CSPO study plan
CSPO · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Scrum Foundations
Define the three pillars of empiricism and explain how each is enacted in a Scrum event.
List the five Scrum values and give one observable behavior for each in a team setting.
Describe the Scrum Team structure, including accountabilities of Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers.
Explain why Scrum is a framework, not a methodology, and identify three implications for tailoring.
Your checkpoint
A one-page concept map linking empiricism, Scrum values, and team accountabilities, with at least two event examples per pillar.
Scrum Foundations
Sequence the five Scrum events and state the purpose, timebox, and typical attendees of each.
Explain how the Sprint acts as a container for the other events and why a consistent Sprint length matters.
Describe the three artifacts and their commitments, and give an example of how each commitment increases transparency.
Identify at least three anti-patterns in Scrum events and propose a corrective action for each.
Your checkpoint
A two-column table of Scrum events with purpose, timebox, attendees, and one anti-pattern plus fix per event.
Scrum Foundations
Explain the Product Goal, Sprint Goal, and Definition of Done and how they connect to the product backlog.
Differentiate the roles of the Product Owner in refining the backlog, ordering items, and maximizing value.
Describe how the Definition of Done is created and used to determine increment completeness.
Analyze a scenario where the Definition of Done is weak and propose a stronger version.
Your checkpoint
A sample Definition of Done with at least five criteria and a short rationale for each, plus a revised weak example.
Scrum Foundations & Product Owner Learning Objectives (agile principles, product vision, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration)
Summarize the four values of the Agile Manifesto and give a Scrum example for each.
Explain how the Product Owner applies agile principles to decision-making under uncertainty.
Describe the Product Owner's accountability for product value and how it differs from project management.
Identify three stakeholder collaboration techniques and when to use each.
Your checkpoint
A half-page written reflection connecting each Agile value to a specific Product Owner behavior, with one stakeholder technique per value.
Product Owner Learning Objectives (agile principles, product vision, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration)
Draft a product vision statement that is concise, inspiring, and testable against stakeholder needs.
Explain how a product vision informs backlog ordering and Sprint Goal selection.
Describe at least three techniques for gathering stakeholder input and prioritizing competing needs.
Create a stakeholder map that identifies influence, interest, and engagement strategy.
Your checkpoint
A product vision statement of 25 words or fewer plus a stakeholder map with at least six stakeholders and engagement actions.
Product Owner Learning Objectives (agile principles, product vision, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration)
Explain the purpose and process of backlog refinement, including who participates and how often.
Compare at least three prioritization techniques (e.g., MoSCoW, weighted shortest job first, value vs. effort) and state when each fits.
Write user stories with clear acceptance criteria that are independent, negotiable, valuable, estimable, small, and testable.
Describe how to split large backlog items into smaller, value-delivering slices.
Your checkpoint
A refined backlog of ten items with acceptance criteria, ordered using a named prioritization technique and a one-sentence rationale per item.
Product Owner Learning Objectives (agile principles, product vision, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration)
Explain how the Product Owner collaborates with Developers during Sprint Planning and daily collaboration.
Describe techniques for facilitating stakeholder feedback loops, such as Sprint Reviews and user testing.
Identify strategies for managing conflicting stakeholder priorities while preserving transparency.
Explain how to communicate product progress and outcomes to stakeholders without overpromising.
Your checkpoint
A Sprint Review facilitation plan including agenda, invitees, demo scope, feedback capture method, and follow-up actions.
Scrum Foundations & Product Owner Learning Objectives (agile principles, product vision, backlog management, stakeholder collaboration)
Synthesize Scrum foundations and Product Owner practices into a coherent end-to-end product delivery scenario.
Evaluate a case study and identify at least five Scrum or Product Owner missteps with corrective recommendations.
Practice answering scenario-based questions by justifying choices with Scrum theory and agile principles.
Create a personal checklist for ongoing learning and community engagement as a Product Owner.
Your checkpoint
A written case analysis of 500–700 words identifying missteps, recommending corrections grounded in Scrum, and including a personal learning checklist.
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain all five Scrum events and three artifacts with their commitments from memory, scoring at least 80% on a self-made quiz.
Week 4: Can articulate how each Agile value manifests in a Product Owner decision, verified by a peer or mentor review of the reflection.
Week 6: Backlog of ten refined items passes a self-check against INVEST criteria and includes a defensible ordering rationale.
Week 8: Case analysis identifies at least five missteps with corrections and demonstrates integrated use of Scrum foundations and Product Owner practices.