Advanced Certified ScrumMaster Logo

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster

Unlike other providers' sessions, our A-CSM course stands out as a true advanced, 100% live, interactive, slide-free, workshop experience. While many courses rely on self-directed study with minimal interaction or focus heavily on theory, ours is designed to emphasize applied theory / real-world skills and deep engagement.

Experience the difference with our dynamic sessions, where you benefit from 46 exercises that help learn new techniques for coaching, facilitation, teaching, and mentoring. You review multiple frameworks including Kanban, XP, SAFe, LeSS, and S@S. You learn directly from a seasoned trainer and a group of experienced peers.

Student Testimonials

Vetted reviews from class attendees

4.89 - 206 reviews
5.00 - 82 reviews
4.90 - 872 reviews

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) Testimonials

Key Details

Learn how to create a modern workplace where small, autonomous teams of teams leverage AI and evidence-based decisions to build better products, faster.

Live and Interactive

Stay Engaged with a 100% Live Session

Unlike self-paced, asynchronous A-CSM programs, our sessions are 100% live and highly interactive, requiring no offline work.

Gain Actionable Techniques to Drive Performance

Gain actionable techniques to facilitate, teach, mentor, and elevate your teams with the application of evidence-based, empirical, approaches.

Learn from Actual Experts

Learn from Arlen and David, both of whom have 25+ years of agile experience.

Learn Agile AI via Exercises

Master agile AI through 30+ hands-on exercises that blend theory with real-world practice.

Practical and Real

Revisit Fundamentals with Fresh Eyes

Revisit foundational Scrum with fresh insight, uncovering meaningful improvements to implement.

Turn Theory into Decisions

Explore the practical implications of theory. For example, Conway's Law helps when designing and scaling "team of teams" structures by helping you understand how your organizational design directly shapes the products and systems your teams build.

Apply It at Work

Every tool and mental model is grounded in real-world application. Leave knowing not just what, but how.

Session Schedule

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM)

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 25
Wed Feb
thru
 27
Fri Feb
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)
5.50 hours each day
Three days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 16
Mon Mar
thru
 19
Thu Mar
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)
4.00 hours each day
Four days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 30
Mon Mar
thru
 31
Tue Mar
10:30 AM - 6:30 PM (EST)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 4
Mon May
thru
 6
Wed May
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)
5.50 hours each day
Three days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 8
Mon Jun
thru
 9
Tue Jun
10:30 AM - 6:30 PM (EST)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 15
Mon Jun
thru
 18
Thu Jun
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (EST)
4.00 hours each day
Four days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM)
 29
Mon Jun
thru
 2
Thu Jul
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (EST)
4.00 hours each day
Four days

Live Online / Virtual

David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

★★★★★ Testimonials

Want to bring a training to your team or organization?
Contact us to discuss options for private workshops.

Training Discounts

A variety of discounts to fit your situation.

Request your discount on the session (a class on date/time with a trainer) you want. If more than one discount applies explain in your comments.

You can pay in installments by choosing Splitit at checkout.

For Grow-Lean Alumni, log in or use your account email when registering, and receive an automatic discount. If you also qualify for another discount, request it, and, if your email matches, we know you are an alumni.

If you have a Visa or Mastercard credit card you can pay in monthly installments. There are no fees or interest if you pay on time! Your available credit must be enough to cover the full cost and there is a hold on your credit card for the amount that you have not paid.

For example, if your final fee is $999 and you choose three installments:

  • You would pay $333 today and have a $666 hold placed on your credit card.
  • The following month your credit card would be charged another $333 and the hold would be reduced to $333.
  • Your final payment would be $333.

If you are not familiar with the term "hold" this is similar to what hotels do when you check in, to cover extra expenses you may incur including the mini bar.

The benefit to you is that you do not pay any interest or fees if all payments are on time.

Find Session

Find the session you want on the class list, then click "Discounts" link. Early-bird discounts do not need to be requested.

Choose Discounts

You will be on the discounts tab for the class.

Select Discount

Choose the appropriate discount then click the link for it. Not all discounts are available for all sessions.

Enter & Submit

Provide the requested information then click "Submit".

Early Bird
Early Bird

Combines With: Everything

Able to register in advance?

The Early Bird discount is available on many of classes.

There is no need to request it. Simply register while it is available.

If you receive another discount it will combine with the Early Bird.

Out of Pocket
Out of Pocket

Combines With: Alumni, Early Bird

Paying yourself and won't be reimbursed?

The Out of Pocket is for you if you won't be reimbursed. If you are unemployed, a military veteran, or a student request the appropriate discount.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Group & Private
Group & Private

Combines With: Early Bird

Bringing friends or colleagues to one or more sessions or want a private session?

