Top 11 Software Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for software managers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency in the field. They provide employers with evidence that the candidate has knowledge, skills, and experience to manage software development projects effectively. Certifications also show that a software manager is up-to-date on the latest technologies and industry best practices, which can give them an edge over other applicants. Furthermore, certifications can be used as a benchmark for promotion or salary increases within an organization. In short, having certifications can make a software manager more attractive to potential employers and help them stand out from other candidates.

This article reviews the top certifications for Software Managers and explains how they can enhance a software manager's career development.

What are Software Manager Certifications?

Software manager certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in managing software projects. This certification validates the knowledge and skills required to successfully manage software projects from concept to completion. The certification covers topics such as requirements gathering, project planning, project execution and control, project management best practices, team collaboration, and software architecture.

Software manager certification can help individuals demonstrate their commitment to career development and enhance their professional credibility. It can also provide them with specialized training in areas such as risk management and cost control which are essential for successful software projects. Additionally, having a software manager certification can help employers identify candidates who have the qualifications necessary to manage complex software projects successfully. Furthermore, it gives employers assurance that those they hire have the right skillset for the job. In addition, certified professionals may be able to negotiate higher salaries or gain access to better positions within a company due to their level of expertise.

Pro Tip: When considering software manager certification, research the different certifications available to ensure that you are choosing the best one for your goals. Look for certifications that offer comprehensive training in areas such as software development, project management and IT operations. Additionally, make sure the certification is recognized by employers in your industry.

Related: What does a Software Manager do?

Top 11 Software Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Software Manager (CSM)

Certified Software Manager (CSM) is a certification program designed to provide software professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to manage software development projects. It is offered by the International Institute of Software Management (IISM).

The CSM certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an on-site exam. The online course covers topics such as project management fundamentals, software development life cycle, quality assurance, risk management, and more. The on-site exam is a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's knowledge and ability to apply these concepts in a real-world setting.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CSM certification program. To get started, candidates must first register for the online course through IISM's website. Once registered, they can access all of the course materials and begin studying for the exam.

The cost of obtaining a CSM certification varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $1,495 USD and includes access to all course materials and one attempt at the on-site exam. Additional attempts at the exam cost extra.

2. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) for project managers. It is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the field of project management.

The PMP certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to successfully manage projects. To become certified, an individual must meet certain educational and experience requirements and pass a rigorous exam.

It typically takes 6-12 months to prepare for the PMP exam, depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week. You should plan to spend at least 200 hours preparing for the exam.

To get your PMP certification, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by PMI:

• Have a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent)
• Have 7500 hours of leading and directing projects
• Have 35 hours of project management education
• Pass the 4-hour PMP Exam

The cost of becoming a PMP varies depending on your membership status with PMI. For non-members, it costs $555 USD to take the exam; for members, it costs $405 USD. Additionally, there are fees associated with training courses and study materials which can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a certification program created by the Scrum Alliance to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to the Scrum framework. It is designed to help professionals develop their skills in managing and leading Agile projects, teams, and organizations.

The CSM Certification is based on the Scrum Guide, which is a comprehensive guide to the principles and practices of Scrum. The CSM exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the concepts outlined in the Guide.

It typically takes 2-3 days to complete the CSM training course, depending on the provider and format you choose. After completing the course, you must pass an online assessment to become a Certified Scrum Master.

The cost for becoming a Certified Scrum Master varies depending on where you take the course and whether or not it's offered online or in person. Generally speaking, courses range from $500-$2000 USD.

4. Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM) is a professional certification program that provides project managers with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully lead agile projects. The program is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is designed to demonstrate an individual’s understanding of agile principles, practices, and tools.

It takes approximately three months to complete the CAPM program. The course consists of five modules: Introduction to Agile, Agile Project Management Processes, Agile Planning and Estimation Techniques, Agile Delivery Methods, and Agile Leadership. Each module has its own set of learning objectives and assessments.

To get certified as a CAPM, you must first register for the exam with PMI. You will then need to complete all five modules before taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from PMI.

The cost of obtaining your CAPM certification depends on which country you are located in and whether or not you are a member of PMI. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for non-members and $400 USD for members.

5. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage IT services within an organization. The ITIL Foundation Certification is based on the ITIL best practices for service management and provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts, processes, functions, and roles associated with service management.

The ITIL Foundation Certification program consists of two levels: Foundation Level (FL) and Practitioner Level (PL). The FL exam covers the core concepts of service management, while the PL exam focuses on practical application of those concepts.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around 6-8 weeks to complete depending on your study schedule. To get certified, you must first pass the FL exam which consists of 40 multiple choice questions. You must also attend a training course or self-study with official study materials before taking the exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the exam and if you choose to attend a training course or self-study. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $100-$1000 USD depending on your chosen method of preparation.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in designing and implementing solutions that are based on Microsoft technologies. It is intended for professionals who work with Microsoft products and services, such as system administrators, network engineers, software developers, and database administrators. The MCSE certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot complex IT infrastructures.

The MCSE certification requires passing a series of exams that cover topics such as Windows Server administration, networking fundamentals, cloud computing fundamentals, virtualization technologies, identity management solutions, and data management solutions. Depending on the chosen track of study (e.g., Cloud Platform & Infrastructure or Productivity), it typically takes between one to two years to complete the necessary exams in order to obtain the MCSE certification.

