Mind the gap: How to assess Scrum Master potential

We often receive questions from Scrum Masters: What training to take next? What should I focus on to become a more effective Scrum Master? Which path should I follow to grow in my career? Do you recognize these questions? Without ‘knowing’ the individual, we’ve always found it challenging to provide relevant suggestions. Existing assessments don't really help – they either focus solely on theoretical knowledge or are self-assessments that don’t evaluate the practical application of your skills.

A new view on assessments

Two years ago, we met Paul M. Kramer from BusinessController.nu who developed a norm-referenced assessment method for finance professionals. His approach focuses on understanding an individual’s preferred solution direction in various scenarios, rather than simply categorizing responses as 'good' or 'bad'. This method also includes peer comparison, offering a benchmark and unique perspective on strengths and improvement areas.

Inspiration

Inspired by Paul’s methodology, we saw a unique opportunity to apply this assessment framework to agile roles as well. A year ago, we embarked on a journey to develop an assessment specifically for Scrum Masters.

First results

We’ve been running a pilot with the assessment since September. While we thought we would ‘just’ use the pilot to fine-tune the assessment (which we did), the outcomes have surpassed our expectations. The first Scrum Masters have already reported that they are using the assessment insights to adjust their personal development plans. This reinforces our belief in its potential – and – the readiness for the official launch.

Launching the Assessment

We are now happy to offer the Scrum Master Assessment for free for a limited time. This tool goes beyond traditional assessments by:

1. Analyzing real-world scenarios to evaluate your understanding and practical application.
2. Utilizing peer bench-marking for a comprehensive understanding of your abilities.
3. Providing personalized insights to help you chart a course for further professional development.

Take the next step

As a Scrum Master at any level, whether you are working in a Scrum or Scaled Agile environment, you have a unique opportunity to assess your performance. This assessment allows you to gain valuable insights into how you compare to your peers and understand where you stand in your career.

Invitation

We invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity! You can register for free on our PMX website to receive a link to the online assessment.