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Key takeawaysAre programme managers and project managers the same?
Choose an Agile qualification that matches your role, experience, and the framework most used in your sector.
- Agile skills are in high demand across industries, and certification can help candidates stand out in a growing job market.
- AgilePM suits those wanting practical, project focused tools based on DSDM that can be applied quickly.Are project managers in demand in the UK?
- PRINCE2 Agile fits candidates who use PRINCE2 and need a controlled approach that still allows Agile flexibility.
- PSM I is a strong Scrum credential with a challenging exam and lifetime validity, often valued in IT contexts.
- PMI-ACP targets experienced practitioners and has strict eligibility requirements, but carries strong PMI credibility.Are project managers in demand?

Introduction
Agile project management is a highly collaborative approach to project management that uses short, iterative development cycles. The popularity of Agile owes a lot to its ability to adapt to the fast-paced nature of business today.Can you become a project manager online?
That’s why Agile , originally developed for use in the software development industry has been adopted by a wide variety of industries today, from financial services to transportation.Can you start as a project manager with no experience?
If you want a competitive edge in the project manager job market, a good place to start is with an certification in Agile . With so many options available however, it can be difficult to find which is best for you.Do you need a PM in Agile?
We’ve created a list of Agile qualifications , so you can easily pick the one most relevant to your industry, role and level of experience.Does IT project manager require coding?
Why get an Agile project management certification
There has been a marked increase in the use of Agile methodologiesHow can I be an IT project manager? in all sectors:
- 3 of every 4 businesses report using Agile approaches on a regular basis [1]How do I become a certified project manager in the UK?.
- Forbes reports that of 500 senior executives interviewed, 92% believed Agile practices to be critical to business success [2]How do I become a project manager with no experience?.
- In a 2017 survey, KPMG reported that 76% of business owners in the EU believe Agile projects will outnumber waterfall, or traditional, projects by 2021 [3]How do I become a project manager with no qualifications?.
Businesses make regular use of Agile methodologies depending on the nature of projectsHow do I qualify as a project manager?:
- 1 of every 4 manufacturing businesses rely solely on Agile methodologies, while over half use a combination of traditional and Agile practices [4]How fast can you become a project manager?.
Agile helps foster successful business practices:
- QSM assessed the performance of Agile development projects in three key areas: productivity, time-to-market and quality. Findings show Agile projects were significantly faster and more productive than traditional projects How hard is it to become a PM?[5] .
With the number of Agile project management roles increasing, candidates holding an How long does it take to become a PM?Agile project management certification will be at an advantage compared to those without.
Choosing the right Agile project management certification
There is a wide variety of Is a program manager higher than a project manager?certifications for Agile available on the market. Given the complexity and scope of many of these, it may be difficult knowing where to start. Here’s a very basic breakdown of which courses are available and their specific niche in Agile practice.
- If you’d like to learn a general-purpose, widely applicable Agile methodology, an Is a Scrum Master just a project manager?Agile project management certification (Agile PM) will teach you practical Agile tools and methods you can apply to the management of projects right away!
- If you’d like a general education in the various Agile ‘flavours’ like Scrum, DSDM, XP and become an all-round Agile expert, you should consider an Agile Certified PractitionerIs PMO better than project manager?® PMI-ACPIs PMO more senior than project manager? qualification.
- If you’d like to become a certified Scrum Master Professional, the Professional Scrum Master I (PSMIs project management in demand in UK?® I) from Scrum.org was developed and endorsed by Ken Schwaber, the founder of Scrum himself.Is project manager a stressful job?
- If you’d like to become a certified Scrum Master Professional, Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Master I (PSM ®Is there a PM in Agile? I) is developed and endorsed by Ken Schwaber, the founder of Scrum himself!
- If you’re familiar with, or already make use of, the Is there a shortage of project managers UK?PRINCE2 method and would like to learn how to adapt this popular framework to better suit Agile practices, a PRINCE2 Agile courseShould I become a Scrum Master or project manager? is perfect for you!
- If you would like to apply Agile methods on an enterprise level, a SAFe ®What are the qualifications of a project manager? Agilist certification will be a better choice.
Entry-level certifications
The Agile project management qualifications listed below have no formal prerequisites. Candidates do not require any previous experience in a What credentials do I need to be a project manager?project management role to qualify, some prior knowledge of project management may prove useful, however.
PRINCE2 Agile FoundationWhat degree do you need to be a project manager?
PRINCE2 Agile is a refinement of the PWhat do you need to be a project manager in the UK?roject IN C ontrolled
with the addition of contemporary Agile practices.What is the difference between program and project manager?
AgilePM Foundation
The APMG Agile PM qualifications equip candidates with the tools and knowledge required to apply the AgilePM method to working projectsWhat is the difference between project and programme management?. Unlike other, more general, qualifications such as the PMI-ACP ® , the Agile PM course trains you in the use and application of practical What is the highest level of project management?project management tools and roles.
AgilePM is based on the What is the job description of a project manager?Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) and has guidance in the form of the AgilePM handbook from the Agile Business Consortium.
AgilePM training cover all vital aspects of DSDM product development including the project lifecycle, development roles, quality assurance, KPI’s and much more!What makes a project manager successful?
AgilePM is an iterative approach to product development that focuses on setting short-term goals interspersed with regular assessment points.
There are no prerequisites for an Agile PM FoundationWhat makes a strong project manager? course.
PSM I
Professional Scrum Master I courses are the entry-level What qualifications do I need to be a project manager?Scrum certification offered by Scrum.org. Scrum is an Agile development process framework used to manage complex projects in the early 90’s. Developed by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, Schwaber left to create his own Scrum certification in 2001. Although Scrum is not actually an Agile project management method, the qualifications are here because people often seek Scrum qualifications when seeking to enhance their Agile project management skillset.
The Professional Scrum Master course benefits from its foundation in a universal body of knowledge. This makes it much easier to attain successive certifications such as PSM II and III.
