Recognised Certifications
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 24 provides a list of disciplines along with examples of professional certifications relevant to Waterfall, Scrum, and SAFe delivery models. These certifications are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement.
| Discipline | Core Discipline Certifications | Scrum Certifications | SAFe Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program management | Program Management Professional (PgMP) MSP Practitioner | - | SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) |
| Project management | Project Management Professional (PMP) PRINCE2 Practitioner | Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Professional Scrum Master (PSM) | SAFe Scrum Master SAFe Advanced Scrum Master |
| Project analysis | PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) | - | - |
| Scheduling | PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) | - | - |
| Project assurance | PRINCE2 Practitioner | - | Integrated into SAFe roles |
| Risk management | PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) Management of Risk (MoR) | - | SAFe for Teams |
| Compliance management | Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) | - | SAFe Lean Portfolio Management |
| Solution architecture | TOGAF 9 Certified AWS Certified Solutions Architect | - | SAFe Architect |
| Business analysis | Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) PMI-PBA | Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) | SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager |
| Organisational change management | Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) Prosci Change Management | - | SAFe Lean-Agile Change Agent SAFe Agile Coach |
| Process analysis | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | - | - |
| Data architecture | Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) | - | - |
| Database design | Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate | - | - |
| Data analysis | Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) | - | - |
| User experience | Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification | - | - |
| System architecture | TOGAF 9 Certified | - | SAFe Architect |
| System development | Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) | Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) | SAFe Agile Software Engineer |
| Environment management | ITIL 4 Foundation | - | - |
| Release management | ITIL 4 Managing Professional | - | SAFe Release Train Engineer |
| Test management | ISTQB Certified Test Manager | - | - |
| Implementation management | - | - | SAFe Agile Release Train (ART) |
Badge Collection
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 does not 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. The project team is frustrated with his jargon that fails to translate into actionable insights. Team members find Tite to be unreliable when it comes to providing 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.
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 demonstrates how effectively applying theoretical knowledge can transform a career and contribute positively to projects and teams. In contrast, Tite shows that certifications can be decorative titles without practical application, adding little value to professional growth or project success.
