What is the Certified DevOps Manager Certification?
The Certified DevOps Manager certification program is designed to help professionals take on leadership and managerial roles in the rapidly evolving world of DevOps. This certification is perfect for individuals looking to enhance their expertise in managing, implementing, and optimizing DevOps practices in organizations. With a focus on team management, automation, cloud management, and DevSecOps, this certification will prepare you for the complex and high-demand role of a DevOps manager.
Provider: DevOpsSchool
Who Should Take It?
This certification is ideal for professionals who:
- Have hands-on experience with DevOps and are looking to take on managerial roles.
- Work as DevOps Engineers or Platform Engineers and are aiming for leadership positions.
- Are Engineering Managers wanting to improve their knowledge and leadership skills in DevOps.
- Security Engineers and Cloud Engineers who want to expand their expertise into DevOps management.
Skills You’ll Gain
The Certified DevOps Manager certification will help you master the following skills:
- Team Leadership & Collaboration: Leading cross-functional DevOps teams to enhance collaboration and drive DevOps adoption.
- Continuous Integration & Deployment (CI/CD): Managing and optimizing CI/CD pipelines for faster and more reliable releases.
- Cloud Infrastructure Management: Managing cloud infrastructure and automation tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, and AWS/Azure.
- DevSecOps: Integrating security into every part of the DevOps lifecycle (DevSecOps).
- Risk & Compliance: Managing the risk and compliance aspects of DevOps in regulated environments.
- Automation & Monitoring: Automating tasks, building resilient pipelines, and monitoring performance.
Real-World Projects You Should Be Able to Do After It
Upon completing the Certified DevOps Manager certification, you will be able to oversee and execute the following real-world projects:
- Design and Optimize CI/CD Pipelines: Implement end-to-end automated deployment pipelines for large enterprise applications.
- Manage Cloud Infrastructure: Design, implement, and manage cloud-based infrastructure using DevOps tools and platforms.
- DevSecOps Implementation: Lead teams in integrating security into the DevOps pipeline to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Automation Projects: Automate repetitive processes, reducing manual work and improving efficiency.
- Incident Management & Disaster Recovery: Manage high-availability production systems and implement disaster recovery strategies.
Preparation Plan
7-14 Days Preparation Plan:
- Focus on understanding the basics of DevOps, including version control, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure.
- Set up hands-on environments using tools like Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS.
- Begin learning team leadership and management strategies in a DevOps context.
30 Days Preparation Plan:
- Dive deeper into cloud-based automation, monitoring, and security integration (DevSecOps).
- Work on practical use cases for CI/CD pipeline implementation and cloud infrastructure management.
- Gain a basic understanding of DevOps project management and leadership within a team.
60 Days Preparation Plan:
- Focus on hands-on projects, including automating end-to-end DevOps pipelines.
- Study advanced security integration and high-availability production systems.
- Learn effective leadership techniques for managing large DevOps teams and handling inter-departmental communication.
Common Mistakes
- Overlooking Security (DevSecOps): Not integrating security practices into the DevOps pipeline can lead to major vulnerabilities.
- Not Emphasizing Automation: Failing to automate tasks and processes results in inefficiencies and increases the likelihood of errors.
- Neglecting Cloud Experience: With DevOps increasingly relying on cloud platforms, a lack of expertise in managing cloud infrastructure can be a major disadvantage.
- Lack of Leadership Skills: DevOps managers need more than technical skills—they also need strong leadership abilities to manage teams effectively and drive cultural change within organizations.
- Ignoring Compliance and Governance: In many industries, compliance is critical. Failing to manage compliance in a DevOps environment can lead to legal and regulatory issues.
Best Next Certification After This
Once you’ve earned your Certified DevOps Manager (CDE) certification, consider pursuing one of the following certifications to further advance your career:
- Same Track:
- Certified DevOps Architect (CDA) – Focuses on advanced DevOps architecture and system design.
- Cross-Track:
- Certified DevSecOps Professional – A certification that focuses on security integration in DevOps processes.
- Leadership:
- Certified Agile Leader – Ideal for professionals looking to enhance their leadership and management skills in DevOps and Agile environments.
Choose Your Path
Here are the learning paths you can follow, depending on your career goals:
DevOps Learning Path:
- Certified DevOps Engineer
- Certified DevOps Manager
- Certified DevOps Architect
DevSecOps Learning Path:
- Certified DevSecOps Professional
- Certified Secure DevOps Engineer
SRE Learning Path:
- Certified Site Reliability Engineer
- Certified Cloud Infrastructure Architect
AIOps/MLOps Learning Path:
- Certified AIOps Engineer
- Certified MLOps Practitioner
DataOps Learning Path:
- Certified DataOps Engineer
- Certified Big Data Architect
FinOps Learning Path:
- Certified FinOps Practitioner
- Certified Cloud Financial Engineer
Role → Recommended Certifications Mapping
| Role | Recommended Certifications |
|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified DevOps Manager |
| SRE | Certified Site Reliability Engineer, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Platform Engineer | Certified DevOps Manager, Certified Cloud Engineer |
| Cloud Engineer | Certified Cloud Architect, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Security Engineer | Certified DevSecOps Professional, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Data Engineer | Certified DataOps Engineer, Certified DevOps Manager |
| FinOps Practitioner | Certified FinOps Practitioner, Certified Cloud Financial Engineer |
| Engineering Manager | Certified DevOps Manager, Certified Agile Leader |
FAQs (at least 12 general questions)
- Is Certified DevOps Manager very difficult?
