Agile vs Scrum vs Waterfall vs Kanban

All four methodologies are used for software development and project management. While the difference between Agile and Waterfall is made very clear, there are still quite a few doubts when it comes to the differences between Agile, Scrum, and Kanban. Read the article to find out what each methodology is and what they are unique for.

What is Agile?

Agile is an approach to software development that uses an iterative and incremental approach to assist in project completion. The Agile methodology is a flexible way of solving problems in any development process because it is open to evolving environments. It uses feedback from users to improve its product over time and prioritizes based on what adds the most value to the customer. 

The leaders are focused on creating an environment and a team that works together and has a sense of ownership and believes in face-to-face communication. The main focus is to create a product that meets all customer needs as well as the business goals of a company. The Agile Manifesto was created in 2001 to give other software developers and their teams a guideline on ways they could improve their software development process.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is possibly the most widely used subset of Agile because the success rate is quite high. 63% of projects that used the Scrum method were completed on time and were successful. The Scrum process is made of fixed-length iterations known as sprints that go on for about two to three weeks on average. After each sprint, all stakeholders and team members meet to plan their next sprint and continue to do so till the project is complete.

What is Waterfall?

The Waterfall method is considered to be the traditional way of completing projects. It is widely used and follows a linear process through the development cycle. It works on creating a hierarchy or levels of stages that need to be completed in order to finish the project. It is a rigid method of project completion that often leads to delays and failures. It does not leave room for any changes and if the team members want to go back one step, they will have to start from the top.

What is Kanban?

Kanban is another widely used subset of Agile. The main focus of this framework is that it creates a visual representation of what the development teams need to produce when to do it and its quantity. Kanban is focused on making small changes to the current system that will help improve it. Kanban can work alongside existing workflows as well. 

The Kanban method was created in the 1940s when the Toyota Production System decided to follow the same approach as a supermarket did when it came to inventory – they did not put too many of the same items in one go, and replaced them only when it was empty, and so on. It creates a visual representation of the bandwidth, time, and space it takes for each project and different ways to improve its workflow.

Agile vs. Waterfall vs. Kanban vs. Scrum

There are a lot of similarities and differences with each methodology but they all have the same main goal, which is to complete projects. The best way to understand the differences between the four methods in a project would be to understand what is unique about each one.

What is it That Makes Agile Unique?

As discussed above, Agile focuses on taking a more collaborative and self-organizing approach to software development and project management. It is a widely accepted methodology that has various subsets including Scrum and Kanban. It doesn’t come with proper techniques for implementation, just some guiding principles. 

What makes Agile unique is that it is adaptive to change and focuses on team members working simultaneously by breaking the project down into smaller and iterative periods. Agile teams work incrementally so that team members can easily adjust their processes depending on the change in requirements. 

What is it That Makes Scrum Unique?

Scrum is a subset of Agile, which means the guiding principles for project completion and software development remain the same. The Scrum method is typically used to complete projects that require a lot of changes made in a very short amount of time. The sprints or iterations in Scrum last no more than 3 weeks at most. Scrum teams plan and create a backlog before starting a sprint and complete it during the sprint. Then they review their work, create another plan, and start the process again. 

Since the Scrum process is fast-paced, team members hold daily meetings to discuss their progress and issues with the project to help them solve problems as soon as they arise. A Scrum team has a Scrum Master to help facilitate the sprint instead of managing it so that all roadblocks can be removed easily and the sprint can go on without any hindrances.

What is it That Makes Waterfall Unique?

Here, projects are split into linear stages that follow a sequence. Only after Step 1 is complete and reviewed can the development team start working on Step 2. The unique traits of the Waterfall method are that it works with terminal phases because it started as a part of construction and manufacturing. It is distinctly phased out so there is no lack of focus during each stage of development. 

Another unique trait of the Waterfall method is that all project requirements are made extremely clear before the beginning of the project. If a team wants to go back even by one step, they’ll have to start all over again. This makes all documentation of requirements very thorough and accessible through every step of the project completion process.

What is it That Makes Kanban Unique?

Since Kanban is a subset of Agile, the main principles remain the same. The focus of the Kanban framework is to create a balanced work environment and improve coordination among team members. What makes Kanban unique is that its ‘Kanban Board’ helps in visualizing how the team works by splitting the total project into tasks that are completed, tasks that need to be completed, and tasks that are in progress. Each task is recorded and keeps shifting based on the progress it has made. 

Another aspect of the Kanban method is that it limits the workflow so that the team members do not get overwhelmed. There are only a certain amount of tasks in progress at any given time, depending on the number of members in the team. Kanban does not necessarily need to have a process of its own, it can work along with existing processes by helping continuously improve their processes with regular meetings based on the Kanban board.

Final Thoughts

Even though all four of the methodologies are focused on achieving the same goal, they take different approaches to getting it done. To understand which methodology works best for your company and how to properly implement it in your teams so that you can gain the most out of it, there are various industry-recognized Agile Certification Courses that will help you along the way.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Which Are the Highest Paying Management Jobs in the USA?

Do you want to move up in your profession and get a management job that pays well? Good news! If you have the proper training and education, you can work your way up to the top jobs in management. If you want to advance in your management career, you can choose from several high-paying jobs. When you understand your possibilities, it can be easier to pick which stance to pursue. To assist you, we have curated a list of the highest-paid management jobs in the USA, including their primary duties and average salaries. 

Let us understand the highest-paying management jobs booming in the USA.

Which Are the Highest Paying Management Jobs in the USA?

