Unleashing the Power of the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification

Introduction: Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of Project Management

In today's fast-paced business environment, adaptability and agility are no longer optional; they are imperatives for success. Project management, once confined to rigid methodologies, has evolved to embrace flexibility and responsiveness. Enter the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, a testament to an individual's mastery of agile principles and practices.

Understanding the PMI-ACP Certification

What is PMI-ACP?

PMI-ACP is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It validates a professional's expertise in agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and XP.

Who Should Pursue PMI-ACP?

PMI-ACP is ideal for project managers, agile coaches, scrum masters, product owners, and anyone involved in agile projects. It's for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in agile practices and demonstrate their commitment to professional growth.

Benefits of PMI-ACP Certification

Enhanced Marketability

In today's competitive job market, PMI-ACP certification sets you apart from your peers. Employers recognize and value professionals who possess the knowledge and skills to lead agile projects successfully.

Expanded Career Opportunities

PMI-ACP opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities in various industries, from IT to healthcare to finance. Agile methodologies are increasingly being adopted across sectors, creating a growing demand for certified professionals.

Deeper Understanding of Agile Practices

Earning PMI-ACP certification goes beyond passing an exam; it signifies a deep understanding of agile principles and practices. From iterative development to customer collaboration, certified practitioners are equipped to navigate complex project environments with ease.

How to Become PMI-ACP Certified

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the PMI-ACP exam, candidates must have a secondary degree, 21 contact hours of agile training, and at least 2,000 hours of general project experience. Additionally, candidates need 1,500 hours of agile project experience acquired within the last three years.

Exam Preparation

Preparing for the PMI-ACP exam requires dedication and focus. Resources such as study guides, practice exams, and agile training courses can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam content and format.

Taking the Exam

The PMI-ACP exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering agile tools and techniques, knowledge and skills, and agile methodologies. Candidates have three hours to complete the exam, which is administered through Pearson VUE.

Maintaining Certification

Once certified, PMI-ACP professionals must earn 30 professional development units (PDUs) in agile topics every three years to maintain their certification. PDUs can be obtained through continuing education, training, and active involvement in the agile community.

Conclusion: Empowering Professionals in the Agile Era

In conclusion, the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification is a valuable asset for professionals seeking to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape. By mastering agile principles and practices, certified practitioners can lead successful projects, drive innovation, and achieve their career aspirations.

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PMI-ACP Certification Is Worth Your Time & Energy

Earning the PMI-ACP certification and becoming PMI Agile Certified Practitioner empowers you with Agile knowledge and boosts your career to new heights. We will be discussing some of the career benefits in this blog.

Overview of PMI-ACP Certification:

PMI-ACP, or the Agile Certified Practitioner, is a 180-minute long exam that recognizes an aspirant's skills regarding agile principles and his skills with the agile method. The PMI-ACP certification proves that Agile knowledge runs deep within you and would help you prove your credibility to potential employers.

Agilists made PMI-ACP certification for agilists to perform their work better. Various surveys proved that organizations that are knowledgeable with agile, and responsive to market dynamics are more capable of achieving their goals within the given time.

Can You Take the PMI-ACP Exam?

You can take the PMI-ACP certification exam if you are part of an agile team or your organization uses agile practices. You can successfully prove your skills and practical knowledge with PMI-ACP certification by being part of a project team.

PMI-ACP Exam Detail:

The PMI-ACP certification exam is 120 questions long, and you will face multiple-choice questions to get your PMI Agile Certified Practitioner certification. To maintain his PMI-ACP, the aspirant must obtain 30 professional development units in agile topics every three years.

The Aspirant Must Possess the Following Qualities to Become PMI-ACP Certified:

• Get a Secondary degree.
• Earn your 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.
• Have one year of general project experience within the last five years of taking the PMI-ACP exam.
• Eight months of agile project experience within the last three years.

Is the PMI-ACP Certification Worth Your Time & Energy?

Every aspirant must improve their skills to beat other candidates in the work field, and PMI-ACP certification proves to be beneficial in improving their skills.

Everyone is looking for a secure job, and project management jobs are becoming immensely popular due to their high level of job security. Many aspirants are losing their jobs to AI; therefore, job security is vital these days. Project Management is a field that helps you become eligible for jobs in any field. Moreover, it offers stability and security.

Why Is PMI-ACP Certification Advantageous As A Career?

With the PMI-ACP certification, you are not restricted to any single field. Any project management certification makes you eligible to get a job in any field. Pharmaceuticals and many industries need a Project Manager; thus, the PMI-ACP certification gives you flexibility.

The most beneficial thing about a Project Management job is you will be drawing a higher Salary too. Getting the MBA certification is a choice for aspirants to improve their Project Management skills, but modern certifications work far better to boost Project Managers. PMI ACP certification is growing as the best certification for project managers and can offer you multiple opportunities.

Here Are the Advantages Of PMI ACP Certification:

The basic advantage of becoming PMI-ACP certified is growing up your efficiency. Preparing for the PMI-ACP certification will make you efficient enough to deliver projects on time. Project Management Institute offers the PMI-ACP certification and makes you accustomed to the basics of project management.

Prove Your Skills with Ease:

PMI ACP certification will help you benefit over others. The PMI-ACP certification on your resume proves your skills to the employer. As a result, it helps you stand out from other candidates. However, one must learn all the agile principles for better practical experience. Employment won't be an issue as there is high demand for Project Managers. 

Agile Is Popular Across the Globe:

Agile is used everywhere nowadays. From small organizations to bigger MNCs, everyone benefits from agile practices. Organizations must be flexible to sustain themselves in the competitive world. Flexibility means you are open to changes. 

The flexibility of Agile makes it a more popular choice for employers and organizations, and the growing popularity creates the job field open to many aspirants.

Demand for Agile Professionals Is High:

The changing market demands are making the most for Agile professionals. Most companies use agile practices, so there is a growing demand for agile practitioners. You don't need to prove your Agile skills when you are certified.

As PMI-ACP certified, you would be able to find jobs with ease. Through your skills, you can offer cost-effective projects on time.

Monitor Multiple Things At A Time:

You can focus only on one thing at a time with traditional methods. On the other hand, with Agile, you can monitor several things at a time. It helps in better project management.

In agile practices, the aspirant breaks down the project into several fragments. Breaking up helps in getting a better assessment of the project. You can improve the success rates of projects within a shorter span.

Strong Resume:

When you are facing job interviews, your resume should be presentable and strong enough to earn you a call for face-to-face interviews. The PMI-ACP sets your way to get noticed and beat your competitors.

Learn the Latest Project Management Methods:

You can improve your skills with the PMI ACP certification. The certification helps you learn the latest project management methods. You should be skilled enough to cope with the market standards.

With the PMI-ACP certification knowledge and the latest management skills, you will survive in the rapidly changing market and prove your points easily.

