Professional certifications are becoming more and more popular, especially in the field of project management.
There are a variety of certifications available, but two of the most popular are the Scrum Master (CSM) Certification and the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification.
Which of these certifications is better?
In this article, we are going to compare the two certifications and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each. We’ll discuss the requirements for earning each certification, as well as the cost and time required to earn them. We’ll also take a look at the different areas of knowledge each certification covers. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which certification is best for your needs.
CSM or PMI-ACP: Definitions
What is PMI ACP?
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The PMI-ACP is designed for professionals who use agile practices in their projects.
To qualify for the certification, individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements and pass an exam. The PMI-ACP is considered a valuable credential for professionals looking to advance their careers in this area.
What is PMI?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a professional organization for project management. It is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1969 with the goal of advancing the practice of project management. PMI is headquartered in the United States and has over 500,000 members in more than 185 countries.
PMI is best known for its Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is a widely recognized credential for project managers. In addition to the PMP, PMI offers a range of other certifications, including the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP). PMI also publishes a number of standards and guidelines related to project management, including the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, which is a widely used resource in the field.
PMI is dedicated to supporting the project management profession and advancing the practice of project management through research, education, and the promotion of best practices. It offers a range of resources and services to its members, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and access to industry research.
What is CSM?
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, a professional organization for Scrum practitioners. Scrum is an agile framework for managing and completing complex projects. It is based on the principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation, and it is designed to help teams deliver high-quality products in a rapidly changing environment.
The CSM certification is designed for professionals who work with Scrum teams and organizations that use Scrum as their primary project management framework. It is intended to demonstrate a practitioner’s knowledge of Scrum principles, practices, and values, as well as their ability to apply Scrum in their work. To qualify for the CSM, individuals must attend a Scrum Alliance-approved training course and pass a certification exam.
The CSM certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the field of agile project management and is considered a valuable credential for professionals looking to advance their careers in this area. It is also a pre-requisite for several other advanced Scrum certifications offered by the Scrum Alliance, including the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) and the Certified Scrum Coach (CSC).
In summary, the CSM certification is related to agile project management and specifically to the Scrum framework, which is a specific agile methodology.
CSM or PMI-ACP: Who can get these degrees?
To be eligible for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, individuals must meet the following education and experience requirements:
- A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent)
- 2,000 hours of general project experience
- 1,500 hours of experience working on agile project teams or with agile methods
- 21 hours of agile project-related training
In addition to these requirements, individuals must pass an exam to earn the PMI-ACP certification. The exam covers a range of agile principles, practices, and tools and techniques across agile methods.
The PMI-ACP certification is intended for professionals who work on projects in a variety of contexts, including IT, product development, and business. It is particularly valuable for professionals who are looking to advance their careers in agile project management or who work on projects that use agile practices. It is also a useful credential for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge of agile principles and practices to their employers or clients.
Overall, the PMI-ACP certification is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including project managers, business analysts, software developers, and other professionals who work on projects in an agile environment. It is a valuable credential for anyone who wants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in agile project management.
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification is intended for professionals who work with Scrum teams and organizations that use Scrum as their primary project management framework.
It is a valuable credential for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge of Scrum principles, practices, and values, as well as their ability to apply Scrum in their work.
The CSM certification is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including project managers, business analysts, software developers, and other professionals who work on projects in an agile environment.
It is particularly valuable for professionals who are looking to advance their careers in agile project management or who work on projects that use Scrum as their primary framework.
Some of the benefits that professionals can gain from earning the CSM certification include:
- Improved understanding of Scrum principles and practices
- Increased credibility and recognition in the field of agile project management
- Greater ability to apply Scrum to projects in a way that delivers value to stakeholders
- Enhanced ability to work effectively with Scrum teams and organizations
- Access to a community of Scrum practitioners and resources for ongoing learning and professional development
Overall, the CSM certification is a valuable credential for professionals who want to improve their skills and knowledge in agile project management, particularly in the context of the Scrum framework. It can help professionals advance their careers and be more effective in their roles on Scrum teams and in agile organizations.
Now you know what is necessary to be eligible for CSM or PMI-ACP.
Advantages of CSM certification
A professional certification is essential for people looking to improve or start their project management careers.
One of the most sought after certifications in this field is the CSM (Certified Scrum Master).
Like any other certification, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of it before opting for this option.
CSM offers a variety of advantages to those who own it, especially when it comes to work.
Additionally, CSM certificates can aid in the employment process and can also improve your project management skills among your peers.
This means that with the knowledge gained, CSM certificates can help even those looking to work in completely different areas of programming.
Here are some reasons to get a Scrum Master Certification:
» Using Scrum effectively: Whether you’re new to Scrum or a seasoned professional, a certification allows for greater mastery of the
process. It’s especially useful when you’re managing large teams across multiple departments in a consistent framework for your colleagues.
» As a Scrum Master, you can motivate your team members to improve team management and cooperation. You will be able to lead by example and influence your colleagues to help them work together smoothly. Certified Scrum Master status shows that you
has the skills and experience needed to effectively guide an agile team. It can also be used as a selling point, demonstrating that you have an advantage over the competition. That certification might be the only thing that tips the odds in your favor!
» Certified Scrum Master can serve as a stepping stone to further career advancement. This certification will make you more in demand and increase your earning potential over your non-certified peers. It can also demonstrate to your company that you have the
appropriate leadership skills and is able to adapt to changes. It also demonstrates to a great extent that you have a mindset
Agile that fits your business.