In the United States of America, more than 7.28 million people work as managers. If you are a strong team leader who enjoys overseeing large projects and making tough decisions, you will be well suited for a management role. Furthermore, management jobs are often financially rewarding. So, look at the following top ten highest-paying manager jobs in the USA, which are playing significant roles:

1. Chief Executive Officer

In the United States, there is a very high demand for CEOs. CEOs, also called executive directors, managing directors, or presidents, run a company or organization as a whole. From 2021 to 2031, the number of jobs for top executives is expected to grow by 6%, which is about as fast as the average for all jobs. Over the next ten years, there will be an average of 318,100 openings for top executives each year. Chief Executive Officers in the USA make an average salary of $109, 906 per year.

Here are the things that the CEO is in charge of:

◉ Set up and carry out the goals, policies, and procedures of a department or organization

◉ Manage and keep an eye on an organization’s finances and budget

◉ Evaluate financial statements, sales reports, and other performance indicators

◉ Manage the general things that have to do with making products and giving services

◉ Converse with other executives, staff, and board members about how things are running in general

2. Sales Manager

Sales is a core component of the American economy, employing a substantial chunk of the working population in the United States. As a result, being a sales manager is a viable career path in management. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, sales manager employment is expected to grow 5% between 2021 and 2031. If you enjoy the challenge of selling and the opportunity to inspire others, a career as a sales manager will allow you to earn a six-figure salary while utilizing your natural salesperson personality. A Sales Manager’s annual salary is approximately $76,204.

The sales manager is responsible for the following tasks:

◉ Increase the number of customers by using direct sales techniques, cold calls, and business-to-business marketing visits

◉ Sales figures are projected and analyzed to determine the profitability of products and services

◉ Address and resolve customer complaints

◉ Monitor consumer preferences to inform sales and marketing strategies

◉ Manage the finances of the sales team, including budgeting and expense approval

3. Financial Manager

The job perspective for financial managers is good. From 2021 to 2031, the demand for these jobs is expected to grow by 17%, which is higher than the average for most professions. In addition, financial managers work in many places, like banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. The average salary of a financial manager in the United States is $101,862 per year.

Financial manager typically do the following:

◉ Make financial statements, reports on business activity, and projections

◉ Monitor financial data to ensure that legal requirements are met

◉ Analyze market trends to make the most money and find ways to grow

◉ Supervise the people who do budgeting and financial reporting

◉ Review the financial reports of the company and look for ways to cut costs

4. Tax Manager

According to global outplacement, the position of “tax manager” is one of the hottest jobs in the United States. Tax managers work for organizations to handle tax reporting, ensure compliance with tax laws, and assist with public stock offerings and mergers. According to research, over 18,522 tax managers are currently working in the United States. Tax managers earn an annual salary of $100,403 on average.

A tax manager responsibilities are as follows:

◉ Accurately preparing and timely filing federal and state tax returns

◉ Following changes in tax legislation

◉ Creating tax strategies to help clients stay tax-compliant

◉ Identifying and developing tax solutions

◉ Responses and schedules are being completed in preparation for income tax audits

5. Architectural and Engineering Manager

Engineering and architecture projects require a significant amount of effort. As a result, architectural and engineering managers are in high demand. Architectural and engineering managers’ employment is expected to grow by 6% between 2016 and 2026. Moreover, the expansion of employment will largely reflect the expansion of the industries in which these managers work. Architectural and engineering managers earn an annual salary of $124,804 on average.

Architectural and engineering managers typically perform the following tasks:

◉ Create detailed plans for the creation of new products and designs

◉ Determine the staff, training, and equipment requirements

◉ Propose budgets for projects and programs

◉ In charge of research and development projects that result in new products, processes, or designs

◉ Examine the technical accuracy of their employee’s work

6. Medical Manager

Working in health care can be extremely rewarding in a variety of ways. Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare providers’ business activities. According to Policy Advice, by 2023, “the nation’s health spending will total $4.3 trillion.” On a global level, the US is one of the countries that spend the most money on health care. On average, 56,600 openings for medical and health services managers are expected each year over the next decade. As a result, we can anticipate future career growth for medical managers. The average salary of a medical manager is $102,059 per year.

Typical roles and responsibilities of a medical manager are:

◉ Taking care of how a clinic, office, or hospital department works day-to-day

◉ Training both new and current workers on new rules, policies, and procedures

◉ Attending board meetings regularly

◉ Making sure that patients and their families in different units get good care

◉ Making sure that nursing units and departments follow legal policies and laws and are up to date on them

7. Computer and Information Systems Manager

If you want to work in technology, becoming a computer and information systems manager is a perfect way to make money while doing something you enjoy. Because it is an excellent position that will allow you to play a critical role in directing all organizational computer-related activities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, managers of computer and information systems make very good money. Computer and information systems managers earn $97,797 per year.

Here are the top responsibilities performed by computer and information systems manager:

◉ Reviewing the organization’s computing needs and consulting with end-users and key stakeholders to determine computing plans

◉ Managing all computer-related personnel, such as programmers, support specialists, analysts, and others

◉ Managing cybersecurity protocols, backup procedures, and other data integrity and security processes

◉ Budgeting for information technology, scheduling computer and system upgrades, and managing network access for all users are all responsibilities

◉ Investigating new technologies to ensure that the organization is current on technological innovations

8. Compensation and Benefits Managers 

Compensation and Benefits Managers play a critical role in attracting and retaining the talent that keeps a company running. There are currently 6,472 compensation and benefits managers working in the United States. Because compensation and benefits manager positions typically pay well, competition for jobs will be fierce. They earn an average annual salary of $94,712 per year.

A compensation and benefits manager’s responsibilities include the following:

◉ Assessing and changing existing compensation and benefits programs, policies, and procedures

◉ Creating and putting in place new compensation and benefits programs, policies, and procedures

◉ Ensuring that all programs, policies, and procedures are following current legislation

◉ Negotiating benefit plans and resolving benefit-related issues with third-party services

◉ Helping the HR team with recruitment and talent management

9. Project Manager

Project managers and project management skills are in high demand. They can be found in nearly every industry and business. They are critical in assisting the companies they work for to achieve business objectives and strategic goals. Emsi Burning Glass predicts that project manager jobs will grow by 2.3% over the next ten years. A project manager’s annual salary in the United States is $83,690.