The Group and Private Discounts are for sending three or more attendees to one or more events or for private events (i.e. just for your team).

To request, choose a session (class on a date with a trainer) you are interested in, click the Discount Link, and when filling out the form describe your situation.

Our Training Team will reach out to you.

Alumni
Alumni

Combines With: Early Bird, Hardship, Out of Pocket, Student, Veteran

Get 5% off for each public session, over $225, you took with us, up to 20%.

The Alumni Discount provides you discounted rates to future Grow-Lean training.

For each Grow-Lean session* you take with us, at a rate of $225 or above, you accumulate another 5% off of a future training, up to 20% off*.

* We have a small number of partner events where the alumni discount does not apply.

Hardship
Hardship

Combines With: Early Bird, Alumni

Suffering an economic hardship and able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement?

The Hardship Discount is for you if you are suffering an economic hardship and are able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement and are not being reimbursed.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Student & Educator
Student & Educator

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you a full-time student or educator, with a .edu email address?

The Student Discount is for you if you are a full-time student or educator with a .edu email address.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us your major and expected graduation date or explain what you teach and where.

Military & Veteran
Military & Veteran

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you active duty military or a veteran?

The Military / Veteran Discount is applicable if you are active duty, reserve, or retired from the military.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us if you will be reimbursed or not.

Get the best value for your training dollar.
Competitive pricing, reputable provider, no hidden costs, and experienced trainer.

Grow Your Career, Grow Your Organization

Learnings

Explore in Depth

When reviewing Scrum Events, we examine patterns that help you tailor practices to your unique environment. For example, instead of defaulting to a person-by-person Daily Scrum, you might shift to reading the board from right to left to emphasize fully completing items that are close to completion.

Make Every Concept Tangible

The samples below include embedded exercises; what you're seeing is the outcome. Most topics begin with hands-on activities, followed by deep discussion and reflection.

Thrive Despite Uncertainty

Thrive Despite Uncertainty

What is a Complex System?

Organizations are complex systems with people, AI, process, technology, behavior, etc. interacting in ways that creates uncertainty.

Complex Systems Game

The sample shows a game to learn the basics of complex systems. We then go deeper with real-world examples.

Learn to use Scrum to Thrive with Uncertainty

Use Scrum events as inspect and adapts points to better understand how internal decisions are impacting organizational outcomes.

Go Beyond Scrum

Go Beyond Scrum

Scrum is not the Only Answer

We cover how Extreme Programming and Kanban are complements to Scrum for team level agility. You can choose Scrum + Kanban instead of Scrum or Kanban, with one example being the use of visuals boards that have work in process limits.

Scaling with SAFe, LeSS & Scrum@Scale

We dispel the myth of choosing one scaling framework and show how they can complement each other. For example, Scrum@Scale’s Scaled Daily Scrum can roll issues up to the C-level in about 75 minutes and can be incorporated into SAFe.

Grow Your Organization

Grow Your Organization

Make Everyone Better

Ultimately a ScrumMaster aims to make every better. Learn approaches to facilitate, mentor, teach and coach individuals and teams.

Make Conflict Constructive

Invariably, along the way, those you are helping with have conflict. The game shown identifies conflict resolution approaches. We build on that and cover how to move from destructive (think blame passing) to constructive conflict, where we debate issues, learn from each other, and avoid personal attacks.

Build Great Product

Build Great Product

Teach Your Teams to Be Effective, Not Efficient

Learn how to implement a repeatable process to identify what to build, for whom, in which sequence, ensuring learnings along the way.

Use Story Maps to Plan

The example Story Map visualizes a users path, left-to-right across our system, showing improved releases from top-to-bottom (colored bands).

Help Your PO with Multiple Approaches
  • Create Positioning Statements defining product/market fit.
  • Delegate story details so they can focus on strategy and experiments.
  • Align to value instead of to plan.

Choose an Experienced Trainer


David Bulkin

Scrum Alliance: CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL 1 | SAFe: SPC | PMI: PMI-ACP

David Bulkin is the Managing Director and Head of Training Services at Grow-Lean. He has 40 years of product development experience and stays current by continuing to engage in product development. In 2001, his eBanking Team at JP Morgan Chase implemented Agile practices under the guidance of Kent Beck, the father of Extreme Programming (XP). David left the bank to help grow the Agile community.

David supports teams and individuals in their Agile journeys as a mentor and coach. Unlike most trainers and coaches, he remains actively involved in product development, taking on roles such as designer, coder, tester, Product Owner, and Scrum Master. His hands-on experience and high-energy level ensure that you get practical and applicable insights in a fun, lively environment.

