SPS
The Scaled Professional Scrum certification, commonly known as SPS, is Scrum.org’s certification regarding scaling Scrum by using the Nexus framework.
Those awarded with it are certified:
- an advanced understanding of scaled software and product development
- knowledge of agile practices in scaled Scrum environments
BASIC INFO
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Questions: 40; multiple-choice, multi-select, true/false
- Passing score: 85%
- Number of certification holders: 3,000+
ABOUT THE QUESTIONS
The questions on the SPS exam consist of roughly the following two categories:
- Knowledge on the Nexus framework – these questions are mostly factual questions on the framework, similar to the questions on the PSM I exam about (unscaled) Scrum
- Understanding of scaling Scrum – these questions check your understanding of how the roles, artifacts and responsibilities scale as more than one team works on creating an Increment
Approximately 20% of the SPS exam consists of case studies: The exam describes a situation in a scaled Scrum environment, mostly within a Nexus environment, and you have to identify the problem and/or choose the best approach for solving the problem.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR SPS
SPS is an advanced exam that requires a solid understanding of Scrum and a good understanding of Nexus. As with all Scrum.org exams it is possible to pass the SPS exam without attending a dedicated training session. Nonetheless, especially for those with little practical experience in scaled Scrum, such a session may help to deepen the understand of Scrum and how its roles, rules and artifacts are affected by scaling.
As SPS requires a solid understanding of Scrum, I recommend attempting it only after successfully passing PSM II.
To prepare for the exam, the following actions are recommended:
- Read the Scrum Guide multiple times until you are confident in your understanding of its terminology and the concepts it describes. Special focus should be placed on the roles, artifacts and events. For assistance in understanding the Scrum Guide, my book may be helpful.
- Read the Nexus Guide multiple times until you are comfortable with its terminology and concepts.
- Take the free Nexus Open assessment. The questions presented in it are part of the exam pool for the SPS and representative of the questions overall in terms of formulation and style. A good rule of thumb is to practice it enough until you can pass it with a perfect score three times in a row, using less than 10 minutes each time.
- Read the book Nexus Framework for Scaling Scrum by Scrum.org’s VP Kurt Bittner
- Use the practice quiz provided below.
SPS PRACTICE QUIZ
coming soon…