One of the most demanding roles in today’s world is a product manager. Therefore, it’s not unexpected that the quantity of product management training courses and materials offered has increased over the last several years. This is fantastic in a lot of ways. We commend the community’s strength and progress and recognize that there is much to learn from one another across sectors and organizations. Smart folks, as they say, learn from their errors, but a wise one learns from the errors of others.
When assessing any knowledge program, it is important to take into account two key questions:
- Will I acquire the skills required to become an outstanding product manager?
- Will the credential be accepted as evidence of gaining the necessary skills?
By comparing and contrasting the two types of evidence that we most often encounter, certificates and certifications, we will help you decide which one to select.
Certificates in Product Management
The most typical pieces of evidence that we encounter are product management certificates. Students who enroll in certificate programs can expect to gain some understanding of the subject area covered in the course. They might range in duration of study as well as in terms of content breadth or depth. The entity that produces and delivers the content also issues certificates. Any student who enrolls in a course may get a completion certificate from the instructor. Some courses are structured with a quiz or brief exam at the conclusion of a lecture before a certificate is given.
The most popular courses are those that issue certificates since there are no set criteria or need for their development. In order to make the certificate more valuable, students should assess a course to determine if they will earn a completion certification or a certificate depending on some level of assessment.
Certifications for Product Managers
A student who enrolls in more challenging courses will be better prepared to pass a test provided by an impartial third party and get a Certification. The same certification test preparation course may be offered by many institutions. They may cover a variety of subject areas, but in order to adequately prepare a student to pass the certification test, those subject areas must correspond to those on the exam. In other words, the courses’ content is evaluated against an impartial criterion. The course provider will soon develop a bad reputation if several students take the test and don’t pass.
In terms of quality, product management certification in India is likewise far more demanding. A third-party organization that proctors the tests must adhere to industry standards in order to be certified. These tests are often timed in a way that makes cheating difficult. Passing the test is necessary to become a certified product manager. Attending the test is not sufficient.
How Do They Differ?
Given the difficulties of a genuine certification test, a professional who passes it and becomes certified has concrete evidence that they have grasped the topic. On the other hand, certificates are only proof of completion and don’t usually indicate a student’s level of expertise in the subject. It’s simple enough to see the difference. Just make sure you know who is providing the credential. Certification is not valid if it is offered by the same business that conducts the training. Only a completion certificate is being given to you.
Even though the names seem similar, obtaining a certificate and being certified are two different things. Earning a certificate shows that a person has completed a course to further their knowledge in a specific field of expertise. Earning a certification grants the individual both the label Certified and proves the candidate has a comprehensive mastery of the subject area.
Which one to select?
In picking an education program, it is crucial to first learn from it and then demonstrate what you have learned. To repeat the concept from the beginning. You can be confident that you will acquire the most crucial information and material that complies with industry standards since product management certification involves learning to a level that is far more demanding than acquiring a certificate.
But it does not imply that certificates are worthless. They can help you get ready for your job. Of course, no credential can substitute for actual work experience. There are still a lot more factors to take into account before picking a program and to devote your time, attention, and money to it. Research the one that appeals to you the most and start your journey as a product manager.
