There are more certifications available than ever — covering project management, service management, agile methods, leadership and technical solutions. That is why many people find themselves wondering which one is the right choice right now, or which learning path they should pursue next.
Not all certifications serve everyone equally. A good choice always starts from your own role, personal goals and the kind of organisation you work in — or plan to work in.
Start with your role and direction
Before choosing a certification, it is worth pausing for a moment.
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Do you want to deepen your current expertise or expand it in a new direction?
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Are you working as a specialist, project manager, line manager, senior leader or service developer?
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Is your goal career progression, a role change or improving the quality of your current work?
If you work with IT services or continuous improvement, an ITIL certification often directly supports your daily work. It helps you understand the bigger picture of service delivery, value creation and collaboration across roles. The latest version places particular emphasis on the role of AI, digital product and service management and practical application.
If you are responsible for projects or want to strengthen your project management skills, PRINCE2 provides a clear, structured model for leading projects. It offers a common language and framework that keeps projects manageable and transparent. Project Academy offers a holistic and practical approach to the world of project management, regardless of project type.
A certification is more than a line on your CV
A certification can certainly strengthen your CV and increase your credibility in the job market. But from a skills development perspective, what matters more is what you learn during the process. Having completed nearly thirty certifications myself, the greatest benefit has been gaining different perspectives and approaches.
A well-chosen certification:
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structures your thinking
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gives you a shared language within your organisation
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helps you identify areas for development
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increases confidence in your role
ITIL helps you see services as a whole and understand how value is created for the customer. PRINCE2 clarifies project phasing, roles and decision-making. Both bring structure to things that otherwise easily remain as tacit knowledge. Both represent collections of good practices, and typically they need to be supported by method-level expertise, leadership skills, the ability to apply knowledge, interpersonal skills and creativity. On their own they do not hand you the keys to success, but they offer valuable perspectives.
Organisational needs influence the choice
The value of a certification does not arise in a vacuum. It is worth considering your organisation's direction as well.
Are there many projects underway? Is the aim to improve service quality? Is there a need for a shared operating model? If a specific framework is already in use, a related certification supports both individual and team development.
On the other hand, a certification can also be a way to bring new thinking into an organisation. One person who understands the full picture of a model can spark broader development. It is also important to identify people within the organisation who are enthusiastic and can share the knowledge gained in training more widely. This increases the likelihood that the mindset will gain real traction within the organisation.
Foundation or advanced level?
Often the first step is a Foundation-level certification. It provides an overview and a shared vocabulary. Advanced levels go deeper into application and real-world situations.
Not everyone needs to progress to the highest levels. For many, a solid foundational understanding that supports their daily work is enough. For others, deeper expertise is a natural part of their role — for example, project managers or service managers.
How to choose the right certification for you?
A good question to ask is this: where do I want to be in two or three years?
If you want to strengthen your position as a project leader, PRINCE2 is a natural choice. If your goal is to improve service quality and understand value creation, ITIL supports that direction. If you are seeking broader leadership responsibility, a certification can serve as one step towards your next role.
What matters most is not the number of certifications, but that the chosen path supports your development and brings value to your organisation as well.
We are happy to help you or your organisation find the right combination that supports your future goals. Get in touch or explore our training selection.
