Difference between CSM and A-CSM

The Certified Scrum Master course, shortly called CSM has been designed as an entry-level certification. This course will introduce you to Scrum and the role of a Scrum Master in a Scrum Enterprise. 

When you get into the Comparison of CSM and A-CSM, you should know what the Scrum Alliance presumed when taking one of these courses. For instance, when you register for the CSM course, the Scrum Alliance presumes that you do not have any experience with Scrum. So, the Scrum Alliance has designed the CSM Certified Scrum Master Course to take you from zero skills and knowledge to an entry-level skillset. The skillset you gain from this course will empower you to become a Scrum Master.

When registering for the A-CSM course, the Scrum Alliance presumes that you are already a Certified Scrum Master. Also, you can register for this course only when you have a year or more of experience as a Scrum Master. By registering for this course, you are assuring Scrum Alliance that you are already a Certified Scrum Master and you have been working as a Scrum Master for more than a year now.

Course Structure:

With the presumptions mentioned above, when exploring the Difference between CSM and A-CSM, you should remember that both these courses are designed differently.

CSM:

As you do not have any experience with Scrum, a major portion of the Certified Scrum Master course is created around simulations. They aim to empower you to see how Scrum functions in a group. Also, you will learn how every role in Scrum comes together to become a Scrum Team. For many professionals taking up the Certified Scrum Master course, it is often their first experience with Agile. So, the course broadly helps trainees to learn the difference between the traditional waterfall approach and the Agile approach to Project Management.

The CSM course often serves as an eye-opener for people to understand how powerful Scrum can function in creating and developing new services and products. Most importantly, the trainees will understand how the products will delight customers.

The CSM course generally lasts for two days. During this course, you will get enough knowledge and skills to work as a fresh Scrum Master in a Scrum Organization.

A-CSM:

The important point to remember in the Comparison of CSM and A-CSM is that the A-CSM course is aimed at Certified Scrum Masters with a year of experience working as Scrum Masters. As you are already a Scrum Master, you will not be taught Scrum when you take this course. The course empowers you to be a far more effective Scrum Master.

The course aims to prepare you to become a Scrum Master and an Agile Coach. When you take the Advanced Certified Scrum Master course, you will be engaged in many simulations. They will empower you to practice the more advanced techniques and tools. Also, through this course, the coach will validate your knowledge. The reason is that the coach aims at certifying you as a skilled Scrum Master. So, the trainer will provide you with advanced insights, knowledge, and skills required to shift from an apprentice to a journeyman.

The period of taking the A-CSM course is the stage in your career where you dynamically trial and develop the basic knowledge to become an efficient Scrum Master. In this role, you will considerably impact the teams and the organization.

After you complete the A-CSM course, you can also take the Certified Scrum Professional Scrum Master Course. So, the A-CSM course prepares you and provides a way to practice what you have learned and prepare for the Certified Scrum Professional Scrum Master course.

In short, the focus of the ACSM course will be on five key areas. They are

• Coaching

• Facilitation

• Service to the Scrum Team

• Service to the Product Owner

• Service beyond the team with a focus on scaling and organizational change.

Detailed Comparison:

You have a basic knowledge of what these two courses will provide you. Here is a chart that will help you gain a better CSM Vs. A-CSM courses comparison: