CSPO vs. PSPO Scrum Certifications

CSPO and PSPO are globally renowned certifications that validate that the holder has the desired expertise and skills as a product in the scrum framework. These are also related to product ownership, and in return, it requires the person to know the business and hold competency in product vision and roadmap aspects.

The training in these two certifications offers learning a series of principles, rules, practices, techniques, and practical tools that help product owners become effective and successful. Now you are thinking how they both differ from each other. Let's learn about CSPO vs. PSPO certification in detail.

Definition of CSPO 

According to Scrum Alliance, the certified scrum product owner is trained by an accredited scrum trainer who knows in-depth about the scrum framework, terminology, practices, and principles that ensure the individual is ideal for the scrum product owner role.

The CSPO® Certification demonstrates the employee's potential, which is dedicated to maximizing the team's contribution and producing customer-centric products. 

How to get CSPO® Certification?

1. Get enrollment at a recognized institute.

Start by selecting and enrolling with a training facility that is a Registered Education Provider of the Scrum Alliance. It will be your first step in becoming a certified scrum product owner.

2.  Learn the Scrum Guide

Reading the Agile Manifesto and Scrum Guide isn't mandatory to enroll in the CSPO course, but it helps you understand the concepts quickly and in-depth.

3.  Attend a 2-Day CSPO® Certification Course.

The individual has to attend a mandatory 2-day, 16-hour CSPO training led by the certified scrum trainer to acquire a CSPO certificate.

4. Recommendation Letter from the Certified Scrum Trainer

After completing the two-day CSPO training course, CST will keep posted about the information on the Scrum Alliance website (the organization in charge of issuing the CSPO® Certifications).

5. Clarification is awaited from Scrum Alliance.

     The Scrum Alliance will share an email mentioning the login credentials of the Scrum Alliance account and accept the CSPO license once the CST updates your information.

6. Accept Scrum Alliance-provided license.

    After getting the credentials, log in and change the password to obtain the license.

7. Download the CSPO Certificate

After accepting the license, you can download and use the CSPO Certificate.

Definition of PSPO 

PSPO is known as a professional scrum product owner, a course and certification offered by scrum.org focused on improving the function of software development. It is a two-day intensive training course that teaches the candidates how to retain profit from different software systems and products. Also, it's an entry-level certification program.

The PSPO certification exam is quite difficult to crack, but it is one of the best in the industry for retaining product ownership certifications. Furthermore, this certification is valid for a lifetime. 

The main motto of the certification is to assist participants in lowering the total cost of the ownership of their systems, which, at a later stage, will benefit the organization.

How to get PSPO Certification?

1. Enrollment at a reputed institute

Begin by enrolling in the PSPO training course the reputed organization, website, or institute offers.

      2.  Attend a 2-Day CSPO® Certification Course.

After enrollment, follow and take the two-day course offered by professional scrum trainers who guide you through the process and provide in-depth knowledge about scrum.

     3.  Retain Credentials to take the Exam.

Once the training course is completed, scrum.org  will send the candidate the password, which can be used to take the examination.

     4. Attempt Certification Exam

The next step involves taking the 1-hour-long Exam, which comprises 80 MCQs. To clear the Exam, you must score 85%.

    5. PSPO Certification

After clearing the Exam, the candidate can earn the PSPO certification, which they can access at the scrum.org official website.

Roles and Responsibilities of CSPO and PSPO

CSPO and PSPO are two different roles in the scrum framework with their responsibilities and some similarities. Still, their focus and emphasis also change with time. 

Here are the roles and responsibilities of CSPO & PSPO, such as

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

1. Visionary Leader

CSPO is the visionary leader in the product development process who is responsible for articulating and prioritizing the product backlog based on its vision and goals, which the stakeholders set. It requires an in-depth understanding of customer needs, market trends, and business objectives.

2. Maximizing Value

The primary goal of CSPO is to maximize the value delivered by the development team. It allows them to prioritize the features and user stories based on increasing the business value. The CSPO role involves assessing and adjusting the priorities to ensure the team is working on the valuable tasks on priority. 

3. Maintaining Communication with Stakeholders

Effective communication is essential for the CSPO role as it connects the development team and stakeholders, ensuring team members are aligned with the project's goals and progress. Regular communication through sprint reviews and backlog refinement meetings provides successful collaboration.

4. Mitigating the Risk

The primary role involves identifying and mitigating the risk, which involves actively anticipating the potential challenges and working with the team to develop strategic strategies to address them. This approach addresses and minimizes impediments, and the project stays on track.

5. Decision Making

The CSPO roles make critical decisions regarding the product. Many features can be included in each sprint, and the proper authority to accept or reject the work results accordingly. The decision-making holds major power, which means one has the right direction and can quickly move forward without any delays.

