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Prakash Hinduja Switzerland (Swiss) How is PSM different from Scrum Alliance’s CSM?

Last post 03:06 pm July 21, 2025 by David Sabine
3 replies
10:31 am July 17, 2025

Hi everyone,
I’m Prakash Hinduja from Geneva, Switzerland (Swiss) currently exploring Scrum certifications and trying to decide between PSM and CSM .
Could anyone who has experience with either share the main differences, especially in terms of content depth, recognition, and exam difficulty?

Regards

Prakash Hinduja Geneva, Switzerland (Swiss) 


12:52 am July 21, 2025

I have more expereince with PSM, and not so much with CSM, but with a google search, here my 2 cents’ worth: I think both are good and widely accepted certifications. In terms of content, the two are largely similar, as both are based on the Scrum Guide. However, PSM is generally seen as slightly more in-depth and rigorous in its testing of Scrum theory, with perhaps a more challenging exam. On the other hand, CSM also follows the Scrum Guide, and places more emphasis on interactive learning and facilitation through instructor-led discussions. In short it seems PSM more in depth on Scrum theory, while CMS focusses on interactive learning and instructor-led discussions. 


03:05 pm July 21, 2025

Hi,

I'm one of very few individuals to have achieved trainer status with both organizations: Scrum.org and Scrum Alliance. So, I'll provide my thoughts to your question.

First, it's interesting to note that both organizations were founded by Ken Schwaber, co-author of Scrum. Scrum Alliance in 2002 and Scrum.org around 2009. Ken left Scrum Alliance for reasons related to professional vision, et cetera.

(I also left Scrum Alliance in 2018 for professional / philosophical reasons.)

Second: Both organizations acknowledge the official definition of Scrum: The Scrum Guide™. This is important because there are other organizations that offer "Scrum" certifications but they peddle their own interpretations of Scrum — some hardly resemble actual Scrum.

 

Scrum.org

Scrum Alliance

Acknowledges the official definition of Scrum: The Scrum Guide™

Founded by 
Ken Schwaber

     ✓ 2009

     ✓ 2002

Currently led by an 
author of Scrum

 

Certifications are life-long 
and never expire

 

Certifications require 
paid renewals

 

Lifetime cost per person
per certification

~$250CAD
(Optional trainer involvement.)

~$1000CAD Fees to trainer
+$50USD every 2 years

Curriculum 
consistency

Courseware continuously improved by PST community and course stewards. All PSTs teach a consistent interpretation of Scrum.

Learning objectives are published by Scrum Alliance, and then each trainer designs their own courseware often resulting in inconsistent interpretations of Scrum.

# of licensed trainers 
worldwide

~280 since 2009

~290 since 2002

 


03:06 pm July 21, 2025

Hmm...

I tried to post a table. I'll try again as an image:


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