A Guide to Software Project Management Phases & Best Practices

Software development is one of the complex processes that necessitate exceptional project management abilities. Therefore, the high-level view of the project management phases is one of the best tools for harnessing its power for building software concepts. Thus, knowing more about the combination of software and project management is essential.

So, in this article, we will provide useful tips for understanding how software project management practices and phases optimize release cycles and help bring cutting-edge software to market quickly.

What is Software Project Management?

Research says that over 38,084 software project managers are currently employed in the United States.

The art and discipline of planning and supervising software projects is known as software project management!

The Project Management Institute explains “project management” as applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to various activities to meet specific project requirements.

Software Project Management, a subset of the project management certification, is the practice of planning and delivering software development projects within variable timeframes. It is a sub-concept of software project management that involves project planning, implementation, monitoring, and control.

Software project management is used to plan, schedule, allocate resources, execute, track, and deliver software and web projects. Project management in software engineering differs from traditional project management because the software has a distinct life cycle process that necessitates multiple rounds of testing, updating, and customer feedback. 

Importance of Software Project Management

For some organizations, project management can be a significant expense. Still, when software projects involve numerous stakeholders, tasks, and teams and the results impact customers, the benefits easily outweigh the risks. By streamlining operations, a project manager can reduce overall costs. A project manager can easily keep a project on track and within budget, but more importantly, they can foster relationships between internal stakeholders and clients, improving communication and project visibility. They can also reduce risks that hurt an organization and the number of issues burdening software development teams.

Software project management also assists project managers in overcoming these complexities by encouraging end-user and stakeholder participation, managing risks, and creating an environment conducive to open communication. These capabilities assist you in setting realistic project goals, accurately estimating resource requirements, reporting on project status, and dealing with commercial pressures. To combat chaos and complexity, software project management provides strategic alignment, leadership, planning, practicality, quality assurance, and proven processes.

Software Project Management Phases

Many organizations believe that any Project Manager’s job is to schedule status meetings and remind everyone about deadlines. But this is only one part of the story. Software project management is a science, and professionals who play this role can benefit from various methodologies, frameworks, and approaches.

Indeed, successful software project managers have a thorough understanding of the six phases of software project management and know how to carry them out. They are as follows:

◉ Initiation

◉ Project Scoping

◉ Managing Requirements of Resources

◉ Complete Project Deliverables

◉ Introducing the Product

◉ Project Completion

Let us talk about them now:

Phase 1: Initiation

This phase signifies the start of the project. Its major purpose is to define the project at a high level.

Typically, phase 1 begins with a business case. The objective here is to ensure that the project is viable and should be executed. If a company does feasibility testing, now is the optimal time to do it.

During this phase, all important project stakeholders will evaluate the business case and determine whether to proceed with the project. If everyone agrees to begin the project, the project charter, also known as the project initiation document, must be created (PID).

Phase 2: Project Scoping

IT organizations identify the requirements, product features, risks, constraints, and scope of the development project during the first phase of software project management.

Your team will devise a strategy to meet the budget while supporting the end-technical products and business case. The following tasks will be defined in this plan:

◉ Planning & budgeting

◉ Requirements engineering

◉ Defining the software process

Phase 3: Managing Requirements of Resources

The third phase of software project management deals directly with the development process. Ensure that the development process follows the established requirements and user expectations and that schedules and expectations are met. In this phase, you may also give project-supporting workers any required training, education, and support.

Phase 4: Complete Project Deliverables

This is the stage at which the team creates and completes project deliverables. This phase is the heart of every project and contains many activities such as meetings, status reports, development updates, and performance reports.

Typically, this phase is preceded by a kickoff meeting in which all software project teams are informed of their responsibilities. The Software Project Manager must develop the team, assign resources, and carry out the project management plan during this phase.

The Software Project Manager’s role here is to direct and manage project execution by establishing tracking systems, assigning tasks, holding status meetings, updating the project schedule, and modifying plans.

Phase 5: Introducing the Product

In this phase of software project management, all technical and business requirements for the final product will be validated.

You will complete the required artifacts, and the development team must prepare for the subsequent software development cycle iteration. Apply the lessons learned from the initial iteration to facilitate continuous improvement. Depending on the SDLC process you employ, you may release particular feature updates, components, or the entire product to end-users. Many organizations use dedicated software project management to make all of this easier.

Phase 6: Project Completion

The final phase represents the project’s completion. The Software Project Manager will acknowledge team members’ efforts. Project managers frequently organize a work event to thank everyone who participated in the project for their efforts.

When the project is finished, Project Managers hold a meeting. This is known as a “postmortem” to evaluate what went well and identify the most serious failures. This type of lessons learned meeting is extremely beneficial to organizations because it allows for the improvement of future projects.

Software Project Management Best Practices

Have you ever wondered what the best project management practices are when developing software with your team? Or, what does a great manager need to do to ensure that their software products are delivered perfectly on time, within scope, and within budget?

To know these, you must know the tips and best practices. We have identified the best software project management practices. Let’s go over these sections now!

1. Utilize the Proper Development Process

Because of the nature of modern software projects, a spiral-based development process is necessary. A spiral process has multiple phases that gradually reduce project risk. Each phase concludes with a yes or no decision. For example, prototyping is used in the early stages to investigate new technologies for the team or a user interface.

2. Track Progress, Implement Software Life-cycle Methodology, and Create a Detailed Project Plan

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is considered one of the best software project management practices. This process is used in software development projects to provide high-quality software.

SDLC consists of six major steps: planning, defining requirements, designing the product architecture, building/developing software, testing, and finally, deployment. These phases help you in implementing projects easily. However, if you want your project to be executed flawlessly, you must create a detailed project management plan template.

3. Quality Control

First, let me clarify. Quality assurance (QA) in IT projects is more than just testing. Of course, it includes testing, but it also includes much more.

Consider the terms verification and ‘validation.’ Verification involves reviewing requirements documents, technical specifications, designs, test plans, cases, and program code. Validation is used to determine whether the software meets the project requirements. An IT project QA must cover both.

4. Continuous Software Testing

There are two approaches to software testing: 

Black-box testing (or functionality testing) and white-box testing (or implementation testing). 

Black-box testing seeks to confirm whether input and output match without regard for the code’s structure. On the other hand, white-box testing examines how functionality is implemented to improve code.

Testing is mandatory at all stages of a software project to detect hidden errors and avoid failure.

There are three different levels of software testing. The operation and efficiency of each unit are the focus of unit testing. Integration testing determines whether these units match smoothly. And system testing demonstrates how the final software works and its functionality.

5. Use “Leading-Edge” Technology

Many Fortune 500 companies have used mature technologies for software projects that have significantly impacted how they do business. In some cases, cutting-edge technology is necessary to gain a distinct advantage over the competition. However, such a strategy has risks; in this case, having excellent people on the project is even more important. Because few people have this experience, it is critical to seek outside assistance.

Source: invensislearning.com

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PRINCE2® Certification and Its Benefits for Businesses

The Foundation and Practitioner certification courses for Projects in Controlled Environments, Version 2 (PRINCE2), are among the most popular professional certification programs worldwide. It is a widely utilized project management methodology across sectors worldwide. It gives an accurate summary of roles and responsibilities in a project, ensuring that everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

Every day, the need for and scope of project management is growing. In locations such as Bangalore, qualified and professional project managers are in high demand in the present day. It is predicted that approximately 88 million project roles will become available by 2027. With PRINCE2® certificates, you will have the skills and abilities to get a competitive advantage in project management.

The PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner certifications will help you gain employment with top firms around the country. PRINCE2® is gaining popularity throughout the world. As a result, it increases the need for PRINCE2®-certified professionals in top enterprises’ important positions.

The PRINCE2® approach to project management is methodical. Many business and public sectors also adhere to this methodology, commonly employed in UK Government initiatives. In addition, PRINCE2® is appropriate for both small and large enterprises. However, you must be aware of the PRINCE2® Certification Requirements to become a certified practitioner, as PRINCE2® is a versatile and adaptable standard used by several standards.

