Any professional seeking advancement in career is tied with the dilemma of choosing the most appropriate certification between Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP). The Project Management Professional certification is an invaluable credential for any fresher to master the role of a project manager. The Certified Scrum Master is the most suited course for a fresher who wants to be adept as a Scrum Master and understand the Scrum framework in detail.

What Is Project Management Professional?

This PMP Certification can be sought from the Project Management Institute. It is internationally famed for professional designation as a project manager. You can acquire the general framework and methodologies of a project manager by taking this industry-specific course. It is a gold standard program that will make you skilled t managing any project irrespective of the type of industry.

What Is A Certified Scrum Master?

You can get acquainted with the Scrum framework in an Agile environment if you seek the Certified Scrum Master program. You can master the various methodologies and implementation strategies by choosing this certification. Any fresher who dreams of being a Scrum Master must essentially go for this certification.

Prerequisites For PMP

If you own a secondary degree, then you need to dedicate 7500 hours in project management and round 35 hours in getting acquainted with its basics. If you hold a degree, then you need just 4500 hours for project management and the same number of hours to know the basic. Hence PMP essentially demands the seeker to have substantial project management experience.

Prerequisites For CSM

There is no such prerequisite to taking a course on Certified Scrum Master.

Study Time For PMP

It is a real challenge to go for PMP certification. It requires a lot of hardwork and dedication. A steady effort that can last from one month to three months is a minimal requirement to master this program and to be industry ready. The PMP exam offers significant hurdles to your final step, and it requires diligent hard work to succeed with flying colors.

Study Time For CSM

It hardly requires three days to complete the course. It is tempting in comparison to PMP certification. You need to attend the classroom for two days to get acquainted with the Scrum framework from your trainer. You can give your exam to verify your credential after the two days of the classroom program. You need to assimilate all the information in one day and get well versed with the general methodologies and implementation strategies.

How To Decide What You Need?

You can decide depending on various factors:

Your Industry

The type of industry you work in is a pivoting factor in determining the type of certification you need. In an IT industry, you need to be aware of agile technology and hence Certified Scrum Master is an excellent course for you. You can manage teamwork and be a good facilitator by choosing this course. Thus you can flourish in the IT industry. In the manufacturing industry, the oil and gas industry a project manager plays an active role, so PMP certification is more valuable in this case.

Predominant Methodology In Your Industry

If your industry prefers agile methodology, then you must take the course of CSM certification. Software related projects need high maintenance for proper elimination of any error, so they need robust scrutiny. You need to decide your certification by realizing the methodologies existing in your industry.

Time And Money Investment

You need to be careful in deciding the right course which gives maximum return on your investment. PMP is a costly investment and requires a longer time investment while CSM is cost-effective and takes hardly three days for completion.