Professional Scrum Master I study plan
PSM I · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Scrum Framework and Theory
Define empirical process control and explain how transparency, inspection, and adaptation interlock
Distinguish the three pillars from the five Scrum values and give a workplace example of each value
Map the Scrum framework's accountabilities, events, and artifacts and state the purpose of each in one sentence
Identify which parts of Scrum are mandatory versus optional
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn diagram of the Scrum framework with a one-sentence purpose statement for every accountability, event, and artifact
Scrum Framework and Theory & Scrum Events and Artifacts
Explain how each Scrum event exists to enable inspection and adaptation
Describe how the Sprint acts as a container for all other events and why a fixed length matters
Compare the Sprint Goal to the Definition of Done and state what each protects
Order the five events by timebox and justify each timebox
Your checkpoint
A table listing all five events with timebox, participants, purpose, and the artifact each one inspects
Scrum Roles and Accountabilities
Contrast the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers by accountability rather than job title
Explain why the Product Owner is one person and how that differs from a committee
Describe what Developers are accountable for as a self-managing group
Explain servant leadership and true facilitation as practiced by a Scrum Master
Distinguish a Scrum Master from a project manager and from a team lead
Your checkpoint
A three-column comparison write-up of the three accountabilities including two common misconceptions per role
Scrum Events and Artifacts
Explain how the Product Backlog is refined and ordered and who is accountable for it
Distinguish Product Goal, Sprint Goal, and Definition of Done as commitments
Describe how the Sprint Backlog emerges during Sprint Planning
Explain why the Increment must be usable and how the Definition of Done creates transparency
Your checkpoint
A written scenario in which you correctly assign each backlog item, goal, and commitment to its artifact, checked against your week 1 diagram
Scrum Master Accountabilities and Professional Scrum
Identify at least five ways a Scrum Master removes impediments without taking ownership of the work
Explain how a Scrum Master coaches the Product Owner on backlog management and value maximization
Describe how to help a team that is not self-managing without issuing directives
Explain how a Scrum Master protects the Sprint from scope changes mid-Sprint
Your checkpoint
A coaching log of five realistic impediment scenarios with a Scrum Master response for each, each response justified by a Scrum principle
Scrum Master Accountabilities and Professional Scrum & Scrum Roles and Accountabilities
Explain how the Scrum Master serves the organization beyond the team
Describe how to facilitate a Retrospective that produces actionable improvements
Distinguish facilitation from instruction when helping a team adopt Scrum
Explain how a Scrum Master addresses a Product Owner who bypasses the Developers
Your checkpoint
A facilitation plan for one Retrospective, including format, timebox, and how you would handle a dominant participant
Scrum Framework and Theory & Scrum Events and Artifacts
Trace how a change in the Definition of Done affects the Increment and transparency
Explain what happens when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete and who decides
Describe the consequences of skipping refinement or retrospectives
Resolve at least ten scenario questions about events and artifacts using only the Scrum Guide's logic
Your checkpoint
A set of ten original scenario questions you wrote yourself, each with the correct answer and a one-line rule-based justification
Scrum Roles and Accountabilities & Scrum Master Accountabilities and Professional Scrum
Review all four domains and close gaps flagged in earlier weeks
Practice explaining each accountability to a non-Scrum colleague in plain language
Diagnose common anti-patterns such as a Scrum Master assigning tasks or a Product Owner changing scope mid-Sprint
Confirm readiness by scoring consistently on original practice scenarios
Your checkpoint
A final self-assessment sheet rating confidence 1-5 in each domain, with a remediation note for any domain below 4
Milestones
Week 2: Can draw the full Scrum framework from memory and state the purpose of every element without notes
Week 4: Can correctly assign any artifact, goal, or commitment to its owner and explain why in one sentence
Week 6: Can respond to five impediment or coaching scenarios with principle-based answers, scoring at least 4 of 5
Week 8: Scores at least 85 percent on your own original scenario set across all four domains and has no domain rated below 4