Overview

If you are searching for a strategy to advance your profession and reach the next level of development, the PRINCE2® certification benefits are innumerable. The foundation and practitioner certifications are intended to assist aspirant candidates in gaining their footing and expanding their professional horizons.

If you are still thinking if PRINCE2® certification is worthwhile, examine the following six arguments.

1. More Methodology

The primary advantage of PRINCE2® certification is enhancing your project management skills. It stresses learning and application of the project management principles rather than being a guidebook.

This course teaches you how to manage many projects using logic and processes successfully. Its standardized terminology, procedures, and systems allow you to analyze risks and allocate and manage resources.

2. Globally Acknowledged

Globally, PRINCE2® is regarded as the optimal project management methodology. Numerous governmental and private organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and even Africa employ this technique to ensure improved project management.

The value of your PRINCE2® certification is that you will be chosen over others to lead, manage, monitor, and execute projects. Consequently, with this accreditation, you can undertake international projects that likely involve teams from other nations.

3. Simple To Accomplish

Compared to other certification courses, PRINCE2® certification is less time-consuming and simpler in terms of required effort. This is because it consists of three qualifying levels that are simple to pass.

4. Ability To Manage Any Project

The assurance to manage any project in any business is one of the PRINCE2® certification’s advantages. Since it enables you to understand the end-to-end project management process, it gives you the confidence to lead projects and seek out greater challenges.

5. Global Career Opportunities Available

Given that the PRINCE2® certification is valued on most continents, it facilitates global mobility and utilization of your talents across various sectors and project types. Moreover, given their superior project management skills, a candidate with PRINCE2® certification is generally favored during the hiring process.

6. Excellent Salary Prospects

PRINCE2-certified professionals have an advantage not only when it comes to managing projects but also when it comes to earning the big bucks.

If you are still pondering whether PRINCE2® certification is worthwhile, you may wish to evaluate your time availability, prior work obligations, and desire for professional development.

Given the numerous PRINCE2® certification benefits listed above, it would be prudent to consider it as the next step in your career progression.

PRINCE2® Certification Levels

This certification consists of two levels: Foundation level and Practitioner level.

1. Foundation

The foundation level of the PRINCE2® certification course is intended primarily for team members, team leaders, and project managers who ought to learn the fundamentals of the project management technique. In addition, you gain a comprehensive understanding of the words, processes, and phrases utilized in the PRINCE2® project management process.

Let’s examine the PRINCE2® Foundation’s material and its benefits:

The foundation certification teaches you how to successfully comprehend the functional approach and perform tasks inside this framework.

Help you master the fundamental technique and language of PRINCE2® approaches.

Prerequisites for Certification

There are no prerequisites for PRINCE2® certification at the foundation level. However, it is preferred to have only fundamental knowledge of project management. To obtain this credential, you should pass the PRINCE2® Foundation examination.

2. Practitioner

The next level is the practitioner level, which focuses on the practical aspects of projects and dealing with project challenges.

Practitioner-level PRINCE2® is primarily intended for product managers, senior managers, and analysts. The Practitioner certification enables professionals to do the following tasks:

◉ First, adapt the principles to meet the needs of the project

◉ Manage the team using the PRINCE2® technique in a practitioner-like manner

◉ Finally, implement your practical expertise in your project work

◉ To obtain this credential, you should pass the PRINCE2® Practitioner examination

Why Did You Decide to Pursue PRINCE2® Certification and Training?

Increasing PRINCE2® Usage

Over the years, the use of PRINCE2® has spread to numerous nations and industries due to its organized approach to project management while still allowing for applying different approaches and techniques as necessary.

While PRINCE2® offers advantages or benefits of its application, let’s examine how learning and becoming certified in PRINCE2® will assist you in achieving your specific goals.

Automation’s Effect on Project Management

Human resources will become increasingly involved in project management as day-to-day operations become automated. It will require competent project managers adept at decision-making, stakeholder involvement, cooperation, and other tasks that people accomplish more effective than machines.

How It Benefits Your Business

It can be difficult for a small business owner to know where to start when introducing a new procedure or product. By completing a PRINCE2® course, you will be trained to manage projects inside an approved framework, with defined instructions and a schedule for each phase.

The PRINCE2® technique is based on years of real experience, so you can understand what makes a project successful and what does not. The scalability of a PRINCE2® course is another advantage, as it can be used for various business sizes and types. It is now an internationally recognized standard for project management, so you may implement the processes wherever your firm runs. In addition, the membership service gives you access to resources to assist you in finding your way after your training.

What Can PRINCE2® Provide My Business?

Communication may rarely be a concern for small organizations with fewer employees. There are few contacts with other parties, and teams work closely together. However, everyone is aware of their position and job function. Do they not? All too frequently, issues emerge within small teams due to making assumptions, failing to communicate roles, and failing to declare responsibility.

PRINCE2® defines roles and duties and better structures communication. In small organizations, formalizing roles and responsibilities is a very straightforward procedure. Consider senior business positions; while the terminology of PRINCE2® relates to corporate or program level managers, this can be combined for a small organization because it is likely a single individual – the business owner. Understanding setting tasks from the beginning might benefit a growing organization.

Similarly, the PRINCE2® framework’s project phases can be combined. Start-up and initiation can easily be merged into a single process, enabling them to be executed easily. PRINCE2® processes can be tailored to smaller projects. Acquiring training in best practices while the organization is still small assures that familiarity with language and principles will be maintained as the organization grows.

PRINCE2® guarantees high-quality project outcomes, increase efficiency and is a very effective project management strategy. It provides businesses with a consistent and uniform approach and confidence that the project continues to be justified. Moreover, PRINCE2® is scalable and can be adapted on a project-by-project basis, making it an indispensable tool for small firms seeking to grow.

Is PRINCE2® Right for Me?

In brief, absolutely. If you ambition to grow and expand your firm, take on additional work, or do larger projects, the PRINCE2® approach can greatly assist you. Similarly, if you aim to make your current projects the most successful possible to promote your reputation and future business, PRINCE2® training can help you succeed.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Important Tips To Success In Green Belt Projects

Every company in the world is expected to maintain its three pillars: speed, quality, and productivity. It entails providing services on time, meeting quality standards, and maintaining efficiency at all levels. Today, organizations must use Lean Six Sigma-certified specialists.

Are you passionate about problem-solving and creating solutions to attain the best results? Do you want to understand the quality concept in depth? If your answer is “Yes” to the above questions, then choosing to become a Six Sigma Green Belt professional would be the ideal answer. 

The Six Sigma Green Belt certification by IASSC is a vital step in becoming a master of lean six sigma techniques and in leading projects. The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification course also aims to introduce the individuals to process improvement, waste minimization, and maximizing value. 

How to Develop Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Projects 

A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt work attempts to solve individual business issues. An organization’s strategic objectives control Lean Six Sigma projects. These projects are aimed at resolving consumer issues.

A Six Sigma Green Belt project should result in cost savings, quality improvements, capacity enhancements, and various career opportunities.

Here is how to proceed with developing lean six sigma green belt projects:

Project Sponsor 

To maximize your benefit, we will begin from the “true” beginning. First, meet with your boss or, if they differ, the Project Sponsor. Then, before enrolling in the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course, register for it or pay for it; you must complete the abovementioned steps. It amazes me how many students I meet who desire to get their Green Belts but have no idea who would help them or if they will be able to locate a project.

Scope of the Project 

Assuming you have a project Sponsor — ideally, your supervisor or another supportive leader — the first topic to raise is the need to enhance processes. You will not be able to grow and learn as much as you would like if the project is too small. If the project is too large, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to complete it within the allowed timeframe. So it is when having a broad perspective is useful. Focusing on a somewhat stable, not well-organized process and in need of support is an effective method for narrowing down the number of possible initiatives.