Earn Validation for Your Skills:

With the PMI-ACP certification will, your skills become relevant. You get the needed validation and trust of employers with the PMI-ACP certification. As your skills are appreciated, you will get many scopes to put your points during business meetings and decision-making.

Bottom Line:

Earning a better salary and skills is the main motto of getting certified. The average annual salary with PMI-ACP is quite high, which helps you to have a stable life. You will also have continuous promotions that will automatically raise your salary. Therefore, study hard and earn the PMI-ACP certification. 

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PMI Certifications: How Many Certification Courses Does the PMI Offer?

Today we will talk about PMI certifications.

When I passed my PMP exam in 2010, PMI offered only a few other certifications: PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, and PgMP.

These days, that number has grown dramatically. The PMI offers seven certifications in addition to the PMP certification, and a few more are under the process of launching.

If you have passed the PMP exam, you might be thinking about expanding your skills and wondering what other certifications have to offer.

To give you an idea about these other opportunities, this blog post will cover additional PMI certifications found here.

PMI Certifications

PMI offers eight certification courses:

1. CAPM

2. PMP

3. PgMP

4. PfMP

5. PMI-ACP

6. PMI-PBA

7. PMI-RMP

8. PMI-SP

Besides these certifications, PMI is launching new Agile certifications; you can find more details by clicking here.

CAPM (Certified Associate of Project Management)

This PMI certification is for entry-level professionals. It has lenient eligibility requirements, and you can apply for it even if you don’t have project management experience.

The CAPM certification is valid for three years and requires 15 PDUs to renew it for a further three years.

PMP (Project Management Professional)

This is the most sought-after certification for project professionals. If you are in project management, you should definitely go for this certification. This credential will help you take your career to the next level and requires the following prerequisites:

If you have a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate degree, or the global equivalent), a minimum of five years or 60 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience is required.

If you have a four-year degree or equivalent, a minimum of three years or 36 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience is required.

If you have a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree from a GAC-accredited program or global equivalent, you should have a minimum of two years or 24 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience.

This certification is valid for three years. You can renew it by earning 60 PDUs in three years and notifying the PMI. This is known as the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) cycle.

PgMP (Program Management Professional)

You can apply for this certification if you are managing similar projects.

To apply for this certification, you should have a diploma or a bachelor’s degree. Diploma holders need 6,000 hours of project management experience and 10,500 hours of program management experience.

If you have a 4-year degree, you will need 6,000 hours of project management experience and 6,000 hours of experience in program management.

This certification is valid for three years. You can renew it for another three years after completing the CCR program.

PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional)

You should go for this certification if you are managing diverse projects or programs.

To apply for this certification, you should either hold a diploma or a bachelor’s degree.

The portfolio management experience requirement for diploma holders is 10,500 hours and 96 months of professional business experience.

If you have a 4-year degree, you will need 6,000 hours of portfolio management experience and have 96 months of professional business experience.

If you have a 4-year degree, you will need 6,000 hours of project management experience and 6,000 hours of experience in program management.

This certification is valid for three years. You can renew it for another three years after completing the CCR program.

PMI-ACP (PMI–Agile Certified Practitioner)

This certification is for Agile professionals and is the second most popular PMI certification after the PMP.

To apply, you should hold a secondary degree and have 1,500 Agile project management experience hours. Additionally, you should have 2,000 hours of experience in project management. 

This certification is valid for three years. You must earn 30 PDUs in Agile practice to renew for a further three years.

PMI-PBA (PMI Professional in Business Analysis)

This certification is for business analysts.

If you have a secondary degree, you should have 7,500 hours of experience in business analysis. For a bachelor’s degree holder, the requirement is 4,500 hours.

The necessary project management experience is 2,000 hours, and you also have to attend a 35 contact hours training program in business analysis.

This certificate is valid for three years. You can renew it for a further three years after earning 60 PDUs in business analysis topics.

PMI-RMP (PMI Risk Management Professional)

You should go for this certification if you want to take your career to the next level in risk management.

Diploma or degree holders can apply for this certification. If you have a diploma, you should have 4,500 hours of experience in risk management. If you are a degree holder, the requirement is 3,500 hours. 

The training program is 40 hours long for diploma holders and only 30 hours for those with 4-year degrees.

This certification is valid for three years. You can renew it for a further three after completing the CCR program, which includes earning 30 PDUs in risk management.

PMI-SP (PMI Scheduling Professional)

This certification is for professionals working in project planning and scheduling.

You will need a diploma with 5,000 hours of experience in project scheduling. Afterward, you must attend 40 contact hours of training in scheduling management. Then you will be eligible for this certification.

If you have a 4-year degree, you should have 3,500 hours of experience in project scheduling. Then you should attend a 30 contact hours training program in scheduling management.

This certificate is valid for three years. To renew it for another three, you will have to earn 30 PDUs in scheduling management.

Source: pmstudycircle.com

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PMI-ACP Training: Online PMI-ACP Certification Exam Training Program

If you are preparing for the PMI-ACP certification exam, you know that you have to attend the PMI-ACP training program. 

Attending a PMI-ACP training program is a requirement to apply for the PMI-ACP certification exam. This training will provide you with 21 contact hours or 35 contact hours, depending on your educational qualifications and experience.

Before we delve into the PMI-ACP training program, let us discuss the PMI-ACP certification in brief.

PMI-ACP stands for Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner; this is a certification awarded to professionals working with agile methodologies by PMI, USA.

The PMI-ACP certification is one of the most sought-after certifications globally. 

The PMI-ACP exam has 120 questions, and you have to answer all questions in 180 minutes. The exam has no scheduled break. If you take a break, the timer will continue to count down. 

Now we come to the PMI-ACP training program.

PMI-ACP Training

PMI-ACP training will provide you with a 21 or 35 contact hours certificate depending on your educational qualifications and experience:

1. If you have a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or global equivalent), have 12 months of general project management experience, and eight months of agile project experience, you must earn 21 contact hours of formal education in agile methodologies.

2. Suppose you have a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree from a GAC accredited program (bachelor’s or master’s degree or global equivalent) and have at least eight months of agile experience. In that case, you must earn 35 contact hours of formal education in agile methodologies.

The following education providers can help you complete your PMI-ACP training: 

A. PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)

B. PMI Authorized Training Partners (ATPs)

C. PMI chapters*

D. Employer/company-sponsored programs

E. Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)

F. Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment

G. University/college academic and continuing education programs 

The following education does not satisfy the educational requirements:

◉ PMI chapter meetings* 

◉ Self-directed learning (e.g., reading books, watching instructional videos, or sessions with coaches or mentors).

The PMI-ACP training never expires; once you complete it, you can apply for the PMI-ACP certification exam anytime in your life.

Type of PMI-ACP Training Program

Though you can choose any PMI-ACP training provider, I recommend you complete your training through an online PMI-ACP training program. The online training program offers many benefits over other types of training programs:

◉ They are affordable

◉ You can join them anytime

◉ They can be completed from home

◉ They can be attended from any location

If you are interested in an online PMI-ACP training program, I recommend you go for the Agile PrepCast Training Program.

Agile PrepCast PMI-ACP Training Program

This is one of the most popular online PMI-ACP training programs developed by the world-famous PMP trainer Cornelius Fichtner. To date, around 5,000 professionals have used Agile PrepCast to complete the PMI-ACP training.

This is a 100% online training program, and you can download the course content on any device and use it whenever you have free time.

This course comes with three versions:

1. Agile PrepCast Basic: The price for this version is 229 USD. Here you get all video sessions; you can download them on your device and watch them offline.

2. Agile PrepCast Elite: The price is 279 USD. This includes Agile PrepCast basic plus 90-day access to the Agile Exam Simulator, which contains 480 questions in six exams.

3. Agile PrepCast Elite Plus: The price is 329 USD. This includes everything from Agile PrepCast Elite plus a PM Study Coach Guide book for the PMI-ACP exam.

This training program is affordable, and you get the basic version for 229 USD, though I recommend you join the Elite package so you can get some mock practice tests. 

More Info: PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Source: pmstudycircle.com

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Difference Between PMI ACP and PMP (PMI ACP Vs PMP)

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner(PMI ACP) and Project Management Professional(PMP) are two globally recognized professional certificates for professionals aiming to take their careers to the next level. 

In this article, we will explore what is PMP and PMI ACP one after the other. We will then make a comparative study of both the certifications, their cost, exam pattern, exam prerequisites and their benefits. By the end of the article, you will be able to make a clear-cut decision on which is best suited for your career.

What is PMI ACP?

PMI-ACP certification offered by the Project Management Institute, USA, is the fastest-growing Agile certificate and includes various agile approaches such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and many more. It requires a high level of professional integrity as it combines agile training, fundamentals and tools.

The unconventional and modern methodology, known as Agile Methodology, forms the basis of PMI ACP certification. It is a highly flexible methodology, best suited for industries which require high-quality products in a short duration of time. 

Under PMI ACP certification, the certified holder is required to lead and work as a project manager of a small development team. Agile also includes four values and 12 principles to deliver value to customers in uncertain environments. 

Role of a PMI ACP 

◉ An Agile certified practitioner is expected to implement Agile methodology in the developmental phase of every project.

◉ ACP is expected to apply lean management principles to eliminate non-value adding steps and to utilize the optimum mix of agile tools and techniques.

◉ An Agile practitioner increases adaptability in agile technologies which eventually leads to team productivity and customer satisfaction.

PMI ACP Exam pattern

PMI ACP examination is conducted in an MCQ format with 120 questions. Out of this, 20 are considered as pre-test questions, and the candidate is expected to answer 100 questions within a time span of one hour.

PMI ACP exam prerequisites

To apply for a PMP certification, the aspirant needs to hold at least a secondary degree(High school or equivalent education level). If the highest education level is a secondary degree, then the following requirements need to be satisfied:

◉ 7500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification

However, if the highest education level is a 4-year degree or above, then:

◉ 4500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification

PMI ACP exam cost

The cost of the certification varies for PMI members and non-members. Also, the exam can be computer-based or paper-based. Depending on these two criteria, the cost is tabulated below in USD.

Membership status	Amount in USD
Computer based testingMember	435
Non-Member	495

For paper based testing, the cost is as follows:

Membership status	Amount in USD
Paper based testingMember	385
Non-Member	445

What is PMP?

PMP is considered to be the gold standard for any certification course in project management. Recognized globally, it certifies the experience, education, skill and competency required to lead and direct projects. 

The PMP certification is based on the Waterfall methodology, which is a traditional method of project development and completion. The projects under this methodology focus on a clearly defined plan with a specified completion date, making it highly predictable. 

Role of a PMP

◉ PMP certified managers are required to undertake projects on system reorganizations and ensure effective strategy implementation while balancing various project constraints.

◉ A PMP manager monitors and works on system integration projects where various teams are associated and the primary role is to identify and solve system dependencies.

◉ If you want to learn the integration of different forms of management and solve the dependency out of it, then PMP would be the choice.

PMP Exam pattern          

A PMP examination is a Multiple Choice Question exam where a candidate is expected to answer 175 out of 200 questions. The remaining 25 are pre-test questions. The duration is 4 hours. 

PMP exam prerequisites

To apply for a PMI ACP certification, the following requirements need to be satisfied:

◉ 2000 hours of general project experience working on teams plus 1500 hours working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies.

◉ 21 hours of training in agile practices

PMP exam cost

The cost of the certification varies based on various factors like the country of residence, the institution, and whether the candidate opts for classroom training or self-paced. Also, the certification cost is dependent on whether or not the candidate holds a PMI membership. The cost has been given in the table below:

◉ PMP certification with PMI membership$405

◉ PMP certification without PMI membership$555

Differences between PMI ACP and PMP certifications

	PMI ACP	PMP
Prerequisites	2000 hours of general project experience plus 1,500 working hours on agile project teams	- 7500 hours leading and directing projects and for a secondary degree holder. - 4500 hours leading and directing projects for a professional degree holder
Training	21 hours of training in agile practices	35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification
Exam Pattern	120 MCQ. 100 to be answered. 20 pre-test questions	200 MCQ. 175 to be answered. 25 pre-test questions.
Time duration	One hour	4 hours
Certification cost (USD) With membership	435 (computer based) 385 (paper based)	405
Certification cost (USD) Without membership	495 (computer based) 445 (paper based)	555
Average salary per annum	94000	10500
Who will benefit?	Managers who wish to adapt the Agile methodology and its principles	Professionals who wish to practice the traditional waterfall approach to project execution

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Best 10 Steps to Become a Certified Project Manager

Are you an actual leader who knows how to motivate others, communicate your ideas and create projects to make those plans come to life? Then a becoming project manager may be the right career path for you. Discover what type of world you’d be in if you decide to be a project manager with the information provided in this guide.

What Is the Purpose of a Having a Project Manager in a Company?

From construction to finance, project managers are required in many types of companies. A project manager is accountable for keeping projects organized in the company. A project manager is also responsible for delegating roles and tasks to other members on a project along with watching over a project to ensure it progresses smoothly.

What Personality Traits and Skills Are Needed to Be a Successful Project Manager?

To be a project manager, a significant skill to have is that of the organization. A project manager must have different organizational strategies that can be employed for numerous projects. If you are considering becoming a project manager, you should have a knack for organization and planning as these are essential skills to have for a project management career.

Communication is also a remarkable ability to have as a project manager. As project managers are competent in providing details of a project to other team members, being an excellent communicator is a fundamental trait for a project manager.

Other personality traits and skills a project manager should have included:

◈ Time and task management
◈ Leadership
◈ Ability to interact with others comfortably
◈ Having the capability to perform all roles associated with the project to take over if needed to ensure project continuity
◈ Being able to work under pressure
◈ Being able to manage at least some individuals participating in a project

What Are Examples of a Project Manager’s Duties?

