Tue 29 Sep 2009
A lot is happening in the world of Scrum recently.
Ken Schwaber departed Scrum Alliance abruptly, most probably after an internal conflict over the introduction of the CSM exam and he is starting something called Scrum.org. Scrum Alliance is now led by Tom Mellor – a guy mostly unknown in the European Scrum community. And the Alliance announced exams will be introduced Oct 1st as scheduled, but for some unknown time everyone will get a passing grade, which basically is the same thing as before. Last Friday it was also leaked on a discussion group that a new certificate – Certified Scrum Developer – is not only planned, but already offered as a course by… Microsoft. Scrum Alliance representatives on the list reacted with surprise – at the same time this program’s description can be found on Scrum.org.
It remains to be seen how things will develop in the Scrum community. The whole exam fiasco is clearly a result of some internal infighting and it damages the Scrum Alliance’s reputation a lot. The introduction of an exam that is not really an exam and doesn’t prove anything is a typical compromise from the world of corporate politics, much worse than just another postponement. Unclear circumstances of Ken’s departure and his surprising new Scrum-related venture put more clouds over Alliance’s future.
But whatever happens out there amongst the Scrum gurus and luminaries (and whatever they will fight for – if they will) Scrum as a method – a simple framework to consistently deal with complex problems – is as sound and effective as it was before. This is what counts in the long run and what will cause Scrum, I hope, to continue to be adopted despite all the bad things that happen around the organization created to promote it.
UPDATE: Good news – Mike Cohn joined Scrum Alliance’s board! Now, I know Mike and I’m glad he’s back at the board.
September 30th, 2009 at 19:21
The certification appears to be a logical solution to the ever increasing CSM title out there. I think the concern is on giving a CSM title without properly assessing if the person can do the job.
This is the same problem PMI has with its PMP (note: PMI needs you to pass the test and prove some degree of experience in doing some of the activities related to the PMBOK knowledge areas before you can get the PMP title). There are now hundreds of thousands of PMPs worldwide and PMI feels that the value of the title is being diluted. PMIs solution is to come up with other certifications.
Given the right study material, I believe anyone can pass a certification test.
Is the exam going to add value to the title holder? I think this where things become subjective.