Project Measure Phase 

However, in many Green Belt efforts and lean green belt project examples, students first choose what they will measure before diving into the Analyze and Enhance phase. After defining your project, the Measure Phase is the next logical step in DMAIC. Students must evaluate their processes thoroughly.

Record Phase 

After improvements have been made, return to the same viewpoints and angles. These photographs are worth a thousand words. But unfortunately, they are virtually impossible to replicate.

What Are Six Sigma Tools?

Understanding the Six Sigma Green Belt tools can aid your pursuit of the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. In addition, you can become a six-sigma green belt by participating in a course.

Nevertheless, there are numerous options to pick from, which can rapidly become overwhelming for beginners. When utilized properly, Six Sigma Green Belt techniques increase revenue growth, decrease inefficiencies, optimize corporate processes, and boost staff productivity. 

Following are the top most essential Six Sigma Green Belt tools for your firm:

Pareto Chart

The Pareto Chart is entirely based on the Pareto principle, which includes the 80-20 rule. The rule is that 20% of effort yields 80% of results, and the emphasis is on working intelligently, not just hard.

Microsoft Excel may be used to construct Pareto Charts, valuable product quality management tools. According to the Six Sigma Green Belt philosophy, 80% of company problems are caused by a single defective component. Teams discovered that by displaying a visual Pareto histogram chart to members, a corporation might achieve exceptional outcomes and reduce the number of error-causing triggers. 

Using the Pareto chart to collect raw data precisely, you can depict it graphically and highlight potential issues using basic units. Commonly used variables include cost and frequency, and the performance of many metrics is measured over time. In addition, the Pareto model can utilize trending, historical, or monthly data.

Regression Analysis 

Regression analysis is utilized in conjunction with the DMAIC approach, which enables firms to optimize and redesign processes. Using regression analysis, projects visualize data and factors, evaluate how one crew’s performance differs from another, and estimate annual revenues.

These graphs can also calculate the influence of supply chain deliveries on the assembly line. The study can be used to find blind spots within an organization, such as identifying weaknesses in the support systems utilized to execute various operational activities. In conclusion, Cluster analysis can be performed for nonlinear regression and applied to variables.

Kaizen 

The Japanese word kaizen translates as “the art of continuous improvement.” Its origins are strongly ingrained in Japan. It’s a mentality for optimizing company processes. The objective is not perfection but rather to incorporate incremental changes into your procedures.

Kaizen is a Six Sigma Green Belt technique for identifying, observing, and implementing product or production pipeline modifications. The procedure entails getting all employees and management to work together in a coordinated manner. Utilizing Kaizen in the workplace guarantees that production waste is minimized and productivity is maintained. It is about making efforts sustainable and self-improvement or business growth, a natural process resulting from excellent habits or fundamentals. In addition, Kaizen is one of the most common strategies utilized by professionals seeking six sigma green belt certification.

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis 

Failure Causes and Consequences Analysis is a proactive mode that examines every aspect of a process to identify faults and their causes. When examining these elements, it analyses all possible failure scenarios and breaks them down. FMEA is a preventative method in which teams attempt to prevent failures by fixing them rather than reacting to unpleasant outcomes. 

As a result, changes can be proposed before the implementation phase, saving money. FMEA has been utilized thus far in various industries, including healthcare, patient safety, collaborations, and the Idealized Design of Medication Systems (IDMS).

Data Collection Planning 

All green belts utilize this instrument to determine how to gather data, establish sample sizes, and identify the best data sources. Raw and precise data is essential for gaining valuable insights and producing the most accurate predictions. Identifying the type of data pertinent to your project and defining the present status of processes is a smart way to establish a plan for data collection.

There are three different sorts of measurements to consider:

◉ Output measures

◉ Input values

◉ Process indicators

People are the foundation of high-quality data, which provides insight into your processes. It can map input-output process diagrams and answer particular project objectives queries. Before establishing a plan, consider your money and available time. This will ensure that you do not compromise data integrity and are not affected by unforeseen circumstances. The data can be measured using check sheets and survey responses and shown using a combination of control and run charts.

DMAIC Methodology

DMAIC is a five-step procedure outlined as follows:

◉ Define

◉ Measure

◉ Analyze

◉ Improve

◉ Control

It aims to produce high-quality goods by optimizing corporate procedures and decreasing production faults. DMAIC is a road map for manufacturers, with each of the five phases identifying issues and providing solutions. Moreover, DMAIC is utilized by all firms utilizing Six Sigma Green Belt technologies. It enables you to identify value-defining aspects within the organization, investigate and scope initiatives, and rank them in order of significance. 

Source: invensislearning.com

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Guide to Lean Six Sigma – How Lean and Six Sigma is Different

Six Sigma is a collection of strategies for designing, enhancing, and delivering high-quality business processes and outcomes. It draws its name from the statistical concept level 6 standard deviation (6 sigma departure) from the process norm, representing 3.4 failures per million opportunities. Standard procedure steps are performed to minimize and control variability and remove flaws. Typical design steps for a new process consist of DMADV (i.e., Define needs, Measure critical quality items, Analyze processes, Design product or service, and Verify need alignment). Common process steps for process improvement are DMAIC (i.e., Define opportunity, Measure performance, Analyze opportunity, Improve performance, and Control performance). So, read this blog for an in-depth understanding of Lean Six Sigma, its advantages, and how they are integrated.

The Advantages of Lean Six Sigma

Lean and Six Sigma, or Lean Six Sigma, provide a comprehensive set of processes and technologies that enable a company to improve quality and reduce costs, with the ultimate objective of continuous customer value generation. These are undeniably crucial advantages for any business. Nonetheless, Lean Six Sigma enterprises have the following five extra advantages:

Strategic Preparation

An organization’s mission and vision statements provide the impetus for strategic planning, with the mission statement focusing on the company’s raison d’être and the vision statement outlining its aspirations. The most effective strategic plans convert the vision statement into tangible and measurable goals, such as growing market share or decreasing employee turnover. In addition, Lean Six Sigma can expedite the accomplishment of these objectives.

Productivity

Firms eliminate volatility from their operations. Therefore, the productivity of their employee’s increases. It occurs for numerous causes. First, there is less rework when there is less waste and variety. When done the first time correctly, time is not spent correcting mistakes.

Employee Satisfaction

Greater employee productivity results in increased employee motivation and employee satisfaction. Employees who are not required to struggle through poorly designed procedures, create workarounds to complete tasks, or spend time on non-value-adding tasks are more motivated and happier. “It is not the only perk for employees. Employees become more attuned to recognizing waste and variation, as well as opportunities to enhance quality and provide additional customer value when enterprises integrate Lean Six Sigma into the fabric of their organizations.

Client Loyalty

Imagine a corporation adept at producing customer value, decreasing defects, lowering variation in its products and services, enhancing features and benefits, providing a wide range of options at minimal or no additional cost, and accelerating the delivery of its products. This business would undoubtedly enjoy high levels of customer satisfaction, which would translate to high levels of client loyalty and retention.

Supply Chain Management

To constantly improve processes, mature Lean Six Sigma organizations typically learn that they must eventually integrate suppliers into their quality improvement projects. Likewise, your suppliers must also eliminate waste and variation from their processes to eliminate waste and variation from your operations.

The Lean Methodology Roadmap

Lean and Six Sigma employ the same DMAIC approach, abbreviation for five phases.

◉ Define

◉ Measure

◉ Analyze

◉ Improve

◉ Control

The difference with Lean, however, is that this strategy is applied to a complete process as opposed to a specific chronic issue. As a result, the Lean DMAIC road map looks like this:

1. Define the Issue You Are Attempting to Solve

Consider it from more than a management standpoint. Listen to your employees’ perspectives on HR and performance management challenges and establish clear targets.

2. Evaluate Important Components of the Procedure

Target metrics will allow you to measure progress toward the specified objective and gather pertinent data.

