Is Product Management Certification worth it?

The demand for product managers is increasing as every organization offers products. So, product management certification is worth the time, effort, and money, as education plays a crucial role in the long-term success of product managers. Product managers must keep learning and finding new ways to develop and ideate products in an ever-evolving product environment.

This article discusses the various benefits of earning a product management certification. We will also explore the options available to get certified that will give you the most for your time and money.

First, let us take a closer look at the definition of product management. 

What is Product Management?

Product management is the heart of any organization responsible for building, innovating, and developing products. It is a roadmap for creating a product vision that a customer wants and simultaneously delivers value to the company. 

What is a Product Management Certification?

Whether embarking on a career shift or aiming for a promotion, the proper product management certification will help you stand out from the crowd. 

A product management certification can get you the most credibility because it can help you stay current on new industry trends and technologies. An added benefit is that, with hands-on experience, the certification can enhance your resume. 

Product management certification might be a good investment, given the growing need for product management professionals across sectors. Employers can evaluate a candidate's skills based on certification from a recognized program. In addition, it takes time to build product management abilities, as these individuals require a comprehensive grasp of business, technology, and user experience.

What are the requirements for Product Management Certification?

A mix of education and professional experience is a must to pursue a training program for product management.

• A bachelor’s degree.
• MBA should also make you professionally equipped with product knowledge.
• Work experience in product management

What skills will you learn in Product Management Certification?

Certification courses will make you familiar with the following skills:

• Product design
• Product lifecycle management and strategy
• Market research and product ideation
• Product market fit.

Jobs after completing Product Management Certification?

1. Product Management Director: In this role, a professional can supervise the quality control and improvement procedures and standards. It is excellent for product managers with a decade of experience and certification. 
2. Software Product Manager: Software Product managers build software. They meet with installation and support teams and potential and existing clients. In addition, these professionals collaborate with marketing teams to commercialize the software.
3. Systems Manager: IT product managers plan, coordinate, and implement Information Technology goals to meet company expectations. A certification course is perfect for a computer systems security analyst to advance their career.

Most product managers begin their careers as developers, engineers, or project managers before seeking higher product manager positions with the help of a certification training program. 

Estimated salary after getting Product Management Certification

Jobs in product management typically pay well and provide ample prospects for professional advancement. According to Glassdoor, the annual salary of a lead product manager is $1,61,204. However, the compensation of a product manager varies on experience, education, sector, and location.

3 Product Management Certifications worth your time

1. The Certified Product Manager- AIPMM

Kickstart your career with this certification course offered by AIPMM (Association of International Product Marketing and Management). This certification will help you understand the basic and advanced strategic and tactical concepts in product management. You can expect to cover the following in this course:

• How to develop and implement a marketing plan
• How to oversee the development of marketing deliverables
• How to design marketing strategies that increase consumer acquisition and sales

They conduct in-demand, live classes, and in-person courses. The entire course duration is between 15 to 20 hours. And to enroll in this course, you must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience as a product manager. The exam fee for this course is $395 for members and $520 for non-members, respectively.

2. Product Management Courses- Coursera

There are various courses you can explore online through Coursera. In addition, Coursera offers several introductory product management courses, even if you have a limited budget. Real-World Product Management Specialization and Brand Management are among the most popular.

You will find beginner-friendly courses. The skills and tools covered in the training program will teach you how to lead and collaborate with clients, engineers, designers, data scientists, AI, and machine learning! Develop the technological abilities required by Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

3. Professional Certification In Product Management- SP Jain Global.

SP Jain Global offers this certification course in association with Simplilearn. Upon completing this course, you will be certified with a certificate from SP Jain School of Global Management. 

The course duration is 4 months, and during this time, you will complete a comprehensive program encompassing all facets of product management. In addition, this program teaches you about the most recent industry developments, trends, and applications through Live Sessions with Top Product Experts.

The highlight of this course is the job assistance provided by Simplilearn, which will help you get noticed by top hiring companies. To enroll in this program, you must have eligibility criteria of 2 years of work experience and a bachelor’s degree. Plus, the admission fee for the PM course is Rs. 1,54,875.

Product managers can learn a lot by simulating the whole lifecycle of a product in a certification course. This helps them understand the potential pitfalls and setbacks they might face when steering a new product without being under the microscope.

Earning a Product Manager Certification is an excellent way to enhance your reputation and demonstrate your dedication to advancing your career. Use it to distinguish yourself from your colleagues, and you will discover that it helps open doors and gives you new chances.