CSM or SSM: What Scrum Master Course Do I Choose?

  • Agile and Scrum
  • Scaling Agile
Created on :
May 9, 2022
iZenBridge
Updated on :
June 23, 2023
0 Comments
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Today, many companies are adopting the Agile approach in their organizations, and as a result, the demand for Agile professionals is increasing day by day. In such an era, the Certified Scrum Master® and SAFe® Scrum Master courses are turning out to be excellent courses that are improving the candidates’ professional prospects.

Are you one of those who is confused after seeing Scrum certification options from Scrum Alliance and Scaled Agile? And also wondering which one I should go for. If yes, then you are in the right place. This blog is for you.

Let’s look at the official definitions of these two courses

Certified Scrum Master® (CSM®)

If you’re ready to grow more agile with Scrum, our Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) course is designed for you. You’ll learn the Scrum framework and gain an understanding of team accountabilities, events, and artifacts, as well as how to guide your team to apply Scrum.

Source: https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified/scrum-master-track/certified-scrummaster

CSM Strip banner

SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM)

If you want to become a certified scrum master with the skills to help leading companies succeed with Agile and scrum, the SAFe® Scrum Master course is for you. Learn how scrum masters empower and lead Agile teams. Understand how to facilitate Agile events like iteration planning, team sync, and iteration retrospectives. And discover how to help teams plan and complete their work using SAFe Scrum and SAFe Kanban. You’ll also learn the principles of servant leadership, so you can help develop high-performing, engaged, continuously improving teams in your own organization.

Source: https://scaledagile.com/training/safe-scrum-master/

Who should ‌do CSM®?

  • Individuals who want to start their Agile and Scrum Journey.
  • Professionals who want to get started with Scrum Master Role.
  • Experienced Scrum Master wanted to validate their Scrum Learning.
  • Project Manager who wishes to understand agile ways of working.

Who should do SSM?

  • Individuals who want to understand the role of a Scrum Master at a SAFe enterprise level.
  • An experienced Scrum Master who wants to know what SAFe® Scrum Master is.

CSM V/S SSM

FeaturesCSMSSM
Course NameCertified Scrum Master®SAFe® Scrum Master
Governing BodyScrum AllianceScaled Agile
Exam TypeMultiple Choice Question (MCQ)Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
Exam Duration60 Minutes (1 Hour)90 Minutes (1.5 Hours)
No. of questions50 Questions45 Questions
Passing Score74%73 %
Difficulty LevelEasyDifficult
Learning Opportunities
  • How will the Scrum Master and Product Owner work in the collaboration?
  • How could a Scrum Team inspect and adapt to increase transparency?
  • How to perform a Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective, and the effects of skipping the Sprint Retrospective?
  • How does the Scrum Master conduct a Daily Scrum?
  • How does Daily Scrum differ from a status meeting?
  • How does the Scrum Master act as a true leader for the Scrum Team?
  • How does the Scrum Master assist the Scrum Team with impediments?
  • How Lean-Agile leadership help the team to embrace SAFe core values?
  • How does Scrum work in SAFe enterprise?
  • How to teach problem-solving techniques to the team for relentless improvement?
  • How to facilitate meetings and team learning events?
  • How Scrum Master supports the product owner in managing the backlog?
  • How does SAFe Scrum Master support SAFe adoption?
  • How to perform facilitation for preparation and readiness for ART events?
  • How to present the significance of supporting estimation activities?
Free AttemptsTwoOne
Retake Cost$25$50
Membership2 years of membership with Scrum Alliance.1 year of membership to the SAFe Community Platform.
Eligible Professionals
  • Agile Coach & Scrum Master
  • Product Owner Release or Portfolio Manager
  • Business Analyst
  • Software Developers
  • Project or Delivery managers
  • Product or program managers
  • New Scrum Team Members
  • Anybody who wants to learn Scrum
  • New or existing Scrum Masters
  • Team Leads or Release Train Engineers
  • Managers or Agile Coach
  • Developers
  • Anyone who is new to the role of Scrum Master Professionals who want to understand the Scrum Master’s role and apply it to the SAFe organization

Which one is better, SSM or CSM?

Get The Upcoming Sessions Details

Both (CSM and SSM) certifications can benefit professionals depending on their personal requirements and career goals. Just keep in mind that the desired certification course should help you gain in-depth knowledge related to the scrum role, which you can apply to your job. So choose your certification course wisely. Also, select an expert trainer who can help you ease your journey.

iZenBridge is a Global Registered Education Provider (REP) of Scrum Alliance that offers the best training for the Certified Scrum Master® course. Also, we are a Silver Partner of Scaled Agile, which provides the highly interactive SAFe® Scrum Master’s certification and training.

Check out our calendar of upcoming sessions

Name Date Place
CSM Certification and Training 30 Nov – 1 Dec 2024 Bangalore More Details
CSM Certification and Training 14 – 15 Dec 2024 Pune More Details
CSM Certification and Training 21 – 22 Dec 2024 Delhi More Details

Name Date Trainer Place Details
SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) Certification 18 & 19 May 2024 Prashamsa India More Details

Every professional starts their journey with a dream. We’re here to make sure you achieve yours. Take the first step today. Contact us.

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