In simple words, a project manager is in charge of a project’s success. Essential responsibilities for a project manager include:

◈ Planning projects and executing them
◈ Managing teams and removing any difficulties the teams face
◈ Assisting with gathering resources for the project
◈ Ensuring that all delegated assignments and projects are being completed and progressing well
◈ Creating a reasonable budget for each project

Depending on which type of project manager you decide to be, tasks can vary for each project manager. For example, an IT project manager may be responsible for providing technical assistance to clients or consulting with them on other product-related matters.

How to Become a Certified Project Manager?

Planning for the certification of Project Management Professional can be challenging. A management or senior-level professional such as Senior IT Manager, Project Head, Senior or Junior Project Manager, Team Leads across all the industries can be recognized for the certification of Project Management.

To become a certified project manager and make a change to the current roles entirely, one will need to follow below suggested ten steps:

1. Assure Your Eligibility to Take the Certification Exam:

First of all, you should make sure that you are eligible to take the Project Management Professional certification (PMP) examination. There is a straightforward procedure to find it. Below is the criterion that must be satisfied by the candidate to be eligible for the certification exam:

If you are a Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) holder, then you must have experience of 4500 hours of project management. If you are the Secondary degree holder or high school diploma or associate’s degree holder, then you must have experience of 7500 hours of project management. You must have finished 35 hours of Project Management Education from any Registered Education Provider (REP) of PMI.

It is must for both secondary degree holder and bachelor’s degree holder. Also, you have to get 60 Professional Development Units (PDU) every three years for the preservation of your project management professional certification. It is obliged to upload the PDUs details on PMI website to become qualified for the PMP certification. Learn how to upload PDUs on PMI website.

2. Become a Member of Project Management Institute (PMI):

After you have successfully met the criteria needed to take the exam, become a member of PMI. Although it is not necessary, it is still recommended. By becoming a member of PMI, you will get the advantage while paying the examination fees. Also, you will get the free Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge-6th Edition (PMBOK Guide-6th Edition). Although there is a membership fee, you will get concessions that are more than this membership fee.

3. Sign up for the Exam:

Fill in the Form and Pay the Examination Fee. Register yourself for the PMP exam at the PMI website. Fill the online application form to take the examination and submit it. The application form you have sent will be processed within five business days. Pay the exam fee which is US$405 for PMI members and US$555 for PMI non-members.

4. Schedule the Exam:

You can schedule your exam after getting the PMI eligibility ID. You have to select a proper date and time within three months of the registration such that you get required study time. Also, choose a location for the exam as per your convenience.

5. Prepare with PMBOK Guide-6th Edition:

To pass the PMP exam, you have to do lots of studies. PMP exams are not so easy like other exams. You must read PMBOK guide-6th Edition, and also, you should include other books that are related to the exam syllabus. You should try practice test papers so that you can prove yourself to the variety of PMP questions asked in the exam. Also, you can check out training and webinars available online. A lot of self-study material is available online, go through that. As we know, preparation of any examination requires lots of hard work, efforts, and time. So, prepare well for the exam.

6. Get Informal Project Management Experience:

You don’t become a project manager by starting up a project management stand or offering to manage projects by Advertised. You become a project manager by managing projects. And you can see projects all over the place. Projects occur every day in the wild, so do what you enjoy and be ready to use your organizational and leadership skills when the situation presents itself.

7. Improve Your People Skills:

Projects are made up of people, so project managers must put as much effort into understanding, coaching, and broadcasting with their people as they spend on the technical side of things.

8. Learn How to Use the Devices of the Project Management Trade:

Soft skills can get you pretty far, and may even be enough to land your first bonafide project manager position, but, eventually, you’re going to need to show off some technical skills. If that sounds difficult, fear not. Project management software is designed to assist project managers and their teams with things like collaboration, budgeting, scheduling, and more. Some of the most popular tools available include Microsoft Project, Atlassian, and Basecamp, to name a few.

Learning how to use new software may sound daunting, but this is 2018, and most good project management software is user-friendly and incorporates plenty of assistance. There are also many of online resources available.

9. Appear for the Exam:

When you are thoroughly prepared for your exam with your hard work, taking the exam seems very easy. Later you have finished the exam; you have to do a survey. Then you will get to know regarding the exam results. There is no passing number or percentage for the PMP certification. Instead, there is a grading system. There are three grades – Proficient, Moderate Proficient, and Below Proficient. The candidate with the result as proficient and moderate proficient is supposed to pass, while one with the below proficient grade is considered fail.

10. You are a Certified Project Manager:

If you have happily cleared your exam, you can verify your name on PMI certification registry within 24 hours. You will get your certificate in your mail within a month. As soon as you clear the exam, you will get the PMP certification with your name, and now you are a certified project manager. The importance of a project management certification is a hot subject of discussion in the project management community, but there is a near agreement that it can’t harm your career.

The Project Management Professional certification is the most successful and widely-recognized project management certification. The PMP certification is for working project managers who already have lots of experience, but there are other choices out there for those with less experience. For example, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

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100% FREE PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions – Assess Your PMI ACP Exam Readiness

You decided to get PMI ACP certification and place a shining asset in your resume. You are on right spot! Make sure you practiced enough PMI ACP sample exam questions before you appear in the exam.

Harsh competition in the market and shortening product lifecycles emerged the need for agile project management. Employers look for PMI ACP certified professionals to work in their agile organization.

Before sitting in PMI ACP certification exam, as in all other exams, you must test yourself with as much as PMI ACP sample exam questions as possible. This is actually a common rule for any exams. The more you practice the more you sharpen your skills.

You must follow a good PMI ACP Study Guide as well to prepare your own plan.

100% Free PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Sample Questions

We prepared these 100% FREE – 20 PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions and Answers for you. Go through these PMI ACP practice questions and assess your readiness for the PMI ACP exam.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #1

Which of the following contain the Core Practices of Kanban ?

A. Limit WIP, Make Process Policies Explicit, Measure and Manage Flow
B. Define and Visualize the Workflow, Self-Organizing, Measure and Manage Flow
C. Limit WIP, Use Models to Suggest Improvement, Prioritize Business Value
D. Define and Visualize the Workflow, Make Process Policies Explicit, Simplicity

Answer: A. The five core practices of Kanban are Define and Visualize the workflow, Limit WIP, Measure and Manage Flow, Make Process Policies Explicit, Use Models to Suggest Improvement. In answer B, Self-Organizing is a focus in Scrum. In answer C Prioritize Business Value is an overall Agile philosophy. In answer D, Simplicity is an XP Core Value.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #2

A teammate doesn’t finish their work, because they had to help out on another project. Which of the categories of Waste, does this fall into?

