It's important to understand your own needs and motivations. Is the certification required to be considered for a job or to get a promotion? If so, it probably makes sense to pursue. I say probably because a person may have factors to consider that may conflict with other needs or capabilities.
To be fair, something can be trending AND be required to get a specific job. The CPMAI, for example, is getting a lot of attention in the PM world. Getting that certification may prove helpful for someone working in AI. It is NOT one of my career objectives to integrate and scale AI solutions across my organization, and it is not one of my company's objectives to do so, either. If that changes, I may reconsider my position. Until then, pursuing the CPMAI would not add value for me. However, an AI Project Manager, Product Manager for AI-driven projects, and IT leader or consultant working in the AI space may see a lot of value in pursuing it.
Here is a little more involved decision tree for determining if a certification is worth pursuing:
How well known is the certification?
- Is it required/preferred for the jobs you're interested in?
- Do job descriptions list skills related to the certification, with or without listing the certification?
- Do people at your company or companies where you want to work hold the certification?
How legitimate is the certification provider?
- Is it a fairly new company?
- Is it a fairly new certification, but offered by a company with a history of valid certifications?
- Is it easy to find complaints about the provider? Are they relevant complaints?
Does the certification provide career leverage?
- Are there compliance, legal, or industry requirements for obtaining it? This would also suggest the certification will be around a while.
- Are there active or growing communities built around it?
Is your employer willing to pay for it?
- If not, can you afford it?
Ultimately, it's up to the individual. What do you value? If I'm being honest, I've obtained certifications that haven't been helpful. However, the training was helpful. I didn't have to get the certification, but it was covered in the cost of the class and I wanted to prove to myself that I at least had enough of a grasp of the concepts to pass the exam. Do I recommend doing this frequently? No. But, not everything we do has to serve a practical purpose. Saving Changes...
Consultant| Canarys Automation LtdBangalore, Karnataka, India
That’s an excellent question—and one that’s become even more relevant as new certifications emerge almost every few months. In my experience, the best way to separate trend from need is to start with clarity about your career direction rather than what’s currently popular.
A few thoughts that help guide this decision:
Start with your role and aspirations: Choose certifications that directly strengthen your current responsibilities or prepare you for your next desired role.
Understand organizational context: Sometimes, what your organization values most—like Agile, AI, or strategic leadership—should influence where you invest time and money.
Watch for sustainable value: Certifications tied to fundamental frameworks (like PMP, PMI-ACP, or PgMP) tend to retain relevance longer than trend-based ones that focus on tools or buzzwords.
Balance specialization and breadth: It’s great to pursue niche credentials (like AI or data-driven PM), but only after you’ve built a strong foundation in core project or program management practices.
Trends fade—but when your learning aligns with your goals, every certification becomes a meaningful step forward, not just a line on a resume.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
That’s a very relevant question and one that many professionals overlook.
Trends can be attractive, but needs should always lead the way.
Certifications make sense when they reinforce competence, credibility, and contribution, not when they’re driven by fear of missing out.
The key is context:
Career stage - What competencies do you truly need now?
Strategic direction - Where do you want to grow next?
Value creation - How will this certification help you deliver better outcomes?
In my experience, aligning certifications with purpose and practice (not popularity) turns learning into impact.
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