Recognised certifications transition underqualified participants into competent professionals in enterprise IT projects. These qualifications provide a pathway to enhanced expertise and commitment, enabling participants to meet the expected professional standards.
Table 25 below contains a partial list of disciplines and examples of professional certifications across the Waterfall, Scrum, and SAFe delivery models. The certifications listed are not recommendations but are provided for informational purposes only.
| Discipline | Waterfall Certifications | Scrum Certifications | SAFe Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Management | Project Management Professional (PMP) PRINCE2 Practitioner |
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | SAFe Scrum Master SAFe Release Train Engineer |
| Solution Architecture | AWS Certified Solutions Architect The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) |
- | SAFe Architect |
| Business Analysis | Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) |
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) |
SAFe Agile Product Manager SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager |
| Data Analysis | Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) | - | - |
| Development | Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) | Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) | SAFe Agile Software Engineer |
Badge Collection
Profile 1: The Certificate Hoarder
Tite L. Horder collects certifications like trophies. His CV lists an impressive range of qualifications across project disciplines, from TOGAF to Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO). Tite views certifications as a path to promotion and higher salaries, not a means to master the knowledge behind the credentials.
Tite struggles to apply the principles learned in certification courses to real-world scenarios. In meetings, he emphasises theoretical knowledge, yet when it comes to execution, his lack of hands-on experience shows. His teams grow frustrated with his jargon, which fails to translate into actionable insights for their projects. Team members express frustration when they cannot rely on Tite to provide practical solutions, undermining morale and collaboration. Despite his collection of certificates, Tite’s approach brings little value to his projects, leaving his skills and credentials as hollow achievements. In the long run, Tite reaches a career ceiling, struggling to advance despite his numerous qualifications.
Profile 2: The Project Professional
Berry Smart takes a different path. Her certifications—such as PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) and SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)—are carefully chosen based on her current role and future goals. Berry uses these certifications not as decorations for her CV but as tools to improve her skills and enhance her project performance.
Berry applies the principles she learns directly to her work, refining workflows and team collaboration. Her teams view her as a coach, turning to her for guidance on implementing effective business analysis strategies. By applying her knowledge, she helps her teams streamline processes, leading to improved project outcomes. Her reputation for competence earns her opportunities to work on higher-profile projects, setting her apart as an actual project professional.
Conclusion
This example illustrates that the value of professional certifications lies in their application to develop skills and improve professional practices. Berry Smart demonstrates how effectively applying theoretical knowledge can transform a career and contribute positively to projects and teams. In contrast, Tite L. Horder shows that certifications are decorative titles without practical application, adding little value to professional growth or project success.