Learn more about:Certified Scrum Product Owner®(CSPO) Roles & Responsibilities

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

1. Product Backlog Ownership

It involves owning and managing the product backlog, ensuring it is transparent, ordered, and communicated to all the stakeholders.

2. Value Optimization

It is focused on maximizing the product's value by making informed decisions about what to build and in what order or format.

3. Promoting Collaboration

Their primary focus is collaborating with stakeholders, development teams, and scrum masters to ensure a shared understanding of the product goals and drive success.

4. Continuous Improvement:

The role involves continuously improving products and changing the development process and product backlog.

5. Communicating Customer Vision

The product owner should have a clear perspective to understand the customer's goals and objectives, and everything should be clearly defined and communicated to all the stakeholders. It includes customers, the development team, the scrum master, the project team, and other managers.

 Similarities between CSPO and PSPO

CSPO and PSPO certifications share a few similarities, such as

1. CSPO and PSPO certifications are for product owners who want to perform better and add value to their projects.
2. Candidates who have retained these certifications get a boost in their professional lives and can easily control handsome salary packages in reputed organizations.
3. Both certifications provide training and knowledge about the product owner's responsibilities, including managing the backlog, stakeholder 

 Difference between CSPO and PSPO

CSPO and PSPO come with some common differences, which candidates should be aware of before enrolling in the course. 

Experience Required in CSPO & PSPO Certifications

Certified Scrum Product Owner & Professional Scrum Product Owner certifications don't have specific experience requirements. For CSPO® Certification, the candidate must attend a 2-day training course focused on scrum principles and product ownership. 

On the other hand, PSPO Certifications don't involve formal training but require a proper understanding of the scrum. The prior experience in the related role benefits both certifications, where individuals who have a keen interest in product ownership can pursue these certifications to enhance their skills and knowledge in agile methodologies and product development within the scrum framework.

Also check:Benefits of Certified Scrum Product Owner Certification

Salary Trends & Factors Influencing Salary in CSPO & PSPO Certification Courses

The salary trends for Certified Scrum Product Owners and Professional Scrum Product Owners are based on location, experience, industry, and demand for agile professionals.

Factors Influencing the Salary Package in CSPO

1. Experience

The years of experience in product ownership and agile practices directly relate to the salaries offered. Professionals with years of experience in agile project management and products can retain higher wages than those who are just stepping into the field.

2. Location

The demographics play an important role and can impact the CSPO salaries in different cities or regions. Urban areas or regions have higher demands for agile professionals, which leads to higher wages.

3. Industry-level salaries 

Can vary depending on the industries you are working in. Sectors like technology, finance, healthcare, and consulting offer higher compensation to skilled professionals due to the complexity and scale of their projects.

4. Certification Levels

CSPO with additional skills and certification can lead to acquiring higher salaries. For example- The individual can retain SAFe or agile-related certifications such as certified scrum master or agile certified practitioner, which directly enhances the earning potential.

5. Market Demand

The agile professional's demand is quiet here, including certified scrum product owners and professional scrum product owners, which can quickly impact salaries. Nowadays, businesses are actively adopting agile methodologies where demand for these individuals is rising, directly affecting salary levels.

Factors Influencing the Salary Package in PSPO

1. Experience

PSPO is similar to CSPO, which directly affects a significant portion of salaries. Professionals with several years of experience in agile product ownership and project management tend to retain higher wages than those with less experience.

2. Location

Geographical location plays an important role when determining PSPO salaries. The salaries are higher in areas with a massive demand for agile professionals and a higher cost of living.

The urban areas and technological hub cities offer highly competitive salaries compared to rural areas or regions with less demand for agile expertise.

3. Company Size and Type

The size and type of the employing organization directly influence the PSPO salaries. Large corporations and established companies offer more excellent wages and additional benefits than startups or smaller businesses. 

4. Scope of Work and Responsibilities

A PSPO Certification's scope of work and responsibilities depends on the organization and its project requirements. The professional has many duties, such as managing multiple product backlogs and overlooking product strategies across various teams. It leads to receiving higher compensation than those with less scope of work.

Conclusion

Certified Scrum Product Owner® Certifications and Professional Scrum Product Owner™ Certifications are the most renowned certifications that can skyrocket your career. Adding these certifications and learning the right skills allows you to climb the ladder.

Both PSPO™ Certifications and CSPO® Certifications are for potential product owners, and you can choose the one depending on your interest and experience in the product ownership and agile framework domain.  

 If you need help choosing which certification you must select that fits your goals, check out the Simpliaxis certification courses, designed by top industry experts and globally recognized. These courses are designed to give you in-depth knowledge about the scrum framework, which elevates your success in agile methodologies. It also enhances your project management capabilities and fosters collaboration and success in different projects.