The sector of project management has been developing rapidly, with each passing day, the companies are in search of qualified and certified individuals who can help them achieve their organizational goals by providing proper management. This requires skilled project managers who are responsible for managing the teams and the various levels of the organization, due to which the projects are completed on time and are delivered to customers on time.

Therefore, many individuals opt for various certifications, which help them in making their career grow and improve their skills and expertise. Thus the professionals generally go for two certifications that are provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which are Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and the PMI ACP certification or the Agile Certified Professional Certification. Both of these certifications are effective for equipping you with project management skills. Before deciding which type of certification you want to go for, it is essential to understand the management processes that need to be followed in both cases.

The PMP certification follows a traditional approach and has been around for a long time. It is relatively new and follows the conventional methodology. On the other hand, PMI ACP supports modern Agile methods. Let us understand both the concepts in detail.

The PMP certification

The PMP certification is given by the PMI or the Project Management Institute. Here are some of the features of the PMP certification that you need to see.

1. The PMP follows the waterfall approach. The waterfall approach is the most traditional and has been around for a long time.
2. The PMP exam relies heavily on the PMBOK guide. If you need to pass the exam with a good score, you need to read the PMBOK guide thoroughly. It will equip you with the necessary knowledge to pass the exam with good scores.
3. The PMP certificate needs to be renewed every 3years. After three years, you have to retake the exam.
4. The PMP is more prevalent in the USA and is a prerequisite for many project management jobs.
5. You need to earn high PDUs to maintain the certification.

Why PMP certification is beneficial for you

1. The PMP is recognized globally.

So, you can go to any part of the world, and you will still have a high-paying job. The currencies of certain countries like the USA are more valuable than the money of Asian countries. As a result, if you relocate to those places, you will have a better salary.

 

2. A PMP, certified professional is highly skilled.

The high skills of a PMP certified professional would make him or her more employable.

 

3. You will get promoted frequently.

Frequent promotions and increments will result in a higher paycheck. If you get this certification, your salary will automatically increase.

 

The PMI ACP Certification

The Project Management Institute provides the PMI ACP. An ACP or Agile certified professional is highly valued in every corporate sector. A PMI ACP certified professional could use Agile tools and techniques to help organizations become more successful.

Why becoming a PMI Agile Practitioner is beneficial for you.

1. It will broaden your knowledge base.

You will learn plenty of agile methodologies like Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and XP that will help you acquire knowledge on a wide range of topics.

2. Global recognition.

The PMI Agile certification is recognized all around the globe, so your skills will stay valid in any part of the world. This means you can relocate to any place of your choice and still find a suitable employment option.

3. High demand.

The PMI Agile certification is in high demand by employers. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry. Employers instantly hire PMI certified practitioners because they know that these individuals will add value to the organization. PMI Agile accredited individuals are preferred over the non-certified ones.

4. Constant upgrades.

PMI offers a certification maintenance program that keeps you up-to-date with the latest developments in Agile. This means that the PMI Agile Certification will never become outdated.

5. Increased salary.

PMI Agile certified practitioners are paid 20% more than their non-certified counterparts. This clearly shows that the PMP Agile certification is highly valued across the industry. You can earn significantly well and also get promoted soon.

This was an overview of the PMP and the PMI ACP certifications. Both of them are highly beneficial, and you can choose any of them depending on your needs and requirements.