PMP vs Scrum: Which Certification is Best for Your Career?

A project is a vast, complex term that comes with its own set of prerequisites - which become the foundation for the entire project lifecycle. Knowing project requirements, ensuring resources, estimating costs, creating budgets, and tracking progress are just a few of the must-haves that determine the execution of your project. There are various project management frameworks and methods based on scope of the project and the industry in some cases. PMP and Scrum are the top credentials in the field of project management, and this article will assist you in learning the distinctions between the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Scrum certifications based on various parameters. You can earn a scrum or Project Management certification and learn different techniques for running a project. But before you go there, it is crucial to understand the many differences between Scrum Master vs PMP, which lie beneath the functional environment.

PMP vs Scrum: Head-to-Head Comparison

As you decide between scrum and PMP certification, you must consider your professional goals. To start with, understand what exactly it is that you want to do for a company, and this will determine the role you will pursue. To help you with that, we have listed down the different grounds on which scrum and PMP certification differ: 

Parameters	PMP	Scrum
Project scope	PMP emphasizes on defining and managing the project scope	Scrum focuses on a flexible scope that evolves with iterations and feedback from stakeholders.
Time management	PMP relies on a sequential approach to time management, where tasks are executed in   a pre-defined order.	Scrum uses an iterative approach, prioritizing tasks based on their value and adjusting the project timeline as needed.
Cost management	PMP focuses on cost estimation, budgeting, and tracking that the project stays within the planned budget.	Scrum is based on value-driven delivery, and the cost is managed by continuously prioritizing tasks. Delivering the most valuable features in Scrum comes first.
Quality management	PMP emphasizes quality assurance, control, and improvement throughout the project life cycle.	A key component of Scrum is continuous integration, testing, and feedback to ensure products meet customer expectations.
Risk management	During the project life cycle, PMP places significant value on identifying, analyzing, and reducing risks.	Scrum also identifies and manages risks but relies on frequent feedback and course correction to adapt to changing circumstances.
Communication	With stakeholders, team members, and sponsors, PMP puts an enormous value on clear and timely communication.	Scrum is very keen on communication, yet it also uses daily face-to-face meetings and in-person contacts to ensure everyone is aligned and focused on the project's objectives.
Team management	PMP relies on a hierarchical structure with clear roles and responsibilities	Scrum centers on self-organizing, cross-functional teams that cooperate to produce value. Scrum also promotes continuous learning and improvement through retrospectives and feedback loops.

Difference Between PMP and Scrum

1. PMP vs Scrum: Project scope

Project scope is an outline of the project, which includes budget, timeline, resources allotted, and strategies. The definition of the scope of a project is a major aspect while deciding between PMP vs Scrum Master certification as both project manager and Scrum Master offer a varied approach to project execution and management.  

In PMP, the project scope emphasizes the work required to be delivered as per the objectives. The project manager works towards creating a detailed outline of all the prerequisites, including the cost, timeframe, and change management strategies. 

That said, Scrum Master focuses on ensuring the effectiveness of the plan. The project scope in scrum is defined by the deliverables, such as features, changes, user stories, release, etc.  

2. PMP vs Scrum: Time management

Time management plays a very crucial factor when handling a project. Efficient time distribution and management ensures a non-chaotic, and smooth project execution and termination. Both methodologies approach time management differently.

In PMP, time management is a distinct process that includes planning, sequencing, estimating, scheduling, monitoring, and controlling project activities. The project manager creates a detailed project schedule that outlines the start and end dates. He also decides the path of the project and the resources to be deployed. PMP places a priority on following the schedule. A Project manager is responsible for ensuring that the project stays on track.   

Scrum, on the other hand, prioritizes gradual and progressive development. Time management is embedded in the sprint cycle, which typically lasts two to four weeks. The team estimates the amount of work they can complete in a sprint. The sprint backlog is created based on those estimated dates. The team then works on completing the backlog items during the sprint with daily meetings to track progress and address issues.

