What is PMI-ACP Certification?
What is PMI-ACP?
The world’s largest non-profit membership association for the profession of project management. Project Management Institute (PMI) offers an Agile Certified Practitioner certification called the PMI-ACP.
The PMI-ACP certification is a big deal and holds a high level of career significance. This certification not only requires an advanced knowledge of agile project management tools and methods, it also requires that the certification holder has had training and experience working on agile projects. The certification is recognized globally and helps hiring managers identify agile practitioners who understand agile principles and mindset.
The exam for this certification is detailed and specific. If you think about a doctor or a lawyer, they need to not only go to school and spend hundreds of hours learning about their topic at hand, they also have to then practice – be it as a resident or an apprentice – in those fields. From there, they can sit for their boards.
The PMI-ACP certification, in essence, is the same thing for people that are in project management. Just like that long white coat, this is a badge on a project manager’s shoulder that says, “I know what I’m doing, and I’ve been doing this for a while.”
PMP (Project Management Professional)
Equally important to note – this is a specialized certification. The most common Project Management Institute certification out there is the PMP (or Project Management Professional). The PMI-ACP is specific to agile project management. To extend our comparison above, think of it like a doctor who practices oncology or a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. Similarly, this certification says that those who hold it are experienced in agile project management specifically. It lets people know that not only are you a project manager, but you understand project management in an uncertain, ever changing, high dependency world.
How do I get PMI-ACP certified?
Unlike Scrum Master Certified (SMC) certification, where you can decide, “I want to become a scrum master,” and then study and sit for an exam, the PMI-ACP is not an entry level exam. You don’t just say, “I want to be an agile project manager,” and then take the exam. Remember – this is like sitting for your boards after hours of in-the-field practice.
Besides needing a secondary degree outside of high school (Associates, Bachelors or Masters degree), you also need to have 2,000 hours of general project management under your belt. This is the equivalent of 12 months spent on an agile project, completed in the last five years.
You also need have 1,500 hours, or the equivalent of eight months roughly, working on agile teams using agile methods. These hours must be completed in the last three years. These 1,500 hours are in addition to the 2,000 hours of general project management. Now do you see why we compared this to sitting medical or legal boards?
Finally, in addition to your practical hours, you must complete 21 hours of agile training to sit for the exam.
What are the benefits of PMI-ACP certification?
Besides the badge of honor that showcases your professional know-how in the field of agile project management, the study and practical application required to obtain PMI-ACP certification comes with a benefits, such as:
a wide breadth of knowledge pertaining to the diverse agile tools and methods
credibility in the field of agile project management
higher average salaries. The average annual salary for a non-certified agile project manager is around $95,000 while a certified agile practitioner can expect to earn over 20% more.
How do I prepare for the PMI-ACP exams?
Besides the preparation that comes from practical application in the field, PMI recommends a list of books certification-seekers should familiarize themselves with (this podcast series is a great alternative if you’re more of an auditory learner!). This sort of preparation makes sense when you consider that the exam is extremely scenario-based. Most questions ask, “What is the next, most appropriate response,” in each situation. This approach – focusing on the most valuable thing next – is really the essence of agile project management. Therefore, the trial and error of real-life experiences, as well as those outlined in PMI’s reading list, are critical to sitting for this exam.
This also highlights why a scrum certification, as a form of agile training, can be super beneficial on your road towards becoming an Agile Certified Practitioner. Becoming a certified scum master is a great way to obtain the 21 hours of agile training necessary to sit for your PMI-ACP exam. However, it is only the beginning of a much longer (and rewarding!) agile journey.
More Project Management Resources
If project management in general, and agile in particular, is something that interests you or you want to become a known agile practitioner in your area, the PMI-ACP is the certification you want to eventually go for. But the first stepping stone is agile training. Peopleside offers a variety of training options to get you started on your journey towards PMI-ACP certification. Both our Scrum Master certification and Scrum Product Owner certification courses include 21 hours of agile training. We can also help you build 21 hours from smaller modules for a more customized approach to fit your specific interests and need.
And if the idea of Agile Project Management is completely new to you, check out the Peopleside Learning Lab. We recommend the mini-course, “How to Determine if Agile Project Management is Right For Your Team” to anyone who might want to dip their toes in the Agile waters.
