PSM I vs PRINCE2 7

Agile delivery or structured project management?

They describe opposite responses to uncertainty. Pick the one that matches your work.

PRINCE2 assumes a project can be defined, staged and governed against a business case. Scrum assumes the requirement will change as you learn, so it fixes time and quality and flexes scope.

Neither is a better method in the abstract. PRINCE2 suits work where scope is genuinely knowable and governance is the binding constraint — regulated delivery, construction, procurement-heavy programmes. Scrum suits work where the answer emerges.

The exams reflect this. PRINCE2 Foundation is largely recall of a defined method: 60 questions, 60 minutes, 60% to pass, closed book. PSM I is 80 questions in 60 minutes at 85%, and rewards understanding over memorisation.

Many organisations use both, running agile delivery inside a PRINCE2 governance wrapper. Holding both is a genuinely useful combination for anyone working at that boundary.

Side by side

PSM

PSM I

Professional Scrum Master I

Awarding body
Scrum.org
Level
Foundation
Questions
80
Time
60 min
Pass mark
85% (68)
Per question
45s
Format
Open book
Cost
$200
Prerequisite
None
Practice questions
342
PSM I study guide
PRINCE2

PRINCE2 7

PRINCE2 7 Foundation

Awarding body
PeopleCert
Level
Foundation
Questions
60
Time
60 min
Pass mark
60% (36)
Per question
60s
Format
Closed book
Cost
~£350
Prerequisite
None
Practice questions
241
PRINCE2 7 study guide

Who each one is for

PSM I

Scrum Masters, developers and managers working on or alongside a Scrum Team who want a recognised, evidence-based credential.

Practise PSM I free →

PRINCE2 7

Project managers, project support staff, and anyone working in an organisation that runs projects under PRINCE2.

Practise PRINCE2 7 free →

Other comparisons