CSM Certification vs CSPO Certification

Table of Contents

• What is the Scrum framework?
• CSM Certification
• CSPO Certification
• Who is the Governing body?
• How to get a certification?
• What are the pre-requisites for training?
• What is the cost of Certification?
• What are the exam details?
• What is the renewal policy?
• Table with differences between CSM Certification and CSPO Certification

What is the Scrum framework?

Scrum plays a pivotal role in the implementation of Agile & its principles across any organization for the successful delivery of any projects. Scrum framework mainly consists of Product Backlog, Sprint Planning, Sprint Backlog, Daily Scrum Meetings, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective Meetings. At the heart of any project lies “Sprint” which runs the project and delivers work product with an incremental approach. Here are the reason to do CSM Certification.

CSM Certification

CSM is an acronym for Certified Scrum Master. CSM is one of the most sought-after roles in today’s evolving time. The impact of Agile and its Principles is so fulfilling that these days companies are hiring Scrum Specialist’s and CSM stands one of them. He/she has a core role in any Agile Team and act as a mediator for the Product owner & the Scrum Team.

Scrum master is not a regular project that leads to a role in any project. It’s one of the toughest and engaging roles in the team. One of the most important tasks Scrum master performs is to assist the team by removing the impediments in achieving the project deliverables with the utmost quality. It is crucial to learn and grow as a Scrum Master hence one needs to go through the certification process (Agile Scrum Master Certification) and be the specialist to play the confident role of a Scrum Master. Here are the Reasons to do CSM Certification. 

CSPO Certification

Certified Scrum Product Owners are professionals with the desired skill set and knowledge to drive Scrum Teams for successful agile project delivery. Scrum Product Owner Certified is critical to the team as he/she acts as a linchpin to the project team and provide continuous feedback from the business owners/stakeholders.

Product Owner Certification program requires an individual to undergo a 2-day Workshop, to acquire the required skills and expertise on how to run a project as a Product Owner. Here are the Reasons to do CSPO Certification.

Who is the Governing body?

• This is a certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, specifically for the Scrum Master role.
• This is a certification offered by the Scrum Alliance, specifically for the Product Owner role.

Scrum Alliance is an organization that works tirelessly towards creating awareness, educating, providing resources and supporting aspirants of Scrum and Agile in general.

It was founded in the year 2001, considered the largest, most established and influential professional membership and certification organization in the Agile community. To date, the count of certified practitioners is more than 750,000 across the globe.

How to get a certification?

CSM

Below mentioned are crucial steps to becoming a Certified Scrum Master:

• Gain basic knowledge in Scrum
• Under the guidance of an experienced/ trained Scrum Trainer (Scrum Master Certification Training) and learn about the CSM course.
• Take the CSM exam (Scrum Master Certification online exam) and pass the same by correctly answering at least 37 out of 50 questions (Scrum Master Certification passing score).

CSPO

Below mentioned is a step to becoming a Certified Scrum Product Owner:

• To attend an in-person, 16-hour course taught by an experienced Certified Scrum Trainer (CSPO training).

What are the pre-requisites for training?

CSM

There are no set eligibility requirements (CSM certification eligibility) for certified scrum master, it is advisable to have some basic understanding of the principles and possess a working knowledge of the overall scrum process.

CSPO

There is no pre-requisite. Any individual can attend an in-person, 16-hour course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer®(CST®).

What is the cost of Certification?

CSM - Scrum Master Certification Cost is 24999/-

CSPO - Scrum Product Owner certification cost is 25999/-

What are the exam details?

1. Difficulty level

CSM:

It is not a big deal to clear the CSM exam if you attend two days of classroom training. Two days of training are sufficient to clear the exam.

CSPO:

There is no exam for the Certified Scrum Product Owner Certification. Attending two days of classroom training will fetch you CSPO certification.

2. Pass Percentage

CSM:

There will be 50 questions and one needs to get 37 correct answers to pass the certification test (74% Scrum Master Certification passing percentage).

CSPO:

There is no exam for CSPO Certification. After attending 2 days Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) workshop conducted by Certified Scrum Trainers, participants get CSPO Certification.

3. Pattern

CSM:

CSM Certification Exam has to take online. The test duration is one hour. You can’t pause the test and resume later.

CSPO:

There is no exam for CSPO Certification.

What is the renewal policy?

CSM:

CSM certificate is valid for 2 years. After 2 years, an individual needs to renew CSM Certification by paying $100 to Scrum Alliance and 20 SEU’s.

CSPO:

CSPO certificate is valid for 2 years. For renewal, you should follow the same process just like CSM

Related Article : CSM Certification Renewal

Certified Scrum

Product Owner Course

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Table with differences between CSM Certification and CSPO Certification

Which one is best for you?

Both CSM Certification and CSPO Certification have their own benefits but the decision lies in the interest of an individual. Certified scrum master certification is the basic scrum certification and acts as a stepping stone in the career of agile practitioner and best suited for Developers, Testers, Business Analyst and Scrum Masters. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is best suited for Business Analyst, Product Owners, Product Managers, and Higher Management individual who is involved in business decisions.

Conclusion

CSM Certification are one of the most pivotal certifications in today’s time and age. Be it Scrum Masters or Product Owner each has its own merits and advantages based on the necessity as per the roles and responsibilities. The product owner plays a totally different role in comparison to a Scrum master. They act as a linchpin to the project and they are specifically the individuals who are closest to the “business side” of the project, they maintain the product backlog and set priorities for everyone in the team. Scrum masters drive the project by conducting Scrum Ceremonies such as Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum Meeting and Sprint Review/Retrospective Meeting.

In a nutshell, both the course focus on making the change from traditional software development methodology and do it the “agile way” by bringing in immense change and growth in the way software is developed and successfully delivered with great quality.