The core responsibilities of a project manager are as follows:

◉ Planning everything from execution to delivery

◉ Guiding the team to achieve a common goal

◉ Managing the resource of time

◉ Monitoring progress and tracking roadblocks

◉ Managing the deployment deliverables

◉ Managing documentation and reports

◉ Coordinating with the clients

Obtaining a PMP certification provides professionals with excellent career opportunities. Furthermore, it enhances your project management skills and demonstrates your ability to manage difficult projects.

10. Construction Manager 

Construction Manager jobs are in high demand as the demand for new construction, rehabilitation, and renovation projects grow. It is a position in charge of supervising and managing construction projects. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction manager employment is expected to grow by 10% from 2018 to 2028, with approximately 46,200 new jobs available. This is 5% more than the overall average for all occupations.

Construction Manager duties include the following:

◉ Supervising and directing construction projects from start to finish

◉ In-depth review of the project to schedule deliverables and estimate costs

◉ Monitoring compliance with building and safety regulations by supervising all onsite and offsite constructions

Source: invensislearning.com

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How Do Project Managers Use Meeting Management Techniques

Business Organizations comprise many teams working on different projects. Projects are simply said to be tasks to be completed within a stipulated time. While working on a project, it is important to deal with information exchange and communication. Project team meetings help improve communication and collaboration among team members. The way the team meetings are handled should be effective so that every team member will have access to express their thoughts. In addition, it helps in communicating suggestions and feedback. The PMP certification is the world’s leading project management certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP Course guarantees extensive preparation where a candidate masters the practical application of project management processes. This Invensis blog on “How do Project Managers Use Meeting Management Techniques?” will explain techniques to follow in your project management meeting.

What is a Project Meeting?

A project meeting is an activity of delivering the information to the various team members and stakeholders involved. These meetings take place at a specific time and with no prior planning. A project meeting is the form of communication between the team members, managers, clients, and other stakeholders to share their thoughts, suggestions, and feedback. While working on a project, meetings will be there frequently and regularly in a week or a month. There will be several meetings available before starting the project and while working on the project. The project meeting covers various topics, including the project’s scope, timetable, expenses, challenges, benefits, and progress.

The main goal of the project meeting is to improve the communication between the team members and discuss the goals of the project along with the current progress. The meetings help identify any challenges involved and rectify them with the right solution. Project Managers will be responsible person for conducting meetings. Project meetings will be either informed earlier or planned suddenly. The duration of the meeting, plan, and members in the meeting is announced before the meeting. In recent times, most meetings are online with the help of audio and video conferencing modes. But, the aim or focus of the project meeting will be the same.

Now, it is time to understand the importance of managing the meetings.

Importance of Meeting Management

Whether a virtual meeting or a physical meeting, effective techniques help complete them. A meeting is important to deliver information and communicate among the team. So, it is essential to manage the meetings to produce effective outcomes from the meeting. Several types of meetings are available where the techniques used should be appropriate. Failed meetings don’t produce any result and will cost time and effort. The team members collaborate during the meeting, and the knowledge sharing focus in team meetings. But most of the team meetings failed to meet the expected results. Thus, project managers should manage meetings, and hence, meeting management skills are essential for them. Following are a set of techniques for effectively managing the team meetings.

Moving on, we will discuss how Project Managers Use Meeting Management Techniques.

Meeting Management Techniques

A project manager will be the facilitator of the meeting. Hence, the project manager should be capable of managing the meetings with essential techniques. The following techniques help in effectively managing the meeting.

Developing the Objectives of the Meeting

Objectives of the meeting are the most essential. The purpose of the meeting planner is known with the help of the objectives of this meeting. The objectives of the project include crisp sentences regarding the meeting and expected outcomes. Finally, the meeting objectives deliver along with the meeting agenda to understand the meeting.

Developing Meeting Agenda

One of the most important meetings management techniques is the meeting agenda. It is a short description that explains about the happening in the meeting. The plan helps maintain the flow of the project meeting to achieve the outcomes. It also helps discuss only the required information and complete the meeting in the right duration.

Send the Agenda and Objectives Before the Meeting

The schedule and the created objectives are accessible to the team in advance. It would help them in preparing for the meeting. Without the plan and objectives, they will not know anything about the meeting. Therefore, the people should collect suggestions in advance of the meeting. If the suggestion is acceptable, then the plan will modify.

Invite Only the Crucial People

The project meetings are crucial, and hence only the right people are present to attend the meeting. Therefore, people active in meeting the project meeting objectives are only present. If the person in charge is unavailable, the delegation should be given to someone capable of filling the gap. People are present via mail and should get confirmation of attendance.

Schedule the Meeting Environment Effectively

There are several modes of meetings like physical meetings, video conferencing, and audio conferencing. A suitable mode of communication is chosen and notified to the team members involved in the meeting. The meeting’s location, time, and duration are also communicated to the team. 

Keep Time-Bounded

Not everyone is only based on meetings. People will have different other tasks following. Thus, meetings should start and complete on time. The duration of the meeting plan should not exceed. The meeting agenda and objectives will be highly helpful in complying with the time duration of completion. The delay of the meetings avoids by following the plan.

Assigning Roles for Meeting

The meeting should be interactive. To achieve this, each and everyone involved should communicate in the meeting. The roles are assigned to the people to focus on the meeting. The focus will be on the meeting without diverging, and hence the meeting will be productive. The interaction between the team members registers with such roles assigned to the meeting.

