The Indian job market has grown highly competitive. Choosing the right agile certification can feel overwhelming. There are two popular options which stand out including Certified Scrum Master certification and Leading SAFe certification. Even if these two certifications differ in terms of their purpose, they provide great career opportunities in the IT sector.
About the Certified Scrum Master Certification
The Certified Scrum Master Certification focuses on the Scrum framework which teaches how to guide teams through agile practices. Apart from that, you learn how to facilitate meetings, remove obstacles, and support your team’s growth.
Scrum is generally best for smaller teams that include 3-9 people. The emphasis of this framework remains on collaboration, continuous improvement, and faster software delivery. You are the team’s leader as a Scrum Master.
You should attend a two-day course with a Certified Scrum Trainer to achieve this certification. Since no prior experience is needed, this certification is accessible for beginners. You are required to take an online exam with 50 questions after having completed the course. To pass, you must score 74% or higher in the exam.
What is Leading SAFe Certification?
The Leading SAFe certification, focusing on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), helps organisations implement agile practices across several teams. SAFe is used to coordinate dozens or hundreds of teams working together.
Leading SAFe prepares candidates for leading agile transformations at an enterprise-level. Its key focus areas include organisational change and programme management. Strategic thinking and leadership skills are required for this role.
You should attend a two day course to earn your Leading SAFe certification. Following the course, you will have to take an online exam which has 45 questions. You need 80% to pass. SAFe experience is helpful but not mandatory for the exam.
Key Differences in Scope
The biggest difference between the two certifications lies in terms of their scope. With the Certified Scrum Master Certification, you are ready to work with individual teams. Your focus remains on day-to-day team dynamics and sprint planning.
On the other hand, with the Leading SAFe certification, you are ready for enterprise-level challenges.
Or you can understand it this way: Scrum Masters work with the teams while SAFe practitioners coordinate multiple teams and work at higher levels in an organisation.
Career Paths and Opportunities
The two certifications offer excellent career options, however, in different directions.
The Certified Scrum Master Certification allows you to pursue roles like Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or product owner. These positions are in high demand across various Indian IT hubs including Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. Whether a startup in Gurgaon, established firm in Chennai, or an MNC in Mumbai all need skilled Scrum Masters.
With the Leading SAFe certification, you can achieve enterprise-level positions in large Indian corporations and global MNCs. Several companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and global firms with operations in India seek SAFe practitioners.
Both certifications command competitive salaries in cities such as Bangalore and Mumbai. Scrum Master salaries can vary by experience and city. Entry level Scrum Masters can expect to earn 5 to 12 Lakhs INR annually. However, salaries for senior scrum masters with multiple years of experience can range from 10 to 25 Lakhs annually. The average annual salary of a Leading SAFe practitioner in India ranges between 12 lakhs and 20 lakhs INR.
Learning Curve and Prerequisites
The learning curve is comparatively gentler for the Certified Scrum Master certification. While the concepts are straightforward, the two day course covers nearly everything you need to know. You do not need to have a technical background. However, an understanding of software development helps.
More business acumen is needed for the Leading SAFe certification. Apart from organisational dynamics, you need to understand portfolio management and strategic planning. Some leadership experience is vital and the material for this certification is also more complex.
If you are new to agile, you can start with Certified Scrum Master certification. Later, as your career progresses, you can pursue Leading SAFe certification.
Industry Demand
The market demand for both certifications is strong. Companies across several industries recognise the value of Certified Scrum Master certification. From IT services providers to fintech startups, and ecommerce giants as well as traditional sectors adopting digital transformation all value this certification.
However, the Leading SAFe certification is particularly valued by large IT companies in India and MNCs with significant Indian operations. Apart from companies such as IBM, Accenture, and Cognizant, major banks having implemented digital transformation prefer SAFe practitioners. The demand for enterprise agile expertise has also increased due to government initiatives like Digital India.
Which One to Choose?
To choose between the two certifications, consider your career goals and current situation.
If you directly want to work with development teams, you can choose Certified Scrum Master certification. It is suited for those loving hands-on collaboration and daily team interaction. Individuals starting their agile journey will find this certification ideal.
However, if you are interested in strategic roles and organisational change, you can choose the Leading SAFe certification. It suits experienced professionals who can tackle enterprise-level challenges.
While choosing the certification, you can consider your organisation’s needs also. For example, if your company uses Scrum, the Certified Scrum Master certification will be more valuable for you. However, if it is implementing SAFe, the Leading SAFe certification will be more relevant.
Conclusion
Whether you choose Certified Scrum Master certification or Leading SAFe certification, you get valuable career advancement opportunities. At last, it is about your interests, experience, and career aspirations.
Moreover, these two certifications are complementary and several professionals hold both. You can start with the one aligning best with your current situation.
The agile job market continues to grow at a fast rate and both certifications lead you to exciting future prospects. Choose the path that you like to succeed in the dynamic world of agile project management.