Project management certifications have become the industry’s favorite shorthand for competence—but what are they actually signaling? In this candid panel, Galen Low sits down with Crystal Richards, Dave Prior, and Karthick Nivas Ramdoss to unpack what certifications do (and just as importantly, what they don’t). From PMP to CSM to emerging AI-focused credentials like CPMAI, the conversation cuts through the alphabet soup and gets to the real question: are we hiring for capability, or just filtering for compliance?

What emerges is a more uncomfortable truth. Certifications can open doors, create shared language, and signal commitment—but they’re also being misused as blunt instruments in hiring systems that are already overwhelmed. The result? Talented people get filtered out, hiring managers get false confidence, and organizations end up chasing “unicorn” candidates that don’t exist. This episode is a reality check—and a practical guide—for anyone trying to make smarter decisions about project talent.

Resources from this episode:

• Join the Digital Project Manager Community
• Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts
• Connect with Crystal, Dave, and Karthick on LinkedIn
• Visit MindsparQ, The Agile Network, and PMI
• Check out these books:
  • PMP Exam Prep For Dummies (2nd Edition) By Crystal Richards
  • No One Is Coming to Save You: The Power-Ups to Help Surf the Chaos By Dave Prior