Ask for Suggestions and Feedback

The team members’ suggestions and feedback are taken at the end of the meeting. People’s opinions will always help improve the project. The collected suggestions and feedback are reviewed and discussed in person or at the next meeting. If time persists, the feedback review at the meeting end to get comments from other meeting members.

Take Notes During the Discussion

The meeting not only focuses on discussing but also to progress in the project. Therefore, every member of the meeting must take notes discussed during the meeting. It would help understand the points discussed in the meeting and implement them in the projects. The notes may be in digital form or hard copy. 

Conclude and Wrap the Meeting with a Documentation

After the completion of the meeting, the meeting should conclude effectively. All the points discussed in the meeting should wrap during the end and documented. The documents should communicate to all the people who attended the meeting. A copy store for future reference.

Now, we have a clear idea of How Do Project Managers Use Meeting Management Techniques? in an effective manner. It is time to conclude the discussion.

Source: invensislearning.com

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PSPO Study Guide: The Best Plan to Crack PSPO Exam

Quality is at the heart of Scrum’s approach to delivering successful business outcomes. Businesses are seeking professionals to ensure high-quality results. Companies validate a professional’s experience through certifications. Passing the PSPO test requires enrolling in Scrum Training for conceptual clarity. It will help you grasp the fundamentals of PSPO and study fast and smart.

Professional Scrum Product Owner: A Quick Overview

Earning Professional Scrum Product Owner certification validates your understanding of Scrum and the Product Owner’s responsibilities. Additionally, with PSPO certification, you will receive a salary hike and other benefits. PSPO certification training helps you master all the required concepts. Compared with other certifications, PSPO is more useful. PSPO assessment material stays updated, matching current trends to remain relevant and useful.

Do you think it’s worthwhile to pay for PSPO certification?

This is an excellent alternative if you’re a business analyst. Especially for those who want to begin working on Scrum projects but don’t want to take the PSM exam. It’s a reputable certification, and its inexpensive cost makes it an excellent deal.

Read More: 

Scrum.org Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO I)

Scrum.org Professional Scrum Product Owner I (PSPO II)

For the PSPO exam, I recommend that you prepare for and pass the PSM I exam, which covers around 75% of the questions. The PSM exam is just as easy to pass as the PSPO exam.

Best PSPO Certification Preparation Resources

Is There a PSPO I Exam Guide? If so, how do I begin?

Becoming an expert scrum product owner requires planning and preparation. If you want to do well on the test, follow this path. The following are the steps that will assist you:

◉ Using the Scrum exam syllabus, plan the time you have until the exam to create a study plan.

◉ The PSPO study guide contains all the information you need to know about Scrum.

◉ It is well-known that Scrum exams ask questions based on hypothetical situations. Therefore, attempt to relate each topic to a business problem when learning. As a bonus, this will help you learn more about the topic and better answer the question.

◉ A greater grasp of each topic can only be gained if all the exercises are completed.

◉ Using example questions to answer exam-oriented PSPO tasks is a great help. On the internet, they’re a breeze to get off the ground.

◉ Sign up for PSPO practice exams of the highest quality. Questions are of a high standard and similar to the real exam. It will give you the impression that you are taking a genuine exam.

◉ At the end of each practice test, identify the areas you need to improve to ace the exam. Then, for each subject, go to the PSPO study guide.

◉ Repeatedly take the PSPO first-time practice exams to improve your score.

◉ Attempting the PSPO practice test is an opportunity to learn something new each time. Therefore, improve your score as often as possible. Your exam results will improve as a result.

◉ Scrum simulator, an online practice exam, is part of our curriculum. These tests outperform online holding sheets by a wide margin.

PSPO Study Aids and Other Resources

Many online and offline tools help you prepare for Scrum.org’s PSPO certification. To assist you with your test preparation, here are a few helpful links:

Self-study:

Check Scrum.org’s official website for all the resources you need to prepare for the exam. This website has sample questions and practice tests very close to the real exam. Our practice exams are based on real-world scenarios. Therefore, a candidate can prepare for the real exam by taking these practice tests.

PSM Certification

It’s strongly recommended to earn before PSPO certification. Preparation for PSM certification is difficult compared to PSPO as several topics overlap.

The following are the main PSPO certification topics:

a) Product Scrum Master (PSM) preparation is sufficient for agile product management. Also, think about how a product owner may see the lifespan of a product in an agile setting. Learn about the Business Model Canvas and the Value Proposition if you have the time. You must understand how a product owner establishes client categories, critical tasks, and many more.

b) To improve the product’s value, put yourself in the shoes of a Product Owner, and imagine how you would do it. To evaluate the ROI of your product, you must identify and measure critical metrics.

c) PSM training is adequate for Scrum Theory and Empiricism. To a large extent, Product Backlog Management (PBM) preparation would address this topic. Study user stories, acceptance criteria, and other methods of the estimate, such as planning poker, while you’re at it.

d) Release Management: This topic focuses on the methods a Product Owner might use to release a product. The “Scrum Crazy New Product Owner” blog provides excellent coverage of this subject. In addition, learn about velocity, the cone of uncertainty, customer absorption, and more.

Scrum.org offers free open examinations that evaluate your fundamental grasp of the terms “scrum master” and “product owner.” Make as many attempts as possible.

An individual should exhibit the following five characteristics of a Product Owner:

Courage: The Product Owner should help the scrum team members to have the courage to work on difficult problems and to do the right thing.

Focus: Product Owners are responsible for ensuring that the Scrum team stays focused on Sprint’s work and the team’s overall goals.

Commitment: They must create an atmosphere where the Scrum team members commit to achieving the team’s goals.

Respect: Scrum team members should treat each other with courtesy and consideration.

Openness: Scrum team members and stakeholders should be transparent about their work and its issues.

