But this perception has changed with the inclusion of Agile in the PMBOK® Guide. To keep the certification material current with market conditions, PMI regularly updates it. Professionals all over the world value the PMP® certification more as a brand. It is a recognized credential for any project management style, whether in an agile or non-agile environment.
What is the PMI-ACP certification?
Using agile project methods and strategies, the PMI-ACP project management certification acknowledges a professional’s skills and expertise. It is a certification that encourages self-organization and disfavors micromanagement, allowing certificate holders to take charge of ongoing projects quickly and adjust to the tools and client preferences of those projects.
An agile practitioner can improve their ability to implement and train their team in the agile method by earning this certification, which will allow them to build on their current knowledge.
What is the PMP certification?
For project management experts, the PMP certification is widely recognized. This certification from the Project Management Institute assesses a person’s abilities and proficiencies as a project manager. Project managers are employed across a range of industries and job markets, including online retail, healthcare, education, and information technology. Many project managers can gain from obtaining this certification because of the variety in this position.
Employers seek project managers who can oversee numerous projects and make sure their teams finish them on schedule and within budget. Having this certification demonstrates to your employer that you are a knowledgeable project manager.
The differences between PMP vs. PMI-ACP
Some of the main variations between the two certifications are as follows:
Approach
The PMP program teaches project managers how to plan ahead and control and oversee their projects. The waterfall project management methodology is one of the guiding principles of the PMP certification. The waterfall method relies on planning these three phases before the project starts by dividing the project into three distinct phases: planning, developing, and testing. Because of this, outcomes can be easy to predict. This frequently enables the project manager and their team to establish a precise project completion date.
Software development professionals primarily use the agile project management methodology, which is used in the PMI-ACP certification. This approach works well for projects that change a lot, need to launch quickly, or have a flexible budget and schedule. With the agile methodology, achieving objectives quickly is given priority. The agile method benefits project managers with a PMI-ACP certification because it instills flexibility and adaptability in them. The PMI-ACP methodology also places a high priority on transparency, which means that everyone on the team is accountable for the project’s progress and completion.
Qualifications
Consider having a four-year degree, three years of project management experience, and 35 hours of project management education or training before applying for the PMP certification. Another choice is to possess a high school diploma or an associate’s degree, five years of project management experience, and 35 hours of project management education or training.
You must possess a secondary degree, 21 contact hours of training in agile practices, 12 months of general project management experience within the previous five years, and 8 months of agile project management experience within the previous three years before you can apply for PMI-ACP certification. Alternatively, the 12-month project management requirement may be satisfied by having a valid PMP certification.
Preparation
Before taking the exam, PMP exam providers advise you to study for at least 35 hours using a variety of study tools, including courses and study groups. The Project Management Institute also provides a manual and training sessions that it or other recognized partners offer to assist with preparation. Although it states that the organization does not base the exam solely on the PMBOK guide, also known as A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, it nonetheless advises using it as a study tool.
The institute recommends using the same preparation techniques and provides formal courses for the PMI-ACP exam, unlike the PMP exam, which does not have a recommended amount of time for preparation. Additionally, the PMI has a list of recommended resources that authorized partners and other training organizations created.
Job roles
The method a company is looking for and the sector you’re hoping to work in are the two certifications’ main differences in terms of job opportunities. The technology sector is likely to offer more opportunities for you if you earn the PMI-ACP certification because agile methodologies are most prevalent there.
Your employment options may be more varied if you hold the PMP certification. Due to the fact that PMP is applicable to all types of project management, its techniques can be used for the majority of assignments that call for a precise and rigid system for completing projects.
Exam
The exam-taking process also differs between the two certifications. The PMP exam comprises 180 multiple-choice questions. Exam proctors provide scratch paper to test-takers even though they are not allowed to use reference materials during the exam. The exam is divided into three categories, or domains: people, process, and business environment. Each domain addresses different management-related tasks.
The 120 multiple-choice questions on the PMI-ACP exam, which is multiple choice, cover seven domains, including agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning, continuous improvement, and problem detection and resolution. Each of these domains includes questions about various management tasks, just like the PMP test.
Should you take the PMP or PMI-ACP exam?
Depending on your career objectives and circumstances, you should decide whether to take the PMP or PMI-ACP exam. You might take the PMI-ACP exam if you have prior experience as an agile-focused project manager because it will give you the certification you need to advance in the agile project management industry. If you work in the technology or IT sector, it might also be a good option for you.
The PMP exam may be the best option if you are more of a traditional project manager with experience in charge of the majority of project initiatives and decisions. To make the best decision for yourself, take into account the careers you want to pursue and the types of jobs that interest you.
Can you earn both a PMP and PMI-ACP certification?
You can have both the PMP certification and PMI-ACP certification. For instance, you might already hold the PMP certification and have several years of experience working in a conventional project management setting. In that case, you might decide to pursue an agile project management strategy. You can start using the agile project method because you have prior project management experience, advance through the agile training process, and gain actual agile experience. Once you’ve done this for a while, you’ll be able to sit for the PMI-ACP exam and pass it.
Alternatively, you might hold a PMI-ACP certification and work in IT before deciding that you’d rather work in advertising. Then, as you read the readings, you could go through the process of making sure you meet the requirements for the PMP exam. Although you typically only use one method for a project, depending on your goals, having both certifications and the necessary skills in both methods could give you access to a wider range of job opportunities, career advancement, and versatility.
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How is PMP® different from PMI ACP®? & Which one is recommended? | PMP® & ACP®
FAQ
What is better PMP or PMI?
Although both the PMP® certification and the PMI-ACP® certification are obtained after passing an exam, their main distinction is the approaches they use. The Waterfall methodology and subsequent project management techniques that support this methodology are the main topics of the PMP exam.
Is PMP harder than PMI-ACP?
In his opinion, the PMI-ACP was simpler than the PMI-PMP.
Is PMI PMP worth?
Is this certification worth it? YES, according to statistics from the PMI itself, a certified PMP could experience a 20% paycheck increase That is also my personal experience when I got certified. Other project managers concur that obtaining a PMP certification is worthwhile due to the ROI you receive.
Is the PMP exam hard?
Although the PMP exam is notoriously difficult, PMI doesn’t provide specific information regarding the passing score or failure rate. Some project expert surveys estimate the failure rate at around 40-50%, meaning only about half of the first-time test takers pass the PMP exam
