expectations is enough experience for you. It is important to note that you are now free to pursue any type of management program you desire, specifically with project, portfolio, or even PMO management, and understanding CSM vs PMP helps professionals leverage both certifications strategically.

Pass CSM to earn the CSD, and you open up a world of possibilities. Acquired with the CSM, CSD is your ticket to the government, and any constrained field, for that matter. Combined with CSM, CSD offers a healthier portfolio, especially for PMP is much in demand.

Organizational professionals are now equipped with PMP in addition to CSM, which offers a complete understanding of Agile and the traditional methods as well. With the CSD earned, you are qualified to pursue your CSM experience, as that will now count as fulfilling the requirements of PMP. You no longer have to bear the hassle of 35 months in project leading with a CSD, for example, and an even better 60 months without one, as your CSD will count as the 35 months requirement under the bridge with the CSD.

Techademy boasts of a thorough and complete PMP certification course to prepare you for the challenging PMP exam with integrated practice tests. After that, they promise to keep you under guidance until you pass the exam.

The PMP certification costs $555 for non-PMI members or $405 for PMI members. The certification can be renewed every 3 years by earning 60 PDUs.

A decision must be made based on multiple factors working in conjunction.

Consider the position you are in currently and the company you work for. For instance, if you work in a SAFe environment, a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master or a Leading SAFe certification would be very helpful. Companies that strictly practice Scrum would gain more value from an A-CSM. Organisations that conduct hybrid project management would prioritize a PMP certification, and utilising the best Scrum tools enhances your effectiveness in any environment.

Identify your career objectives. Do you wish to coach an entire organization? Then you should pursue an ICP-ACC. Do you wish to manage multiple projects? Then a PMP certification would be beneficial.

Consider the time and budget you have available. The A-CSM certification costs between $1000 and $1500 and takes 2 days. A PMP certification takes a couple of months to prepare, and professionals can access comprehensive CSM online programs for flexible learning.

Explore the local market for available positions. Search for job offers in your region for Scrum Master, Agile Coach, and program management roles, and find out which certifications are included in most job ads.

Path 1: Agile Coaching Career

CSM → A-CSM (1-2 years) → ICP-ACC (2-3 years) → CSP-SM (4-5 years)

This path aims to develop advanced coaching and facilitation skills for strategic Agile Coach positions.

Path 2: Enterprise SAFe Specialist

CSM → Leading SAFe (6-12 months) → SASM (1-2 years) → RTE Certification (3-4 years)

Use this path if you operate in bigger corporations that use SAFe or wish to provide enterprise-grade consultancy.

Path 3: Maximum Market Value

CSM → A-CSM (1-2 years) → PMP (2-3 years) → ICP-ACC (3-4 years)

This combination opens up the widest career opportunities spanning positions of a Scrum Master, a program manager, and an Agile Coach.

Salary refers to earning capacity, and different types of earning certifications greatly determine its range.

The figures stated above are averages and therefore can vary.

Avoid jumping right into your next certification soon after completing your CSM. Instead, spend 6-12 months executing the learned material.

Carefully assess your options and select one that aligns with both the needs of your organization as well as your own career path. If that proves too difficult, most Scrum Masters find value in the A-CSM option. However, for the greatest career flexibility and earning potential, the combination of CSM and PMP is an attractive option.

Always remember that, while certifications will help you realize your professional potential, putting that potential to use is cultivated through your experience, ongoing education, and sincere dedication to fostering team performance. Professionals can enhance their journey by enrolling in a structured Certified Scrum Master training course that provides comprehensive preparation.