3. Analyze the Data in Search of Cause-and-effect Relation

Here, you’ll put on your detective hat and search for the source of the defect you’re attempting to eliminate.

4. Enhance the Current Procedure

Six Sigma will suggest data analysis methodologies for leveraging the acquired information and reconfiguring the relevant process. Then, you can set up tests to see whether the improvement is genuine.

5. Maintain Process Management Moving Forward

Will take you through the procedures required to build up methods for monitoring the improved process after its implementation.

Some firms mix lean with Six Sigma to blend the introspective and interactive nature of the former with the data-driven insights of the latter.

How are Six Sigma and Lean Integrated?

Lean in Six Sigma focuses on a “team-centered managerial approach that attempts to increase performance by removing waste and defects” that blends the tools and concepts into a single, ultra-effective theory.

Together, they eliminate resources that do not provide value to the firm and are therefore considered waste. Simple-sounding, right?

The uncertainty of how the two ideas interact creates a dilemma regarding how to employ the systems effectively. However, with the proper amount of research and instruction, a business may seamlessly apply the two methods, decreasing waste by whichever method works best for it and creating a more efficient atmosphere.

Which One

The purpose of both of these techniques is to enhance the process. As a result, we are frequently asked the following queries:

“Should I implement Six Sigma or Lean?”

“Should we implement Lean or Six Sigma first?”

If you responded yes to these questions, as most people do, you likely require both Lean and Six Sigma technologies. In light of this, let’s examine two scenarios:

First, what is the result of not using Six Sigma with Lean?

Reducing inefficient steps in a process accelerates it because there is less labor to do. If process variation stays at unacceptable levels, resulting in defects, we now have a process that can produce defects more quickly.

What Is the Outcome of Six Sigma Implementation Without Lean?

Reducing variation throughout the entire process enhances output quality by decreasing faults. Unfortunately, since we have not eliminated non-value-adding phases, the process delivers a high-quality product or service at a high cost, affecting competitiveness and profitability.

Using Lean tools to eliminate non-value-added stages and Six Sigma to reduce variation in the remaining value-added phases is a sensible strategy. Criticizing variety in stages that will eventually be removed (see figure below) makes no sense. In the context of a development project, both approaches are utilized concurrently to achieve quality, speed, and cost enhancements.

Lean Vs. Six Sigma

In the manufacturing industry, there is considerable disagreement regarding the distinctions between Lean and Six Sigma and whether one is more effective. However, most individuals have very strong ideas regarding Lean versus Six Sigma, particularly regarding implementation and which technique is superior.

However, the meanings of the two terms have begun to converge, and there may be a valid explanation for that. Furthermore, both are comparable in many ways. The only variation is in the steps necessary to reach the final goal, but strangely, the end goal of minimizing waste is identical. Follow along as we describe the differences and parallels for further clarification.

What Are the Most Significant Distinctions Between Lean and Six Sigma?

Lean is not a replacement for Six Sigma and vice versa because they pursue higher effectiveness, efficiency, and cost reduction in distinct ways. In essence, they focus on distinct concerns.

For instance, Lean begins by examining workflow and defining value in terms of the customer benefits derived from the generated goods or services. Then, it is conducted through Rapid Improvement or Kaizen events instead of projects.

On the other hand, Six Sigma focuses on eliminating faults and waste to enhance quality and productivity. In addition to streamlining operations, this will result in increased customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma and Lean have become two of the most well-known and effective approaches for achieving revolutionary improvement. Both have evolved from the foundations of earlier approaches, such as Dr. Juran’s Universal Sequence for Breakthrough Quality Improvement, Drs. Shewhart and Deming’s PDCA Cycle and, as previously stated, Toyota’s unique emphasis on eliminating waste.

Lean and Six Sigma are distinct yet complementary improvement strategies. Six Sigma enables project teams to increase the effectiveness of processes, whereas Lean aids in enhancing process efficiency. Together, they can be integrated into the DMAIC model to produce a new effective and efficient process, reducing waste while generating value.

Six Sigma’s primary objective is to remove defects and waste while increasing quality and efficiency, enhancing business processes. Moreover, the notion is relevant to all organizational business functions, from the factory floor to accounting.

Similarly, Lean is utilized to streamline production and manufacturing processes. Lean focuses on eliminating unnecessary and wasteful manufacturing steps and ensuring that only essential steps remain.

Identifying the waste’s core cause is the same objective of both methods, but each uses a unique methodology. For example, in Six Sigma, waste results from process variance, but Lean, waste results from unnecessary procedures.

Lean Outlines Seven Wastes That Can Be Removed or Minimized to Boost Productivity.

◉ Overproduction

◉ Waiting

◉ Transport

◉ Motion

◉ Over-processing

◉ Inventory

◉ Defects

The objective of Lean is to eliminate the seven causes of waste. In contrast, to reduce waste, Six Sigma reduces errors in production and nonproduction areas. However, the two can operate together to boost factory-floor efficiency and production.

Source: invensislearning.com

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How to Prepare for Six Sigma Green Belt Certification?

Six Sigma Certification training is for individuals attentive to waste reduction techniques, continuous improvement, and company management or supply chain experience. This credential assists professionals in enhancing their subject matter knowledge, making them more desirable to potential employers. 

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) certification is likely the most helpful for your business. Many people believe it is preferable to train many coworkers to the Black Belt or Master Black Belt level, but you need many more Green Belt-level coworkers. Moreover, Green Belts are the doers, delivering the majority of the improvement work.

Numerous individuals are familiar with the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program, but many are uncertain or unclear about how this training might benefit them and their organization. Also, professionals are unaware of the six sigma green belt certification preparation process.

Improvement is a skill that, like any other, can be learned. However, after receiving fundamental training, you must immediately practice your newly acquired skills. Unpracticed new abilities are quickly lost, along with any potential benefits or value from the course.

So, let us discover the steps to get prepared for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification in today’s guide.

What is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification?

Lean Six Sigma is a collection of techniques and tools used for company improvement and quality management. It tries to improve quality by detecting problems, determining their root cause, and enhancing procedures to maximize the reusability and precision of process results.

It offers a business the advantages of enhancing productivity, product quality, and delivery timeliness, reducing faults, and promoting employee satisfaction and confidence.

IASSC is governing body for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, which introduces candidates to Process improvement, Waste minimization, and Value maximization. There are 3 levels of certifications. The three levels of this qualification are referred to as belts. In addition, there are three levels of Six Sigma certification or belts: 

◉ Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification

◉ Six Sigma Green Belt Certification 

◉ Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Green Belt certification is beneficial if you are interested in process improvement techniques or if you are a professional seeking such approaches to meet the needs of your firm by using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

With the help of Green Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma, you can learn how to:

◉Reduce errors, Control expenses and budgets, 

◉Streamline processes, and Increase the project success rate

But, first, we will examine the correct definition and explanation of Lean Six Sigma and the advantages of holding a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Why Should Professionals Take up LSSGB Certification?

Quality is a vital and differentiating characteristic of products and services in today’s competitive industry. Establishing a structure within the organization that promotes quality and eliminates defects provides the desired competitive advantage. In addition, six Sigma can achieve long-term success as a methodology that examines organizations as whole systems.

Many individuals have attended professional Six Sigma training due to its success of Six Sigma. 

However, how would these pieces of training benefit your career? 

The benefits are enormous for your profession and business knowledge in general. The Six Sigma Green Belt (part of the Six Sigma technique) is used to enhance the quality of manufacturing and process management organizations. In addition, there are numerous advantages to obtaining a Six Sigma Green belt certification. Several of these are detailed below:

◉Increase value to your employer

◉Deliver an improvement project during the training

◉Benefits of professional development

◉Improve business processes and sustain quality improvement

◉Increase your value across industries

◉Movement into managerial roles

◉Higher salary expectations

◉Increase your sales

What is the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Who Should Obtain Certification?

