Recently, my company launched a training programme for new Agile coaches. As one of the members of the company’s Agile coaches, I’m responsible for teaching the candidates basic knowledge and assisting them in on-job training.
It’s been 4 months since I passed PSM I and PSPO I. It’s time to refresh the knowledge I acquired during the exam preparation. I also wanted to test how much memory I left. Therefore, I took the initiative in presenting the introduction to Agile and Scrum.
Presenting the introduction to Agile and Scrum was very challenging. The lecture should include the rise of Agile, the Agile Manifesto and the 12 principles behind it, followed by the whole Scrum framework according to the Scum Guide. There was so much content, but I was given 100 minutes for my presentation. The Scrum Guide is so concise that every word in this 14-page PDF file has its meaning. I spent a few nights reading the Scrum Guide repeatedly, deciding which content to be included and which to be left for further reading.
Nothing is more important than adding quick questions in the last section of the lecture. This can help trainees recall the materials. I reviewed a few practice question sets I used for the exams. Finally, the presentation with over 60 pages was made. The lecture was very intensive, obviously. I expected all the trainees could understand all the materials during it. But as Agile and Scrum are the fundamental knowledge in our community, they recall them during the actual practice.
The lecture preparation led me to revisit the Scrum Guide again. I expect I will be asked by the trainees or their home teams during the training about the difference between theory and real-life work. There is a misconception among beginners (including me a few years ago) that the Scrum Guide is a pure theory and doesn’t apply to real-life work. It’s probably due to misunderstanding the content and the principle behind Scrum. Scrum Masters are here to help them understand the correct knowledge. When they can use Scrum correctly, they can think of further improving their workflow.
Last December, I passed PSM I. This exam was about what is correct or wrong. Foreseeing that there will be much more chances of facing the questions like theory versus real-life situations or what is better, I think it’s time for me to study for PSM II, which is about what is better. I want to analyse more cases so I can get equipped for various situations with not simply yes/no questions.
Let’s see what will happen in the coming months.