Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Course Overview

This CSM course goes beyond meeting certification requirements, emphasizing skill acquisition through active participation. With Aaron’s extensive experience, the focus is on understanding the effectiveness of Agile development, not just the mechanics.

Introducing your guide to Best Agile- Aaron Sanders


Aaron facilitating a product development workshop

A Journey of Innovation

Hello and welcome! I’m Aaron Sanders. I love finding new and better ways to do things, especially in product development.

Making a Difference

For over 20 years, I’ve worked hard to make a big difference in how companies use technology in software product development. And I also care about making the world a better place. Everywhere I work, I think about if and how it can help people and our planet.

Working Globally, Caring Personally

It’s hard to believe that I’ve worked in 28 countries. Whether I’m coaching a team in Silicon Valley or teaching in South Africa, it’s with the specifics in mind and creating a personal journey. When someone says, “This is the best team I’ve ever worked on!” -that to me is some of the Best Agile.

Working with the Brand Names as well as Startups

I’ve been lucky to work with some big tech companies like Cisco, Yahoo!, ABC/Disney, eBay, and then some 50 more. But no matter how big or small the place or the work, I always give it my all.

Life-long Learner

While I’ve got my roots in the University of Colorado and am also a Certified Scrum Trainer, there are other interests. My current new personal interests are rock climbing, and plant identification when on hikes.

Join Me

This isn’t just about business. It’s about making connections, as well as making a difference. So, if you’re looking to collaborate, learn, or get inspired, you’re in the right place. Let’s connect and make something great together!

Course Benefits

  • Certification and Resources: It provides official recognition, comprehensive course materials, downloadable resources and 16 professional development credits.
  • Career Advancement and Better Job Opportunities: CSM certification opens doors to higher-level positions and increases individuals’ chances of finding rewarding job opportunities. Certified Scrum Masters often command higher salaries due to their specialized skills and knowledge.
  • Industry Recognition in a Professional Network with Continuous Learning: CSM is globally recognized, enhancing professional credibility and connecting individuals to a global community of Scrum professionals while also promoting continuous learning and skill development to ensure individuals stay current with evolving Agile practices.
  • Enhanced Skill Set, Leadership, and Project Outcomes: CSM training equips individuals with essential Scrum skills such as facilitation, coaching, and conflict resolution, enabling Scrum Masters to lead teams more effectively and achieve improved project outcomes, faster delivery, and higher product quality, contributing to a more adaptive work culture.
  • Plus 1-on-1 coaching: Select this option at checkout and receive one hour of coaching. We can discuss getting a job, team dynamics, co-design a retrospective, scaling advice, how to improve your organization, use it for test prep tutoring, or however you like! It’s your hour with an experienced CST and agile coach.

Course Highlights

  • Develop a deep understanding of Scrum principles, accountabilities, events, and artifacts.
  • Benefit from an instructor with over two decades of Agile and Scrum experience, gaining both comprehensive knowledge and practical insights for improved effectiveness in Agile environments.
  • Engage in discussions, practical exercises, and real-world case studies.
  • Acquire vital Scrum skills like facilitation, coaching, and conflict resolution, enhancing proficiency as a Scrum Master.
  • Retain the downloadable material to help you back at the office to improve teamwork and the quality of your work life.

Course Structure

Teams of 3-4 work through activities in:

  1. Collaboration and consensus
  2. Defining Scrum, Agile and process types
  3. Defining the Scrum team
  4. Product Backlog Refinement and Delivery
  5. Working in Scrum

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for to attend, although basic knowledge of Agile concepts is helpful. Earn SEUs by watching Scrum Alliance foundational videos. Familiarity with the official Scrum Guide, which is valuable for the exam, is recommended. Participants should approach the training with enthusiasm and readiness to engage.

What do others have to say about working with Aaron?

We have leveraged the training Aaron provided to grow foundational knowledge across the enterprise. His view on product discovery is key to ensuring teams have the "DEEP" backlog required to deliver the right value at the right time in the right way. I would highly recommend Aaron and look forward to working with him in the future.

 —Neill McLeod
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Agile COE and Capabilities Leader at Truist


Aaron is a natural leader who quickly earns his colleagues' respect. He has a keen understanding of agile development and a great ability to apply his knowledge in practical ways to help teams succeed. He is a great software developer and an accomplished agile coach.

 —Brad Swanson
Vice President and Senior Agile Coach at agile42. Certified Scrum TrainerĀ® (CST) and Coach (CSC)


Aaron is a committed and knowledgeable Agile practitioner. He is fearless in experimenting new ideas and bringing them to life. He wrote quality code, extensive unit and integration tests while developing an enterprise grade software product using Test Driven methodology. His efforts were valuable in delivering the product in 2 week cycles.

 —Deepak Gaur
Consultant