Agile Project Management

The 7 Most Popular Agile Certifications For Project Management Professionals

SPF Consulting AG - Insights - What are the most popular agile certifications for project management professionals?

In recent years, agile project management has become an indispensable approach for companies that want to operate successfully in a dynamic and competitive environment. In order to remain competitive in the fast-paced world of project management and apply the latest best practices, more and more project managers are turning to agile certifications. These certifications not only validate the knowledge and skills of professionals, but also increase their chances on the job market.

In this article, we present the most popular agile certifications for project management professionals that can help you take your career to the next level.

 

1. Agile Certification: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

 

The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is one of the best-known and most widespread agile certifications worldwide. It is offered by the Scrum Alliance and is aimed at professionals who wish to specialize in the Scrum methodology. The CSM course covers the fundamentals of Scrum, including the roles, events and artifacts that define the framework. To obtain the certification, participants must attend a two-day course and then pass an exam.

This certification is ideal for project managers who work in teams that use Scrum or who want to expand their knowledge of this widely used agile framework.

 

2. Agile Certification: Professional Scrum Master (PSM)

 

Similar to the CSM, the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification also focuses on the Scrum framework, but is offered by Scrum.org. The PSM is available in different levels of difficulty (PSM I, II and III), which makes it attractive for professionals with different levels of experience.

The exam for the PSM is more demanding than the CSM and requires a deeper understanding of Scrum principles and their application in practice. The PSM certification is highly regarded in the industry and is considered proof of comprehensive Scrum knowledge and skills.

 

3. Agile Certification: PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

 

The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is one of the most comprehensive agile certifications on the market. It is aimed at experienced project managers who have already worked in agile environments and have a broad knowledge of various agile approaches, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean and Extreme Programming (XP).

To achieve PMI-ACP certification, candidates must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the various agile practices. The certification also requires a minimum number of working hours in agile projects as well as completed training in agile project management. PMI-ACP is particularly suitable for professionals who do not want to limit themselves to a specific method, but want to master a broad spectrum of agile approaches.

SPF Consulting AG - Insights - What Are The Most Popular Agile Certifications For Project Management Professionals?

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4. Agile Certification: SAFe Agilist (SA) – Scaled Agile Framework

 

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a framework that enables companies to scale agile practices to large, complex organizations. The SAFe Agilist (SA) certification is the entry level to this framework and is aimed at professionals who want to learn how to apply agile principles at an enterprise level. This certification is offered by Scaled Agile, Inc. and includes training on topics such as Lean-Agile Leadership, Lean Portfolio Management, and implementing SAFe in large organizations.

The SAFe Agilist is particularly suited for professionals working in large organizations that want to scale agile practices across multiple teams or departments.

 

5. Agile Certification: Kanban Management Professional (KMP)

 

For professionals who want to specialize in the Kanban framework, the Kanban Management Professional (KMP) certification is an excellent choice. This certification is offered by Kanban University and includes two courses: “Kanban System Design” and “Kanban Management Professional”.

The KMP certification provides a deep understanding of Kanban principles and practices and is ideal for project managers who want to introduce Kanban to their teams or optimize existing Kanban systems. Kanban is particularly suitable for environments where a continuous flow of work is required, such as in IT development or operations.

 

6. Agile Certification: AgilePM Foundation and Practitioner

 

The AgilePM certification, offered by APMG International, is based on the Agile Project Management Framework, which emerged from the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM). This certification is available in two levels: Foundation and Practitioner. While the Foundation level provides basic knowledge of agile principles and the DSDM framework, the Practitioner level goes deeper into the practical application of the framework in real projects.

The AgilePM certification is particularly suitable for professionals who are looking for a structured yet agile project management framework based on a proven methodology.

 

7. Agile Certification: LeSS (Large Scale Scrum) Practitioner

 

Large Scale Scrum (LeSS) is a framework that enables organizations to scale Scrum to multiple teams in large projects. The LeSS Practitioner certification is ideal for project managers and Scrum Masters who work on large, complex projects and want to apply Scrum in a multi-team environment. The certification includes training on the application of Scrum in large organizations, collaboration between teams and the integration of agile principles at an enterprise level.

LeSS is particularly suitable for professionals who want to dive deep into scaling Scrum and apply their knowledge in large projects.

 

Conclusion

 

Agile certifications offer project management professionals a valuable opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in the agile field and improve their career opportunities. Choosing the right certification depends on individual goals and professional focus.

While the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) and Professional Scrum Master (PSM) are ideal for those who want to specialize in Scrum, the PMI-ACP and SAFe Agilist certifications offer a broader range of agile methodologies and their application at the enterprise level. For professionals who want to focus on specific frameworks such as Kanban or LeSS, the KMP and LeSS Practitioner certifications are particularly recommended.

Regardless of which certification you choose, it is important to continuously learn and upskill as agile practices and frameworks are constantly evolving. Investing in an agile certification can not only improve your skills, but also strengthen your position in the job market and help you succeed in the dynamic world of project management.

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Autor

Katja Reck, Agile Consultant

Katja is an Agile Consultant with a lot of international experience in various IT projects who ensures to take agile teams and organizations to the next level.

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