Introduction
The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications are the top choices among industry professionals who seek profound career advancement. The PMP certification is for people who are in the process of developing their project management skills, while CSM certification provides one with a good understanding of Agile methodologies.
When it comes to deciding between the PMP and CSM certification, the professionals usually find it difficult to answer a common question: Is it okay if I go for the CSM training first and later get the PMP certification?Our blog will provide all the answers to this question in detail. Let’s get started by understanding what the CSM and PMP certifications are.
What is the Certified Scrum Master (CSM)?
The CSM certification is catching on among professionals who are interested in acquiring a sound knowledge of Scrum and Agile. The 2-day interactive CSM training helps you understand what the Scrum framework is, including the roles of the Scrum team, Scrum events and artifacts.
With the help of practical training, candidates can gain hands-on experience in coaching Scrum teams. Throughout the training, you’ll also learn about the roles of a Scrum Master within the development and how he/she collaborates with the development team. The CSM training helps the Scrum Master in the following ways:
- Foster collaboration across the product team
- Inspect processes and tasks frequently and adjust actions as per the results derived
- Work in direct collaboration with customers throughout the product life cycle
- Frequently inspect team activities and direct the team members towards a common goal
Is the CSM training right for you?
The CSM training is conducted for 2 days (16 hours). It is suitable for individuals who are eager to learn what Agile is and how it works. The CSM certification doesn’t have any strict prerequisites. Any professional willing to kickstart their Scrum and Agile career can enrol for the CSM training.
What is a PMP or Project Management Professional certification? Why should you pursue the PMP certification training?
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification that is globally recognized by the Project Management Institute helps individuals to demonstrate their expertise in planning, organizing, and leading projects across diverse industries. So, the reasons which are mentioned in detail below are the ones which make the PMP certification a really good choice for your career:
The PMP certification training will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the latest project management trends, methodologies, best industry practices, and strategic planning. Professionals looking for a structured approach that helps to manage a project throughout its entire lifecycle (i.e. initial stages to completion) can reap the advantages of this training.
Professionals who possess the PMP certification can adhere to the project management principles acknowledged globally as the knowledge imparted in the certification can align with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide).
The PMP certification is well-known for its broad application in numerous industries. It provides project managers with a standardized project management framework applicable in diversified industries such as finance, healthcare, construction, IT, and so on.
What makes PMP the right choice for your career?
Professionals who have at least 36 months of experience as a Project Manager and have the know-how to manage and lead projects can pursue the PMP training. If you want to develop your knowledge and abilities in project management and control end-to-end and difficult projects, you can get started by enrolling in the PMP training.
Any person who has a PMP certification can prove his/her competencies by leveraging project management methodologies in an efficient and effective way.
Which certification should you choose first: CSM or PMP
The CSM training is a 2-day program which familiarizes you with Agile and Scrum methodologies. Once you have completed CSM training, you are obligated to take a test, which will examine your knowledge of Scrum principles. The Scrum Alliance will award a certificate as soon as you clear the exam.
Individuals looking for a fast-track certification can opt for the CSM training. Whereas the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification requires rigorous preparation. The preparation time currently ranges from approximately 3 to 4 months. The PMP certification serves as a mode of learning that will help you understand the project management approaches, the steps you take in the process, and the methodologies. This detail makes it the most appropriate choice for those who have to lead multi-faceted projects in various industries.
Without a doubt, it is highly advisable to attend the CSM training first if you are not entirely conversant with the concepts of Scrum and Agile. This way, the CSM certification will help you to establish a solid understanding of Agile, which can be helpful when you undergo the PMP training.
However, one of the most important things is that the PMP certification is highly recommendable for the candidates who don’t know Agile or are looking forward to improving their Agile skills. Candidates will get to know various ways of managing and leading huge projects when they attend the PMP training. If you’re all set to strengthen your competence in the practical and planning stages of a project, you can join the PMP certification.
Conclusion
To become a successful project manager, a CSM qualification prior to a PMP is the safest route. After you’ve gained a solid knowledge of Agile, the PMP exam will become easy.
The CSM certification allows professionals to explore more career opportunities within the Agile-driven job market.