PSPO Exam tips

Here are some suggestions for passing the PSPO certification exam:

1. Ensure that you devote equal weight to all topic areas, as questions will be asked from each. Nevertheless, the weighting changes roughly, as shown below. Please note that they are based on the responses of numerous PSPO participants:

Agile Product Management: 20 percent

Value Driven Development: 20 percent

Scrum Theory and Experimental Evidence: 15%

Scrum Architecture: 15 percent

15 percent Product Backlog Management

Release Administration: 10 percent

5% of the Open Assessment at Scrum.org is comprised of other items.

2. Ensure that you are attentive and focused during the exam. Also, take the examination at a time that is most convenient for you. For example, move to a quiet location where you won’t be disturbed while taking the examination.

3. Read each question carefully before responding. They may attempt to deceive you by asking you questions that use the words “never,” “always,” “not,” or “which of the following cannot be available?” 

Therefore, pay close attention to the keywords of the question.

4. The exam also has multiple-choice questions. Therefore, ensure you’ve read all options before answering.

5. Pay close attention to questions about certain topic areas.

PSPO Exam Structure

There are eighty multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true-false questions in all. Which comprise the Professional Scrum Product Owner examination

◉ Passing score: 85 percent

◉ Time limit: 60 minutes

◉ English is the only language accessible.

◉ To pass the examination, you need (technically) merely an internet connection (and of course, you have to pay for the exam 200 USD)

Why PSPO Certification?

Scrum is an innovative framework for introducing agility to product development. Due to its strong capabilities, many industries use Scrum, especially software development. A Product Owner is central to a Scrum team that aims to maximize a product’s value and optimize developers’ work. A product’s success is less if the product owner fails to fulfill one’s task. Therefore, there is a growing demand for product owners and those who design the product to comprehend the original form of Product Ownership in its entirety and benchmark their knowledge. Scrum.org’s PSPO certification is the best certification available for Scrum Product Owners. In addition, the advantages of this certificate are listed below. Here is a listing:

1. The PSPO examination requires an extensive understanding of the original version of Scrum. Therefore, has a stringent passing rule of 85 %. To score such high marks, one must be an expert in Scrum. Thus, this certification is more valuable than other certifications in the market.

2. PSPO does not mandate any specific training courses.

3. After obtaining the certificate, there is no need to renew. It is a lifetime certificate.

4. Once you pass the exam, your name is on the PSPO list on Scrum.org’s website. Whenever one wants, one can verify your qualifications.

5. The evaluation requires no prerequisite requirements.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Why Do Quality Planning Essential in Project Management?

When working on a project, time, budget, and quality are the three important factors to consider. All three of these factors are important in the project as they are related to one another. To succeed in a project, time, cost, and quality achieve as per the customers’ requirements. But, even if you deliver at the right time and with the allocated budget, quality is more important than those. This Invensis blog on “Why Do Quality Planning Essential in Project Management?” will give a detailed explanation of the importance of Quality Planning in Project Management for a successful project. Moreover, if you opt to futureproof your career, LLSYB will be your perfect choice. The Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification is the entry-level certification credential that showcases a professional’s ability to successfully apply the fundamentals of six sigma methodology in an organization.

If the project’s quality declines, it will fail. The time and budget of the project are only approximate as it may increase or decrease depending on the requirements and other project circumstances. The most important aspect verified by the customer will be the quality of the developed product. There will be several challenges while attaining the project quality, but it is an essential requirement in the project. 

What is Quality Planning?

The term ‘Quality Planning‘ is defined as the methodology where the information available in the project is discussed at the ignition stages to deal with the customer requirements on quality. Quality planning is highly important for dealing with defects that may arise in the projects. It is the process that occurs during the planning stage of the project. The quality measure is also made at the initial stages during the quality planning to avoid any consequences at the final closure stage. Hence, the critical factors involved in the successful completion of the project are discussed in this stage.

The delivery of the project should be of high quality, and hence the quality planning helps in focusing on the requirements. The specifications or the required features are analyzed, and necessary steps are taken. Moreover, the quality plan comprises objectives, processes, roles & responsibilities, applied standards, and metrics to measure quality. At present, quality planning is developed with the help of project management software of any type available in the market.

Importance of Quality Planning

Quality is the factor that will decide the project’s success and failure. The project’s quality mostly fulfills customer expectations rather than time and budget. The time and budget have tolerance for certain limits since they could not predict before the project’s start. But, expecting a high-quality project is most common, and hence, quality is highly important while working with the projects. Project Quality Planning is a process that takes place during the project’s planning. The standards and the metrics for the project sets at the earlier stages of the project. The standard is said to be the quality of the project, and it will be set by the project manager to manage during the project.

The quality planning at the planning phase will directly or indirectly impact the other plans like time scheduling, budget planning, resource planning, etc. Therefore, the ultimate deliverables and quality of the project identify using the quality planning done during the planning stage. In addition, quality planning reduces the hazards during the project development process.

Benefits of Quality Planning in Projects

Numerous benefits are possible from quality planning. Attaining the best quality will benefit both the customer and the stakeholder sides. The reason for this is that everyone and everywhere expects quality. In addition, the benefits of quality planning are the increase in the quality of the product and the increase in satisfaction of the customers. The following are some of the other benefits that are from quality planning.

Increase in Productivity

Once the product quality increases, the production rate also increases. The productivity increase helps in improved sales and revenue for the organization.

Better Customer Satisfaction

Quality, the first essential factor, should meet when coming to customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is important for making the project a successful one.

Rework is Minimal

The change to deal with quality and other factors is less since quality arranging aids focus on the item quality. It also helps in proper planning of time and the budget.

Reducing the Cost Spent on the Project

As the task progresses, the expense spent on it decreases, as does the legitimate expense and time plan. Therefore, the allocated budget will be enough to complete the project.

