Product Management Certification through UW Extension

[Ramona Ramadas]

Hi folks! I'm a Program Manager and Registered Nurse trying to move into Product Management. I have lots of user experience and requirements experience but little to no experience with pricing, planning, roadmap ownership, etc. I found this certificate and wondered how you all feel about it? Anyone done it? Is it valuable? Is it going to give me more than AIPMM training and certification?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

[Irina Menn]

Hi Ramona,

I have done both. UWSPM is a great program and I think the best investment you can make, short of getting a full MBA, in order to move into the product management profession. The program is taught by true experts in their field and offers great combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. You get to learn with product managers and go through all stages of product planning, development and launch, while developing good understanding of every subject and discipline surrounding product management profession. If you are looking to build skills, it will certainly give you a lot more then AIPMM. I personally think, UWSPM is the best place to get well-rounded education in software product management and you will find it well worth your time.

On the other hand, AIPMM certification is targeted at people who have been in the industry for a while and have deep understanding of the profession inside out. It is meant to provide internationally accepted professional credentials to someone who is already an experienced product manager. Both programs are valuable, but for a different purpose -- UWSPM will help you get the skills you need in your every day work, and AIPMM will certify that you have them. Does that make sense?

Hope this helps,
Irina.

[Linda Merrick]

Hi Ramona,
Irina has summed up the program nicely! I'm on the advisory board for that program, and taught in the program for the last nine years.

It is the most in-depth program of its kind anywhere in the world! So it would definitely be good preparation for you. However, it focuses on software products, and one of the entry requirements is experience in the software industry or working in an IT department.

I'd be happy to talk with you about your goals and education/certification options. Contact me at [e-mail] if you'd like to set up a time.

[Don Vendetti]

Hi Ramona
I'm an instructor in the UW program and also certified in AIPMM. The AIPMM certification is simply a test to determine if you understand some of the principals used by product managers, and while you might be able to pass it by studying hard, you won't necessarily learn the required skills.

The UW program is a 9 month course where you learn to take a product from a concept to a plan to launch. You work in a simulated environment with a team on a product and it's your baby that you have to figure out what it needs to do, who needs it and why, how it will make money, what the requirements are, what's the big plan to develop it, and what is the plan to launch it. You'll also learn many soft skills, like teaming and leadership, presentations, negotiations, project management.

It's a deep dive course intended to develop real skills and would be much more valuable than the AIPMM. You'll never think the same way about products again. We still have openings for the class starting next week if you hurry.

I hope that helps.
Don

[Ramona Ramadas]

Thanks Don, and everyone who posted...very helpful! I put my application in, hope to see you next week!

Don Vendetti said:

Hi Ramona
I'm an instructor in the UW program and also certified in AIPMM. The AIPMM certification is simply a test to determine if you understand some of the principals used by product managers, and while you might be able to pass it by studying hard, you won't necessarily learn the required skills.

The UW program is a 9 month course where you learn to take a product from a concept to a plan to launch. You work in a simulated environment with a team on a product and it's your baby that you have to figure out what it needs to do, who needs it and why, how it will make money, what the requirements are, what's the big plan to develop it, and what is the plan to launch it. You'll also learn many soft skills, like teaming and leadership, presentations, negotiations, project management.

It's a deep dive course intended to develop real skills and would be much more valuable than the AIPMM. You'll never think the same way about products again. We still have openings for the class starting next week if you hurry.

I hope that helps.
Don