Lean Six Sigma is the consequence of combining Six Sigma with the principles of Lean Management. Lean Management strives to reduce waste and, consequently, the time required for the complete production process, whereas Six Sigma aims to reduce variation in the outputs.

The implementation of Lean Six Sigma principles is intriguing. First, the Lean methodology is deployed to increase the process’s efficiency, and then the Six Sigma techniques are implemented to fine-tune the remaining project components.

While discussing Lean Six Sigma, let’s briefly discuss Six Sigma. Six Sigma is a quality program that aids in determining which quality management techniques are employed and how to enhance the project. Six Sigma incorporates statistical methods for problem detection and process improvement. It can also be utilized in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.

As already mentioned, Green Belt in Six Sigma is one of the certification levels available, depending on the position you wish to perform in the management environment.

Six Sigma Green Belt training teaches you how to direct teams regarding data gathering and analysis for teams working on problem-solving Black Belt projects. You read that correctly. White Belt, Yellow Belt, and Master Black Belt certifications are available in addition to Black Belt. Let’s quickly examine Six Sigma’s preparation methods, as mentioned earlier.

How Should Preparations Begin?

To prepare for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt(LSSGB) Certified Expert examination, adhere to the instructions. In addition, the following stages will aid you in the process of preparation:

◉ The exam syllabus is the most crucial aspect of any exam. Therefore, be sure to review the Six Sigma Green Belt Exam syllabus. Plan your usual study routine for exam preparation considering your free time and the time remaining until the exam.

◉ Every area of Six Sigma covered in the study guide must be studied in depth. Scenario-based logical questions are included in the Six Sigma examinations.

◉ Attempt to apply each topic to a real-world business issue as you prepare for the examination. Not only will this help you answer the issue more effectively, but it will also help you enhance your knowledge.

Know Clearly About LSSGB Examination

1. Area of Study

Following are the area of study of LSSGB:

◉ Concepts, implementation, and aims of Six Sigma

◉ The methodology is called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement, and Control). Predicting, preventing, and managing process faults

◉ Components of rubbish

◉ Variations in operations

◉ Utilizing statistical process control plus

2. Eligibility Criteria

IASSC has no eligibility requirements for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. However, for the International Association for Six Sigma Certification, candidates must get a minimum score of 70% on the IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Exam.

3. Exam Format

Following are exam format of the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt:

◉ Multiple-choice and true-false questions are the types of inquiry

◉ No. of questions: 100 questions (including 20 true/false and multiple-choice questions)

◉ Exam Length: 180 minutes (3 hours)

◉ Should get a score of 385 points out of 500 to pass

◉ Exam type: closed book

How to Prepare for Six Sigma Green Belt Certification?

Green Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma educates managers to process improvement, waste reduction, and value maximization. This certification is intended for professionals interested in process improvement techniques or a business requirement for them.

If this describes you and you wish to adopt Lean Six Sigma’s principles in the workplace, the Green Belt certification will help you.

In addition, it will teach you how to eliminate errors, control expenses, streamline processes, and increase the project success rates of your team.

So, we have compiled a collection of study tips for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt examination. Let us now; look into them:

1. Use a Six Sigma Study Guide

Each level of Six Sigma requires a different grasp of the tools and practices associated with each level. However, the abbreviations for two common Six Sigma methodologies are DMAIC and DMADV.

DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control, while DMADV is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify.

So, to understand the fundamentals of all these, use a study guide.

In addition, Free eBooks and study materials on the Six Sigma Green Belt are available online for independent study.

2. Examine Yourself Using Sample Questions

You must pass the multiple-choice Lean Six Sigma Green Belt examination for certification. Ensure that you have properly checked your knowledge with online practice tests to refine your exam strategy before taking your exam.

Examine the Six Sigma Study Guide for a comprehensive collection of sample tests, exams, and questions. Alternately, Six Sigma Training Free also provides a wealth of Six Sigma tools, such as Green Belt practice examinations.

3. Submerge Yourself in the Method

Obtain practical experience with a trial version, as there are numerous exams and subjects to study. In addition to knowing the processes, the most effective way to practice Lean Six Sigma is to immerse oneself in it.

Numerous websites, blogs, and web contents give essential Lean Six Sigma information online. Therefore, learn the most recent process improvements and remain ahead of the preparation curve. Above all, this will help you in real-world circumstances after you begin your new position.

4. Certification Course for the Green Belt

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course aims to provide you with as much information, data, and training as possible so that you may pass the exam and implement the approach in a real-world corporate setting.

The rewards you receive are contingent upon the sort, of course, you choose to enroll in. You will benefit from an instructor during a classroom-based session, allowing you to pose your business-specific questions.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Getting It Right: Preparing for the ASQ Quality Technician (CQT) Exam

Certified Quality Technicians (CQT), also known as Quality Control Technicians, are junior-level employees who conduct quality control checks on company products to ensure they meet needed safety and quality standards. Most quality technicians are provided with on-the-job training but need a keen eye for detail and the ability to concentrate for long periods.

To ensure success as a quality technician, you should have a solid working knowledge of mathematical concepts, outstanding visual awareness, and the ability to work with minimum supervision. Ultimately, a top-class quality technician can efficiently monitor the integrity and quality of products without impeding production rates.

With over a million certification holders worldwide, the CQT is widely recognized and linked to multiple benefits for qualified technicians. Here's what you require to know to get started:

The Scope of Quality Technician Exam Preparation

You should at least use the following sources when studying for the Quality Technician exam.

1. Study Material from Your Quality Technician Training

It would be best if you began your preparation by taking a Quality Technician training course. Contact hour training is compulsory when applying for the Quality Technician exam. The training will give you initial momentum and motivation and help you understand the nitty-gritty of CQT Handbook concepts.

The study material provided by the training must become your first source of study. Many candidates start with the Quality Technician Handbook and become frustrated with the preparation as it is a difficult book to read.

2. The CQT Handbook

Many aspirants think studying the CQT Handbook will be sufficient to pass the CQT exam. Although the guide is one of the essential items to learn, it is vital to go beyond the CQT Handbook.

3. One Reference Book Based on the CQT Handbook

The majority of the Quality Technician exam is based on content written in the CQT Handbook, so it should be your primary source of study for the exam, but as we have said, the guide does not cover everything. You will want to buy at least one other reference book covering things that are part of the Quality Technician exam curriculum but which are not described in the CQT Handbook.

4. A Test Simulator for Practicing Quality Technician Sample Exam Questions

There is an adage that says practice makes perfect. The Quality Technician exam is one of the most challenging exams in the world. As part of your preparation, you should practice doing some sample questions. Relying on your proficiency within the field of quality control and your knowledge of the CQT Handbook concepts, you might require to practice questions.

In addition to the above steps, refer to the Internet for additional reference and practice. You likely know that you will require to study a lot to pass the exam, and we have now described what needs to be checked. The next step is deciding how much time to plan for your studies.

Is the Quality Technician Certification Worth It?

Whether a CQT certification will be worth it to you professionally and financially depends on your unique conditions. Here are a few benefits you might see with a Quality Technician under your belt to help you navigate your decision.

• Industry Recognition: The Quality Technician certification can offer employers or clients that you know the ins and outs of quality control and have the experience and training needed of a professional.
• Learning New Skills: You will also likely know much about quality control as you prepare for the exam. Taking hours out of your life to master quality control fundamentals like dispute resolution and budgeting can maintain the skills to make you a better Quality Technician.
• Higher Salaries: The ASQ found that US respondents to a recent survey reported that the median quality control technician gross salary in the United States is $48,231 or an equivalent hourly rate of $23. Median salaries also managed to increase the longer one was Quality Technician certified. One of the magazines reported that the CQT certification ranked seventh among IT certifications linked to the highest salaries in the IT sector.

Conclusion

CQT certification is an important credential that improves the credibility of the resume, and the biggest draw is the high salary a Quality Technician makes after completing that certification. ASQ provides a networking opportunity to Quality Technician certification holders worldwide, and this community helps build a professional network and keeps updated about new methodologies.

