Introduction
In today’s fast-paced technology world, organizations are increasingly relying on DevOps practices to streamline their software development lifecycle, boost collaboration between development and operations teams, and improve the quality of their products. As companies continue to scale, the need for highly skilled DevOps Managers has surged. A Certified DevOps Manager certification not only boosts career prospects but also equips professionals with the knowledge needed to manage and implement efficient DevOps practices.
In this guide, we will dive deep into the Certified DevOps Manager certification, covering what it is, who should take it, the skills you’ll gain, how to prepare, and much more.
Provider: DevOpsSchool
What is Certified DevOps Manager?
The Certified DevOps Manager (CDM) is a certification designed to validate the expertise of professionals who manage and drive DevOps practices within their organization. This certification focuses on teaching leadership skills, automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery, monitoring, and security integration.
Who Should Take It?
The Certified DevOps Manager certification is ideal for:
- Engineering Managers looking to implement DevOps practices in their teams
- Platform Engineers aiming to enhance their leadership and automation skills
- DevOps Engineers who want to transition into a managerial role
- Cloud Engineers with a focus on operational efficiencies and automating workflows
- Security Engineers who want to integrate DevSecOps into the DevOps pipeline
- IT Leaders who want to learn how to manage and scale DevOps teams
Skills You’ll Gain
Upon earning the Certified DevOps Manager certification, you will gain the following skills:
- Strategic Leadership in DevOps: How to lead teams, define DevOps culture, and align DevOps goals with business outcomes.
- Automation Techniques: Automating infrastructure, deployments, and processes.
- Cloud Infrastructure Management: Managing infrastructure on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
- Monitoring and Reporting: Building monitoring pipelines and ensuring continuous feedback in your DevOps ecosystem.
- Collaboration and Communication: Facilitating cross-functional collaboration between development, operations, and security teams.
- Security Integration (DevSecOps): Integrating security early in the software development lifecycle.
Real-World Projects You Should Be Able to Do After It
Upon completion of the certification, you should be able to:
- Lead the transformation of software development into a fully automated and continuous delivery pipeline.
- Implement infrastructure as code using tools like Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation.
- Develop monitoring systems using tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK stack.
- Design and manage large-scale cloud infrastructure and ensure scalability and reliability.
- Set up automated testing and integration systems with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI.
Preparation Plan
7-14 Days Preparation Plan
- Day 1-3: Focus on the foundational principles of DevOps and the core tools (Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes).
- Day 4-7: Study cloud infrastructure management, container orchestration, and cloud-native tools.
- Day 8-10: Review DevSecOps practices, focusing on security automation.
- Day 11-14: Focus on leadership skills, DevOps culture, and managing teams.
30 Days Preparation Plan
- Week 1-2: Learn DevOps culture and continuous integration concepts.
- Week 3: Study automation tools and cloud management platforms.
- Week 4: DevSecOps, CI/CD pipeline creation, and team management strategies.
60 Days Preparation Plan
- Month 1: Deep dive into automation tools and DevOps tools stack.
- Month 2: Focus on advanced DevOps leadership, cloud scalability, and continuous delivery pipelines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Security Integration: DevSecOps is a core aspect of the DevOps Manager role; ignoring it can harm your pipeline.
- Lack of Leadership Skills: DevOps Managers need leadership skills to drive cultural changes, not just technical skills.
- Overcomplicating Processes: Aim for simple, reliable solutions rather than over-engineering.
- Neglecting Continuous Learning: DevOps tools and best practices evolve quickly; don’t stop learning after certification.
Best Next Certification After This
- DevOps Architect Certification: For those looking to architect and implement DevOps on a large scale.
- Cloud Certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud): As cloud platforms are integral to DevOps practices.
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA): To gain expertise in container orchestration at scale.
Choose Your Path
Learning Paths
- DevOps: Master the principles of continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure automation.
- DevSecOps: Focus on integrating security throughout the DevOps pipeline.
- SRE (Site Reliability Engineering): Learn how to maintain reliable systems with high availability.
- AIOps/MLOps: Dive into automation using AI/ML for monitoring and managing systems.
- DataOps: Manage data pipelines and ensure seamless integration between data systems.
- FinOps: Manage cloud finances, optimize costs, and improve the financial agility of DevOps practices.
Role → Recommended Certifications
| Role | Recommended Certifications |
|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator |
| SRE (Site Reliability Engineer) | Certified DevOps Manager, Google Professional Cloud Architect |
| Platform Engineer | Certified DevOps Engineer, AWS Certified Solutions Architect |
| Cloud Engineer | AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Security Engineer | Certified DevSecOps Engineer, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Data Engineer | Certified DataOps Engineer, AWS Certified Big Data |
| FinOps Practitioner | Certified FinOps Practitioner, Certified DevOps Manager |
| Engineering Manager | Certified DevOps Manager, Certified ScrumMaster |
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.
Top Training & Certification Providers for Certified DevOps Manager
- DevOpsSchool: Offers structured training, hands-on labs, and mentorship from industry experts.
- Cotocus: Known for its enterprise automation and DevOps consulting services.
- ScmGalaxy: Specializes in continuous integration, deployment, and automation tools.
- BestDevOps: Provides comprehensive DevOps certification guidance and real-world implementation training.
- devsecopsschool.com: Offers training that integrates security into every phase of the DevOps pipeline.
- sreschool.com: Focuses on Site Reliability Engineering and automation for large-scale environments.
- aiopsschool.com: Provides expertise in AIOps and machine learning-based IT operations management.
- dataopsschool.com: Specializes in DataOps practices, ensuring seamless data pipeline management.
- finopsschool.com: Teaches FinOps for cloud financial management within DevOps environments.
Conclusion
The Certified DevOps Manager (CDM) certification is a key credential for professionals looking to elevate their career in DevOps. With a focus on leadership, automation, and security, this certification equips you with the skills to manage large-scale DevOps teams, drive automation initiatives, and integrate security throughout the DevOps pipeline.