This is a common question since the Jan 2012 launch of PMI’s Agile Certified Practioner (ACP) certification. PMI-ACP is about ALL agile methods/principles/practices; CSM knowledge will not be enough to pass the PMI-ACP.
Differences:
1. PMI-ACP includes various Agile methods used including Lean, XP, TDD, Crystal and more. About 65% of Agile practitioners use SCRUM & 15% use XP. Others use various Agile methods. CSM on the other hand covers only one method, SCRUM, in complete detail.
2. PMI-ACP requires 1500 hrs of Agile project experience & 2000 hours of general project experience; CSM does not require any experience.
3. PMI-ACP is a rigorous exam (similar to the highly acclaimed and valued PMP). PMI expects about 70% will pass the exam; CSM, broadly speaking, is a no-fail exam.
4. Recognition and Brand Awareness: PMI-ACP is advocated by PMI (The world’s largest project management advocacy body with huge global recognition); CSM is advocated by Scrum Alliance which is a smaller (and more niche) body.
5. PMI-ACP exam is administered all over the world in various test centers; CSM is offered at fewer locations and the exam administration itself is nowhere near the standards set by PMI.
What is the better choice? It depends...
1. If you have no work experience, your only choice is Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
2. If your employer is using SCRUM methodology & wants you to do Certified Scrum Master (CSM), then it is a better choice.
3. If you have more than 3 years of work experience & you are looking for career growth and ability to apply & customize Agile principles & practices, then the best option is PMI-ACP.
4. If you want to learn about the Agile values, principles & practices and be able to apply them to real life scenarios & integrate in a world of command &control, then PMI-ACP is a better cert.
Hope this helps.
Reference: Link
Thanks & Regards,
Arun Manglick
Project Manager (PMP, CSM, MS-Project)
