The Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide: 10 Questions Answered

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Michael Vizdos Answers 10 Questions From The Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide

By Certified Scrum Trainer: Michael Vizdos, CST with the Scrum Alliance

If you have not taken a look at iWantScrumTraining.com, please go there and get your FREE resources to prepare for any Scrum Training from either a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) or PST (Professional Scrum Trainer).

My name is Michael Vizdos and I am a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) with the Scrum Alliance.

In this article, I’ve answered the “10 Questions You Should Ask Your Scrum Trainer” from the Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide.

Download your FREE Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide containing the “10 Questions to ask your Scrum Trainer” by Michael Vizdos at 10_training_questions.mvizdos.com.

Print this Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide in preparation to have a conversation with your Scrum Trainer.

Discuss these questions and answers with ANY Scrum Trainer you are considering.

Speak directly with the Scrum Trainer before paying and registering for a training class. This means the real person and the person who will deliver your training. This means NOT an “assistant” or “marketing company sales person or representative”.

If you are concerned more about just the cost or price of the Scrum Training, it makes a difference.

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1. How long have you been delivering Scrum training?

I’ve been delivering Scrum training as an official CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) with the Scrum Alliance since 2006. 

I am one of the original Certified Scrum trainers who was mentored directly by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland (the two people who created the Scrum Framework); I received my CSM (Certified Scrum Master) training from Ken Schwaber in January, 2004, and Ken has referenced me as one the the “early pioneers” in this industry.

In addition to offering Scrum Training, I’ve also helped train and mentor dozens of other Certified Scrum Trainers over the years (yes, they are my “competitors” today and you might be speaking with some of them during your evaluation – strange world huh)?

Oh… and have you ever seen the “Scrum Chicken and Pig” cartoons? 

Those are mine (from www.ImplementingScrum.com).

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2. How often do you update your Scrum training?

I update my Scrum training materials and content prior to delivering each new training event.  

When you take Scrum training with me, you are guaranteed to receive my latest and greatest work and have lifetime access to any updates to my material in the future.

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3. How has your Scrum training evolved over the years?

Each Scrum Training event is a unique experience.  This is something to ask when you compare my training to others using this Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide.

Over the past 18+ years of training, I’ve learned this is always the case.  Look at this training as an ongoing conversation between me, you, and the other attendees.

Read more about what you can expect from you CSM Training experience by Michael Vizdos here.

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4. What else do you DO besides deliver Scrum training?

I do not travel from city-to-city (or Zoom room to Zoom room) delivering Scrum training every week.  This is important to you because I bring real world current experience to your Scrum training event.

Our company applies Scrum on a daily basis to run our business.

My main business is NOT just delivering Scrum training.  

I spend time consulting with clients around the world.

We have an internal team dedicated to developing custom software solutions with our client (yes, using Scrum).  So I feel your pain sometimes :-).

I am on staff (part time) at Blueprint Education as an agile consultant; I work daily with our Impact Team (senior leadership team for the school district), teachers, and students (see www.ScrumInSchool.org for more details).

I work as the Scrum Master in Residence at the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) Davinci Center in delivering the MPI (Master of Product Innovation) and working with other colleges within the University.

I am one of the co-founders of both www.AgileRichmond.com and www.ScrumRVA.org [and am still an active member in both of those user groups].

I usually deliver Scrum Training about once per month on a public basis and integrate real world examples (literally from yesterday in some cases!).  I don’t tell recycled stories or use examples from other people – it’s from my REAL LIFE experiences.

Oh yeah… WATCH OUT FOR THIS FROM OTHER TRAINERS

When you see “Guaranteed to Run” from any other trainer with the Scrum Alliance, know this is mostly marketing hype.  

Why? 

People have been burned in the past by getting “bait and switched” by other trainers and their “marketing companies.” 

Sigh.  THAT SUCKS and the Scrum Alliance wants to hear when this happens to you (that practice is not aligned with the contract signed between the Scrum Alliance and the Certified Scrum Trainer).

With me, if I schedule a training and it’s just YOU AND ME, we’ll do it if you want!  

My training events are usually small (less than 10 people) but wow, it has an incredible impact on your future.

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5. How much does your Scrum training cost (and what’s included)?

As you’ve probably already noticed, I am not the cheapest Scrum trainer out there.  Prices can be all over the place and I encourage you to do your own research on the Scrum Trainer you select.

One of the ways to do the research is to contact some of the Scrum trainers and have a conversation about the questions addressed at www.iWantScrumTraining.com.

If the lowest price is your only concern, I am probably not a good match.  If you decide to get Scrum training with me, you’ll have lifetime access to the materials and to a conversation anytime with me – your Certified Scrum Trainer.

You can find my current prices for public Scrum Training at training.mvizdos.com (I offer individual, team, and bulk organizational pricing).

Almost all of the people attending a Certified Scrum Training course with me attend by personal referrals of people who have been trained by me in the past.

Ask around.  If you are in Richmond (Virginia), Phoenix (Arizona), or down in Costa Rica… talk to your friends about their CSM or CSPO training experience with me.

