Top 11 Delivery Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for delivery managers. They demonstrate to employers that the candidate has a certain level of knowledge and experience in their field. Certification also shows potential employees that the individual is capable of managing projects, as well as understanding and implementing industry best practices. Certifications can also help delivery managers stand out from other candidates in the job market. Additionally, certifications can provide access to exclusive networking opportunities and resources which can open up additional career paths.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Delivery Managers and explain how they can help to advance their career.

What are Delivery Manager Certifications?

Delivery Manager Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide professionals in the industry with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage the delivery of projects. This certification program provides an understanding of the various aspects associated with project delivery, including project management processes, tools, techniques, and best practices. Furthermore, it also provides an understanding of how to identify, assess, and manage risks associated with project delivery.

The Delivery Manager Certification can help individuals become more effective in their roles by equipping them with the latest knowledge and skills in project management. It can also provide them with a better understanding of their role as a Delivery Manager within an organization or team. Additionally, this certification can help individuals understand how to effectively communicate with stakeholders throughout all stages of a project’s lifecycle. By having a better understanding of what it takes to successfully deliver projects, Delivery Managers are better equipped to make decisions that will ultimately lead to successful outcomes.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a delivery manager certification, it is important to understand the expectations and requirements of the role. Research the qualifications and experience necessary to become certified, as well as any potential licensing or insurance requirements. Familiarize yourself with industry best practices and trends in order to maximize your chances of success.

Related: What does a Delivery Manager do?

Top 11 Delivery Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Delivery Managers today.

1. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

A Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's knowledge of the Scrum framework and their ability to effectively manage product backlogs. The CSPO certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Scrum principles.

The CSPO certification requires a two-day course, which can be taken online or in person. During the course, participants learn about the Scrum framework and how to use it to effectively manage product backlogs. Participants must also demonstrate their understanding of the concepts by passing a test at the end of the course.

To become certified as a CSPO, individuals must attend an approved training course and pass the associated exam with a score of at least 85%. The cost for attending an approved training course varies depending on location and provider but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD. Once certified, individuals receive a digital badge that they can display on their website or social media profiles.

2. Certified Agile Delivery Manager (CADM)

Certified Agile Delivery Manager (CADM) is a certification program designed to help project managers and delivery teams become more effective in their roles. The program focuses on the principles, practices, and techniques of agile delivery management. It provides a comprehensive approach to managing agile projects from initiation through closure.

The CADM certification requires successful completion of a three-day training course and passing an online exam. The training course covers topics such as agile project management, team dynamics, communication and collaboration, planning and tracking, risk management, quality assurance, and more. Upon completion of the training course, participants must pass an online exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CADM certification varies depending on the provider offering the training course. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 USD per person for the entire program (including both the training course and exam).

It typically takes 1-2 weeks to complete the entire program depending on how quickly you are able to complete the online exam. However, if you need additional time to prepare for the exam or want to take extra courses related to agile delivery management before taking it then it could take longer than 2 weeks.

3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP credential recognizes demonstrated knowledge and skill in leading and directing project teams. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in the field of project management.

To get the PMP certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a minimum of 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, as well as 35 hours of project management education. You must also pass an exam that tests your knowledge of project management principles and practices.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To prepare for the exam, you can take an online or classroom course to review key concepts and practice test questions. Many courses are available from PMI-approved providers, but they typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000.

In addition to taking a course, you should also study independently using resources such as books and practice exams. After passing the exam, you will need to pay an annual fee to maintain your certification status with PMI. The fee is currently $129 for members or $399 for non-members per year.

4. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that provides a basic understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to help IT professionals understand how to use the best practices defined in ITIL to improve their organization’s IT service management.

The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete and consists of lectures, group discussions, and exercises. It covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement, and more.

To get certified in ITIL Foundation, you must pass an exam administered by PeopleCert or AXELOS. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 60 minutes. To pass the exam, you must score at least 65%.

The cost for the ITIL Foundation certification varies depending on your chosen provider but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

5. Certified Professional in Agile Delivery Management (CPADM)

Certified Professional in Agile Delivery Management (CPADM) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance. It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of agile delivery management principles and practices.

The CPADM certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience working with agile delivery management, as well as a minimum of five days of formal training in an approved course. The course must be taken from an accredited Scrum Alliance instructor or provider. After completing the required training, applicants must pass a written exam that covers topics such as agile delivery management principles, processes, tools, techniques, and best practices.

It typically takes between four to six weeks to complete the CPADM certification process, depending on the individual's availability for studying and taking the exam.

The cost of the CPADM certification varies depending on where you take the course; however, it typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

6. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a certification program created by the Scrum Alliance that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in Scrum, an agile project management framework. The CSM certification is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully lead and manage projects using the Scrum methodology.

It typically takes two days to complete the training for the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification. During this time, participants will learn about the fundamentals of Scrum, including roles, ceremonies, artifacts, and more. They will also gain hands-on experience with applying these principles in practice.

In order to become certified as a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), individuals must attend an official CSM course from an accredited provider. Once they have completed their coursework and passed the exam at the end of the class, they will receive their certificate from the Scrum Alliance.

The cost of becoming a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) varies depending on which training provider you choose. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD for a two-day course.

7. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program that focuses on the application of Six Sigma principles and practices to improve organizational processes. The certification is designed for professionals who are involved in the implementation of Six Sigma projects or initiatives within their organization.

The duration of the certification program depends on the provider, but typically takes between three and six months to complete. The program includes training sessions, workshops, and exams. Candidates must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Six Sigma concepts by passing an exam at the end of the program.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, candidates must first complete a formal training course from an accredited provider. After completing the course, they must pass an exam administered by either ASQ or IASSC to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and type of course chosen. Generally speaking, courses range from $500 - $2,000 USD for online courses and up to $4,000 USD for in-person classes.

8. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. This certification is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to lead and manage complex improvement projects, as well as coach and mentor teams in the use of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques.

The certification process typically takes between four and six months to complete, depending on the individual's experience level, availability of resources, and other factors. To get certified, individuals must first complete a training program that covers all aspects of the Lean Six Sigma methodology. After completing the training program, they must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the provider, but generally ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 USD. This cost includes both the training program and exam fees.

9. Certified Kanban Coach (CKC)

Certified Kanban Coach (CKC) is a certification program offered by the Lean Kanban University. It is designed to equip coaches with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively implement Kanban systems in organizations. The program focuses on teaching coaches how to use Kanban principles, practices, and tools to help organizations improve their workflow processes and increase productivity.

The CKC certification consists of three parts: an online course, a two-day workshop, and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as Kanban fundamentals, flow management, service delivery models, change management, and coaching techniques. The two-day workshop provides hands-on experience in applying the concepts learned in the online course. During this workshop, participants will practice coaching techniques and apply them to real-world scenarios. Finally, participants must take and pass a final exam in order to become certified as a CKC coach.

The cost of the CKC certification depends on which package you choose; however, it typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD for the complete program. It usually takes about six weeks to complete all three parts of the certification process; however, this can vary depending on individual circumstances.

To become certified as a CKC coach, you must first register for the online course through Lean Kanban University's website. Once registered for the course you will be provided with access to all materials needed for completion of the program including video lectures and other resources. After completing the online course you will need to attend a two-day workshop at an approved location near you or via an online platform such as Zoom or Webex. Finally you will need to take and pass an exam that is administered by Lean Kanban University in order to receive your official certificate of completion as a Certified Kanban Coach (CKC).

10. SAFe Agilist Certification

SAFe Agilist Certification is a professional certification program offered by Scaled Agile, Inc. It is designed to provide training and certification for individuals who wish to become certified in the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodology. The certification provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of the SAFe framework, which enables organizations to scale their agile development process.

The SAFe Agilist Certification requires a two-day course that covers topics such as Lean-Agile principles and values, team dynamics, product development flow, release planning, and DevOps. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive an official certificate from Scaled Agile.

It typically takes two days to complete the course and earn the certification. The cost of the course varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD per person. To get certified as a SAFe Agilist, you must attend an authorized training session or pass an online assessment provided by Scaled Agile.

11. Certified DevOps Practitioner (CDOP)

Certified DevOps Practitioner (CDOP) is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the area of DevOps. The goal of the CDOP certification is to enable individuals to better understand the principles and practices of DevOps, and how they can be applied in their organization.

The CDOP certification is offered by the DevOps Institute, an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the practice of DevOps. The certification consists of a two-day course that covers topics such as continuous delivery, continuous integration, automated testing, cloud computing, automation tools, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate from the DevOps Institute.

The cost for taking the CDOP course varies depending on location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,000-$2,000 USD for registration fees plus additional expenses for travel and lodging if needed.

In order to become certified as a Certified DevOps Practitioner (CDOP), you must pass an exam administered by the DevOps Institute at one of their approved testing centers or online via proctored exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as continuous delivery pipelines, version control systems, automated testing frameworks, cloud computing platforms and more. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs around $200 USD.

Once you have passed your CDOP exam you will be eligible for membership with the DevOps Institute which gives you access to exclusive resources such as webinars and discounts on future courses or certifications.

Do You Really Need a Delivery Manager Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Delivery Manager Certificate depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. A Delivery Manager Certificate is useful for those looking to pursue a job in the field of project management, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the processes involved in delivering successful projects. It also offers an opportunity to develop new skills and gain valuable industry knowledge.

For those already working in the field of project management, obtaining a Delivery Manager Certificate can help add value to their existing credentials, as well as open up new opportunities for career advancement. The certificate itself serves as proof that the individual has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills needed for project delivery, and can be used to demonstrate commitment towards professional development and growth.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Delivery Manager Certificate will depend on what your career goals are, and how far along your journey you have already come. If you are just starting out in project management and want to acquire more qualifications, then obtaining this certificate could be beneficial. However, if you are already established in the field with plenty of experience under your belt, then having this certification may not be necessary.

Related: Delivery Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Delivery Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a Delivery Manager Certification?

A1. A Delivery Manager Certification is a specialized certification that recognizes the expertise of individuals in managing and delivering projects on time, within budget, and with high quality. It demonstrates proficiency in project management processes, best practices, and tools.

Q2. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Delivery Manager?

A2. To become certified as a Delivery Manager, you must have at least three years of experience in project management and demonstrate your knowledge by passing an exam administered by a recognized certifying body.

Q3. How do I prepare for the Delivery Manager Certification exam?

A3. Preparation for the Delivery Manager Certification exam should include studying the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide, taking practice exams, attending training courses offered by accredited institutions, and gaining practical experience through working on actual delivery projects.

Q4. How long does it take to complete the Delivery Manager Certification process?

A4. The length of time required to complete the certification process depends on your level of preparation and experience in project management; however, it typically takes about 6-12 months from start to finish to obtain this certification.

Q5. Are there any special benefits associated with being certified as a Delivery Manager?

A5. Yes! Holding this certification can help you stand out from other job applicants when seeking employment or promotions within the field of project delivery management; it also shows employers that you are highly qualified and knowledgeable in this field. Additionally, certified professionals often receive higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts due to their increased expertise and value they bring to organizations.