Last but not least, attaining Quality Technician certification will allow the candidate to enhance the knowledge level of managing quality control tools & techniques and enable them to learn new tricks & techniques of quality control activities.

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Best ITSM Tools or Software You Need to Know

To establish and maintain a robust IT ecosystem, boost staff productivity, decrease IT risks, and enhance the end-user experience, it’s no wonder that the majority of firms are using the best ITSM solutions.

However, we now face a hurdle.

Searching for the “best ITSM tool or software” can yield thousands of results. So how can you identify the tool that properly matches your demands in this situation?

We have done the tough lifting for you, so don’t worry. After extensive investigation, we’ve selected around 7 ITSM tools to make your life significantly easier. This blog post will examine eight such tools, including their top features.

Before moving to the ITSM tools, first will discuss what does IT service management entail?

What Does IT Service Management Entail?

IT Services include the use of the printer by the entire team. The installation of applications on your laptop, the modification of passwords, etc. In addition to resolving day-to-day concerns, the IT support team is responsible for the end-to-end management of these services.

ITSM utilizes multiple frameworks. ITIL is the most common certification (Information Technology Infrastructure Library). It contains many procedures like Incident Management, Request Management, etc. Incident Management, Change Management, Problem Management, and Knowledge Management are the most widely used processes. Businesses may also utilize eTOM, COBIT, FitSM, ISO/IEC 20000, Six Sigma, etc., as ITSM frameworks.

According to research, the ITSM tools industry is valued at $1810 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $3600 million by 2024.

Best ITSM Tools/Software You Need To Know

ITSM is the implementation, regulation, management, and delivery of IT services, rules, and procedures within an organization. This includes planning, generating, delivering, and supporting requests for IT services.

ITSM practices are the means through which IT teams manage the end-to-end delivery of services to the client. And are crucial to the customer journey and operational efficiencies inside the organization. ITSM can also affect the employee experience by automating superfluous operations and streamlining the process.

Additionally, ITSM software may have capabilities to:

◉ Find solutions to reduce downtime and prevent events before they occur, and incident management technologies to streamline the process

◉ Track solutions, assign work depending on specializations or technical experience, and analyze trends in the scope of work using the Ticketing Tool

◉ IT Service Model Compliant: Use current models of best practices to guide your operations with models of IT service management and problem management that are already incorporated

◉ Asset Management: Track and manage physical items and accessories throughout their useful life

◉ View licensing requirements, manage updates, and be notified about future modifications or renewals

1. SolarWinds Service Desk

SolarWinds Service Desk was developed using ITIL guidelines. This cloud-based service desk system provides a centralized Help Desk contact point and asset management capabilities. The utility’s help desk functions include an automated ticketing system that allows you to input technician and operator availability to receive an automated task allocation methodology. In addition, the system features a task manager to resolve calls.

Other technical support capabilities include a self-service portal and a knowledge base tool to assist users in resolving issues without Help Desk assistance. Recent industry comparisons have placed the Service Desk in the number one position.

The suite includes configuration management, change management, release management, service level management, and IT asset management. In addition, a benchmarking tool enables you to monitor performance and plan for expansion, while a reporting module enables you to monitor system utilization.

2. InvGate Service Desk

The InvGate package offers comprehensive IT administration, including service, support, discovery, monitoring, and mapping. InvGate Insight enables the mapping of an organization’s entire infrastructure on a single platform by integrating asset data and information from all of its technology domains. This covers cloud instances from AWS and Azure, and IoT devices. In addition, any network monitoring solution can be readily incorporated.

A task module enables the automation of work in a request or the execution of a process, dividing the required efforts to find a solution. A knowledge management system will aid in organizing pertinent information, so it is always accessible. As end users generate a new self-service request, InvGate Natural Language Technology analyses their content using heuristics to offer relevant articles in real-time. Integration with other InvGate products enables IT asset discovery, monitoring, and change management. Integrating InvGate Service Desk with third-party asset managers, such as FileWave and Microsoft SCCM, is possible. It is offered as SaaS and on-premises.

3. Jotform

ITSM Service Management’s key operations revolve around forms and database tables, an area in which Jotform shines. Jotform, an online form builder, offers form templates that may be customized, including IT ticket and request forms and software survey forms. Additionally, the platform provides more than 100 app connectors. In addition, Jotform Tables can optimize your records management and increase the openness of incident management monitoring across teams. With convenient table templates (such as issue tracking), you can support critical ITSM activities without having to design a tracking system from the start — and without any coding experience.

4. NinjaOne Ticketing Software

NinjaOne – formerly NinjaRMM – is a cloud-based platform that provides the support specialists of a managed service provider with all the tools they need to manage the client sites’ systems. It can also be utilized by the IT operations departments of firms with several locations. This system is hosted in the cloud and is accessible from anywhere using a basic Web browser. There is no requirement to maintain a set of tools on-site, and professionals can even work remotely.

NinjaOne’s ticketing system provides team managers with a traditional technician task scheduler. This is not only available for users to report problems; it can also be used to assign system maintenance duties and expand project workflows to individual employees.

Each technician receives a prioritized To-Do list and an area for noting open issues. The team leader can view which tasks are assigned and waiting to be assigned. The management view also displays the estimated completion time and date for each work and whether the task is behind schedule. A computer algorithm can automatically assign jobs, and assignments can be split or shared. Additionally, manual allocation is facilitated.

5. Cherwell

Cherwell Ivanti offers ITSM tools for small to large enterprises with various deployment choices, such as on-premises and software as a service (SaaS). Codeless integration enables your service management software to interact with other applications and upgrade without requiring IT department personnel.

Ivanti also offers IT service management and asset knowledge management. Allowing teams to monitor and enhance procedures about their knowledge base, asset management, and updates. In addition, the cloud and on-premises versions of the system share the same code, making it simple to transition between settings.

Ivanti bought Cherwell and its Service Management solution in early 2021 to enhance service operations across enterprises, extending beyond IT to HR, Facilities, Information Security, and Project Management.

The purchase solidified Ivanti’s status as the only enterprise service management provider to enable end-to-end service. And asset management from IT to business lines and from every endpoint to the IoT edge.

6. Zendesk Suite

Zendesk is a cloud-based help desk management application that provides customized tools for creating a customer support portal, a knowledge base, and online communities. Its best feature is, without a doubt, the live chat, administered via a centralized panel, to facilitate easier communication between users and their clients.

Zendesk Suite is a popular tool among businesses that provide subscription services. It is an easy-to-use program with maximum functionality, and it places the utmost priority on multi-channel interaction capability. Customers can submit questions to the support desk via phone, email, chat, and social media. All of these communications are stored under a consolidated, unified interface, which facilitates the agent’s ability to respond to inquiries in an organized and timely manner. Agents do not have to go between platforms to view customer questions. And the likelihood of a customer ticket being missed is greatly diminished.

Another good aspect of Zendesk Suite is that your staff is always supported. This technique, as “support for support” by Zendesk, involves providing your team with access to specific information geared to boost their productivity. It’s refreshing to see a program prioritizes the IT team delivering the service, as most technologies are designed to make the end user’s life easier.

Zendesk has also created a modern and engaging interface for your team, devoting as much attention to your experience with the platform as it does to the end user’s experience. In addition, the dashboard is straightforward and requires no extensive training, so your team may begin using it immediately.

7. Jira Service Desk

Jira Service Desk adapts to existing workflows and service agents to give support. It emphasizes minimal touch and includes stock reports, such as created vs. resolved, time to resolution, SLA met vs. breached, and resolution by component. In addition, it supports integration with business intelligence (BI) and Google Analytics analytics technologies.

