Scrum has garnered widespread acclaim as the de facto project management framework. For those looking to do more than simply break the surface you’ll eventually encounter a fork in the road.
Over the years, the early leaders of Scrum have influenced new and unique approaches to mastering their framework– ultimately leading to the creation of two distinct certifications (PSM vs. CSM) and schools of thought on how best to certify and train those interested in learning Scrum.
The BIG Two
The two individuals who pioneered Scrum, Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, worked together in 1995 to articulate Scrum’s most important principles in a joint paper.
In the years since, however, two of the largest Scrum communities have developed their own curriculums that compliment different assessment and certification strategies.
The Scrum Alliance
In the few years after Scrum was created, the framework gradually gained a dedicated following, comprised primarily of programmers and project managers in the software industry who were looking to break free of slow, traditional development methods.
As the framework’s values and benefits became increasingly well-known, use cases quickly multiplied, winning over devotees in a variety of domains. Recognizing this opportunity to further amplify the reach of his creation, in 2002 Schwaber co-founded The Scrum Alliance, chairing the organization and overseeing the development of various courses and certifications.
Upon observing the framework’s implementation in actual business environments, Schwaber was dismayed by the lack of Scrum knowledge throughout the organization especially as it is diluted to the lower-ranking team members. What’s more, he felt like existing Scrum training programs (including his own organization’s offerings) were in it only for the money.
Scrum.org
In an attempt to revolutionize Scrum due to the poor results from training programs (less than half of those practicing Scrum were developing in incremental iterations, which are the heartbeat of the framework), Schwaber exited his leadership at the Scrum Alliance and founded Scrum.org.
He devised a bolder, more transparent philosophy for how the framework could be practiced. The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification is the certification of choice for this organization and requires practitioners to pass a more rigorous exam (although no other coursework is required). Schwaber also chose to drop the requirement to renew your credentials— PSMs are certified for life.
PSM vs. CSM
While the PSM and CSM certifications each originated from the same early Scrum framework, the two credentials have branched down completely different paths, making each approach suitable for a different audience.
Here are the main differences between PSM vs CSM:
| PSM | CSM | |
| Passing Score | 85% | 74% |
| Training | Not required | Required |
| Certification Cost Average/Range | $150 (optional training class ranges from $1100-2000) | $1000-1400 (mandatory class included) |
| Renewal Fee | None | $250 every 2 years (No assessment required, just updates date of Scrum certification) |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Low |
| Time Limit | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Assessment Fee | $150/Free with class | No Fee/But cannot be taken outside of a class |
| Exam Format | Multiple choice, multiple answer, and true/false | Multiple choice |
| Main Benefits | More rigorous certification, deeper knowledge of Scrum principles | Larger network of practitioners, easier training, lower threshold for final assessment |
| Number of Certification Holders | 450,000+ worldwide | 750,000+ worldwide |
Whether you’re looking to join a larger pool of practitioners, or you’re seeking a more in-depth study of Scrum, there’s a significant amount of differentiation between PSM vs. CSM accreditation offerings.
The Best Approach to Scrum
Using the Scrum framework can dramatically influence the long-term success of your organization’s Agile implementation. Receiving the right certification, with the right trainers, is essential for your team’s transformation into skilled Scrum practitioners.
Partners like Responsive Advisors can help guide you through this process, walking you through every step required to enact meaningful changes to the way your organization works. With a coalition of experienced industry experts, well-versed in the study of the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification, Responsive Advisors can provide versatile training programs that will confidently lead your team to fully-certified status. Through Scrum, leaders can completely transform their businesses, leveraging increasingly efficient and effective processes to spark innovation and reinvent their industries.
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