A. Partially done work
B. Defects
C. Task Switching
D. Extra Processes

Answer: C. Being assigned to different projects is an example of task switching, which creates waste.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #3

When prioritizing using the MoSCoW technique, which of the following would comprise what is needed to support the business case

A. Must Have
B. Must Have and Should Have
C. Must Have, Should Have, and Could Have
D. None of the above

Answer: B. Must Have and Should Have, are the categories that make up the Business Case. Must Have support the Minimum Useable Subset. Answer C, should be 100% of the total effort and supports both the business case and contingency.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #4

You are a tester and you are testing unscripted scenarios to explore the range of the product. Which of the following are you performing?

A. Exploratory Testing
B. Alpha Testing
C. Usability Testing
D. Scenario Testing

Answer: A. Exploratory Testing is where testers perform unscripted testing.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #5

Information Radiators are designed to:6. Information Radiators are designed to:

A. Be simple to understand
B. Be detailed and precise
C. Kept in management areas so they can be aware
D. Only accessible to members of the team

Answer: C. Continuous Integration is a technical practice. A, B, and D are all ways of working collaboratively

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #6

Your team is having a passionate discussion and you are trying to understand their level of conflict. The team is making statements like “I guess we are just going to have to save the day again” and “This is a stupid discussion.” What level of conflict are you observing?

A. Level 1
B. Level 2
C. Level 3
D. Level 4

Answer: B. Level 2. At level 2, the language is cynical and team members try to distance themselves from the debate.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #7

Which of the following is not true about velocity?

A. Velocity is used to track progress
B. Velocity can be used to project how much work an agile team can do
C. Velocity is the measure of work that a team can tackle in a single iteration
D. Velocity can be used to compare teams

Answer: D. Velocity cannot be used to compare teams, since all teams will have their own calibration of velocity

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #8

Which of the following is not an aspect of designing agile spaces?

A. Caves and Commons
B. Areas to conduct the daily standup
C. Information radiators
D. Expensive furniture

Answer: D. Expensive furniture is not needed to create an agile space.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #9

When planning an iteration, the team committed to 10 points. It looks like you are only going to complete 8. What do you do?

A. Work overtime to complete the work
B. Do not complete definition of done criteria to get to 10 points
C. Complete 8 points
D. Extend the iteration

Answer: C. The best answer is to complete the 8 points. Working overtime doesn’t follow the principle of sustainable pace. You cannot skip definition of done criteria in order to “complete” 10 points, because as a team you agree the DoD is needed for high quality products. D is incorrect because iterations are timeboxed.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #10

Your team has 200 points in the backlog and a velocity of 15 points for each two-week iteration. How many weeks should you expect to complete the backlog?

A. 14 weeks
B. 26 weeks
C. 28 weeks
D. 16 weeks

Answer C. It will take you 13.3 iterations to complete the work in your backlog (200/15=13.3) Since you should not change the timebox of an iteration, you would need 14 iterations to complete the work. Since the question asks how many weeks, 14 iterations of two-week timeboxes.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #11

Which of the following practices are latest on the Cost of Change curve?

A. Defect found through traditional testing methods
B. Defect found though paired programming
C. Defect found through continuous integration
D. Defect found through Test Driven Development

Answer: A. B, C, and D are all methods that look for defects before the code even gets to a tester.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #12

On agile projects, Cycle time normally refers to:

A. The average duration of an iteration
B. The time required to complete a work items from start to finish
C. The time required for product review
D. The time periods between iterations.

Answer B. The cycle time is how long it takes for an item to go from start to finish.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #13

Your team is conducting a Iteration Planning Meeting. You spend five minutes waiting for the team to show up, 30 minutes reviewing the stories, 10 minutes to take break, and 30 minutes to select the stories for the iteration. What is the Process Cycle Efficiency?

A. 70%
B. 80%
C. 90%
D. 95%

The total cycle time is 75 minutes. The Value Add time is 60 minutes. 60/75=80%

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #14

At the end of an iteration, who approves the completion of that iteration

A. Project Manager
B. Product Owner
C. Scrum Master
D. Management

Answer: B. The product owner is the only person who can approve an iteration

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #15

You are on a team that is using XP. Your team seems to be confused during a discussion, where people seem to be talking about different things, when you believe they are just using different words, which is confusing. Which XP practice are you probably not following?

A. Sustainable Pace
B. Simple Design
C. System Metaphor
D. Pair Programming

Answer: C. The best answer is C, System Metaphor is a tool to create a shared understanding for the team. B could be considered, where the design could be too complicated, but the best answer is C.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #16

Which of the following would not be helpful in selecting a project for inclusion?

A. IRR
B. NPV
C. ROI
D. WIP

Answer: D. WIP has nothing to do with project prioritization. IRR, NPV, and ROI are all financial metrics that can be used to prioritize opportunities

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #17

The pattern for Test Driven Development is:

A. Write Code, Write Test, Refactor
B. Write Test, Write Code, Refactor
C. Write Test, Refactor, Write Code
D. Write Code, Review Code, Test Code

Answer: B. The Test Driven Development Pattern is Write Test, Write Code, Refactor

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #18

You are the scrum master for a project, and you have found out that you are not going to deliver the MMF at the end of the release. The best way to deal with this situation is:

A. Text the Product Owner
B. Write a report documenting what occurred
C. Go discuss the issue face to face with the stakeholders
D. Schedule a conference call with the stakeholders

Answer: C. The best method of communication, especially when there is bad news is face to face.

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #19

Which of the following is not one of the agile values?

A. Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools
B. Working Software over Comprehensive Documentation
C. Customer Collaboration over Technical Quality
D. Responding to Change over Following a Plan

Answer: C. The value is Customer Collaboration over Contract Negotiation

PMI ACP Sample Exam Questions #20

A Scrum Master has set up a team celebration for a successful release. Which aspect of Servant Leadership are they demonstrating?

A. Shield the team from interruptions
B. Remove Impediments to progress
C. Communicate (and re-communicate) the project vision
D. Carry Food and Water

Answer: D. Carry Food and Water isn’t just about getting food and water for the team. Its about providing the essential resources to keep them nourished and productive. Appreciation is something that is important for the team to feel motivated and productive

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Which Certification Is Right PMP® Or PMI-ACP® ?

PMP® Or PMI-ACP®? Needless to know whether you have come up with this dilemma or not! It’s a way too common these days. Almost 50% of people looking for professional certification are wondering which one to opt for in between PMP® and PMI-ACP®.

First and foremost it would be better if you list out your specific requirements prior deciding on the professional certification course.

As a PMP® manager your roles would entitle you to:

◈ Leader: Capability to Lead and direct projects.

◈ Control: Control and regulate all the aspects of the project for its sustenance.

◈ Manage Teams: Manage teams and cross functional teams for the completion of the project within the constraints of budget and time schedule allotted.

◈ Apply Knowledge: Have sufficient knowledge and experience of the specific methodology required for the project in hand.

