Course Review: IBM IT Scrum Master Professional Certificate by IBM (Coursera)
Learn to lead Agile teams and manage IT projects with Scrum. Build real-world skills and earn an IBM certificate in just 3 months.
Instructor: John Rofrano, along with the IBM Skills Network Team and Daniel C. Yeomans
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly program helps you become a skilled IT Scrum Master in just 3 months. You’ll learn Agile, DevOps, and the full software life cycle. Real-world projects and hands-on tools build job-ready skills. Taught by IBM experts, it’s perfect for IT pros or beginners looking to grow fast. Finish with a portfolio and prep for the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) exam.
- Duration: 3 months (at 10 hours per week)
- Chapters:
- Introduction to Scrum Master Profession
- Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone
- Introduction to Software Engineering
- Introduction to DevOps
- Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum
- Working as a Scrum Master
- Scrum Master Capstone
- Practice Exam for Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification
- Tutor: John Rofrano, IBM Skills Network Team, Daniel C. Yeomans
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✔️ Hands-on learning: Real-world projects help build practical skills you can use right away.
- ✔️ Beginner-friendly: No experience needed, making it great for those new to Scrum or IT.
- ✔️ Career-focused: Prepares you for industry certifications and includes a portfolio for job hunting.
👎Cons
- ❌ No live instruction: Self-paced format may not suit those who prefer real-time guidance.
- ❌ Tech-heavy content: May be tough for learners without basic IT or software knowledge.
- ❌ Certification not included: CSM exam prep is offered, but the exam fee is separate.
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is ideal for anyone looking to start or grow a career in Agile project management within the IT field. Whether you’re just starting out or already have some tech experience, the content is designed to be clear, practical, and job-ready. You’ll gain real-world skills and prepare for in-demand certifications that can boost your career in a short time.
- New graduates entering tech: If you’re fresh out of school and want to break into IT, this course offers a strong foundation in software, DevOps, and Agile skills.
- Career switchers from non-tech fields: Those moving into IT or project management can use this course to gain essential knowledge and build confidence in a new domain.
- IT professionals wanting a leadership role: If you already work in IT, this course can help you move into a Scrum Master or Agile team lead position.
- Aspiring Scrum Masters: People aiming to become Certified ScrumMasters will find this course valuable, with prep materials and hands-on projects included.
- Software developers and engineers: Developers who want to better understand Agile teams and project workflows will benefit from the broader project-focused content.
- Team leads and junior project managers: Those who manage teams or small projects can improve collaboration, sprint planning, and Agile execution skills.
- Freelancers and consultants in tech: Independent professionals can gain a formal credential and improve client trust by showcasing skills in Scrum and IT fundamentals.
- Business analysts and QA professionals: Analysts and testers working with Agile teams will get better insight into Scrum processes and communication flow.
- Students preparing for certifications: Learners aiming for CSM, PMI-ACP, or PMI-DASM will get helpful prep and practice aligned with these exams.
📘 What You’ll Learn
This course helps you build real-world skills to become a successful IT Scrum Master. You’ll learn how Agile teams work, how to manage projects, and how to guide teams through sprints and reviews. The content is easy to follow and designed to help you apply what you learn right away. Whether you’re new to IT or looking to move into leadership, this course offers hands-on training and clear steps to grow your skills. You’ll also prepare for the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) exam and build a project portfolio to show employers.
- Understand Agile principles like adaptive planning, fast delivery, and continuous improvement
- Learn the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and how it applies in real IT projects
- Gain skills in using Scrum tools like sprint planning, backlogs, and daily stand-ups
- Get hands-on with DevOps practices and tools used in modern software teams
- Build strong communication and team leadership skills
- Create and manage user stories, Kanban boards, and risk plans
- Work through real-world scenarios and Agile project planning exercises
- Practice with tools like ZenHub and apply your learning in a capstone project
- Prepare for the CSM certification with a built-in practice exam
- Explore key IT topics like databases, networking, programming, and cybersecurity
❓FAQs
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