In this article, we will furthermore discuss on differences between PMI ACP Vs PMP along with different methodologies like Agile and Waterfall and what are the different roles of Project Managers and Agile Practitioners.
For instance, PMI-ACP is an Agile Certified Practitioner certification provided by Project Management Institute PMI. As this certification is provided by PMI, it is universally recognized. It covers Agile principles and tools along with different approaches of agile such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), and Test-Driven Development (TDD). So, PMI-ACP certification will help Agile practitioners to apply their diversified skills to whatever projects they work on.
For instance, PMP is Project Management Professional certification provided by Project Management Institute PMI. As this certification is provided by PMI, it is universally recognized and it covers overall Project Management aspects. This has 3 domains: People, Process, Business Environment whereas PMI ACP has 7 domains: Agile Principles and Mindset, Value-driven Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Performance, Adaptive Planning, Problem Detection and Resolution, Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People).
What is Waterfall Methodology? & What is Agile Methodology?
The waterfall is the most traditional method of project management methodology. Hence, It will have different phases like Initiating the Project, Planning, Execution, Monitor and Control, and Closure of the Project. In the initiation project, Statement of Work Signs and the Project Manager is involve from there who then takes care of planning scope, schedule, cost, risks, resources, quality, communications, procurement, stakeholder engagement. Once all the plans gets baseline, the project executes with resources and while execution is ongoing. Monitoring is to ensure that actuals are meeting the plan and in case of any deviations, they can control to bring the project back on track. Once this is all done, the project is closed.
In Contrast to Waterfall methodology where everything is in upfront like planning, the role of an Agile Business Analysts is to do planning as the project progresses. In Agile, customer collaboration is the priority over contract negotiation along with working software over comprehensive documentation and so the project is executing in sprints (mostly bi-weekly) where there will be working components to ship every sprint. Changes are welcome in Agile as the project progresses whereas in Waterfall, once requirements has baseline, it will need a Change Request approval to proceed with the changes. Individuals and interactions are on priority in Agile against processes and so there will be daily stand-ups in which the team will update what they have yesterday and what they will be working on today and if there are any impediments.
Differences Between Waterfall vs Agile
| Waterfall | Agile |
| Larger teams are fine | Smaller teams are recommended |
| The scope is clearly documented before execution | The scope is elaborated progressively |
| There is no priority needed for requirements as delivery is done at the last | Requirements are prioritized using different techniques (e.g. MoSCoW), that Minimum Viable Product (MVP) can be delivered first |
| Strict No to scope creep or gold plating | If a team wants to experiment new design or anything similar, it is allowed |
| If any changes to baselined requirements, it needs a Change Request | Changes are welcomed and prioritized as the project progresses |
| Different testing techniques like black-box testing, unit testing, regression testing, smoke testing is done | Majorly testing will be automated for products and exploratory testing will be done each sprint and approaches like test first then do development (TDD) will be available |
PMI ACP Vs PMP – Job Roles and Careers
Furthermore, Different job titles available for Project Managers are Project managers, Associate/Asst.so, it involves Manager – Projects, Team leads/Managers, Project Executives/Engineers, Technical Project Managers, Project Delivery Manager, Business Analyst.
For instance, Different job titles available for ACP professionals are PMP Scrum master, technical business analyst, Agile Trainer, Project Manager, Digital Channel planner, Deputy Project Manager, Director – planning and Project management, Business Analyst, Agile Project Manager. As per the 2015 Pulse of the Professional Report, Organizations that are highly adaptable to agile and responds to market dynamics successfully complete projects better than the ones which are not adaptable to Agile. Additionally, the average salary of PMP or PMI-ACP certified professionals is 28% higher than non-certified professionals.
If you wish in order to learn more about PMP Certification, check out our blogs related to PMP Certification details and gain powerful insights.
PMI ACP Vs PMP – What’s The Difference?
| PMI ACP | PMP | |
| Prerequisites | Education should be secondary degree/high school diploma and 2000 hours of PM experience and 1500 hours of Agile experience and 21 formal contact hours on agile practices is needed. If you are already PMP or PgMP certified, then you no need in order to have PM experience explicitly. | Education should be secondary degree/high school diploma and 4500 hours of PM experience 35 formal contact hours on Project Management is needed. |
| Study Time | 70 hours | 100 hours |
| Exam Pattern | 120 questions, 3 hours, No negative marking | 180 questions, 230 minutes, No negative marking |
| Syllabus | 3 domains: People, Process, Business Environment. This is a subset of PMP. | 7 domains: Agile Principles and Mindset, Value-driven Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Performance, Adaptive Planning, Problem Detection and Resolution, Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People) |
| Roles | PMP Scrum master, Technical business analyst, Agile Trainer, Project Manager, Digital Channel planner, Deputy Project Manager, Director – planning and Project management, Business Analyst, Agile Project Manager | Project managers, Associate/Asst. Manager – Projects, Team leads/Managers, Project Executives/Engineers, Technical Project Managers, Project Delivery Manager, Business Analyst. |
| Training Fee (INR) | Online: 12000-15000Classroom: 11000-15000Self-Paced: 10000-12000 | Online: 18000-25000Classroom: 7000-12000Self-Paced: 10000-12000 |
| Certification Cost for PMI Members | Computer-Based: $435Paper Based: $385 | Computer-Based: $555 Paper Based: $400 |
| Certification Cost for Non-Members | Computer-Based: $495Paper Based: $445 | Computer-Based: $405 Paper Based: $250 |
| Certification Re-take cost for PMI Members | $150 | $275 |
| Certification Re-take cost for Non-Members | $200 | $375 |
| Pass % Rate | Not disclosed by PMI | Not disclosed by PMI |
| Exam Mode | Both Online and Offline | Both Online and Offline |
| Passing Score | Not disclosed by PMI | Not disclosed by PMI |
Conclusion
PMP focuses on overall Project Management Methodology in Agile whereas PMI ACP focuses only on different Agile methodologies, tools, and techniques. Both are of international standards.The Recommendation is PMP because this is currently an Agile, unlike the earlier versions where it was based on waterfall methodology. It is recommended to get PMP certification and then can go for PMI ACP. PMI ACP is a subset of PMP. Additionally, you can choose depending on what kind of project you are working weighing both the options.
