Direct approach to PMI-ACP
Every organization is learning the importance of keeping various business processes flexible. A rigid system does not welcome any kind of change at any stage, which usually means that the process has to be started all over again from the beginning, thus resulting in wasting time, energy and plenty resources. As a consequence, flexibility is encouraged in
project management because every organization believes that the dynamic nature of the business world should be complemented and sustained with equivalent dynamism reflected in the process of project developments. To address this issue, most of the companies are adopting
agile methodologies. More and more employees are encouraged to get agile credentials to keep up with the changing times.
Why PMI-ACP:
Studies have proven that agile is the going to be the future. Almost 35 percent of organizations have made their primary development methods and processes as agile. This figure is just going to increase. It has become imperative that teams of various projects have people who are competent to deal with these changes and methods. This is why
ACP-PMP needs to be considered.
PMI-ACP allows the practitioner’s to use agile methods and practices on different projects. It encompasses a broad range of a set of techniques that are unlike the traditional, method specific practices that most of the industries use currently. The
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification is a must for all those who are in project management and product development. The fact that agile methods are increasingly being applied in almost every segment of an industry, the PMI-ACP seems more and more relevant in the current business scenario.
When is the certification right for you?
One should approach towards
PMI-ACP if:
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They are already using agile practices in some or most of their projects
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They want to derive value out of their agile projects
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The organization is stepping towards adopting an agile approach if it already hasn’t
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They want to advance in their career and step towards being a project manager
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They already are a project manager, but want to enhance their skill sets and be more versatile and adaptable in the same
If any of the above mentioned points is in anyone’s ‘to-do’ list, the next step is to obtain the certification.
How to Obtain the PMI-ACP Certification?
Firstly, the aspiring candidate has to satisfy the basic educational requirements. One has to have a certain level of experience before they can apply for the certification. There are various
eligibility requirements for PMI-ACP. You can approach the certification, based on the eligibility.
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For General Project Experience, 2,000 working hours on project teams are required. These working hours can be earned over a period of 5 consecutive years. An active PMP will satisfy this requirement.
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For Agile Project experience, one has to put in 1,500 hours on agile project teams. These hours are an additional to the 2,000 hours that are required in the general practice experience. All the hours must be earned within the last three years.
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For Training in Agile Practices, one must have 21 hours and all these hours must be earned in any agile method or different agile practices.
Once these eligibilities are fulfilled, the candidate has to appear for an examination. Here, his basic knowledge of agile fundamentals would be tested. One can
prepare for this examination through different text books and notes that are available online. It is advised that they take at least two full practice exams before taking the main exam. There are a total of 120 questions that need to be completed in three hours.
What After the Exam?
Obtaining the certificate is great, but it is very important to maintain it. Every
PMI-ACP holders has to earn 30 PDUs in any agile project management on a three year cycle. If he fails to do, the certification will be suspended.
Author : Uma Daga