In order to get the MCSE certification you must first register for a Microsoft account at their website. After registering for an account you can then purchase the exam vouchers from Microsoft or from any authorized reseller. The cost of each exam voucher varies depending on where you purchase them from but typically range from $125-$150 USD per exam voucher.

Once you have purchased the exam vouchers you can then register for the exams through Pearson VUE which is an authorized testing center for Microsoft certifications. Once you have passed all of the required exams for your chosen track of study then you will receive your MCSE certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks after completion of all exams.

7. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in project management. It is designed to prove that the holder has the ability to effectively manage projects in any industry. The certification covers topics such as project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure.

It typically takes between three and six months to prepare for the CompTIA Project+ exam. To get certified, individuals must pass a single 90-minute exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as project management processes, stakeholder management, communication methods and tools, risk management techniques, quality assurance strategies, budgeting and scheduling principles.

The cost of the CompTIA Project+ exam varies depending on where it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $250-$300 USD. Additionally, there are several online resources available to help prepare for the exam including practice tests and study guides.

8. Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer is an Oracle certification that is designed to validate a professional's knowledge and experience in developing web components using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 6 technology. It is a mid-level certification that requires a combination of practical experience and theoretical knowledge.

To become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-899 Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certified Expert Exam and 1Z0-900 Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certified Professional Exam. The first exam focuses on the development of web components using servlets, JSPs, and related technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, JSON and XML. The second exam focuses on advanced topics such as web services, security, deployment and performance tuning. Both exams must be taken within 18 months of each other to receive certification.

You can prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer exams by taking online or classroom training courses offered by Oracle University or third-party providers. You can also study independently using books and other resources available from Oracle Press or other publishers.

The cost of the two exams varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD per exam.

9. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of system administrators who have experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is an entry-level certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to perform essential system administration tasks, such as installation, configuration, and maintenance of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study and practice to prepare for the RHCSA exam. The exam consists of two parts: a performance-based lab and multiple choice questions. The lab portion requires you to demonstrate your knowledge in a hands-on environment by completing specific tasks within a given time frame. The multiple choice questions test your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

You can get RHCSA certified by taking an official Red Hat training course or self-study using online resources. If you take an official training course, it will include both instructor-led training and hands-on labs. After completing the course, you will be eligible to take the RHCSA exam at any authorized testing center.

The cost of getting RHCSA certified depends on whether you take an official training course or self-study using online resources. An official training course can cost anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 depending on where you take it and how long it lasts. If you choose to self-study using online resources, the cost will vary depending on which materials you purchase and how much time you spend studying them.

10. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an entry-level certification offered by Cisco Systems that validates a person’s skills and knowledge in networking. It is designed to give individuals the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks.

To obtain the CCNA certification, you must pass two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 2). Both of these exams must be taken within three years of each other in order to receive the CCNA certification.

The cost of both exams combined is $325 USD. The time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you are willing to dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, most people spend between 3-6 months studying for the exams before taking them.

Once you have passed both exams and received your CCNA certification, you will have a valuable asset that can help you advance your career in networking and IT.

11. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and deploying applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. This certification is designed for individuals who have at least two years of experience working with AWS technologies and are responsible for designing, architecting, and managing applications on AWS.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the exam, depending on the individual’s knowledge level and experience with AWS. Candidates must have a valid Associate-level certification prior to taking the professional-level exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that test an individual’s understanding of different aspects of AWS architecture, such as security, scalability, availability, cost optimization, performance optimization, and operations.

To get certified as an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, you must pass the associated exam. The exam costs $300 USD and can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE. It is recommended that candidates review all available resources before attempting the exam including official study guides from Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Do You Really Need a Software Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is: it depends. Whether or not you need a software manager certificate depends on your career goals and the type of job you are seeking.

If you are looking for a job as a software manager, then having a software manager certificate may be beneficial; as it will demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for the role. A certificate may also give you an edge over other applicants who do not have one, as it shows dedication and commitment to learning about software management.

On the other hand, if you are already in a software management role and want to advance your career, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. Your experience managing software projects is likely more important than any certification in this case. However, obtaining a certificate can still be beneficial; as it can demonstrate to potential employers that you are serious about professional development and keeping up with industry trends.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a software manager certificate depends on your individual situation and career goals. If you are seeking a job in this field, then having one can help boost your chances of getting hired; but if you already have experience managing software projects, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Software Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a software manager certification?

A1. Software manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in managing software development projects and teams.

Q2. How do I get certified as a software manager?

A2. To become certified as a software manager, you must complete a formal program of study offered by an accredited institution or recognized organization. You will also need to pass an examination to demonstrate your proficiency in the subject matter.

Q3. What are the benefits of being certified as a software manager?

A3. Being certified as a software manager can provide you with increased job opportunities and higher salaries, as well as enhance your professional credibility and reputation among colleagues and employers. It can also help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field of software management.

Q4. Is there any kind of continuing education needed for my software manager certification?

A4. Yes, most certifications require some form of continuing education credits (CEUs) every few years to maintain your credentials up-to-date with current industry standards and practices.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a software manager?

A5. Yes, depending on the specific type of certification you are pursuing, there may be certain requirements such as prior experience in the field or completion of specific courses related to software management before taking the exam.