SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Which Certification Will Support Your Professional Goals?

Working in an in-demand domain comes with its challenges. You must keep up with the latest trends and learn about every new technology on the market. The Scrum Masters or the professionals working in Scrum or Agile operations understand it well and do everything possible to stay put in business. One of the things that every product owner or project manager does and recommends doing is getting certified! 

There are multiple options from basic to advanced level certifications that a professional can choose and see how amazingly it helps them excel in their career. While beginners can opt for CSPO training, there is POPM certification for advanced learning. You should have detailed information about these certifications to understand which would suit your professional goals the most. So, let us do a detailed comparison between SAFe POPM vs CSPO to help you understand the two options better and decide which one you can consider for yourself. 

SAFe POPM vs CSPO [Head-to-Head Comparison]

To better understand the comparison SAFe POPM vs CSPO, it is better to discuss all the parameters in which they show dissimilarity. The table below gives a brief about these parameters that explain the difference between CSPO and SAFe POPM. 

Parameters	SAFe POPM	CSPO
Training Details	It is a 2-day training program that the candidate has to attend with the Scale Agile Inc education partners. The candidate must clear the exam within a month of completing this course.	The training program for CSPO is a 2-day program in-person with trained professionals. It can also be turned into a 14 to 16 hours of online session that a candidate can attend virtually.
Fee	If you take the exam within one month of completing the training, it is free of cost. However, each retake will cost you $50.	The total cost of CSPO training is between $500 to $2000. Each retake will cost $100.
Exam Pre-Requisites	The candidate enrolling for the SAFe POPM certification should have experience in Scrum. Additionally, he should have 5 years of experience in software development, testing, business analysis, or project management.	For CSPO certification, the candidate must complete the 2-day training from CST.
Syllabus Coverage	SAFe POPM course syllabus covers scaled Agile framework, lean Agile principles and the skill to collaborate with the Agile teams and more.	The CSPO syllabus covers in-depth knowledge of Scrum. You will find topics related to the Scrum framework, Agile glossary and more.
Certification Validity	This certification is only valid for a year. So, you may retake the exam every 12 months.	CSPO is valid for 2 years. You may retake the exam again after 24 months (about 2 years).
Qualifying Criteria	There are a total of 45 questions that you must answer in 90 minutes (about 1 and a half hours). You need at least 73% of the exams to get certified.	CSPO doesn’t have any qualifying criteria as there is no exam involved.
Suitable For	SAFe POPM certification is suitable for program or project managers, Scrum masters, Agile coaches, business analysts or SAFe practice consultants.	CSPO certification is for functional managers, Business analysts or CEOs.

Difference Between SAFe POPM and CSPO

The table above gives a fair idea of the SAFe POPM vs CSPO comparison. Though both certifications are for professionals working on Scrum and Agile frameworks, the differences can help you decide which would be most fruitful for your career. Let us dig deeper and discuss every parameter in detail for better understanding. 

1. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Training Details

The SAFe POPM certification course is a 2-day training program that helps master product manager skills. It is a course run by a proficient trainer under a scale Agile Inc education partner. Enrolling with a reliable partner will give you enrolment with a reliable partner; you will get enough practice sessions to get skilled and make the most of this certification. 

On the other hand, CSPO is also a two-day training program which a candidate can take in person or virtually through an online session. Enrolling on a reliable program like the CSPO training course gives you access to countless practice sessions and free community membership. 

2. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Exam Fee

For SAFe POPM, the total amount a candidate will spend on the training is around $500 to $850. After this, you wouldn’t have to pay any examination fee if you attempt the exam within a month. However, each time you retake the exam, you would have to pay the exam fee of $50. The average course fee you will be paying in India is around INR 43000, depending on the Scrum education partner you choose for the training.

On the other hand, the CSPO course fee can vary a lot depending on the education partner you choose. You can find the course for as low as $500 and as high as $2500. However, that is the only money you pay for the certification. There is no examination fee involved as there are no exams. 

3. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Exam Pre-Requisites 

For SAFe POPM, the candidate should have more than 5 years of hands-on experience in software development, testing or business analysis. Basically, the course teaches about scaled Scrum and advanced Agile principles. So, you must have foundational knowledge of Scrum and the fundamental Agile methodologies to be suitable for the SAFe POPM certification training.

On the other hand, CSPO only has one mandatory prerequisite, which is the 2-day training course. You will be required to have formal Agile training from a certified Scrum trainer and get a comprehensive understanding of all the Agile principles. 

4. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Syllabus Coverage

Safe POPM stands for Scaled Agile framework product owner/project manager certification. As the name suggests, this certification trains the individual in scaled Scrum. So, the topics that you can expect this course to cover are:

• Exploring product owner/ project manager roles and responsibilities
• Preparing for PI planning
• Leading PI planning e Vision
• Executing Iterations
• Executing the PI
• SAFe Practice

In any renowned course, these and more topics will get covered. Under the CSPO training program, the education partner covers fundamental Scrum and Agile principles. Any reputed course provider, like the KnowledgeHut CSPO course training, the topics that will get covered are:

• Scrum Basics
• Product Vision
• Estimating
• Product Backlog
• Prioritizing

These and many more topics related to the Scrum and Agile framework fundamentals that get covered under the CSPO training. 

5. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Certification Validity

SAFe POPM certification is only valid for 12 months. So, even if you have completed it before and hold the certification, you must renew it after a year. After 12 months of passing the exam, you will be required to pay a $50 fee and take the exam to renew your certification.

Unlike SAFe, CSPO is valid for two years. Once you have earned the CSPO certification, you would be required to renew it every 24 months (about 2 years) to enjoy the perks of being CSPO certified. Failing to retake the training after two years will result in a certification lapse. 

6. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Qualifying Criteria 

For SAFe POPM, you must sit for the exam within one month of completing your training program. It will be a 90-minute test with 45 questions. To qualify for the exam and become a SAFe-certified product owner, you must get at least 73% of the questions right. 

CSPO has stringent qualifying criteria as there are no exams involved. Once you have completed the two-day training program, whether online or in-person, you become CSPO certified. After every two years, you will complete the training again to renew your certification.

7. SAFe POPM vs CSPO: Suitable For 

Scaled Agile framework product owner/project manager certification is for professionals already well-versed with the Scrum or Agile basics and who want to learn about advanced techniques. Professionals who take this certification course generally include business analysts, product owners, project managers or software developers. 

CSPO is best suited for those who want to start a career in a Scrum or have already started but want to bring efficiency to their work. This training program will brush up their skills and make them more efficient. Business analysts, functional managers, and even CEOs take this certification. 

After going through the details of every parameter related to SAFe POPM vs CSPO, you have a better and clear understanding of the certifications. Moving on, we will discuss the similarities between CSPO and SAFe POPM and which of these you should be choosing for yourself.

How are SAFe POPM and CSPO Similar?

We have discussed every detail while comparing CSPO vs SAFe POPM. Despite so many differences based on multiple parameters, there are a few aspects in which both these certifications are the same. Some of the similarities that SAFe POPM and CSPO have are:

• These are two-day certification courses.
• Both SAFe POPM and CSPO cover Scrum framework fundamentals. 
• Trains the professionals to become a representative for the customer who owns the product development.
• Maximizes the value of the development team by making them efficient and skillful.
• Help explore product ownership to better understand the vision and follow the product roadmap efficiently.

These are the aspects in which SAFe POPM and CSPO are similar. The basic idea of both of these is to learn about the fundamentals and advanced Scrum principles. It is significant to keep this information in mind to have clarity about these certifications and make a wise choice, knowing which certification program you should enroll on. 

What Should You Choose Between SAFe POPM and CSPO?

If you are a Scrum master or handle projects involving Scrum or Agile methodologies, both SAFe POPM and CSPO are the best certification options. These certifications give detailed information about the latest Scrum or Agile methodologies and train the professionals enough to show the utmost efficiency at work. So, it is fair to say that both these certifications have their own significant benefits for professionals. 

However, if you want to know which is better CSPO or POPM, you can use your professional goals as the deciding factor. SAFe POPM is the most suited certification for professionals already working in a scaled Agile framework and wish to bring efficiency to their work. Basically, if you have a fundamental knowledge of the Scrum framework, SAFe POPM will help you gain advanced knowledge. On the other hand, CSPO is for those who want to start from scratch and gain an understanding of Scrum fundamentals. In simple words, CSPO introduces you to Scrum, while SAFe introduces you to scalding Scrum! So, you can choose what you want to learn and decide the certification you want to do. 

Examine the top trending  Agile Category Courses

CSM Certification	CSPO Certification	Leading SAFe Certification
PSM Certification	SAFe Scrum Master Certification	SAFe SPC Certification
SAFe RTE Certification	SAFe POPM Certification	ICP-ACC Certification

Conclusion

Having delved into the intricacies of CSPO and SAFe POPM certifications, you now possess a profound understanding of these professional credentials. To effectively align with your job role and career aspirations, it's essential to select the certification that best suits your objectives. Whichever path you opt for, it is crucial to undertake training from a reputable Scrum partner, dedicating the necessary time and effort to grasp the concepts fully. By doing so, you can witness firsthand how the certification enhances your career trajectory.

With the acquired knowledge and recognition, you'll exude greater confidence and become an asset to your organization. The growth opportunities that await, including heightened job security and improved salary packages, are truly remarkable. Embrace the journey of continuous learning and professional development and watch your career scale new heights.