It may seem unusual when I say that it is just as important to understand the world without scrum, as it is to understand how scrum has changed the world. The reason I say this, is that to really appreciate the benefits of any methodology or framework it is very important to understand the pitfalls (and benefits) of other methods.
Step 2. Get scrum project experience and reassess your values
After gaining solid project knowledge in at least one other methodology you should have a good basis on which to compare to other methodologies. I recommend getting a copy of "the scrum guide" by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, reading it thoroughly and then enquiring after project experience within your department, organisation or other organisation.
Step 3. Become a certified CSM
After you have an understanding of a methodology other than scrum, and you have also lived and breathed scrum for a while (I recommend six months to a year, but it all depends on your aptitude), the next step is to become a Certified Scrum Master (CSM). On this course you will be given an overview of the rules, get to ask the trainer questions and finally you will be tested on what you have learned. There are numerous organisations that offer this certification but I recommend the Scrum Alliance CSM Course.
Step 4. Put your certification into practice
As you may already know, the best way to get yourself a new role or job is to demonstrate that you already have experience in it. Having done a course leaves you in an excellent position to apply your knowledge. You can suggest practices in debates and speak to your line manager about the benefits of implementing them. If your team is already doing the practices, you will often find that the rules are not followed when the going gets tough. However, this is precisely when the methodology should be most powerful in controlling chaos. Therefore, you can help to explain the benefits of maintaining the rules.
Step 5. Get a voluntary leadership role
Although the role of is not about authority or management of people, there certainly is a strong element of leadership of people and management of the framework. I suggest showing your manager that you are interested in a technical or non technical leadership role.
Step 6. Get a scrum master role
Once you have proven to yourself that you fully understand the rules, you are ready to facilitate a team and can play the part of "servant leader", you are then ready to go and get that role! At the time of writing this text, scrum is the de facto standard methodology for software development projects and is fast moving into non software development projects. I listed my CV on jobs sites so that the interested parties came to me, but also rang agencies directly.
Step 7. Stick to the rules
The seventh step is for some people the most difficult to carry out, and no example can make it easier. After having learned the rules, you will now need to make sure that regardless of the characters you meet, the deadlines imposed by an ambitious business client or the reluctance of the individuals you meet, you continue to maintain the simple rules. Believe me when I tell you that many have tried and failed to do this. However, if I have done it, you can too!
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