How do you determine your next certfication(s)?

For me its combination of everything. I have been managing projects for a long time but only last year I heard about a more structured approach of handling projects offered by PMI and it had been very fruitful for me during my current role (That was the the first reason).

I am preparing myself to shift my career in about 3 years time and to embrace the business organizations I need to be equipped with tools to handle projects effectively (That was the second reason)

Agile is picking up momentum around the world and I wanted to gain experience in Agile way of doing projects. (That was the third reason).

These were the goals for this year.

For next year, I am weighing two-three options : PSM, RMP or PBA.
@ Andrew, Maybe you can help me decide.

Personally, the word certification is kinda overrated. Yes, you need them to put yourself ahead of others, or as a bargaining chips, or as leverage for a job or business opportunity but for me, it is all about challenging yourself and learning new skills and acquiring new knowledge.

Andrew -

Given the financial and personal time costs involved in attaining and maintaining a credential, starting with "why" is a very good idea!

A combination of competitive differentiation and role requirements have driven by certification aspirations. The former was why I got my PMP in 2000 (back when it was still the exception rather than the rule!) and my PMI-RMP in 2011. The latter was why I got the CDAP & CDAI in 2016 as I needed them to teach agile courses within my previous company, and the PMI-ACP this year as I needed it to teach agile courses within my current company.

Unless I see a need based on one or the other of these two drivers, I'm unlikely to pursue anymore. First, the ongoing costs of maintaining multiple credentials is getting prohibitive and I don't necessarily feel I'm learning more through the certification process than I can learn through other experiential, relationship and learning methods.

Kiron

Great response, Najam. I appreciate your candor, and great to see your initiative to focus forward on your career aspirations and targets. Keep it up!

Your progressions seem to remain within the project management family. The RMP looks like an interesting designation. The PSM is different, a bit more specific to role as a Scrum Master. If you think SM may be in your future, go for that as well. The direction you choose is up to you!