Increase in Standards

The standard of the product will increase in the market, which will help increase the brand and business reputation. Therefore, high-quality products will always have demand in the market.

How to Create a Quality Plan?

To create a project quality plan, you need to collect complete information about the project. After collecting all the necessary data, the various stakeholders and customers of the project will take adequate performance measures. The quality of the project is specific to the project, and hence the quality and its level is verified well before starting the project. Therefore, it helps in reducing the confusion developed during the project’s progress.

The project’s gap analysis is a technique for determining the existing and ideal states. The gaps or challenges available to reach the quality or standard identify with the gap analysis. The roles and responsibilities of the team members in focusing on the project quality measures so that they will be accountable for their tasks. In addition, the specific goals made for every project member to run towards the quality of the project. Finally, customers and stakeholders obtain and develop the acceptance criteria. It will help create the measure of quality in the project.

Role of Project Manager in Quality Planning

As discussed earlier, the person who is highly responsible for project quality is the project manager. The project manager can control every stage and the members involved to improve the project quality. The problems of achieving project quality identify early and overcome with effective planning. In addition, the project manager performs the execution of the project plan. Above all, the use of available techniques and technologies to manage the quality in every stage of the project is the project manager’s primary role.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Top 5 Online Certifications for a Career Growth

If you’re fortunate enough to find a fulfilling career you enjoy, online certifications are a great way to keep moving up the “ladder.”

Keeping up with the latest skills is critical for career growth in today’s fast-paced world. Not only that but as the business world has changed, so has the demand for skilled workers. As a result, companies prioritize candidates who have completed certificate courses in a specific field. So, if you are trying for a job, the listing of certifications earned by you on your resume looks great and gets you noticed by recruiters. As a result of COVID-19, many professionals now work from home. Therefore, we’ve made a list of certifications you can get online without going to a test center.

Why to Take Certifications?

Certifications are credentials earned by individuals to validate their legitimacy and competence to perform a job. Your certification is usually displayed as a document stating that you have been trained, educated, and prepared to meet specific requirements for your professional role. A recognized third-party accrediting institution will issue this affirmation after passing relevant assessments.

Securing professional certification shows your dedication to your profession and confirms that you are well-trained to use your industry’s tools effectively. Furthermore, putting in the time and effort to obtain these certifications can demonstrate to potential employers that you are a valuable asset to their business or organization and can help you gain recognition for your dedication to continuous learning and self-improvement. The following are benefits to keep in mind if you consider pursuing a professional online certifications:

◉ Competitive Advantage

◉ Efficiency

◉ Earning Prospects

◉ Increase your knowledge and skills

◉ Professional Reputation

Online Certifications to Help You Advance Your Career

If you are looking for some excellent online certification courses, here is the list of top 5 online courses with certificates to forward your career growth.

1. Project Management Certifications

2. Data Science Certifications

3. DevOps Certifications

4. Cloud Computing Certifications

5. Business Analytics Certifications

Let’s look at each certification in detail.

1. Project Management Certifications

A project management certification is a designation provided by Project Management Institute (PMI), which can help you advance your career as it reflects your education, skill, and persistence level. As per Project Management Institute (PMI), the project management-oriented careers in seven sectors are expected to grow by 33%, or nearly 22 million jobs, by 2027.

Project Management Skills	Job Roles
Effective Communication Scheduling and Time Management Negotiation Leadership Qualities Technical Expertise Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Risk Management	Associate Project Managers Project Managers IT Project Managers Project Coordinators Project Leaders Product Managers Project Analysts Program Managers Project Sponsors Project Team Members

Reason to Opt for Project Management Certification Courses for Career Growth

◉ Excellent career opportunities

◉ Pay and potential for advancement

◉ Global Recognition

◉ Enhance the workplace culture

◉ Workplace flexibility and people-centeredness

◉ Improve your problem-solving abilities

Top Project Management Certification Courses

◉ PMP Certification

◉ Project Management Fundamentals Certification

◉ CAPM Exam Prep Certification

◉ Change Management Foundation and Practitioner Certification

◉ PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner Certification (6th Edition) Certification

◉ Business Analysis Foundation and Practitioner Certification

Salary For PMP Certified Professional

Source: Indeed

Top Paying Companies For Project Management

2. Data Science Certifications

A data science certificate can help you develop the technical knowledge and applied skills you need to get hired if you’re ready to start a career in data science. It will also evaluate your skills in the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers, providing evidence of the value you’ll bring to a data science team. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 27.9% growth in data science occupations through 2026.

Data Science Skills	Job Roles
Data Visualization Data Wrangling Programming Language (R, java, python, SQL, Scala) Database (MongoDB, MySQL) Deep Learning with Natural Language Processing Machine Learning with AI Mathematics Tableau, MS Excel and PowerBI	Data Scientist Data Architect Machine Learning Engineer Statistician Data Engineers Data and Analytics Manager Database Administrator Data Analyst Business Analyst

Reason to Opt for Data Science Certification Courses for Career Growth

◉ Makes you learn to apply theoretical concepts to business problems

◉ Keeps you updated on the latest industry trends

◉ Increases the chances of getting the highest paid jobs

◉ Easily showcase your expertise

◉ Provides a mark of credibility to the candidate

Top Data Science Certification Courses

◉ IBM Professional Certificate in Data Engineering Fundamentals

◉ Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

◉ HarvardX’s Data Science Professional Certificate

◉ Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

◉ Advanced Statistics for Data Science Specialization

◉ Advanced Certification in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

◉ IIT Roorkee Post Graduate Certificate Program in Data Science & Machine Learning

◉ Post Graduate Program in Data Science

◉ Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science

Salary For Data Science Certified Professional

Source: Indeed

Top Paying Companies For Data Science

3. DevOps Certifications

Getting the right DevOps certification can assist you in building expertise, gaining recognition, and advancing your career. Top leading job search portals like indeed.com have seen a 75% rise in listings of DevOps jobs, and social media portals like LinkedIn have recorded a 50% increase in the mention of DevOps as a skill.

