Agile Certifications: Boost Your Career with Agile
Tags: agile, scrum, project, management
Published: 2023-05-23 14:48:30

In today's fast-paced world, **Agile certifications** have become a must-have for professionals in the software development industry.

This article will guide you through the various Agile certifications and how they can help you advance your career. We'll also provide personal experiences and comparisons to help you make an informed decision.

## Table of Contents

- [Why Choose Agile Certifications?](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#why-choose-agile-certifications)
- [Popular Agile Certifications](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#popular-agile-certifications)
  - [Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#certified-scrummaster-csm)
  - [Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM)](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#professional-scrum-master-psm)
  - [SAFe Agilist (SA)](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#safe-agilist-sa)
  - [Kanban Management Professional (KMP)](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#kanban-management-professional-kmp)
  - [PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#pmi-agile-certified-practitioner-pmi-acp)
- [Comparing Agile Certifications](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#comparing-agile-certifications)
- [Conclusion](https://teachingagile.com/agile-certifications#conclusion)

## Why Choose Agile Certifications?

![Why Choose Agile Certifications?](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rr0dc6do9fm3usmu6d9i.png)

Agile certifications are globally recognized credentials that demonstrate your expertise in Agile methodologies, such as SCRUM, Kanban, and SAFe. These certifications are valuable assets that can:

- Increase your marketability
- Improve your credibility
- Open doors to new job opportunities
- Help you stay up-to-date with industry best practices

## Popular Agile Certifications

![Popular Agile Certifications](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5v0ijxrnezxmy7pyqsde.png)

There are numerous Agile certifications available to choose from. Here, we'll discuss the most popular ones and how they can benefit your career:

### Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

One of the most well-known Agile certifications is **CSM™**, which the Scrum Alliance offers. As a **CSM™**, you'll learn the fundamentals of Scrum, including facilitating team collaboration and ensuring the successful delivery of projects.

### Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM)

**PSM™**, offered by **Scrum.org**, is another widely recognized Scrum certification. It focuses on a deep understanding of [Scrum principles, practices, and values](/scrum/psm-1/scrum-theory-principles/scrum-history 'Leran about Scrum principles, origins and values'). **PSM™** is available in three levels, with **PSM™** I being the entry-level certification.

### SAFe Agilist (SA)

The **SAFe** Agilist certification, offered by **Scaled Agile Inc.**, focuses on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It's ideal for professionals working in large organizations with multiple teams.

### Kanban Management Professional (KMP)

The **KMP** certification, offered by **Kanban University**, showcases your expertise in the Kanban method. It's designed for managers and team members who want to improve their workflow efficiency.

### PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

The **PMI-ACP**, offered by the **Project Management Institute (PMI)**, is a comprehensive Agile certification. It covers various Agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe.

## Comparing Agile Certifications

When choosing an Agile certification, it's essential to consider your goals, experience, and the organization you work for. Here's a comparison of the certifications discussed above:

- **CSM** and **PSM** are suitable for professionals who want to specialize in Scrum.
- **SAFe Agilist** is ideal for those working in large organizations that use the SAFe framework.
- **KMP** is best for those who wish to focus on the Kanban method.
- **PMI-ACP** is a well-rounded certification for those who want to demonstrate expertise in various Agile methodologies.

| Certification       | Issuing Organization                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Focus Area                    | Difficulty Level     | Renewal Requirements |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------- |
| **CSM™**            | <a className='nx-text-primary-600 nx-underline nx-decoration-from-font [text-underline-position:from-font]' href='https://www.scrumalliance.org/' title='Scrum Alliance' target='\_blank' rel='nofollow'> Scrum Alliance </a>                             | Scrum                         | Beginner             | Every 2 years        |
| **PSM I, II, III™** | <a className='nx-text-primary-600 nx-underline nx-decoration-from-font [text-underline-position:from-font]' href='https://www.scrum.org/' title='Scrum Org' target='\_blank' rel='nofollow'> Scrum.org </a>                                               | Scrum                         | Beginner to Advanced | Lifetime             |
| **SAFe Agilist**    | <a className='nx-text-primary-600 nx-underline nx-decoration-from-font [text-underline-position:from-font]' href='https://scaledagile.com/' title='Scaled Agile Inc.' target='\_blank' rel='nofollow'>Scaled Agile Inc.</a>                               | Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) | Intermediate         | Every 1 year         |
| **KMP**             | <a className='nx-text-primary-600 nx-underline nx-decoration-from-font [text-underline-position:from-font]' href='https://kanban.university/' title='Kanban University' target='\_blank' rel='nofollow'>Kanban University</a>                             | Kanban                        | Intermediate         | Every 1-2 years      |
| **PMI-ACP**         | <a className='nx-text-primary-600 nx-underline nx-decoration-from-font [text-underline-position:from-font]' href='https://www.pmi.org/' title='Project Management Institute (PMI)' target='\_blank' rel='nofollow'>Project Management Institute (PMI)</a> | Various Agile methodologies   | Intermediate         | Every 3 years        |

**_Table: Comparing Agile Certifications - CSM™, PSM™, SAFe Agilist, KMP, PMI-ACP_**

While all Agile certifications have their advantages, they also come with some drawbacks.

For instance, CSM™ and PSM™ are Scrum-specific, limiting your expertise to a single Agile methodology.

On the other hand, PMI-ACP covers multiple methodologies but may not provide in-depth knowledge of any specific method.

In terms of personal experiences, many professionals have reported that the CSM™ and PSM™ certifications have helped them better manage their teams and improve project delivery.

However, others have found the SAFe Agilist more valuable when working with large organizations and multiple teams.

## Conclusion

Choosing the right Agile certification can significantly impact your career growth and professional development. It's essential to consider your goals, experience, and the specific Agile methodologies you want to specialize in.

By comparing the advantages, disadvantages, and how each certification addresses the triple constraint, you'll be better prepared to make an informed decision.

So, invest in an Agile certification today and take a giant leap toward a successful career in the software development industry!