3. PMP vs Scrum: Cost management

Cost management is a thorough process in PMP. It requires estimating costs, creating a budget, and controlling costs throughout the project. The Project manager is responsible for developing a detailed cost baseline, tracking actual costs, and making adjustments as required to ensure the project functions within the budget.

In Scrum, cost management is embedded in the product backlog. The product owner and the team work together to prioritize features based on their value to the customer. The team estimates the cost of delivering those features. The team works on the most valuable features first, intending to maximize return on investment.

4. PMP vs Scrum: Quality management

Both PMP and Scrum have their respective methodologies to address quality management. While PMP takes a structured approach to quality management with the outlined process, Scrum focuses on ensuring high quality through a shared understanding of what it means to be done.  

In the Project management (PMP) methodology, quality management includes planning, executing, and controlling activities that assures the project meets its objectives and stakeholder expectations.  

Furthermore, the quality management process in PMP consists of quality planning, assurance, and quality control.  

• Quality planning involves identifying quality requirements and how they will be achieved.  
• Quality assurance is a process for implementing techniques to meet quality requirements.  
• Quality control is monitoring and measuring project results. It helps us to understand that the project meets the quality requirements.  

In Scrum, quality is addressed through the Definition of Done. It is a shared understanding among the Scrum team which includes all the work required to deliver a potentially releasable product increment, such as coding, testing, and documentation.  

The scrum team works to ensure that each product increment meets the Definition of Done. If any issues arise during this duration, they will be addressed in the next Sprint.  

5. PMP vs Scrum: Risk management

Risk management is vital to project planning and execution in both the project management professional (PMP) and Scrum frameworks. However, the approaches to risk management differ between the two methodologies.  

The risk management methodology at PMP is clearly outlined. It includes five main steps- 

• Risk identification  
• Risk analysis  
• Risk response planning  
• Risk monitoring and control  
• Risk closure  

Each step is documented in the project management plan, which serves as a project blueprint. In project management, the project manager is in charge of risk management and helps ensure that the project is carried out following the project planning.  

Scrum, in contrast, employs a progressive, evolutionary model for project management and strongly focuses on agility and scalability.  

The scrum framework contains many strategies to mitigate risks. Scrum meetings, discussions, sprint reviews, and compilations are the ideal illustrations of these techniques. Risk management is a team-wide responsibility in Scrum, and each team member brings a unique set of skills to bear on recognizing and reducing risks.  

6. PMP vs Scrum: Communication

In PMP, devising a communication strategy, creating stakeholder analysis, and frequent progress reporting, are all part of the organized and formal communication process. PMP highly prioritizes communication protocol, guaranteeing that all stakeholders are aware of the project's status, problems, and threats.
Scrum, on the other hand, involves informal communication through meetings and reviews. Collaboration and open communication are fostered through the scrum. Scrum prioritizes in-person interaction above documentation.  

7. PMP vs Scrum: Team management

Roles and duties are explicitly stated in the hierarchical team management style PMP uses. The project manager is in charge and has the final say in all decisions. Scrum promotes self-organizing teams, in which team members work collectively and take choices to plan and carry out each sprint. The product owner establishes the goals and priorities for the product, and the Scrum Master serves as a guide instead of a supervisor.

How are they Similar?

PMP and Scrum are two popular project management methods used by organizations worldwide. While they have different project management approaches, they also share several similarities. Some of these commonalities are as follows;  

• PMP and Scrum significantly emphasize project planning. PMP requires a detailed project plan encompassing the project charter scope schedule, budget, and risk management plan. Similarly, Scrum teams plan their work using product backlog and break it down into sprints.  
• Both approaches recognize the significance of effective communication and collaboration among the team members. PMP requires project managers to develop a communication plan while Scrum teams hold daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and issues. 
• Another similarity between PMP and Scrum is based on project monitoring and control mechanisms. To manage project scope changes, PMP includes a formal change control procedure. Scrum combines retrospectives and sprint reviews to track progress and adjust its approach. 
• The PMP and Scrum approaches highlight the value of risk management. MP has a dedicated process for risk management that includes analyzing, identifying, and responding to threats/risks. Similarly, the scrum team recognizes threats during sprint planning and modifies the strategy, as necessary.  
• For professionals looking to advance their project management abilities, both PMP and scrum provide certification programs. PMP offers the PMP certification, and Scrum offers the Certified Scrum Master certification, also known as CSM.  