DevOps Skills	Job Roles
Understanding of Relevant Tools Communication and Collaboration Security Skills Automation Skills Coding and Scripting Languages (Python, Ruby, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Bash, Shell, and Node.js) Cloud Skills Testing Skills Continuous Integration And Continuous Delivery Soft Skills and Noble Thought	DevOps Engineers Integration Specialists Operations Managers System Administrators Network Administrators Project Managers Business Managers Automation Architects Application Developer / Software Programmer Software Tester / QA Business (Requirements) Analyst

Reason to Opt for DevOps Certification Courses for Career Growth

◉ Better handling of development and operational activities

◉ Enhancement in skills

◉ Contributing effectively to software development and organization as a whole

◉ Better productivity

◉ Provides fat paycheck

◉ Good career opportunities

Top DevOps Certification Courses

◉ DevOps Foundation Certification

◉ DevOps Professional Certification

◉ Continuous Delivery Architecture Certification

◉ DevOps Master Certification

Salary For DevOps Certified Professional

Source: Indeed

Top Paying Companies For DevOps

4. Cloud Computing Certifications

Cloud computing is now a valuable key skill. Almost any cloud certification can propel your career forward. According to Gartner, 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms by 2025, up from 30% in 2021. As a result, top cloud certifications can lead to new opportunities, better employers, and higher professional pay.

Cloud Computing Skills	Job Roles
Cloud Security Machine Learning and AI Cloud Deployment and Migration Across Multiple Platforms Database Skills Cloud Service Providers: Networking, Programming Skills Web Services & APIs Information Security: DevOps	Cloud Engineer Back End Developer Front End Developer Data Engineer Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer Full-Stack Developer Cloud Architect Software Engineer System Engineer Cloud Security Analyst

Reason to Opt for Cloud Computing Certification Courses for Career Growth

◉ Showcase your expertise in a particular skill

◉ Distinguishes your resume

◉ Increases the earning potential

◉ Demonstrates your commitment to work

◉ Enhances job opportunities

◉ Highlights potential and credibility

Top Cloud Computing Certifications

◉ AWS Certified SysOps Administrator

◉ AWS Certified Developer – Associate

◉ Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

◉ AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

◉ Google Certified Professional Data Engineer

◉ CompTIA Cloud+ Certification 

◉ Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

◉ Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

◉ Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

◉ Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Salary For Cloud Computing Certified Professional

Source: Indeed

Top Paying Companies For Cloud Computing

5. Business Analytics Certifications

With more data being created in the 21st century, more business people are needed to collect and analyze this data. Getting a certification in business analytics shows that you know how to look at data to find patterns, trends, and opportunities for business decisions and plans. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that business analyst jobs will grow by about 14% over the next ten years, almost twice as fast as the average for all jobs.

Business Analytics Skills	Job Roles
Statistics and probability Data Retrieval Effective Communication Statistical Tools Statistical Programming Problem Solving Ability Visualization Negotiation skills Structured/Critical Thinking	Business Analysts Project Managers Product Owners Requirement Engineers Business Change Managers Business Managers and members of their team Anybody interested in Business Analysis training/certification

Reason to Opt for Business Analytics Certification Courses for Career Growth

◉ Opportunities to grow in your career

◉ Flexibility to work in almost any industry

◉ Structured learning approach

◉ Learn to apply theoretical concepts to business issues

◉ Interact with peers & experts in business analytics

◉ Learn popular business analytics tools

Top Business Analytics Certifications

◉ Wharton’s Business Analytics Specialization

◉ Foundations of Strategic Business

◉ Business Analytics Nanodegree Program 

◉ Business Analytics Specialization 

◉ Advanced Business Analytics Specialization by University of Colorado

◉ IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate 

◉ Business Statistics and Analysis Specialization 

◉ Advanced Business Analytics Specialization 

Salary for Business Analytics Certified Professional 

Source: Indeed

Top Paying Companies For Business Analytics

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Is PMP Certification Training Course Worth It? How To Get It

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can help you stand out from the crowd in project management. If you are wondering how to get PMP certification, you should first complete work experience, training courses, and an exam. Is the PMP certification, however, worthwhile? So, this blog will look into what it takes to be certified, how much it may cost, and how PMP certification can assist you in advancing your project management career.

Before diving into the main topic, the first will discuss PMP certification.

What Is PMP Certification?

Professional certifications validate your career skills while also allowing you to learn about important concepts and industry best practices that can benefit your day-to-day operations. The PMP certification is the most widely recognized in the world of project management. Moreover, the Project Management Institute (PMI), which posts the Project Management Book of Knowledge, sells it (PMBOK). In conclusion, the PMBOK is considered the holy grail of project management knowledge.

PMP certification demonstrates a thorough understanding of the PMBOK concepts. This designation can help you stand out from your peers and gain respect in your field. You’ll also learn about Agile, waterfall project management, leadership, and business management.

Will now discuss how one should get PMP certification.

