ICP-ACC vs CSM vs PSM I (the coaching question)
This is the most common comparison we get asked. CSM and PSM I are both excellent Scrum-Master credentials. ICP-ACC is fundamentally different. It teaches coaching, not Scrum mechanics.
| Dimension | ICP-ACC (Agile Visa) | CSM (Scrum Alliance) | PSM I (Scrum.org) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it teaches | Coaching mindset, facilitation, mentoring, professional coaching skills | Scrum framework mechanics + Scrum Master role | Scrum framework mechanics + Scrum Master accountability |
| Duration | 18 hours live | 14-16 hours live | Self-study (open book exam) |
| Assessment | Continuous + applied work | 50-question exam | 80-question exam (85% pass) |
| Validity | Lifetime (no renewal fees) | 2 years (renewal required) | Lifetime |
| Best for | SMs ready to evolve into coaches; team leads scaling people skills | New SMs needing Scrum-specific credential | Self-learners wanting low-cost framework credential |
| Industry context | AI augments backlog mechanics, so ICP-ACC focuses on the human work AI cannot replicate | Scrum-specific (will increasingly be AI-augmented mechanically) | Scrum-specific (will increasingly be AI-augmented mechanically) |
| Typical investment | USD 539 (live cohort) | USD 800-1,500 | USD 200 (exam only) |
| Recommended pairing | ICP-ACC + ICP-FAI (AI literacy) + ICP-SYS (systems coaching) | CSM + A-CSM + CSP-SM (Scrum Alliance ladder) | PSM I + PSM II + PSM III (Scrum.org ladder) |
Verdict: If you already know Scrum (or your team uses any framework), ICP-ACC teaches you the coaching skills that AI cannot automate. If you need a Scrum-Master role title at a Scrum-only shop, CSM or PSM I is faster.
ICP-PDM vs PMI-ACP vs SAFe POPM (the product question)
| Dimension | ICP-PDM (Agile Visa) | PMI-ACP (PMI) | SAFe POPM (Scaled Agile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it teaches | Product discovery, validation, outcome-driven planning | Generalist Agile + Lean + Kanban knowledge | SAFe-specific PO/PM role in ARTs |
| AI integration | Core. AI-accelerated discovery, validation, metrics built in | Minimal, not curriculum-specific | Recent additions, framework-specific |
| Prerequisites | Intermediate (1-2 years product or BA) | 2,000+ hours of Agile project experience | None (recommended SAFe knowledge) |
| Best for | POs scaling into PM; PMs adding AI fluency; founders | Generalists wanting cross-framework breadth | Practitioners in SAFe enterprises |
| Investment | USD 899 | USD 435 (member) / 555 (non) | USD 695-995 |
| Recommended pairing | ICP-PDM + AI for Product Discovery + AI for Product Strategy | PMI-ACP alone (broad credential) | SAFe POPM + SAFe Agilist |
AI micro-credentials vs full Agile certifications
Our 3-hour AI micro-credentials are bite-sized and additive. They're not alternatives to full Agile certs. They're force multipliers on top of them.
| Situation | Choose | Time | Pairs well with |
|---|---|---|---|
| New to Agile, need foundational fluency | ICP | 14 hours | Any subsequent cert |
| You're a PM and want AI-augmented discovery | AI for Product Discovery | 3 hours | ICP-PDM |
| You're a PO and want AI for backlog work | AI for Product Planning | 3 hours | ICP-APO |
| You manage stakeholders and want AI for influence mapping | AI for Stakeholder Mgmt | 3 hours | ICP-CAT |
| You need broad AI literacy for any role | ICP-FAI Foundations of AI | 14 hours | Any cert + any AI micro-credential |
The full Agile Visa catalog, quick-scan matrix
| Course | Track | Duration | Best for | Prereqs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICP | Foundations | 14 hrs | Anyone new to Agile | None |
| ICP-BAF | Foundations | 14 hrs | Executives, transformation leads | Intermediate work exp |
| ICP-ACC | Coaching | 18 hrs | Scrum Masters transitioning to coaches | 1+ yr SM/practitioner |
| ICP-ATF | Coaching | 14 hrs | Facilitators, trainers | None required |
| ICP-SYS | Coaching | 14 hrs | Experienced coaches scaling beyond teams | ICP-ACC recommended |
| ICP-CAT | Coaching | 14 hrs | Senior coaches leading transformation | ICP-ACC required |
| ICP-ENT | Coaching | 14 hrs | F500 enterprise coaches | Enterprise exp |
| ICP-LEA | Leadership | 14 hrs | Mid-senior managers, new VPs | People mgmt exp |
| ICP-PDV | HR/People | 14 hrs | HRBPs, L&D leaders | HR exp |
| ICP-ORG | HR/Org | 14 hrs | Org-design specialists, COO partners | Org exp |
| ICP-APM | Delivery | 14 hrs | PMs, delivery managers, PMO heads | Delivery exp |
| ICP-APO | Product | 14 hrs | New POs, BAs moving to PO | None required |
| ICP-PDM | Product | 14 hrs | Senior POs, new PMs, founders | 1-2 yrs product |
| ICP-LPM | Portfolio | 14 hrs | Portfolio leads, PMO heads, CFO partners | Portfolio exp |
| ICP-MKG | Marketing | 14 hrs | Marketing managers, CMO partners | Marketing exp |
| ICP-FAI | AI | 14 hrs | Anyone needing AI literacy | None required |
| AI for Customer Insights | AI micro | 3 hrs | PMs, researchers, marketing analysts | Basic AI knowledge |
| AI for Product Discovery | AI micro | 3 hrs | PMs, UX researchers, founders | Basic AI knowledge |
| AI for Product Strategy | AI micro | 3 hrs | Senior PMs, strategy heads | Basic AI knowledge |
| AI for Product Planning | AI micro | 3 hrs | PMs/POs doing planning | Basic AI knowledge |
| AI for Product Metrics | AI micro | 3 hrs | PMs, analysts, growth teams | Basic AI knowledge |
| AI for Stakeholder Mgmt | AI micro | 3 hrs | PMs, transformation leads, account mgrs | Basic AI knowledge |
Not sure where to start?
If you're new to Agile, start with ICP (Agile Fundamentals). If you're an SM ready to coach, start with ICP-ACC. If you're a PM/PO who wants AI fluency fast, start with the relevant 3-hour AI micro-credential. Or just talk to us. We'll point you at the right cert in 30 seconds.