PMI-ACP vs. CSM Certification, Which one is right for me?

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether PMI- ACP or the CSM certification. However, before knowing the answer, the most relevant question to seek would be which certification is best for you? Certifications remain an ultimate way to advance one’s career and give them an advantage over others. Certifications do have their pros and cons and choosing between two unique certifications can be a difficult task. Identifying as to what skillset you require, is the best way to pursue the certification to add value to one’s career ambitions. Let us now determine what both of these certifications are all about – 

CSM

Certified Scrum Master is a simple certification provided by the scrum alliance.  It is generally preferred by the people that are a part of the scrum squad, or those who play the position of a scrum master. The course is taught by a Qualified Scrum master who ensures that you are learning from a specialist with profound scrum expertise. Once, the course is completed, you can expect to be qualified in scrum strategies and methodologies. This is an entry-level credential that focuses mainly on the Agile and Scrum generics. CSM is a certified industry certification and is well-recognized by corporates. If you are a software developer, you may use the Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) to demonstrate your scrum project skills.

– On enrollment in the certification, it is required to complete a 16-hour course workshop which is divided into two days. It is taught by a Professional Scrum Trainer with an introduction to the mostly commonly used Scrum, the Agile system.

PMI – ACP

The project management Institute offers the PMI-ACP certification. The PMI-ACP certification goes beyond the scrum certification and lays emphasis on an all-inclusive range of agile strategies such as the Kanban, TDD, Lean and many more. PMI-ACP Certification has a wider reach and is applicable across various industries. This certification is for someone who wants to extend their understanding of Scrum and Agile practices and wants to excel in highly agile organizations which are sensitive to business demands on quick response times.

– On enrollment in this certification, it is required to have a 2000 hours of team project experience, 1500 hours of Agile work experience as a team, and 21 hours of Agile implementation training touch.

So Which one you should opt for?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not clearly defined. The PMI-ACP certification is preferred by some employers and they do not settle for anything less. PMI-ACP certification means that you have devoted several months in training and obtained required hours to receive the credential. This doesn’t mean that anyone with CSM certification is any less eligible or viable for other professions, though. Either of the accreditation could be more appropriate for you, depending on what your priorities are for work, the choices of your employer, and how much time and money you can spend. You can ask yourself the following questions and decide which certification suits you the best – 

• When you work in an organization that imbibes agile philosophy, you should schedule a PMI ACP Certification Exam or a CSM Next.

• If you are a member of a close knit team which works using the agile concepts for their project, then an agile certification is definitely an advantage.

• You must have heard people switching to an agile world, so if you are curious about what it’s like then, you must understand the agile practices.  

• Do you wish to be remembered for your Agile Methodology expertise and knowledge?

There is a crazy demand in many industries for expert project managers. Besides academic qualifications, it is expected to improve your employability and ability to obtain a valid certification. Both CSM and API are highly competitive in terms of business market’s recognition and applicability. In the end, all certifications deliver their benefits, but it’s best to carry out all the work you require before selecting the one for you.