It is moderately difficult. If you already work in DevOps and deal with real incidents, releases, and cross‑team work, you will find the questions logical and scenario‑based. - How much time do I need to prepare?
Most working professionals need about 30 days of part‑time preparation. Very experienced DevOps leads can be ready in 7–14 days, and newer engineers may prefer a 60‑day plan. - Do I need to complete CDE first?
It is strongly recommended to either complete CDE Foundation or Professional, or have equivalent real‑world DevOps experience, before attempting Certified DevOps Manager. - Can freshers take Certified DevOps Manager?
This certification is not ideal for freshers. They should start with CDE Foundation, build 2–3 years of experience, and then move into the manager track. - Will this certification help me switch jobs?
It can help your profile stand out for senior DevOps, SRE, and Engineering Manager roles, especially when combined with real improvements you have delivered in your projects. - Is it useful outside India?
Yes. DevOps and SRE practices are global. The certification content focuses on principles and patterns that apply in any region, though you still need domain and product knowledge for local markets. - What kind of questions appear in the exam?
Expect scenario‑based questions where you choose the best decision as a DevOps leader in situations like failed releases, repeated incidents, or team resistance. - Do I need to write code in the exam?
No heavy coding is expected. You should understand how pipelines and automation work, but the focus is more on design and decision‑making than on syntax. - Is Certified DevOps Manager better than cloud architect certifications?
They solve different problems. Cloud architect certifications prove deep cloud design skills, while Certified DevOps Manager proves your ability to manage delivery and operations across teams. Both together are very strong. - Will this certification increase my salary?
According to salary and certification guides, advanced DevOps and leadership‑oriented credentials can support better salary prospects when combined with clear, measurable impact in your work. - Can software engineers in product teams benefit from this?
Yes, especially if they are already acting as tech leads, handling releases, or coordinating with Ops/SRE. The certification helps them formalise that leadership responsibility. - How does this fit into a long‑term career plan?
It fits as a mid‑to‑senior step after CDE, before or along with cloud architect and higher leadership roles. It helps you move from “implementing tickets” to “owning delivery outcomes”.
FAQs – Certified DevOps Manager (8 specific Q&A)
- What topics are covered in the Certified DevOps Manager syllabus?
The syllabus covers DevOps principles, team structures, CI/CD governance, SRE basics, incident and change management, metrics, stakeholder communication, and cultural change. - Do I need formal people‑management experience?
A formal manager title is not required, but you should have some experience influencing decisions, driving improvements, or mentoring others in your team. - Can I prepare while working full‑time in a busy job?
Yes. The 30‑day plan is designed for busy professionals, with focused study blocks and reflection on your real projects rather than heavy theory alone. - Is this certification only for DevOps Engineers?
No. It is also suitable for SREs, Platform Engineers, Cloud Engineers in lead roles, and Engineering Managers who are responsible for software delivery and reliability. - What is the main difference between CDE and Certified DevOps Manager?
CDE focuses on hands‑on DevOps implementation skills, while Certified DevOps Manager focuses on leading people, processes, and strategy on top of that implementation. - How should I study if I have weak theory but strong practical experience?
Focus on reading structured guides and case studies, then connect them to your projects. Treat your own incidents and releases as study material and ask, “What would a good DevOps Manager do differently?”. - What should I do right after passing the exam?
Pick one improvement initiative (for example, reduce failed deployments or incident MTTR), drive it end‑to‑end, measure results, and record this as a case study in your CV and LinkedIn. - Is Certified DevOps Manager still relevant if tools change quickly?
Yes. The value lies in how you manage people, processes, and outcomes. Tools will change, but principles like continuous delivery, feedback, and reliability will stay important.
Training & Certification Support Institutions
Several institutions provide excellent training for the Certified DevOps Manager certification:
- DevOpsSchool: Offers hands-on training with real-world projects and expert mentorship.
- Cotocus: Known for its enterprise-focused DevOps training with real-world applications.
- ScmGalaxy: Offers comprehensive DevOps training and certification preparation.
- BestDevOps: Specializes in CI/CD, cloud infrastructure, and automation training.
- DevSecOpsSchool: Focuses on securing DevOps pipelines and practices.
- SRESchool: Provides specialized training in Site Reliability Engineering.
- AIOpsSchool: Focuses on AI-driven DevOps processes.
- DataOpsSchool: Specializes in DataOps certification and hands-on learning.
- FinOpsSchool: Offers financial operations training for DevOps professionals.
Conclusion
Becoming a Certified DevOps Manager is a significant step toward advancing your career in DevOps. With the right preparation and expertise, you will not only master DevOps principles but also learn to manage and lead teams to success. This certification will help you lead DevOps initiatives, automate complex systems, and manage cross-functional teams efficiently. Get certified today and take your career to the next level!