As an agile practitioner your roles would entitle you to:

◈ Understanding Agile: Understanding of agile methodology and concepts

◈ Agile Practices : Work with project teams that are specifically devised for agile practices

◈ Management: Strive to achieve lean management

◈ Have Proficiency: Proficiency in utilizing agile tools and techniques

Now, if you have all ‘yes’ for one certification then you have your answer. However, it often happens professionals get confused even after underling the roles of both the certifications. They have ‘yes’ for both the certifications. This is where the juggling takes place.

What to do when there is a tie between both PMP® and PMI-ACP®. I have devised a little questionnaire for you. Score ‘1’ if you are affirmative in either PMP® or PMI-ACP®. This table is devised keeping in view the roles you wish to adhere to and aspire to play.

PMP®	PMI-ACP®
You monitor projects but you do not interact with complete team, you only interact with few set of people and manage project in organized environment.	You are leading team and interact with each team member on regular basis.
You only look at results which team produces, someone else is responsible to ensure that team produce the result.	You are responsible for your teams productivity, you are the one who sees the gaps and find solutions if team fails to produce desired results.
You do not get into details of how the software develops, you never bother about the build integration and coding issues.	You are responsible to ensure that your team usage right development practices so the productivity gets enhanced.
You are working on system integration projects where you have multiple team associated with you and your main role is to identify and solve dependencies.	You are working as Project Manager of development team of 10-15 size and your main role is to ensure delivery, and you do use agile values in making day to day decisions.
You need to prepare complex project planning and monitoring reports which goes to management at frequency for review- the documentations.	You do prepare status reports but they are not that complex, they goes to management but management also connected with you and they do discuss status with you when they need details.
You need to interact with many stakeholders; these stakeholders have been managing project traditionally for a while.	Your management is moving towards agile, they want to be lean as soon as possible.

Whichever side scores more would be your option. If you score same on both the sides then my recommendation would be to opt for PMI-ACP® first since its new and highly advanced methodology. Once done with PMI-ACP® certification you can do PMP® which would be an add-on to your expertise and bring in more credits.

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Should I become PMP® Certified or Agile Certified?

An interesting question that some of my students have been asking lately is whether they should spend time studying for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam or concentrate on studying for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Exam. In response to this question I give one of my favorite answers as an instructor – “Well…. it depends!” You might as well ask me "Should I get a Master’s Degree in Mathematics or Physics?” Or "Should I become a Painter or a Philosopher?"

The answer to this question cannot really come from me, but it has to come from within you and depends largely on your goals, desired career path and preferences. For example, do you want to be managing a 10-Year project for SpaceX to send satellites to Jupiter? Then do your PMP® Exam prep first, because we are talking serious Waterfall-based approaches. Or do you want to be working for a small startup company developing software? Then go for PMI-ACP® because you need Agility. So the answer isn't "what Cornelius says", but instead "what you want and what you need". To help you determine which is a better fit for you, let’s delve into the benefits of each approach and then you can make your own educated decision.

Waterfall or Agile? – Projects and Career Path

In order to determine which certification is more important for you to obtain as a project manager really starts with the question of what type of career you are seeking in the project management field. Just like many organizations need to decide if Waterfall or Agile Project Management is the right choice for any specific project, so it is also true that an aspiring or current project managers need to decide which type of project management training and experience will help them successfully continue their project management career well into the future. The PMP exam is largely based on A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), which outlines mainly a Waterfall Project Management best practice approach to successfully executing projects, while the PMI-ACP (as well as other Agile Project Management certifications) are based on an Agile Project Management best practice approach.

Waterfall Project Management Overview

Waterfall (sometimes referred as ‘Traditional’) Project Management involves an in-depth upfront planning process and follows a linear, pre-determined project schedule over a specified period of time. Waterfall projects are typically predictable, have a definitive end date, and have explicit procedures of how projects are initiated, planned, executed, monitored and controlled, and closed (Deming's Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle). The advantages of using the Waterfall method to manage projects is having clear expectations and meeting those expectations by achieving certain milestones. Waterfall originated in the Manufacturing industry as a result of understanding that changes in scope mid-project were usually very costly. Generally companies use Waterfall on their projects when:

• They have executed a similar type of project previously and it is almost cookie-cutter
• They are able to determine up front the specific project scope and requirements
• They can fairly accurately estimate the resources, cost and work effort necessary to finish the project on budget and on time

Agile Project Management Overview

Agile Project Management is an iterative approach that helps project teams deliver the highest value work possible to the customer within a rapidly changing environment. The essential aim of Agile is to be flexible and be able to adapt to changes rather than being forced to execute against a pre-defined plan that may become obsolete as the project progresses. There is usually no definitive end date because the customer may decide at any point in the project that the functionality already delivered is sufficient for their needs. And Agile also uses Deming's Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle. The only difference is that product components are delivered to the customer every 2-4 weeks rather than only at the end of the project, so that they can provide feedback to ensure the project team is headed in the right direction. Agile originated in the Software Development and Mobile Application industries to help companies be first to market with new and innovative products, giving them a competitive advantage. Generally companies use Agile on their projects when:

• They do not know specifically what they want
• They do not know how long it's going to take to produce
• They do not know how much it will cost to produce

The Future of Waterfall and Agile Project Management

So you may be wondering what the future of both Waterfall and Agile Project Management is and what types of opportunities will be available to you as a project manager. Well I firmly believe that Waterfall will never truly go away since some of the basic principles are also used in Agile, such as decomposition, rolling wave planning, continuous improvement and process tailoring, to name a few. Aerospace, Medical Device and Government Contracting will still be alive and well for many years to come, although they are now embracing a ‘Hybrid’ Project Management approach, which allows companies to tailor their processes to a combination of the best practices of both Waterfall and Agile. However, it will be important to have your PMP certification in order to understand the basics of how these mainly traditional companies have been operating in the past.

Waterfall or Agile? – What’s Right for You?

If you decide that Agile is the career path for you then there are a few different ways you can go. The first would be once again to gain a good foundation in Waterfall by obtaining your PMP certification but also getting your PMI-ACP Certification soon after, which will provide you an  overview of Agile principles, best practices and different Agile methods. This will give you a solid background in both Waterfall and Agile Project Management methodologies that will position you nicely for the new ‘Hybrid’ approach that many companies are embracing. You can also choose to go with an organization that is new to Agile and become a champion or driving force for change across the company using Agile. And lastly, if you really want to be ‘extreme’, you can choose to seek out companies that are cutting-edge and use advanced Agile methods such as Lean Software Development, Kanban and Extreme Programming, which will require more extensive and specialized certification training outside the realm of the PMI-ACP certification.

Waterfall or Agile? – How About Both?