How To Get PMP Certification

The process for getting PMP-certified is pretty straightforward. So, to get PMP certification, every individual must follow these simple steps to get PMP certification: 

Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Check whether you have reached the experience criteria for eligibility. Following are the eligibility criteria before taking the training:

◉ To qualify to take the PMP certification exam, you must meet certain educational and professional demands

Option 1:

◉ A four-year degree plus 35 Hours of Project Management training or CAPM certification

◉ 36 months of experience leading projects

Option 2:

A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent)

An additional 35 hours of Project Management training or CAPM certification

60 months of experience leading projects

Take the Training

The next important step in getting PMP certification is attending the training. Invensis Learning has been reviewed and approved by the PMI Authorized Training Partner Program to provide a 4-day instructor-led PMP Certification training that will ensure the essential 35 PDUs at the end of the training. In addition, the PMP certification offers an enriching learning experience with Mock Tests and lifetime access to the LMS. After completing your PMP Exam Prep training, you will gain an in-depth understanding of:

◉ Initiating a project

◉ Planning project work

◉ Developing Project schedules, cost estimates, and budgets

◉ Planning project staffing and communication

◉ Analyze projects risks

◉ Plan and manage project procurement

◉ Monitoring and controlling project work, and more

Apply For the Exam

Once you attend the PMP certification training course, it’s time to take the exam. Applying for the exam, you need to follow some steps:

1: Create your professional profile at pmi.org.

2: Complete 35 Contact Hours of formal PMP certification training course.

3: Apply for PMI membership to take advantage of special discounts when scheduling exams. Furthermore, PMI membership gives you access to online publications and resources to get the most recent editions of study materials such as foundation standards, PMBOK, framework & practice, etc. Although PMI membership is optional, I recommend that everyone obtain one.

4: Complete and submit the application online within 90 days. PMI takes 5-6 days to notify applicants of application acceptance.

5: If your application is approved, you can pay the fees to advance to the next stage. The PMP Certification fee for PMI Members is USD 405 and for non-members is USD 555.

6: You can schedule the exam at the nearest test center based on your preparedness.

Take the Exam

It’s finally time to put all your effort to the test! However, you must first take the exam at a Pearson VUE authorized center. The steps are as follows:

◉ You will be evaluated across all process groups, including initiating, planning, executing, closing, monitoring, and controlling

◉ You will be given 4 hours to complete 200 multiple-choice questions

◉ Don’t worry if you don’t pass the first time. To earn your certification, you can take the PMP exam up to three times a year. You can retake the examination for a fee of $275 for members and $375 for non-members

◉ You will receive your exam results and PMP certification if you pass

Get the Certification

Clearing the PMP exam makes you a certified Project Management Professional. The PMI Authorized Training Partner Program has reviewed and approved Invensis Learning to provide a 4-day instructed-led PMP Certification Training Course. So, with this credential, you can apply for jobs worldwide and become a globally recognized project manager.

Credential Renewal and Maintenance

In this case, obtaining certification is a big step, and maintaining it shouldn’t be difficult with the Continuing Certification Requirements Program. This program will help you enhance and develop the skills employers seek. You must earn 60 PDUs every three years to keep your PMP certification. You must reveal these to PMI via the link https://authentication.pmi.org/, and you also need to pay a renewal fee of $60 for members and $150 for non-members.

The following segment will discuss whether getting PMP certification is worth it.

Is PMP Certification Training Course Worth It?

In a competitive job marketplace where certifications speak louder than words, project management is one area of expertise in huge demand by almost every industry. Many factors determine whether earning your PMP certification will benefit you in the long run. First, the PMP certification is a testament to an individual’s ability and knowledge in project management. As a certified project management professional, you will be eligible for many opportunities in the domain. The following are many reasons why PMP certification is worth the cost.

Adds Weight to Your CV

The PMP certification adds credence to your resume and can help you acquire a project management job. If you’re already a Project Manager, it’ll make you look cool. Furthermore, many businesses, particularly private ones, want PMP in their portfolio. They’ve started requiring their project managers to hold an international project management certification. Therefore, it is easy to find a job as a Project Manager if you have the certification.

Provides Global Recognition

PMP certification is internationally recognized. Unfortunately, many certification programs are limited to a single domain. PMP, on the other hand, is global and can be used in any industry or location. Therefore, you can attain it by adding the certification to your resume regardless of your professional background and industry.

Data show that as the number of accredited project managers within a company grows, so does the success rate of projects. The Project Management Institute (PMI), the ruling body behind the PMP certification, has over 2.9 million members worldwide, implying many decision-makers or influencers who are familiar with the certification. Companies also recognize that certified managers are better at completing projects on time and within budget.

Helps You Learn Essential Skills

There are many project managers available in the job market. In such a condition, how do you stand out from the crowd? What better path to do it than by becoming PMP certified? First, it makes your CV more attractive to companies. More significantly, PMP certification teaches important skills to enhance your career.

PMP certification has high requirements. It isn’t easy to pass this exam without extensive preparation. Furthermore, you must master the material’s practical application. Learning several hard and soft skills will be mandatory to obtain a PMP credential. It increases understanding of fundamental project management processes, tools and techniques, and methodologies. It also exposes you to best practices and current project management trends. In project management activities, you can also learn new tricks and techniques.

Lead to High Income

One of the biggest positive things about PMP certification is the higher remuneration it can fetch the project managers. As a result, PMP has been one of the highest-paid certifications. Also, the demands indicate that the trend will keep on growing in the future.

The average salary of certified project managers across the industry is considerably higher. In addition, a few years back, a PMI survey stated that the average median salary of a project manager with certification is around $ 1,08,000. PMP credential holders earn almost 22% more than their non-certified colleagues at the same experience level.

Aids in the Development of Leadership Qualities

PMP certification prepares you in such a way that you can assess your own and others’ skills and talents. It will help you become a leader in your field and instill leadership qualities in you. There are numerous ways for your team to lead while working on any project, and PMP certification will help you lead that team in the best possible way.

Opportunities for Networking

As a Project Management Professional, you will access other global project management professionals. PMI regularly holds meetings in major metropolitan cities, inviting many PMPs to discuss the latest developments in project management. It will permit you to interact with other professionals and form bonds with them. Furthermore, you can learn about new career opportunities, developments, and a variety of other things that can help you take your career in a new direction.

Source: invensislearning.com

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