Jira Service Desk can be used independently or as part of the Atlassian DevOps package, including Jira Software, Bitbucket, Confluence, Opsgenie, and Statuspage. Confluence, for instance, is a collaborative document management and storage application where you may construct a knowledge base of content for your web portal. It is available as a self-managed single server SaaS option or as a self-managed enterprise edition from Atlassian.

As a relatively new platform, it lacks some of the capabilities of its more established rivals. It also requires CMDB and reporting tools from a third party.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Steps to Earn PMP Certification Online from Accredited Institution

The rising complexity and demand for industrial requirements and challenges have led to a human resource crisis that can meet global project requirements. In this relate, PMP certification by PMI is specifically curated considering various standards and research and enables you to cope with real-world industrial challenges.

So, have you decided to get PMP credential? It is indeed a great step in your career. However, it’s a difficult and time-consuming process, yet worth the effort.

Be a part of the global project managers community and gain an edge over the competition in the domain. Here is a step-wise guide to becoming a PMP-certified professional from an accredited service provider.

Steps to Become a Certified PMP Professional

If you are wondering how to take up a PMP certification course from an accredited service provider, we have compiled a few points to start with the process. 

Take a Look at the PMP Handbook 

Having a PMP handbook is a guide to all your questions regarding taking the course and applying for the exam. It comprises all the essential information throughout the process of becoming a certified PMP professional.

Fulfillment of PMP Certification Pre-requisites 

To take up the PMP certification exam from an accredited service provider, the candidate must fulfill the following educational and work experience requirements:

◉ Suppose you possess a high school diploma, an associate degree, or any other global equivalent course. In that case, you must possess 60 months of project management experience and 7500 hours in leading and directing projects.

◉ If you have any 4-year degree or equivalent course certification, you must possess 36 months of project management experience and 4500 hours in leading and directing projects.

◉ In both scenarios mentioned above, candidates must possess 35 contact hours in project management training.

Become a Member of PMI

By getting a PMP membership, you will get varied benefits. The major benefit is that you will get a bigger discount than membership fees. In addition to the discount on the PDF version of the PMBOK guide, you will also get a discount on the PMP examination. However, you also stay updated with PMP prep workshops on becoming a PMI member. 

Moreover, you will get an opportunity to develop a new network and interact with professionals worldwide. This enhances your chances of clearing the exam on the first attempt. 

Sign up for the Exam

It is well known that preparations for any exam work at their best when given a deadline. And the same applies to project management certification as well. 

Start the application process by visiting the PMI portal to register and fill up the application. Then, send the application to PMI for approval. Upon receiving the confirmation number, you can schedule the exam on the prometric website. 

Study PMBOK Guide 

While preparing for the PMP examination, use the PMBOK guide as reference material. Most trainers find nearly 75% of the PMP questions in the PMBOK guide. 

Self-study

PMBOK guide will roughly give an idea about PMP examination questions. In addition, it is advised to use other study materials to make your examination preparation up to the mark. 

Try self-study courses such as PMP PrepCast. It helps you to earn a certificate and collect 35 contact hours, which cannot be earned by reading books.  

Attend the PMP Workshop 

PMP workshops are usually conducted by PMI chapters, global training organizations, and universities. These workshops provide an opportunity to interact with professionals and instructors and get cleared with all your queries regarding the exam. 

Answer Sample Question Papers 

With technological advancement, numerous sample PMP exam papers are available online. And the same can be used to enhance your PMP learning curve. Moreover, it will help you to keep track of your score and make further improvements accordingly. 

Take up the Examination 

After months together of preparing for the exam, now it’s time to appear for the exam. First, go through a few tutorial videos regarding computers and software used for the exam and avoid blunders at later stages.  

Maintain PMP Certification 

Getting a PMP certification online is not the end of your career journey. The certification is valid for 3 years. After that, you must maintain the certification by earning 60 PDUs and fulfilling continuing certification requirements. 

There are numerous ways to gain 60 PDUs, such as engaging in various professional activities or signing up for an online training program from a Registered Education Provider (REP).

Renewal Cost

Once you earn a PMP certification, it’s valid for 3 years and needs to renew after it. You can renew your PMP certification online by paying $150 (non-PMI members) and $60(PMI members).

How Does a PMP Certification Boost Your Career?

A PMP certification will gear up for greater opportunities in your career. For example: If you are leading and managing complex projects, having a PMP certification will surely help you learn to manage and track the project’s progress considering time and resources. 

Here are a few reasons how PMP certification boosts your career:

Increases Your Credibility 

Organizations that seek project managers employ PMP certification as a filtering criterion. Your PMP certification provides an advantage on the job market over non-certified professionals. It demonstrates your honed skill set and practical expertise in handling complicated projects. Planning, monitoring, directing, and executing a project requires a high level of discipline and experience; project managers are expected to assume all responsibility for the project. PMP certification equips professionals specifically for this.

Increased Networking Opportunities 

Become familiar with the world of certified project managers by joining your local PMI branch. In addition, you can learn more about the Project Management sector and network with existing Project Management Professionals(PMP) by attending professional meetings organized by PMI in most major metropolitan areas. These gatherings help you learn about the many job prospects now accessible on the market. 

Validates Your Experience 

Employers place a great value on the qualifications you must meet to sit for the PMP certification exam. Therefore, the applicants must possess a certain degree of education and work experience.

When a recruiter sees a PMP certification on your CV, he understands that you have worked diligently to obtain this certification and have accumulated a large amount of high-quality work experience to demonstrate your skill.

Keep up with the Industry Trends 

Regardless of their business, project managers must be up-to-date on the newest project management trends and always strive to improve themselves. The field of project management evolves every year in terms of tools, strategies, practices, and technologies. Whether incorporating hybrid project management approaches or the rising utilization of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, managers must have a broad understanding of trends.

PMI is a highly qualified authority that rigorously monitors and adapts to swiftly changing industry trends. Modifications are made to the course material depending on trends and need so that a PMP-certified professional will possess all in-demand abilities.

Maintains Influential Relationships 

PMI certification training programs place you in an environment with individuals with similar goals and aims. Professional networking is the most effective technique to advance your job possibilities. Developing and keeping positive relationships with other PMP experts can help you gain access to more possibilities and open doors.

PMI hosts meetings for PMP practitioners to expand their knowledge of project management. There are also times for PMP experts to talk about job openings in their companies. This lets them connect with their peers with the right opportunities. There are also a variety of online and offline forums where PMP practitioners can network and investigate prospects.

Boost Your Marketability

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that PMP certification can advance your career. Recent research indicates that some recruiters separate their candidate pool into two categories: those with and those without PMP certification. Some organizations even favor PMP candidates above master’s degree holders. Aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and finance are industries with a high preference for PMP-certified workers, as these positions require rigorous adherence to predefined protocols for executing critical projects. 

Improved Domain Skills 

Before obtaining certification, a candidate must master all areas of project management, including initiation, implementation, monitoring, and control. PMP training courses are intended to introduce candidates to areas of a project with which they would not otherwise be familiar. 

PMP certification enables you to master the global standard for project management terminology. Candidates are educated to align themselves with project objectives better, anticipate risks, and manage them gracefully.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Project Management and Prince2 Theory

Project management involves planning and organizing a company’s resources to facilitate accomplishing a given work, event, or duty. It may be a one-time project or an ongoing activity, and the managed resources include persons, funds, technology, and intellectual property.

Project management is often connected with engineering, building, and, more recently, healthcare and information technology (IT), which typically includes a complicated set of components that must be completed and assembled in a predetermined manner.

Regardless of the industry, the project manager’s duties are generally the same: to assist define the project’s goals and target and to identify when and by whom the various project components must be accomplished. Additionally, they create quality control tests to guarantee that finished components satisfy a particular standard.

What Does Project Management Entail?

Project management applies information, abilities, and procedures to execute and complete projects. Whether a project is one-time or continuous, it is normally managed by a project manager. Although roles vary by organization and industry, the majority of project managers assist in defining the project’s objectives, identifying its components, and determining the necessary implementation resources.