I am not for everyone.  It’s OK (smile).

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6. What kind of preparation do I need to make before attending your Scrum training?

If you just want to “show up” and have slides read to you for two days, please skip attending training with me and go somewhere else.

When you sign up, I’ll email you preparation information leading up to the training, real-time updates during the training, and follow-up after the training.

Want to see the information I send ahead of time?  You can read the most current preparation information at csm_preparation.mvizdos.com.

Also, no matter who you get your Certified Scrum Training from (as long as it’s with the Scrum Alliance), you are required to understand the Scrum Fundamentals as a prerequisite.

You can read the learning objectives (from the Scrum Alliance) along with detailed explanations of each one of the official learning objectives at www.ScrumFundamentals.com.  You can use this information even if you decide to take your Scrum Training with someone else.

You can read, watch, or listen to the 2020 Scrum Guide at www.InteractiveScrumGuide.com.

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7. What resources will I leave with after your Scrum training?

If you are receiving Certified Scrum Master training by an authorized Certified Scrum Trainer from the Scrum Alliance, please realize the following is ALREADY included in every delivery from any Certified Scrum Trainer:

• Your Exam Fee (You have 2 Chances to Pass It)

• 2 Years Scrum Alliance Membership

• SEUs (Scrum Education Units) or PDUs (Professional Development Units).

You’ll notice that almost every CSM course training has this listed like it’s something “special” only from that trainer.  It’s not.  It’s included in your course fee paid to the Scrum Trainer or Scrum Training Organization.

Anyone attending my Certified Scrum Master Training will also receive a detailed study guide to help you with studying for the assessment exam from the Scrum Alliance.

Want to read the study guide?  You can view it here: csm_study_draft.mvizdos.com.

You can use that draft study guide even if you don’t take the training from me.  While the examples and references make more sense if you’ve taken the CSM Training with me,  I encourage you to read it and use it as a reference while taking training from another Certified Scrum Trainer with the Scrum Alliance.

Remember you can also download a FREE audio book of the 2020 Scrum Guide or view a FREE online interactive 2020 Scrum Guide or watch the FREE Youtube 2020 Scrum Guide Playlist at www.InteractiveScrumGuide.com.

Need to speak with someone?  

How about me? I’ll give you VIP access for us to have a conversation anytime together.  

You can coordinate a time with me using vip.mvizdos.com.  Really.  Let’s talk.

And. Before you take any Scrum Training, use this free Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide to help you make the right choice for you!

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8. Do you offer remote (virtual) or in-person training?

I deliver training both ways.  Welcome to the “new world.” We are not heading back into he past!

I currently use a combination of Zoom and Google Jamboards for the remote online CSM and CSPO training.

You can read details about the full experience here.

I also offer in-person training (face-to-face).  Let’s talk.

It’s an either / or choice for you.

I am not a big fan of “hybrid” training just yet… 

That means either you’ll all need to be in person or online and NOT a mix of people doing that.  

Trust me… it’s a better experience for everyone and saves us all the hassle (and added cost) of me flying to your location and then dealing with your internal firewalls, tools that may not work, and me sitting in a room of a few people (or nobody!) and just using some zoom or webEx meeting anyway. I do hope this Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide is helpful to you!

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9. Will the Scrum training guarantee me a new job or higher salary?

No and no.

If anyone DOES guarantee this, RUN away.  Really.

Is it helpful to have the CSM or CSPO (or other) Scrum Certifications?

It can’t hurt.  And.  

There is a lot of information out there about how much Scrum Masters are making (google it).

The CSM or CSPO certifications might help get you through the search filters that many organizations use when looking for candidates. 

Actually, read the following tips on landing dream_job.mvizdos.com and I’ll try to help (again… even if you don’t take your Scrum training from me!).

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10. __________________________
[ Insert Your Own Relevant Question To The Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide ]

You probably still have other questions to ask your Scrum Trainer. 

Good.

Ask away!

Contact me via email or schedule some time for us to have a sales-pressure-free conversation together.

Become an informed buyer and recognize there is a difference in who you decide becomes your Scrum Trainer.

VISIT
training.mvizdos.com

See current public dates of Certified Training with the Scrum Alliance by Michael Vizdos

OR

Contact Michael Vizdos

Discuss your team Scrum training needs today.

Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide: What Next?

I guess the first request is to PLEASE consider me for your Scrum Training.

Learn more and register at training.mvizdos.com.

If you’d like to speak with me (Michael Vizdos) more about my answers to any of these questions, please contact me.

Download your FREE copy of the “10 Questions to ask your Scrum Trainer” by Michael Vizdos at 10_training_questions.mvizdos.com.

Contact me (with feedback) or connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss this Scrum Trainer Evaluation Guide together.

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BY MICHAEL VIZDOS AT TRAINING.MVIZDOS.COM.

One final thing…

Subscribe to my weekly Saturday morning emails about Implementing Scrum in the real world. And get an “every two week” check in from me too.

What could be better?