PMP or CSM ?

PMP or CSM ?

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP

For management-related positions, the PMP and CSM are both extremely important certifications. We must first broaden our understanding of the CSM and PMP topic to conduct a thorough analysis. You will be guided through each subject in-depth in this article. Throughout the article, you will learn about certifications, exam patterns, and fee details to make whatever decision is best for you. The first step should be to clearly understand each subject, followed by an in-depth comparison of both certifications.

What is PMP?

Certification as a Project Management Professional(PMP) focuses on a project manager's skills and experiences, based on his core competencies. Accreditation for this certification comes from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the USA. Professionals with PMP certifications are highly sought-after since they possess a standard set of proven capabilities in handling complicated procedures and managing resources from different backgrounds. An organizational vision is transformed into a realistic goal by these professionals. They would learn how to balance the process of project execution in a way that allows them to achieve clear set targets with optimized resources.

PMP Exam pattern

For the PMP exam, you will need a degree in project management and several years of project management experience. In other words, all of this will earn you a spot on an examination that will indubitably take a long time to pass. In addition to logical and theoretical sections, reasoning questions are also included in the exam.Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are used in the PMP examination. 175, out of 200 questions, are expected to be answered by students. There are 25 questions left to be answered before the test. It will take four hours to complete the test.

PMP Certification cost

Certification costs vary according to many factors, largely depending on the country of residence and the institution offering the course. Also, the cost depends on whether you choose classroom or online training, or whether you prefer self-paced study. Membership in PMI is not required for the course.

In the following table, you can find the cost of PMI2020 in USD:

• With PMI membership you get $405 for PMI certification.
• If you are not a PMI member, you will be charged $555 for PMI certifications.

What is CSM?

In the agile methodology of project management, a Certified Scrum Master(CSM) is a professional who can efficiently manage a project team, lead events, and deliver results. Scrum is the framework used in an agile methodology that enables professionals to handle complex problems efficiently and achieve the most productive results in a timely fashion. Certified Scrum Masters must prove they have acquired a thorough knowledge of the Scrum framework through hands-on training. Scrum was once mostly associated with software development, but within a short period, its sphere of influence has expanded considerably. Certified Scrum practitioners follow the best practices in adopting the agile methodology for test engineering, business analysis, development, support, and quality control. CSM professionals are valued in industries that follow agile work processes.

CSM exam pattern

To qualify for the CSM online exam, a person must complete 16 hours of at least face-to-face training. In other words, you must attend at least two days of classroom training from a well-known institution before you can take the exam. While you do not need to have any prior experiences or specialized educational qualifications, you will need a basic understanding of software development. One hour is allotted for answering 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must answer 37 out of the 50 questions correctly. Only reputable training institutes worldwide provide CSM accreditation. How much it costs to become a CSM. A CSM certification costs 25k-30k (INR) for the first two attempts. An additional $25 fee will be charged for the third attempt at CSM certification. The training institute provides classroom training, study materials, and mentoring as part of the course fee.

Differences between CSM and PMP

Let us examine the differences between both certifications now we have defined them:
Differing approaches based on the methodology

1. Professional PMPs implement the PMBOK (Project Management Body Of Knowledge) framework.

• By outlining best practices, the PMBOK gives us a better understanding of technical terms and predefined solutions to complex problems.
• They have adopted successful procedures so far thanks to PMBOK.
• By adopting the methods prescribed by the framework, a PMP-certified project manager will be able to smoothly navigate through projects' workflow.
• This course is suitable for those who prefer a waterfall methodology because it provides a new method of leveraging a framework upon which to build.

2. A Scrum Certified Master, however, utilizes his knowledge in Agile Scrum methodology to perform a process.

• Scrum facilitates delivering the best feasible result within the shortest possible time frame.
• By managing a team effectively, setting up a solid work pattern, and making iterative progress towards achieving an agreed-upon goal, a CSM helps keep the project on track and deliver the results.
• Therefore, a CSM is intended to optimize the use of a specific process (the Scrum) irrespective of a project's domain or resource limitations.

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Differences between career paths

• While PMP certification accredit individuals based on their skills and experience as Project Managers, CSM certifications teach individuals how to adapt to the Scrum model which guides them in resolving complex issues and delivering quality results.
• There may be several scrum teams involved in a large project, and the project manager must emphasize communication between the teams for decision-making to be effective.
• You should consider the PMP if you wish to gain traction as a manager in a particular field.
• Achieving Agile Scrum success is easy with CSM, as the framework can be implemented in industries that are highly reliant on Agile methodologies.
• The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the differences:

Criteria	CSM	PMP
The prerequisites for this course are:	The position does not require any specific educational qualifications or experience	Requires professional experience and a degree
Body of Certification	Scrum Alliance	Project Management Institute(PMI)
Pattern of Exam	Pattern of multiple choice questions. Passing the exam requires a score of 37/50	The questions in total are 200. Answers are needed for 175 questions. 25 questions on the pretest
Duration of the exam	Approximately one hour	Four hours
The cost of certification	Approximately 30,000 Indian rupees	The amount is between 28 and 33 thousand INR ($405)
Level of difficulty of the exam	With a recognized institution's guidance, easy to crack	Practise and attempt mock tests repeatedly
Who will be benefited?	Programmers, testers, and support personnel	Experienced team leaders
Which skills will you learn?	Agile methodology implementation ability	Learn how to use the PMBOK framework

Conclusion to the Topic: PMP or CSM ?

A person must choose based on their chosen career path which skill set to acquire in order to become a CSM or PMP. CSMs and PMPs work on differing methodologies and principles; therefore, their roles may sometimes overlap.