There are a number of different ways to become certified as a project management professional:
If you are looking for the most popular certification, then this is it. The Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification by PMI Institute will grant your expertise in all things project management!
The most useful for companies that use a more traditional approach to project management.
The Project Management Professional (PMP®) designation is largely based on the project management body of knowledge, which can be conflated with the Waterfall method.
Scrum is a popular framework for smaller, more agile companies. If you want to work with them – chances are much higher than they’re working in Scrum!
Two certifications for Scrum exist the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) by Scrum Alliance and Professional Scrumbuyer.
341,882 Scrum masters have some level of PSM certification.
Scrum certification is not the same as Agile certification. It’s important to note that there are two different types of certifications in this industry: Scrum and agile (or “effective,” for those places without an official term).
Having the PSM or CSM certificate shows you know Agile to some extent, as it is designed for those familiar with agile principles and values.
Scrum is a great framework, but it only certifies you for one Agile process — Scrum.
If you want to consult companies on Agile transformation or work for a company that embraces different frameworks like SAFe – then look into becoming certified. You can take courses in agile coaching and project management among others.
Impact on salaries and earning power
The average project manager’s salary is $66,137 per year according to Glassdoor. That’s not too bad for a job that requires managing and monitoring projects on timeframes from weeks up through years!
The median salary for project managers in the PMI’s official survey was $116,000. This is much higher than other professions and many people are earning twice that amount or even more!
And project managers with PMP® certification had a 22% higher salary, on average. This is just one example of what could be possible if you have the right credentials- so don’t wait any longer and get your professional certificate today!
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Scrum Master is $97,319 in the US.
And, according to the 2019 Scrum Master Trends report- 51% of respondents made $75K or more per year. This is a huge difference from those who are not certified as they can command higher salaries!
Cost of Certification
The PMP® certification costs $550 (USD). If you want to get certified, this might be a good investment for your career!
The cost of training can be anywhere from $3,000 to over 15 thousand dollars. If you want a more in-depth program with hands-on skills and real-world examples then it’s best for your money if you spend the extra buck or two so that way when looking back at this article in 5 years time there will still only ever just one word written here “PMP®.”
Next, let’s take a closer look at what the Scrum certifications cost:
To get a PSM1 certification one must first pay $150 for the test, and courses that teach you how to pass this exam start around $500
The CSM exam is typically only administered as part of a course, and this can cost anywhere from $595-1k. The price depends on location, instructor/instructor availability (online vs in person), whether it’s life or self-study materials – there are many factors that go into pricing!
Which is better certification PMP or Scrum master?
This is not an easy decision. You need to think about what your salary might be worth in the long run, as well as how much time and money this will take away from other aspects of life like family or hobbies – but at least one thing should make it easier: you’ll get certified!
Do you want to work in an industry that focuses on PMBOK principles? The best way is with the right certification.
Do you want to work as part of small, Agile Scrum Teams in startups and tech companies? You should become a certified Scrum master.
Scrum vs PMP® method
The project management methodology for each option is different. In this section, we will examine what the actual process looks like in more detail and compare it with a traditional 9 to 5 job so that you can decide which would be best suited for your needs!
PMP® is focused on PMBOK model, so let’s start there.
Scrum framework
Scrum is a great fit for Agile. The framework was designed specifically to support this methodology, and instead of struggling with adapting PMBOK or trying out different models (like Waterfall), Scrumbls you right into its world by providing clear instructions on how to get started using these techniques in your own project immediately!
Rather than following five clearly defined phases that happen once during a project, you divide larger projects into smaller sprints. These may be 1–4 weeks long and allow for the management of work in progress with clear goals between them.
There are still five recognizable phases within each sprint, but they go by different names:
- Sprint review (or Product increment review)
- Planning
- Pre-planning (or Backlog refinement)
- Retrospective
- Sprint review (or Product increment review)
Scrum certification is a great way to get recognized for your skills in the field of project management, but PMBOK standards may also open doors. Maintaining these certifications can help you land that next big job or promotion!
You’ve got to think about where you want the future of your company or solo practice for yourself? Do something that will lead towards success.
You can test all of your models for project management in one place, at knowledewoods.com templates!