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In this A-CSM® vs. A-CSPO® comparison, you will be interested in first understanding the expansion of these two terms. The former stands for Advanced Certified Scrum Master®, and the latter for Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Both these are certifications offered by Scrum Alliance. Is this alone the similarity between these two courses? What is the difference between Advanced Certified Scrum Master® and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®? Let us first understand what these certifications are about.

What is A-CSM®?

If you are a Certified Scrum Master® from Scrum Alliance, the A-CSM® course is for you. From the Certified Scrum Master® Course, you might already know the applications, practices, and values. The next step in your journey to improve your career prospects in the field of Agile is to apply for the Advanced Certified Scrum Master® Certification.

Key Takeaways:

Before taking any course, you will be interested in knowing what you will gain from this course. With the help of the A-CSM® Course from Scrum Alliance, you will learn:

• Enabling better dialogue between the executives, Stakeholders, customers, members of the Scrum team, and the  Product Owner.
• The ways to respond to non-readiness to change as a Scrum Master. You will also learn to handle the non-availability of critical people in your team and lack motivation and engagement.
• Techniques to improve participation to motivate greater buy-in, commitment, and accountability.
• Ways to improve Scrum and Agile for other teams against making one team follow these methodologies.

Why Get A-CSM® Certification?

Here are some reasons to get an Advanced CSM® Certification:

• With the A-CSM® Certification, you can build your basic know-how as your implementation skills will improve with this course.
• Also, you will be able to distinguish yourself from others in the international marketplace. 
• You will identify ways to show your uniqueness in your industry as a member of the internationally renowned Scrum Alliance Community.
• As a highly trained Agile professional, you can show your worth to your potential or present employer.

Check Your Eligibility:

One should remember that not all can take these courses. So, if you are into A-CSM®, you should check whether you meet the following eligibility requirements stated by Scrum Alliance:

• You should hold a Certified Scrum Master® Certification from Scrum Alliance.
• You must take up a certified A-CSM® educational institution to gain skills and techniques that are above the mechanics and basics of Scrum. The training will expand into team dynamics, facilitation, and interaction.
• You should successfully finish all objectives of an approved educational institution designed by the educators. You might have to complete post, and pre-course work as an approved educator specifies. Only then you will meet the learning objectives.
• To get the A-CSM® certification license agreement and should update your profile on the Scrum Alliance membership page.
• Further, you should validate a minimum of one year of job experience. This experience should be particular to the position of Scrum Master in the previous five years when you apply to the A-CSM® course.

The Scrum Alliance recommends you keep your A-CSM® certification active by gaining Scrum Education units and renewing your A-CSM® once every two years. Also, you have the liberty to enroll in the A-CSM® course anytime after you finish your CSM® certification from Scrum Alliance. Further, to take up this certification, you must have a minimum of one year of Scrum Master experience that you have provided into your Scrum Alliance Profile ahead of you becoming eligible to get the A-CSM® Certification from Scrum Alliance.

What is A-CSPO® Certification?

The A-CSPO® certification offered by the Scrum Alliance is expanded as Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®. This certificate is for you if you are a Certified Scrum Product Owner® focused on optimizing the Product Backlog and improving business value. The next thing you will have to do in your journey is to take the Advanced CSPO® Certification from Scrum Alliance.

Key Takeaways:

You will learn differently from the A-CSPO® course. But, what key takeaways can I expect from this certification will be your question? Here is a list to give you the intended answer to your question:

You will learn how to:

• Take care of multiple moves from Stakeholders competing.
• Define a product vision clearly. In turn, you can ensure that your product stays attentive to end-users and customers' features.
• Effectively communicate with different groups of Stakeholders so that alignment can be achieved.
• Spot the significant chances.
• Avoid time wastage.
• Validate and define the business's values.
• Improve your dependability as an expert in products and turn recognized as someone who can deliver actual results to the business.

Why Take A-CSPO® Certification?

Let us see how Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® can benefit you:

• The A-CSPO® certification will help you develop your foundation knowledge with improved implementation skills.
• You can stand out in the international marketplace.
• You can stay unique in your niche as you are a part of the internationally-recognized community of Scrum Alliance.
• You can show advanced worth to your potential and present your employer as an Agile professional with a high level of training.

How About the Pre-Requisites?

You can know whether you are eligible to take up the A-CSPO® course only when you are aware of the eligibility requirements as stated by the Scrum Alliance:

• You should hold a Certified Scrum Product Owner® Certification issued by Scrum Alliance.
• You will have to participate in a certified A-CSPO® educational offering. You can only learn to manage the Product Backlog, product discovery, and Stakeholders.
• Should complete all elements designed by an educator of a recognized educational institution. This course can encompass post and pre-course work that is considered essential by your recognized educator. By doing this, you can meet the objectives of learning.
• Also, you will be recommended to accept the Advanced CSPO® License contract and should update your profile on the Scrum Alliance Membership page.
• You will be required to validate a minimum of one year of job experience. You should have this experience particular to the position of the Product Owner. Also, you should have gained this experience in the recent five years.

Further, the Scrum Alliance recommends maintaining your A-CSPO® by gaining Scrum Education Units. Also, you will have to renew your A-CSPO® certification once in two years. You have the option to take the A-CSPO® course at any time after you complete the CSPO® certification. Further, you must have a minimum of one year of Product Owner experience. You should have uploaded the information about this experience in your Scrum Alliance Profile. Only then will you be eligible to get the A-CSPO® Certification.

Difference Between A-CSM® and A-CSPO®:

As you wish to make a comparison of A-CSM® and A-CSPO®, it is better to have a look at the table below:

Conclusion

As you know, Scrum is a lightweight yet compelling set of practices, principles, and values. It depends on cross-functional teams to deliver services and products in short cycles. In turn, it enables acceleration of pace from idea to delivery, delights customers, helps with the rapid adaption to change, continuous improvement, quicker innovation, and faster feedback. You have taken the CSPO® or CSM® course from Scrum Alliance earlier, understanding the value it can bring to your profile in the job market. So, taking the A-CSM® or A-CSPO® certification will take you to a new level in your career advancement.

Of course, if you have previously taken either CSM® or CSPO®, you will have to enroll in the advanced level of the specific program only. But, if you are yet to take one of these and you intend to do the advanced level education, you should cautiously choose one based on your career goals. You will be interested in becoming either a Scrum Master or a Scrum  Product Owner. You can accordingly choose one of these courses.

References

1. https://www.scrumalliance.org/about-scrum#!section1
2. https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified/scrum-master-track/advanced-certified-scrummaster
3. https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified/product-owner-track/advanced-certified-scrum-product-owner