Different project management styles have been developed to fulfill the specific requirements of distinct sectors or projects. In waterfall project management, each task must be accomplished before moving on to the next. Agile project management entails constant monitoring and enhancement of deliverables. There is also lean project management, which focuses on minimizing time and resource waste.

Check out our article and all you need to know about project management certification for a comprehensive overview of all the project management phases.

Phase 1: Initiation

Before beginning a project, assessing whether it is worthwhile is essential. Thus, the initiating phase comes into play. During the start phase, you will establish the project’s objectives, the challenges it aims to answer, and the desired conclusion. In addition, you will specify how success will be measured and which internal and external stakeholders will be involved. Simply put, the first stage is intended to transform abstract concepts into meaningful objectives.

SMART Goal Framework

You may use the SMART goal structure to define your project’s objectives clearly. The abbreviation SMART stands for the following:

Your objectives should be precise, well-defined, and unmistakable.

M – Measurable: You must establish measurable criteria that allow you to track your progress toward your objectives.

A – Attainable: Your objectives must be reasonable and not difficult to attain.

R – Relevant: Your objectives must be attainable for your firm and its resources.

T — Time-bound: Your objectives should accompany a start and end date.

Phase 2: Planning

Once the project has been accepted, you will need to create an outline or road map for your team to follow to accomplish it. In this phase, you will identify how to achieve the objectives outlined in the commencement phase. In addition, you will anticipate and plan for any challenges and determine the project’s cost, timeline, and scope. Unless you use the Agile project management style, you should anticipate the planning phase to consume over half of the total project duration.

Phase 3: Execution

Now it’s time to implement your plan! Typically, a launch meeting will be held with all stakeholders to explain who is responsible for what and when. Then, execution-phase activities are derived from the project plan. Typically, a project manager will check in with everyone involved, keep them focused on their allocated responsibilities, and ensure that they cooperate with others so that everything runs smoothly and everyone is on the same page.

Phase 4: Project Monitoring and Modification

Monitoring and adjusting a project typically occur concurrently, so they are included in the fourth phase. You can proactively address potential barriers and calculate key performance indicators (KPIs) by closely monitoring tasks. Before implementing any changes, it’s vital to establish how they’ll affect the project and whether it’s better to stick with the original plan or implement the modifications. The primary objective of the monitoring and adjustment phase is to guarantee that the project’s objectives and deliverables are achieved.

Phase 5: Termination

The closure phase occurs after a project has been delivered. It allows your team to evaluate and document the project before moving on to the next one. These may include the submission of a final deliverable, the completion of contractual responsibilities, the termination of applicable agreements, and the release of project resources. There are various reasons for a project’s conclusion, including completion, cancellation, termination, and transfer to a new organization. The necessary documentation to accomplish Project Closure will vary depending on the circumstances.

PRINCE2 Theory

Projects in Controlled Environments, known as PRINCE2, is the most frequently used project management approach globally, with over 150 nations employing it.

However, what is PRINCE2 project management, and why is it so widespread? And most importantly, is this method appropriate for your projects? These are challenging issues to answer without poring over countless publications and imprecise terminology.

The PRINCE2 basic principles

PRINCE2 project management is a process-based methodology that emphasizes structure and control over the entire project, from inception to completion. It entails that projects are meticulously planned before launch, that each phase of the process is properly structured, and that any loose ends are resolved after the project.

1. Projects must have a business rationale.

Each client project must have a defined need, a specific consumer, attainable benefits, and a thorough cost analysis.

2. Teams should gain knowledge from each stage.

At each phase of the PRINCE2 process, lessons are sought, recorded, and used to improve future work. In addition, teams will be able to complete tasks with greater passion and expertise because they will have learned from their errors.

3. Roles and responsibilities are stated precisely.

Every employee should be aware of their responsibilities and those of their teammates. With the application of the PRINCE2 management approach, you would be able to define each team member’s roles and duties to achieve unmatched results.

4. Work is scheduled in stages.

PRINCE2 projects are divided into distinct phases of work, with frequent reviews to document lessons learned and confirm the project is on track to meet its criteria.

5. Boards of directors “manage by exception.”

Board members are often senior executives who lack time to monitor a project’s daily activities. Therefore, they establish the project’s baseline requirements for time, money, risk, and scope and assign daily management to the project manager. If the project is over budget, the project manager can bring it back on track. However, if circumstances affect the stated standards, this is considered an “exception,” and the project board will determine the best course of action.

6. Teams maintain a consistent focus on quality.

Utilizing a quality register, deliverables are regularly compared to specifications. In addition, teams exist to guarantee that deliverables are appropriately measured and match the project’s objectives.

7. The methodology is suited to each project.

The PRINCE2 approach should be tailored to meet the requirements of each client project by adjusting the degree of oversight and planning based on the project’s size, the number of participants, work package delegation, etc.

PRINCE2 Roles & Responsibilities

The PRINCE2 project management technique explicitly defines roles and responsibilities to create a regulated project environment. The following are the primary functions that comprise a PRINCE2 project management team.

1. Project Manager

The project manager is accountable for supervising the project’s planning, execution, monitoring, and closing phases.

◉ Principal Project Manager Responsibilities

◉ Construct a project team and oversee its performance.

◉ Develop a project plan, including a timetable and budget.

◉ Communicate with the project board and with the customers.

◉ Team Manager

Depending on the capacity of your project, you may require a team manager to oversee team members closely and report to the project manager.

2. Customer

A customer, user, or supplier is also participating in the project. However, the individual or entity funding the project will be affected by its outcome.

Principal Customer Responsibilities

Comprehend crucial project management papers such as the project plan, project brief, risk register, and business case.

Provide sufficient funding to satisfy the project’s resource needs.

3. Project Board

A project board comprises customer and business executives, such as a representative of the user side and a representative of the suppliers or specialists involved in the project.

Principal Project Board Responsibilities

The members of the project board are responsible for the process of making high-level decisions.

Regularly communicate with the project manager and approve or reject his initiative.

PRINCE2’s seven-phase method

The PRINCE2 method consists of seven distinct phases:

1. Project Initiating

The requirement for a new project is known as the project mandate. The project mandate is extremely minimal, including simply the necessity of the project and its demanded outcomes.

Every project initiation is evaluated to ensure that the organization can undertake it.

If accepted, the individual who launched the project produces a complete project brief outlining the actions, resources, group, etc. required to carry out the project.

2. Directing an undertaking

The project board examines and assesses project briefs based on business reasons and feasibility for the second round of approval.

The project team determines what it must do to arrange and execute each approved project and what/how it will authorize by the project manager.

3. Initiating project

The project manager develops the Project Initiation confirmation, which includes a thorough project plan and baselines for six performance objectives: time, money, quality, scope, risk, and perk.

The project team is provided with the initiation paperwork for approval. Once the team is satisfied with the project proposal, the company reissues its permission, and work begins.

4. Controlling a stage

The project manager distributes the project into “work packages” and allows them to team managers and members.

Throughout every phase, the project manager monitors the development of work packages and intervenes as necessary to overcome obstacles or remedies.

Team managers correlate daily tasks and serve as the contact between the project manager and individual team members, ensuring that everything goes as it was planned.

5. Managing product delivery

The project manager analyzed progress to the project scope and guaranteed that deliverables met PRINCE2 quality requirements.

The project board examines finished work packages and accepts them or asks for modifications.

6. Managing stage borders

The project manager and project board members examine each phase to ensure that the project proceeds according to plan and meets assurance requirements.

At each review, the project board determines whether to proceed to the next phase or abandon the project entirely.

Project managers conduct a retrospective with the project team to document lessons learned and enhance the subsequent phase.

7. Closing a project

When the project is finished, the manager ties up any loose ends, including PRINCE2 documentation, results, and reporting. PRINCE2 is a highly efficient and better project management system since it allows the project board and manager to track the project’s success at every level.

Source: invensislearning.com

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