Benefits of PMI-ACP certification
Provides industry recognition
A project leader’s expectations change based on the number of participants, workplaces and cultures. The PMI-ACP® Certification is considered a globally recognized verification of your professionalism. So all you have to worry about is getting the coveted title.
PMI-ACP® certification allows you to work from anywhere in the world. It shows your level of project management knowledge and skill, which can instantly capture the interest of the company. More than 40,000 people have become credential holders due to sheer numbers, which shows how many are competing with each other for the top prizes.
Helps you learn important skills
As you can see, staying current in your industry has many benefits. The best way for you to stand out is to get PMI-ACP certification, which will naturally improve your job prospects.
A significant skill you will learn with the PMI-ACP certification is what to do to improve career outcomes. The high standards of the PMI-ACP certification require intensive preparation.
You will need to become proficient in applying this material. Earning PMI-ACP credentials involves learning many different technical and soft skills. It gives you the ability to learn fundamental tools and practices of project management processes and tools.
It provides up-to-date information on recent and emerging agile management strategies.
You will be introduced to a world of new techniques to be implemented in day-to-day project management
If you intend to advance in your career, the best option is to become a better person than you are today. Being able to take on new challenges.
Throughout your career, you will certainly evolve in the way you manage projects. However, by taking a certification, you accelerate this advancement considerably.
Add value to resume
There are several professional certifications that you can pursue throughout your career. But among them all, the PMI-ACP certification
is one of the most valuable certification programs. Interviewers looking to fill the project manager position understand this. Therefore, they tend to prioritize profiles with PMI-ACP certification over those without such accreditation. Project management positions are in high demand.
Therefore, in most cases, several people apply for these jobs. This is time and resource consuming for the company to interview and assess the potential of all candidates. As such, they like to screen as many people as possible prior to the project management interview process.
This is where the PMI-ACP certification proves to be beneficial, as it is one of the most objective ways of selecting candidates.
Also, many companies are making it mandatory to have a PMI-ACP certification. This means that you cannot even apply for some positions without these credentials. The PMI-ACP certification can also be extremely valuable if you are planning to advance within the current company you are working for. This puts you way ahead of your peers in terms of climbing the career ladder. Also, a certified manager can do much better in a grueling project management interview than an uncertified one.
Validates your dedication to work
As mentioned above, there are certain conditions that must be met before earning PMI-ACP certification. If you are an associate, you will need 12 months of general project experience and 8 months working on project teams using agile methodologies to be eligible. On the other hand, a person with a bachelor’s degree requires 36 months of work experience. The PMI-ACP certification has high standards. A potential employer understands that passing the exam requires dedication to the job.
This indicates that you are serious about making project management your long-term career. An employee who invests in learning is a significant asset to the company. A PMI-ACP certification symbolizes your drive to improve your professional skills, credentials and knowledge. It also helps to command respect among colleagues and team members.
Contributes to higher income
The biggest draw of the PMI-ACP certification is the higher salary it can bring to project managers. Across the industry, the average salary for certified project managers is considerably higher. A recent PMI survey states that the median median salary of a certified project manager is $108,000. On the other hand, the median income of a non-certified project manager is just $91,000. What else? The PMI-ACP has consistently been the highest paying IT certification. Furthermore, the trend indicates that PMI-ACP salaries will only continue to grow in the future. In addition to higher income, PMI-ACP certification improves your job security. Some companies value the core competencies learned through certification during downtime. Therefore, the PMI-ACP credential helps you fight a potential layoff better than not having one.
Requirements to Obtain the CSM Certification
To earn the Scrum Alliance CSM credential, you must complete official training lasting 2 days, which is often a difficult task for low-wage workers. The course itself costs $250 (US Dollars).
Certification must be renewed every two years, with a price of $250 (US Dollars).
To renew certification, individuals must complete a specified number of Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) activity points.
The CCR dots can be earned in a number of ways, including attending Scrum-related trainings, events or conferences, publishing articles or presentations at Scrum-related events, or participating in Scrum projects as a ScrumMaster. The number of
CCR points required for recertification varies by individual’s certification level.
Renewing your CSM certification is important to keep your skills and knowledge current and to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and professional development. In addition, certification renewal is required to continue to use the CSM title and brand and to access exclusive resources and benefits offered by the Scrum Alliance.
Requirements for Earning the PMI-ACP Certification
Education
Secondary education (high school or equivalent) or higher.
Experience
12 months of work on projects acquired in the last 5 years*.
Agile Experience
8 months of project work – using agile techniques – acquired in the last 3 years.
Training
21 hours of Agile Project Management training
CSM or PMI-ACP: Conclusion
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) are both certifications related to agile project management.
However, there are some key differences between the two certifications:
– Scope: The PMI-ACP certification is broader in scope than the CSM, as it covers a range of agile principles, practices, and tools and techniques across agile methods, while the CSM focuses specifically on the Scrum framework.
– Eligibility requirements: The eligibility requirements for the PMI-ACP and CSM certifications are different. To qualify for the PMI-ACP, individuals must have a secondary degree, 2,000 hours of general project experience, 1,500 hours of experience working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies, and 21 hours of agile project-related training. To qualify for the CSM, individuals must attend a Scrum Alliance-approved training course and pass the CSM certification exam.
– Renewal: The PMI-ACP certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years, while the CSM certification must be renewed every two years.
Overall, the PMI-ACP and CSM certifications are both valuable credentials for professionals interested in agile project management.
The PMI-ACP is suitable for a wider range of professionals and covers a broader range of agile principles and practices, while the CSM is specifically focused on the Scrum framework.
The appropriate certification for an individual will depend on their specific career goals and the type of projects they work on.
