CIL vs NPDP
Can’t decide which certification to get? Both offer tremendous value as you continue your education and further develop in your profession. We recommend you pursue both and the table below will help you determine which one to start with. In general, we think of the NPDP as providing a broad foundation in product development and CIL as focused on current best practices in innovation and the product development process.
|
NPDP |
CIL |
|
| Professional Group | Product Development and Management Association(PDMA) | Association of International Product Marketers and Managers(AIPMM) |
| Certification Requirements | 2 years professional experience + bachelor’s degree or 5 years professional experience. Provisional status available until experience is gained. | 2 years professional experience desired, not required |
| Body of Knowledge | PDMA resources – view details. | AIPMM ProdBOK and recent Innovation literature – view details. |
| Level of Information | Appropriate for beginning and experienced product developers and managers. Foundational information appropriate for an undergraduate course. | Appropriate for those involved in or leading product development and innovation projects. Foundational information plus current best practices appropriate for a graduate course. |
| Similarities | Both provide foundational knowledge in new product development, including the activities required for effective innovation. | |
| Differences | Foundational knowledge represented in the PDMA Body of Knowledge. Less information on the “fuzzy frontend.” Uses a classic suggested reading list. Incorporates broader manager perspectives, including employee and team management and project management. | Combines foundational knowledge with current best practices, updated as relevant literature and the profession evolves. Half of the content is focused on fuzzy frontend practices – referred to as the managed frontend, including ideation approaches. Uses a combined classic and updated suggested reading list. Focused on innovation activities leaders and team members need to know for creating successful products, omitting management topics. |
| Online Course Price | $795 (additional PDMA association costs below) | $795 (additional AIPMM association costs below) |
| Association’s Certification Costs (approximate and subject to change– see pdma.org and aipmm.com for details) |
– $235 application fee1 – $250 for Prometric proctored exam |
– $395 for proctored exam and first year AIPMM membership2 |
| Recommended Books (approximate price depending on source and new or used) | $100 | $100 |
| Online Course Options | NPDP Prep Course | CIL Prep Course |
1 PDMA annual professional membership or NPDP application fee must be paid before scheduling the exam. Our online course can be taken before the NPDP application is completed. These fees are paid directly to PDMA. See the PDMA website for details.
2 AIPMM requires us to begin the exam registration process for you. You will be asked to pay the exam fee and schedule the exam after your eCourse begins.
The primary responsibilities for an organization are product management and innovation. They deliver value to customers. They're also exciting responsibilities for those properly equipped. That is my job - equipping product managers and innovators. 