David's extensive background spans various industries, including manufacturing, marketing, sales, finance, and more. David started developing in 1984 when he built a package to simulate Major League Baseball games and run a fantasy league. After that, he worked on various development projects for the US DoD. In the early 1990s, he built an Internet startup that delivered some of the first profitable sites on the web. In the late 1990s, he joined JP Morgan Chase, where, in 2001, he led eBanking development using agile methods.

He was an independent reviewer of the original PMI-ACP body of knowledge and contributed to the Certified Scrum Master Exam questions. His thought leadership in 2009 on progressive elaboration for Agile requirements influenced what is now known as refinement, which was incorporated into Scrum in 2011.

David has trained over 20,000 students and influenced thousands more through public speaking and coaching. He delivers various training courses, including CSM, A-CSM, CSPO, and A-CSPO, and has trained over 10,000 students with the Scrum Alliance. His sessions are practical, energetic and fun, and based on his experiences in big and small organizations, David customizes the training for your needs so you get a practical perspective that can significantly boost your career.

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

Arlen Bankston, a pioneering figure in the agile movement, was one of the first to integrate lean systems thinking and user experience practices with agile software development methodologies. His innovative approach has left a lasting impact on the field.

Currently, Arlen is a sought-after coach and trainer, specializing in advanced courses such as the Advanced CSPO, Certified Scrum Professional PO, Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster, Certified Agile Leadership Essentials and Team, as well as custom sessions including the Grow-Lean Remote and Hybrid Work. His expertise extends beyond the realm of software, exploring Lean, Six Sigma, BPM and other process management and systems thinking approaches to provide organizations with a comprehensive perspective.

Arlen's journey in the agile world began with his early involvement in the Scrum Alliance (member number 41) and as one of the first Certified Scrum Trainers . He further expanded his knowledge by becoming a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt during his six-year tenure leading a Lean-Agile practice. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found the consultancy LitheSpeed, which he successfully led for fifteen years before joining Grow-Lean.

Known for his thought leadership and dynamic, entertaining, and practical training style, Arlen has trained and mentored thousands of ScrumMasters, Product Owners, team members and executives. He designed the Agile Leadership Academy to address the leadership and structural challenges that many successful companies still face.

Arlen's client list spans across every industry and includes notable names such as RBC, Monster, Marriott, NBC Universal, CNBC, NGA, Capital One, T. Rowe Price, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Armed Forces Benefits Association. His book “HR and the Agile Organization” provides valuable insights on how human resources departments can adapt to support organizations striving for adaptability while enhancing employee engagement and retention.

Benefits You Earn

Valuable post class benefits including membership, a free class retake, etc.

By taking the session, you earn the chance to become a Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) as long as you meet requirements for work experience (one year as a ScrumMaster) and have a CSM (note your CSM does not need to be active).

The advanced certification will differentiate you, but more importantly, the deep learning will allow you to interview with confidence and apply advanced techniques in the work place.

CSM Renewal
Extend your CSM certification if you are a CSM holder who let your CSM expire. You are renewed for two years.
Six Practice Quizzes
Use our practice quizzes to get back up to date for things your forgot from your CSM, .
Certification Fees
Your certification fees are covered, there are no additional charges.
One-on-One Coaching
75 minute, one-one-one session with David A. Bulkin.
16 PMI PDUs
16 Professional Development Units to help meet your PMI continuing education requirements.
Two Year Scrum Alliance Membership
Scrum Alliance Membership for two years providing access to a resource library to advance your career.
One Free Class Retake
Take a second virtual class within 120 days (if still offered by Grow-Lean).
Alumni Discount
Take a training at $225 or above and get 5% off your next session. Get an additional 5% off for each training of $225 you take up to 25%.
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UpLift Your Future Program
Facing a hardship?
We’re offering extra support.

When we lift each other up, we all rise to new heights

We have heard from many students about their challenges with job loss and the fear of it.

We have expanded our discounts from now through March 15, 2026, to help you keep moving forward.

Deep discounts are available for:

  • Students, Vets, Active Military
  • Groups and Not-Profit-Organizations
  • Individuals facing financial hardship

Browse our upcoming sessions, pick a session, and select the “Discounts” link to apply.

Let’s navigate this journey together.

Elevate your impact
Exclusive Bonus - One on One Coaching

60-minute coaching session with an agile expert

To ensure transformative value beyond certification, your trainer is offering an exclusive bonus a complimentary 60-minute, one-on-one coaching session to the first 10 registrants of each session.

This will help you translate your newly acquired knowledge into actionable strategies for your team, your organization and yourself.

