Without change it’s impossible to grow, and though there’s a natural urge to reject uncertainty, we must embrace change with open arms.
Change management is a philosophy that’s gaining traction in business circles. It’s introduced to deal with the complex challenges that come with change, but how much weight does a change management certification hold?
Ultimately, the value of the certification is in the eye of the beholder. There are some organizations that would embrace the skills of a trained individual, and others who would dismiss them. To give you a better insight into whether a certified change management expert could benefit your business, this article will provide some food for thought.
Does it Make You a Professional?
Change management is in its infant stages, so few truly understand what constitutes good practice. With a change management certification, you’re more in the know than most, having learned a legitimate discipline that can be leveraged for organizational benefit.
Though qualifications don’t always translate to industry success, your formal training positions you to make an impact. Too often people claim to be change management experts, despite failing to exhibit the prerequisite skills. This gives the profession a negative reputation, but with a certification you can support your claims. If nothing else, you can pride your abilities on a formal body of knowledge in the domain, alongside a commitment of time, experience, and money.
Does It Give You a Better Chance of Being Hired or Promoted?
A change management certification will enhance your reputation, especially with change management being on the incline. Determining whether someone is capable of implementing change is usually left to the assessor’s discretion, but a qualification is an indicator of proficiency. Accreditation enhances the likelihood you’re a strong candidate, thus raising your employability. Most organizations will view your certification as a positive change resource that gives you a better chance of performing well.
Experience
This is a crucial determinant of your capabilities. You can have all the qualifications in the world yet still be overlooked by companies. What’s most telling about your change management certification is how you’ve applied it in the real world. Not all certifications are equal; some require learning theory, tools, and methods, whereas others require you put your skills to use.
If you’ve experienced the latter, this provides positive reinforcement you’ve learned something transferable to industry. The CCMP credential has a great record of success because it requires three years of experience, rather than merely serving as an education-based certificate.
How Many Certifications Do You Need?
Once you’ve obtained a qualification, it’s easy to assume you probably don’t need another. This type of assumption can stunt your growth as a valuable worker, where it’s your perceived value that will resonate with organizations. Even when it might not further your career directly, you should consider how a qualification will promote personal improvement.
A willingness to stick with one accreditation is an ironic, and perhaps hypocritical reluctance to accept change. Broaden your skills with multiple qualifications in different areas, to enhance the diversity of your knowledge base. This is beneficial when you consider the necessity for a change champion to be flexible and adaptive. You’ll consequently need to leverage methods, practices, and tools as each situation demands. A single certificate in a single method might suggest an inability to adapt to different situations, decreasing your value as an asset.
What is the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
Each qualification holds a different value proposition. Where certifications and certificates differ is with the application of change management in industry. Though a certificate is purely knowledge based, a certification involves real life application of change management, is awarded by a standard-setting organization, and leads to a designation of letters after your name. In this sense, a certification is more valuable, and will help you appeal to prospective companies.
With a change management certification, you will have demonstrated a track record of success in change management, which goes a long way. When weighing up which course is right for you, consider the following questions:
- What does the training qualify me for?
- Is the program certified by parties?
- How much access will I have to an instructor, and with what level of interaction?
- Does the course offer coaching?
- Will I need to review my accreditation?
- Does the program help me differentiate from competitors?
The Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) has taken the best attributes of multiple programs to provide a fulfilling educational experience. The CCMP certification is one of the most respected in the field, allowing learners to build their knowledge and experience. It is developed according to International Standards, requiring 21 hours of specific training in field change management, and 3 years of experience.
If you’re evaluating the prowess of a change management certification, this one certainly holds its weight.
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WalkMe Team
WalkMe spearheaded the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) for associations to use the maximum capacity of their advanced resources. Utilizing man-made consciousness, AI, and context-oriented direction, WalkMe adds a powerful UI layer to raise the computerized proficiency, everything being equal.