In my own experience I have seen that many aspiring or current project managers decide to obtain their PMP first since it is the most globally-recognized Project Management certification and is still the methodology used on the majority of projects being executed, and then obtain their PMI-ACP certification in addition to their PMP. I believe this is a good way to go because once you understand the basics of general project management by obtaining your PMP, you may start to work on a few Agile projects with your company and decide it’s a better fit for you. And bear in mind again that the majority of contemporary projects are no longer strictly ‘Waterfall-Only’ or ‘Agile-Only’. More traditional companies in the Aerospace, Medical Device and Government Contracting industries are now embracing a ‘Hybrid’ Project Management approach, which allows them to tailor their processes to a combination of the best practices of both Waterfall and Agile.

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CSM vs PMI-ACP: Which Agile Certification is Right for You?

Those who go through the work to earn a professional certification enjoy a multitude of benefits. Earning a certification builds confidence, makes you more competitive in the job market, solidifies understanding of a discipline, and establishes credibility with your stakeholders. Considering the effort, money, and commitment required to get certified, those rewards are well-deserved.

That sizable investment also means that most people must be discriminating as to which certification to pursue. Few have enough time, money, and energy to get more than one certification in a field, so a question we often get is, “Which one do you recommend?”

This article explores two popular agile certifications: Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM), awarded by the Scrum Alliance, and the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, awarded by Project Management Institute. Each certification and awarding organization offers different considerations that might go into choosing one over the other.

Highlighting the most salient “plusses” of each certification seems the best way to illustrate the value proposition for each certification. Of course, to highlight a benefit of one certification is not to say that it is unique to that certification. But to appreciate the benefits of each, it seems helpful to ask, “What does each certification say about you when your signature includes CSM or PMI-ACP?”

◈ PMI-ACP: You Understand Scrum and Other Agile Methods

Scrum is, by far, the most widely used agile approach, but it is not the only approach. The PMI-ACP addresses agile from a more holistic perspective and not specifically Scrum. When preparing for the ACP, it was helpful to understand about those other perspectives to see how agile principles are applied with different methods.

◈ CSM: You Have Learned and Worked with a Certified Scrum Trainer.

The biggest benefit of getting a CSM is that there is a very small, highly qualified number of individuals from whom you can receive your CSM training. Only Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs) can deliver a CSM course, and the qualifications for becoming a CST are extremely rigorous including vetting by Scrum Alliance peers in face-to-face interviews.CSTs all have considerable field and classroom with years of hands-on work in organizations with agile teams. Getting a CSM means you have learned from a Scrum professional who has deep knowledge about Scrum and has a lot of experience working with agile teams. That typically translates into hearty classroom examples of what agile looks like and how it works in the field when discussing concepts in class.

◈ PMI-ACP: You Have Agile Education and Project Experience

The experience requirements for the ACP are relatively strong. To apply for the PMI-ACP exam, you must have several thousand hours of experience working on projects. This experience includes general project experience, as well as project experience working on agile project teams or with agile methods and practices. Having a PMI-ACP means you have some context for understanding the various approaches to managing projects and you can speak to the benefits of agile and when it’s the right approach.The ACP also requires 21 hours of agile education and may be done either online or in-person. Those education hours may address agile philosophy, techniques, or principles, and there are no specific requirements for instructor qualifications, (unless it is an ACP prep course, in which the trainer must be ACP certified). So, in general the quality requirements for the agile education component of getting certified are more rigorous for the CSM.

◈ CSM: You Are a Member of Scrum Alliance.

Another benefit of a CSM is affiliation with Scrum Alliance. As a CSM, you are a member of an organization entirely dedicated to Scrum. There is, and always has been, no question that Scrum Alliance folks understand agile and that they are a leading resource pertaining to all things Scrum.This might not be as important if it weren’t contrasted with PMI, which has long been the keeper of the more traditional, plan-driven, “waterfall” approach to projects. In fact, one of the downsides of the PMI-ACP when it first came out was that many people disregarded it precisely because it was from PMI. That’s changing, however, and their evolving image reflects years of rebranding to put agile front and center in their publications and events. Nevertheless, some still see PMI as the one-stop shop for all things anti-agile. CSMs have never had that credibility gap as members of Scrum Alliance.

◈ PMI-ACP: You Passed A PMI Exam

The PMI-ACP exam process is more intensive than the CSM. For example, the CSM exam consists of a combination of multiple-choice and true/false questions and you must answer 24 out of 35 correctly to pass. There is no separate fee to take the test; it’s included in the cost of the class. It is taken online and you have two attempts to pass the test within 90 days of class. If you do not pass within two attempts and/or 90 days, you may take the test again for $25 for each successive attempt. So, the barrier to entry for the CSM as it relates to the test is relatively low.On the other hand, the PMI-ACP certification, like all PMI certifications, is earned after going through the notoriously rigorous PMI application and testing process. The PMI-ACP exam is not nearly as difficult as the PMP, but passing it is more difficult than the CSM exam. Even the application process, while considerably easier than it used to be, still requires pulling together details about project experience, contact info, etc.The PMI-ACP exam is a three-hour, 120-multiple-choice question exam taken at a testing site. If you do not pass, you must pay another, relatively substantial fee. So, considering the difficulty of the exam and the testing process, it’s more of an accomplishment from a testing standpoint than the CSM.

Of course, a test proves nothing other than you answered the minimum number of questions correctly to receive a passing score. A test doesn’t make anyone a better practitioner. But for most people, a PMI certification indicates that you have taken the certification seriously enough to make the investment to get through the process of passing one of their tests. PMI’s certification program is very well developed and has a long tradition, and there’s something to be said for that.

◈ CSM: You Have Attended a Course Using Agile Tools and Artifacts.

The courses for getting your CSM are rich with hands-on exercises and must be taught live, in person; there is no means of getting CSM certified through an online course. This speaks to Scrum Alliance’s quality program for its courses, and it benefits those with CSMs in that you will have had that classroom experience of working on an agile-like, co-located team and participated in Scrum activities and utilized Scrum tools to create Scrum artifacts.

◈ PMI-ACP: You Are Committed to Continued Professional Growth in Agile

Maintaining a PMI-ACP requires 30 hours of continuing education in agile within three years of passing the exam. There is a fee involved, as well, but it’s mostly about keeping your skills and knowledge sharp through training, reading, or some other learning activity.On the other hand, keeping your CSM only requires paying a Scrum Alliance membership fee two year after completing your CSM. Therefore, a CSM who got certified seven years ago can continue to use that designation as long as they continue to pay their fees – even if they haven’t participated in any agile professional growth since then. For that reason, the PMI-ACP sustains its certification value over time better than the CSM.

Something to keep in mind as you compare these two certifications is that both are scheduled to undergo changes in the coming months. Scrum Alliance is currently revising their entire certification program. At this point, many of the details are still unknown, but changes to the CSM may include things like being able to take a class online. It will continue to be an entry-level certification much like it is now. Other than that, we’ll have to wait and see.

What’s happening at PMI regarding the PMI-ACP is more certain. First, PMI has partnered with Agile Alliance to develop an Agile Practice Guide, coming out in September of this year (2018). This partnership clearly speaks to PMI’s intent to enhance its credibility in the agile world.