What Should You Choose Between PMP and Scrum?

Thinking about which is better, PMP or Scrum Master? We recommend you first consider the difference between PMP and Scrum Master. Again, to understand it in a better way, you must think about certain key points of both the certifications, based on which you can make your choices.  

Here are a few factors that will help you to make your decision;  

1. Qualification

To become a PMP-certified professional, you need to have a minimum of 3 years of project management experience, a bachelor's degree, and 35 hours of project management education. In contrast, Scrum requires no prior experience or specific educational background. However, having a basic understanding of the Agile principle is beneficial. When it comes to certified Scrum Master vs PMP, it is necessary to know that both of these certification courses are important in terms of job opportunities and high salaries.  

2. Money & Study Time Requirements

When it comes to PMP certification vs Scrum Master, you can think of two essential key factors i.e., course duration and money investment in the courses. The PMP certification exam is a four-hour long, 200 multiple-choice question test requiring extensive preparation. To pass the exam, you must invest significant time and money in PMP training courses, study materials, and practice tests.  

On the other hand, Scrum has a simpler certification process. Moreover, if you are considering the exam and cost for Scrum Master certification vs PMP, the former takes less time and money.  

3. Industry & Region Preference

PMP is widely recognized as a comprehensive and structured approach to project management. It is suitable for industries that follow a waterfall model, such as construction, engineering, IT, telecom, healthcare, human resource, consulting, and aerospace.  

On the other hand, Scrum is a flexible methodology that emphasizes collaboration, rapid movement, and continuous improvement. Hence, scrum is suitable for Agile methods-based industries such as Software development, marketing, sales, and product development. 

4. The main method implemented by your industry/business

The debate between PMP vs Scrum also depends on the project management practice prevalent in your industry. For instance, if your organization follows a traditional approach to project management, then PMP is a better choice. However, if your business follows Agile methodologies, Scrum is an ideal option. Again, it is essential to note that both PMP and Scrum can be adapted to fit your organization's or industry's specific needs.  

5. Salary

An interesting factor to consider while choosing between PMP vs Scrum is the Scrum Master vs PMP salary. According to the Project Management Institute, professionals with PMI PMP certification earn a median salary of $115,000 annually, while non-certified project managers earn around $90,000 annually. Whereas Scrum-certified professionals earn a median salary of $100,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on factors like industry, location, experience, and job responsibilities.  
  

Factors	PMP	Scrum
Qualification	3 years of project management experience, a bachelor's degree	No specific educational background or experience
Money & Study Time Requirement	Significant amount of time and money in PMP training courses	Easy simple certification
Industry & Region Preference	For e.g., construction, engineering, IT, Telecom, healthcare, human resource, consulting, and aerospace   (Europe, Australia, and some parts of Asia)	For e.g., Software development, marketing, sales, and product development   (North America, Europe, and Asia)
Industry method implementation	Traditional approach-based industries (PMBOK model)	Agile methodologies
Average Salary	$115,000 per year	$100,000 per year

Conclusion

Choosing between PMP vs Scrum as a career option and certification depends on the industry and company you want to work for. Moreover, it also depends on your preferences and expertise. Both PMP and Scrum are in high demand and offer amazing career prospects, but their scope differs. PMP is preferred by organizations that require formal project management certification and accreditation. Professionals with KnowledgeHut's PMI PMP certification typically earn higher salaries and have more opportunities for career development. On the other hand, Scrum follows Agile-based framework industries like marketing, software development, etc. Scrum-certified professionals are in high demand, particularly in the tech industry, and can expect to earn lucrative salaries. Researching and understanding the requirements of your preferred industry before choosing which certification to pursue is necessary, to make a sound decision!