Agile methodology has become an age-old myth as a front pillar of modern-age project management, particularly in technology and product-based industries. With that, many certifications came into play to authenticate someone's agility expertise. Its two major certifications among many other agile certifications are that of Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) offered by the British Academy for Training and Development and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP). Which of those two would be more appropriate for your career? Let's check on the differences of each with more depth.
Introducing the Agile Certification
Agile certification is all about the validation of understanding agility principles, tools, and techniques. Such qualifications allow the professional to prove how competent a candidate could lead agile teams and direct agile projects. The right kind of agile certification would differ significantly for one career path from others for salary prospects and roles in the team.
What is a certified Scrum Master?
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is an accreditation given by Scrum Alliance which specifically concentrates on the Scrum framework. This is true for those inclined towards learning Scrum roles, events, and artefacts thoroughly. This certification is best suitable for wannabe Scrum Masters and team facilitators.
Getting certified as CSM requires two-day training using a certified trainer and passing an online exam. It's a beginner-level certification and a very good beginner point in agile project management.
Who Should Choose Certified ScrumMaster?
CSM is an immediate fit for someone who is newly into Agile and is engaging or would engage with Scrum teams. Scrum Masters, product owners, team leads, and project coordinators will also benefit immensely from the training, as it helps clarify their roles and invokes further team cooperation within Scrum teams.
Should your organisation purely run a Scrum environment and require that you do things such as lead daily stand-ups or swallow team impediments, CSM carries the precise tools and learning for such functions.
Who Should Choose PMI-ACP?
PMI-ACP is more apt for those well-seasoned project managers who've been directly involved with agent environments or those who have been providing such coaching within organisations at an enterprise level. If the team that you belong to uses a mix of Kanban, XP, or Lean with Scrum, PMI-ACP gives a comprehensive understanding across multiple frameworks.
So, PMI-ACP is also more weighty among companies that are already into PMI certification like PMP (Project Management Professional), making it an excellent professional touch in one's career profile.
Training and Preparation: CSM vs. PMI-ACP1. CSM Training Requirements
To get the prized CSM certification, you will need to attend a two-day (16-hour) classroom or online course from a certified Scrum trainer. The purpose of the courses is to make participants understand Scrum theory and prepare them for the exam, which will test them through 50 multiple-choice questions.
2. PMI-ACP Preparation
There are many more doubts in PMI-ACP preparation. It discusses the huge range of activities that include the agile framework, agile principles, and agile tools. Training could be taken on a self-study or instructor-led programme. However, this will be accompanied by fulfilling some experience requirements before a candidate takes the exam. Most candidates study for several weeks or months.
Industry Recognition and Credibility1. Recognitions of CSM
The CSM examination is reputed and renowned in technical and software industries. It is a well-accepted entry-level agile certification, often considered the minimum qualification for Scrum Master positions. The strength of its brand name (Scrum Alliance) adds credibility to an agile team.
2. Recognition of PMI-ACP
PMI-ACP is recognised and respected globally for its rigour and comprehensive nature. It is the best-known brand across industries, especially among organisations that place value on structured project management. By incorporating several agile methodologies, it is therefore applicable in a large context.
Career Opportunities and Salary Impact1. Jobs You Can Get with CSM
CSM indeed helps in securing the Scrum Master/Agile Coach/Project Coordinator/Product Owner job titles. Whenever companies want to form agile teams, they tend to look for candidates with CSM certification. Salary varies a lot but mostly starts from $75,000 and might even cross the $110,000 mark with experience.
2. Jobs You Can Get with PMI-ACP
PMI-ACP is valid for jobs like Agile Project Manager and Program Manager and for greater-level positions, Senior Business Analyst and Enterprise Agile Coach. These job descriptions require a lot more responsibility and strategic thought.
Pros and ConsPros of CSMSimple to getQuickly enters agile rolesVery knowledgeable in a Scrum-based environmentTraining is inexpensive.Cons of CSMLimited to ScrumNot very technical nor strategicMay need other certifications for senior positionsPros of PMI-ACPMultiple agile frameworks are covered by PMI-ACP.Globally acknowledged across different industries.In line with other PMI certifications.More suitable for advanced roles.PMI-ACP ConsHas prerequisites for experience.More expensive and less time-consuming.Exams are difficult enough.Which Agile Qualification Wins?
There is no template answer. If you work strictly with Scrum teams, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a great introductory-level credential. It is cheap, quick to obtain, and gives you the much-needed push into agile roles.
On the other hand, if you have some project experience and want a certification with comparably broader application, PMI-ACP is meant for further training and a higher ceiling in a career. Definitely, it would serve better if you worked in setups that adopt a hybrid or scaled agile framework.