Also, the PMI-ACP exam will be updated in first quarter of 2018 to reflect the content in the new Guide. Given the history of PMI, their investment in putting agile at the forefront of their image, and the significant growth of that certification since it was first awarded in 2011, the PMI-ACP is likely to retain its value and continue to be a sought-after certification, both from professionals and the organizations that hire them.

So, the question as to which is better, CSM or PMI-ACP? There really isn’t a right answer. CSM after your name means you have learned about Scrum from a CST, who is a true, experienced, expert. You have participated in a class that utilized hands-on exercises so you have at least classroom experience with basic Scrum activities and artifacts. And you’re a member of the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to helping professionals apply agile and Scrum practices, principles, and values to create healthy, happy work environments.

PMI-ACP after your name means you have 1000s of hours of project experience, some of which includes working with agile techniques and practices. You have passed a rigorous exam that took significant commitment of time, money, and effort to complete, and you understand the repertoire of agile methods, including Scrum. It also says that you either have or will be continuing to invest time, money, and effort to keep abreast of what’s happening in the field and to your knowledge and skills sharp.

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Which Certification Is Right PMP® Or PMI-ACP® ?

PMP® Or PMI-ACP®? Needless to know whether you have come up with this dilemma or not! It’s a way too common these days. Almost 50% of people looking for professional certification are wondering which one to opt for in between PMP® and PMI-ACP®.

First and foremost it would be better if you list out your specific requirements prior deciding on the professional certification course.

As a PMP® manager your roles would entitle you to:

◈ Leader: Capability to Lead and direct projects.

◈ Control: Control and regulate all the aspects of the project for its sustenance.

◈ Manage Teams: Manage teams and cross functional teams for the completion of the project within the constraints of budget and time schedule allotted.

◈ Apply Knowledge: Have sufficient knowledge and experience of the specific methodology required for the project in hand.

As an agile practitioner your roles would entitle you to:

◈ Understanding Agile: Understanding of agile methodology and concepts

◈ Agile Practices : Work with project teams that are specifically devised for agile practices

◈ Management: Strive to achieve lean management

◈ Have Proficiency: Proficiency in utilizing agile tools and techniques

Now, if you have all ‘yes’ for one certification then you have your answer. However, it often happens professionals get confused even after underling the roles of both the certifications. They have ‘yes’ for both the certifications. This is where the juggling takes place.

What to do when there is a tie between both PMP® and PMI-ACP®. I have devised a little questionnaire for you. Score ‘1’ if you are affirmative in either PMP® or PMI-ACP®. This table is devised keeping in view the roles you wish to adhere to and aspire to play.

PMP	PMI-ACP
You monitor projects but you do not interact with complete team, you only interact with few set of people and manage project in organized environment.	You are leading team and interact with each team member on regular basis.
You only look at results which team produces, someone else is responsible to ensure that team produce the result.	You are responsible for your teams productivity, you are the one who sees the gaps and find solutions if team fails to produce desired results.
You do not get into details of how the software develops, you never bother about the build integration and coding issues.	You are responsible to ensure that your team usage right development practices so the productivity gets enhanced.
You are working on system integration projects where you have multiple team associated with you and your main role is to identify and solve dependencies.	You are working as Project Manager of development team of 10-15 size and your main role is to ensure delivery, and you do use agile values in making day to day decisions.
You need to prepare complex project planning and monitoring reports which goes to management at frequency for review- the documentations.	You do prepare status reports but they are not that complex, they goes to management but management also connected with you and they do discuss status with you when they need details.
You need to interact with many stakeholders; these stakeholders have been managing project traditionally for a while.	Your management is moving towards agile, they want to be lean as soon as possible.

Whichever side scores more would be your option. If you score same on both the sides then my recommendation would be to opt for PMI-ACP® first since its new and highly advanced methodology. Once done with PMI-ACP® certification you can do PMP® which would be an add-on to your expertise and bring in more credits.

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PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Professionals who enjoy the flexibility and power of agile methods will now be able to demonstrate their full capabilities through a formal certification process. The Project Management Institute offers a formal credential for agile users. As agile methods continue to grow throughout the global marketplace, the need for proficient agile professionals is great. The PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner) credential presents vibrant opportunities for professionals seeking certification with strong returns on investments. Consider the following:

Work Experience Counts

If you are already using agile and have current project management experience, then you meet the basic criteria for beginning the credentialing process. Classes that provide credit toward PMI-ACP credentials are conducted online by highly regarded industry professionals. If you are interested in obtaining agile training, PMI (Project Management Institute PMI.org) which sponsors the associated tests, details other offerings that will put you on the path to full PMI-ACP credentials. With its wide-reaching applications across industry-wide project management challenges, PMI-ACP credentials translate into more potential opportunities as more and more business settings continue to adopt agile methods.

Strengthening and Expanding Your Skill Set Builds Power

Seasoned project managers can tell you that to stay on top of the game, your methods have to be up to date and efficient. agile methods respond to the chaos of global business with successful project management skills that are resilient, powerful, and inclusive with regard to client participation. Project managers seeking an additional credential that will reward them with increased career possibilities would be wise to explore the PMI-ACP certification. Responding effectively to the unexpected and having the cutting edge skills to mitigate potentially catastrophic management scenarios is one of the things agile professionals deliver time and time again. The PMI-ACP credential allows a potential employer to recognize that you have passed the standardized test and completed the necessary coursework to be an industry leader in the application of agile methods in a diversity of business settings. PMI-ACP training can be that missing piece of the puzzle you have been looking for to secure the competitive advantage and increase your market value for many years to come.

Mobility

Through the PMI-ACP credentialing process, you will gain access to a strong network of other agile users and related professionals who represent an elite subset of project managers. Through mentoring, networking, and attending conferences you will be able to stay tuned into the future developments in the field while at the same time staying on top of current market trends. While taking courses, you will interact directly with industry leaders and be exposed to cutting edge technology, knowledge, and skills. With the growing numbers of industries seeking agile trained professionals, the opportunities extend beyond just agile project management into training, development, and other leadership roles that could also include travel, if that is something you desire.

Is PMI-ACP Certification Right for Me?

Agile methods are rapidly becoming analogous to best practice project management skills across industries throughout the global marketplace. With its dynamic applications, agile methods meet many of today’s project management goals. The PMI-ACP credential will prepare dedicated project managers with the knowledge, skills, and professional network to achieve great success within today’s rapidly changing business environments. With ongoing peer support through the professional association of PMI events and other networking opportunities, you will be able to further develop your area of expertise and directly impact a growing field with your expert knowledge.

As the international marketplace expands and savvy project managers respond to industry fluctuations, securing a knowledge base in a widely accepted specialty such as agile methods, is one way to stay a step or two ahead of your competition. Securing PMI-ACP credentials through a top-tier and regionally accredited program is one career development investment that holds great potential for impressive returns on investment for many decades to come.

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