Secure your spot now and seize this unique opportunity to work directly with an industry expert.

100% Live Online Training
No Outside Work Required

Get Certified by taking the class

Earn your certification in a 100% live, online class, with no additional / outside work required. We do ask that you read the Scrum Guide which is at most 30 minutes of time.

The class has 40 exercises followed by discussion and reflection about real-world opportunities and challenges.

Avoid offline study and low interaction training by signing up today.

Benefit from a Free Retake
Love it or Learn Again
for Free Guarantee™

Ensure Your Quality

Want more value from the session we will work with you to make it happen with options including a free retake and/or one-on-one support.

Get the best quality training from a provider you can trust.

Benefit from Experience and Interaction

Competitors often mimic our course descriptions, but they can't copy David's experience. Benefit from a trainer who delivers a real-world, deep, hands-on, workshop.

From Your Trainer

"Choosing a provider can be challenging, especially as competitors often mimic our site content. What other trainers can't match is my 40 years of product development experience, 25 years of experience in agile, and two decades of teaching.

I also maintain a light class load allowing me to stay actively involved in product development where I build product. Staying current allow me to be authentic covering applied theory / real-world application.

I personally guarantee that the class will be small, tailored to your specific needs, genuine, and highly interactive."

David A. Bulkin

No Offline Work Required

For our session, there is no required offline work. We do recommend you read the Scrum Guide, but even that is optional. Be aware of other options where you will be watching videos and doing independent work.

Choose Experience
Years of systems/product development experience
David: 40
Other Trainer: Likely Less
Years of agile experience
David: 24
Other Trainer: Likely Less
Continues to do agile product development
David: Yes!
Other Trainer: Likely Not
Choose Interaction
Energy level of trainer
David: High
Other Trainer: Likely Less
Workshop exercises
David: 40 plus
Other Trainer: Likely Less
Class size
David: Intentionally Small
Other Trainer: Likely Larger
Avoid Fluff and Filler
Videos in the workshop
David: None
Other Trainer: Likely More
Slides in the workshop
David: None
Other Trainer: Likely More
Filler and fluff material in the workshop
David: None
Other Trainer: Likely More

Everything Included

With Grow-Lean, there are no nasty surprises!

Be careful of the company you pick. With Grow-Lean everything is covered including the certification fees and renewal of your CSM license if it has expired. There are no surprise costs when you register or accept your license.

As an added bonuses you get:

  • Practice quizzes.
  • 1-on-1 time with your trainer.
  • Free class retake with 120 days.
  • Discounts off of the Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM).

Go Beyond Scrum

There is more to agile than just Scrum, we help you grow with other frameworks

As an advanced class we go beyond Scrum and cover how to grow with practices from other agile frameworks:

  • XP and DevOps: Engineering practices to continuously integrate and deliver.
  • SAFe®, LeSS® Scrum@Scale®:  FAST®p; Align multiple teams on one endeavor.
  • Kanban: Limit WIP, increase focus and create flow.
  • Lean: Apply the mindset from the mother of agile.
  • Lean Startup®: Apply build-measure-learn loops to improve outcomes.
  • Operational and Plan Driven Approaches: Sometimes agile is not the answer

Don't stop at Scrum. Come to this session and learn how to apply ideas from a variety of frameworks.

Why choose David as a Trainer?

Live Online Workshop with an Agile Expert.

If you want to take a live online A-CSM Workshop you have options, but, one thing you can't get with the others is David Bulkin who:

  • Has been actively applying agile since 2001 when his team at JP Morgan Chase applied XP for eBanking development.
  • Has been building product since 1984.
  • Still is part of an agile product development team, filling various roles at different times.

Because you will...

  • Experience a blend of exercises, real-world case studies, engaging games, deep problem solving, and more.
  • Oscillate between theory and application to illustrate the gap between what is possible most often done in business environments.

Because you get...

  1. Deep discussion and learning.
  2. A 100% live collaborative session.
  3. Meaningful answers to questions.
  4. Case studies and real-life examples.

Plus, you will laugh! We provide edutainment so that you have energy that drives retention.

Practice Quizzes?

There is no exam, but the quizzes reinforce learnings

You might remember taking your CSM Exam. Although there is no exam for the A-CSM or CSP-SM you can still get significant benefit from our quizzes as the review the CSM material and go beyond, covering advanced topics.

  • The practice quizzes are active learning that increases retention.
  • They apply what cognitive science calls retrieval practice.
  • Retrieval practice makes learning challenging which helps you remember the material.

If you have time prior to the session use them as a refresher. Or perhaps, during the session you notice some weak spots and review the quizzes post class to fill in the knowledge gaps.

Contact Us