Answers to Top PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) ® Certification Questions
Just finished interviewing Rory McCorkle who is the product owner for the new PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) ® certification. 
For those who could not attend please watch the recorded version online, it is worth listening to! You will need a pmi.org username/password to login.
Interested in the watching previous PMI webinars in our ‘Transforming to Agile’ series? Click here.
Below are some of the top answers:
Q: What is the value of this PMI-ACP ® certification to organizations and individuals?
A: There are several benefits but here are a few:
- This certification is one of the few that crosses the methodological boundaries and does not focus on only one of the methods. Agile is an overarching framework that is a collection of methods such as Scrum, XP, Lean, Kanban and so on. Companies do not tend to use only one of these so this certification is more comprehensive in its coverage of topics and knowledge areas.
- Additionally, the certification requires actual experience with Agile instead of being training related only. Instead of only attending training and being certified (actually referred to as a ‘certificate’ in the certification arena) you have to demonstrate experience with Agile and pass a comprehensive examination with an accredited certification body (PMI).
Q: Which certification should someone choose to get? the CSM, PMP® or PMI-ACP ® certification?
A: The PMP® is designed to test your overall competence as a project manager through more rigorous examination, experience requirements and adherence to the PMI code of ethics. PMI-ACP ® certification is designed to test knowledge of Agile methods and practices so we see many PMP® add on the PMI-ACP ® to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to lead both types of traditional and Agile projects. When comparing the CSM and PMI-ACP ® certification, I would say they are for different audiences. The CSM is achieved by going into a classroom and sitting through the 2 day class. The current exam is not a pass/fail exam even though I know the ScrumAlliance is working on changing this shortly. It also focuses specifically on the Scrum method. PMI-ACP ® certification is intended for individuals looking for a certification that requires both training, experience with Agile and is more comprehensive in its coverage of topics.
Q: Which books are recommended as reading for the PMI-ACP ® certification?
A: The ones listed in the PMI-ACP ® Certification Reference Materials Guide: http://bit.ly/pmi-acp-reading-books. You should also follow the PMI-ACP ® certification exam content outline: http://bit.ly/pmi-acp-exam-content-outline
Q: What’s the update on the PMI-ACP ® Certification Pilot?
A: Since February 2011,
- 7,000+ people have signed up to receive further information about the PMI-ACP ® certification pilot
- 5,000+ individuals have responded to PMI’s “Agile knowledge” quiz
- 150,000+ individuals have visited PMI’s www.PMI.org/Agile launch page
- Since 23 May, 7,000+ applicants have opened a PMI-ACP ® certification application
- 1,300+ individuals have submitted a PMI-ACP ® certification application to participate in the pilot
Q: Will PMI create an AgileBOK? will PMI include Agile practices in the next versions of the PMBOK Guide?
A: No, there are no plans of creating an AgileBOK since Agile is such a robust framework that is very dynamic and ever changing. We are working with IEEE on a Software Extension to the PMBOK Guide over the next couple of years and will include references to Agile there.
Q: Will PMI be producing a PMI-ACP ® certification study guide?
A: No, PMI has published the reference list of recommended reading books for the exam and has never produced a study guide book for its own exams. They rely on their approved REPs to provide this education and training.
Q: What changes will happen in Dec 2011 to this certification? when will the final version be out?
A: We will not make changes to the examination outline guide itself, only to the questions based on the feedback we’re getting from the Agile Community of Practice and others on the exam. We think it will be the end of January before the final changes are incorporated into the exam itself.
Q: How does someone earn the 21 Contact Hours required for the certification? do webinars count?
A: Please refer to the PMI-ACP ® Certification Handbook to understand what qualifies for Contact Hours. Search for the word ‘contact hours’. Webinars usually count towards PDUs but not towards contact hours. The training session should have some type of assessment at the end or specify a timeline of when the assessment needs to be completed by. Self study usually doesn’t count towards the 21 Contact Hours. Your CSM training class would count towards the 21 Contact Hours in addition to other Agile related training provided by REPs, PMI Chapters and other providers listed in the handbook.
————————- End of Interview with Rory ——————————–
Resources to Help You Prepare for YOUR PMI-ACP TM Exam:
- Upcoming PMI-ACP ® Certification Exam Prep On-site and Virtual Workshops (21 Contact Hours)
- Join the PMI-ACP ® Certification Study Group on LinkedIn (dedicated to discussing this exam, feel free to post your questions or feedback after taking the exam)
- Join the PMI Agile Community of Practice (lots of great Agile information and webinars by experts and community members)
- Read my popular PMI-ACP ® Certification Detailed Exam Study Tips
- Join the PMI Learning and Education Community of Practice (I’m the Agile Expert for this community and host a ‘Transforming to Agile’ series of monthly webinars)
- http://www.AgileExams.com has created a great online test practice website with great reviews. We include access for FREE in our PMI-ACP ® certification courses!
 Sally Elatta – President
Enterprise Coach & Trainer
Agile Transformation Inc. |
About Me:
I am simply a transformer. Someone who is really passionate about helping organizations move towards building lean high performing collaborative teams that can deliver value predictably. I like to find practical solutions to solve real problems and use a combination of Agile, Scrum, Lean, Soft Skills and Servant Leadership to reach the desired target.
I am the Agile Expert for the PMI Learning, Education and Development (LEAD) community of practice and I host a popular Agile webinar series and blogs on transforming to Agile. Full profile/bio: http://www.linkedin.com/in/elatta |
PMI, PMP, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and PMI-ACP are registered trademarks of Project Management Institute, Inc.
Hi,Is it good to take PMI-ACP first and then PMP or PMP and PMI-ACP is good which certification is good first?. I am having 8 years of IT experience as a Business Analyst worked on Healthcare and BPM. I have knowledge and having few months of scrum methodology work experience but didn’t have too many years of agile experience.Please advice.Thanks and Have a Nice Day.