What is the PMI-ACP Certification?
PMI-ACP Certification is a professional certification offered by PMI. It stands for Project Management Institute - Agile Certified Practitioner.
The PMI-ACP Certification is a professional certification designed to help project managers with their day-to-day tasks. It can be a valuable addition for those looking to advance in the field of project management. The exam covers four different areas:
- Project Integration, Scope and Time Management.
- Managing Project Resources.
- Cross-Organizational Collaboration and Communication.
- Team Leadership.
The PMI-ACP designation recognizes professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in agile project management principles, practices, concepts, terminology, and techniques. The exam focuses on one or more agile methods such as Scrum or XP that emphasize flexibility and collaboration among team members to meet customer needs through rapid iterative feedback loops with customers; early and continuous delivery of working software; close daily cooperation between business stakeholders including developers, testers, users (customers), product managers (representatives) etc.; focus on technical excellence; attention to detail; active stakeholder engagement throughout the life cycle of the project; and, clear communication.
Who should apply for PMI-ACP® Certification?
The PMI-ACP® is a professional certification that indicates expertise in agile project management. Earning the PMI-ACP® designation demonstrates knowledge of the principles and practices of agile methodology and how to implement these principles into an organization's culture.
Earning the Certification will allow professionals to stand out from the competition and prove that they have mastered agile project management. The PMI-ACP® exam tests a candidate's understanding of agile concepts and techniques.
The Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) credential is a globally recognized certification for project managers who want to become more agile.
Must meet the following requirements:
- The candidate must have two years of experience as a project manager, at least one year in an agile environment.
- The candidate has four professional references from their employer or another industry peer who can attest to their understanding and application of agile principles and practices, including how the individual applies these skills on a day-to-day basis.
- The candidate can demonstrate knowledge of five different Agile methods, such as Scrum and Kanban.
- The candidate can demonstrate knowledge of five different Agile principles, such as communication and planning.
How Do You Obtain Your PMI-ACP Certification?
Obtaining the PMI-ACP certification is an excellent way to start. The PMI-ACP exam covers topics such as:
- The Project Management Institute's (PMI) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and its application to all aspects of project management.
- How project managers can develop leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and team building skills.
- The five knowledge areas that comprise the body of knowledge for the profession: project scope management, time management, cost management, quality assurance, and risk management.
- The six process groups that makeup the project management life cycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, closing.
- To maintain your PMI-ACP certification, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years.
Why is the PMI-ACP certification essential for a project management professional?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) created the PMI-ACP certification to ensure that project management professionals are well versed in the process of managing projects. This certification is essential for many job descriptions, but it isn't easy to achieve. The PMI-ACP exam covers cost estimating to quality control and benefits management.
Topics Covered on the PMI-ACP Exam:
Managing a project is complex, and many topics can be covered on the PMI-ACP exam. However, some of the most critical issues include:
- Initiation.
- Planning.
- Execution.
- Monitoring.
What are the challenges and opportunities of obtaining a PMI-ACP certification?
Obtaining a PMI-ACP certification is one of the most popular ways to prove that you are qualified as an Agile project manager. It demonstrates your ability to lead projects effectively and efficiently while meeting strict standards for quality. But like any other industry, obtaining the certification comes with its own set of challenges.
One might encounter six challenges while obtaining this certification: time, cost, flexibility, support networks, learning style, and personal motivations.
Five steps to Achieve the PMI-ACP certification
Step 1: Review Certification Eligibility Requirements in PMI-ACP certification
PMI-ACP Review Certification is a way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the PMI-ACP certification. This option is available to those who have passed the PMP® exam but have not yet achieved certification as an Accredited Project Manager (APM®). It can also be pursued by project managers who work on projects that do not require APM® status.
Reviewers must meet eligibility requirements, including:
- The individual has obtained at least three years of professional experience after obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher qualification.
- The individual has received formal training from a qualified organization such as I Agile, Agile Alliance, Scrum Alliance, etc.
- The individual has passed the examination.
- The individual must be a member of PMI.
Step 2: Study Course or Study Materials in PMI-ACP certification
There is a lot of information to take in and retain regarding the PMI-ACP certification. The best way to ensure that you can study and learn what you need for this exam is by using some study course or study materials. There are different courses available, such as live online classes, self-paced online training, or onsite classroom sessions.
Step 3: Apply for the Certification in PMI-ACP certification.
The PMI-ACP certification is a valuable and respected credential that signifies an individual's knowledge and expertise in project management. It is time-consuming to complete but has significant benefits for those who can finish it. To apply for the PMI-ACP certification, you must first meet eligibility criteria before taking any exams or applying through Pearson VUE.
Step 4: Schedule and Pass Your Exam in PMI-ACP certification
PMI-ACP Certification is a rigorous examination that requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of project management concepts and principles. To pass the exam, it's essential to be prepared for the test. The following three keys will help you prepare for PMI-ACP certification:
- Schedule Your Exam: Make sure to study enough before taking the exam so that you can schedule an appointment with PMI.
- Take Practice Exams: Get as much practice as possible by studying sample questions from past exams and then take them on your own time!
- Develop a Study Plan: Figure out what areas need more work and how long it will take you for those skills to become second nature.
Step 5: Earn PDUs for Certification Renewal in PMI-ACP certification
The PMI-ACP certification renewal process is a great opportunity to earn PDUs. To maintain their credential, all licensed Project Management Professionals must renew their license every three years. To do so, they must either retake the exam or earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs). Earn PDUs for your PMI-ACP certification renewal. It can be done by completing the following steps:
- Complete five hours of project management education per year, with at least one hour in each of the four knowledge areas.
- Take and pass three professional development courses within a 24 month period.
- Attend at least two-chapter meetings or conferences while maintaining membership in a Professional Development Program (PDP).