Top 10 Certifications You Can Get In 2020

2020 is almost approaching. What is your resolution for 2020??

If you are a career-oriented person then upskill yourself with the best certification to stay relevant and grab new opportunities in the coming years.

Below are the Top 10 certifications that you can have!

1. Agile and Scrum 

Agile and Scrum are very popular certifications as of today.

Agile methodology is more adaptable to changes as per requirements throughout the course of the project.

Commonly considered as a framework in agile project management, Scrum outlines a set of meetings, tools, and roles that work in harmony to help team structure and conduct their work.

Through this certification, you will be able to learn the Agile and Scrum framework and gain an understanding of team roles, events, and artifacts, as well as how to guide agile teams through a project successfully.

According to Payscale, in 2019, the average annual pay for a Certified Scrum Master in the United States is $115,700 a year.

2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect

It is one of the most popular cloud computing certifications. From storing and sharing files using google drive to watching movies on Netflix, everything is on the cloud. From the user base itself, it’s evident that cloud computing is a necessity today. If you are a person who wants to build a career in the cloud, then AWS certification is the best to start with. You can start with a basic level such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate and gradually move up the ladder with next step certifications.

That’s because AWS is more popular than its 10 other competitors like Azure, Google Cloud, etc.

The average salary of an AWS solutions architect is $123,700 per year according to  Indeed.Com

According to Enlyft, a marketing intelligence company, 47% of Amazon AWS customers are in the United States and that’s a lot of companies that can bring job opportunities for you.

However, prior to taking an exam, you should have hands-on experience with AWS services and architecting large-scale distributed systems.

3. CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

It is one of the globally recognized IT security professional's technical skills. Companies usually look for applicants who have completed the CISSP exam because applicants with the CISSP certifications are sufficiently educated about cybersecurity and have hands-on experience of at least 5 years.

This experience can be earned in a minimum of two of the eight cybersecurity knowledge domains.

As per Indeed, there has been a sudden increase in demand for cybersecurity skills by 7% in the US. That’s good news! Isn’t it?

According to Payscale, the salary of a CISSP certified individual ranges from $87,000 to $165,000 depending on the years of experience in the USA as of August 2019.

4. Cisco Certifications

Within Cisco Certifications, the two very popular and valuable certifications are CCNA (Cisco certified network associate) and CCNP (Cisco certified network professional)

CCNA primarily focuses on developing appropriate skills to meet the speedy deployment of technologies in today’s complex networking environment.

Once you are a CCNA certified you can choose different paths that interest you, such as:

- CCNA Security - It deals in troubleshooting and monitoring network devices.

- CCNA Voice - It deals with VoIP, handset, voiceover mail, etc.

- CCNA Wireless - It deals with using Cisco equipment in configuring, implementing, and supporting wireless LANs

The majority of MNCs, as well as medium-sized companies, use Cisco products, which means they need people who can help with seamless operations while using those products.

In the US, the average salary of a CCNA certified professional ranges from $72,000 to $100,000 as of August 2019, according to Payscale.

CCNP - One of the most popular certifications in the field of networking. This certification is usually preferred by CCNA as this helps them to scale up one’s career. CCNP will help you to validate your proficiency in planning, implementing, managing and troubleshooting WANs and LANs in business environments. It also helps you make aware of how to work in collaboration with other experts to manage wireless, voice, video and security solutions.

CCNP certified professionals earn $92,000 on an average per year which can go high up to $122,000 depending upon the experience according to payscale in August 2019.

5. PMP - Project Management Professional

It is one of the most recognized certifications globally in today’s date. It is created and administered by PMI - Project Management Institute. According to recruiters, the certificate adds immense value to your leadership skills and in addition, the PMP® certification brings a 22–25% increase over non-certified peers.

PMP helps you examine yourself in five criteria; initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The results provide you a clear picture of your capability and also for recruiters to choose you over others.

However, there are prior requirements to become PMP certified. You should have a bachelor’s degree with at least 4500 hours of project management experience and if you don’t have a bachelor's degree then you would need to have 7500 hrs of project management experience. And lastly, you need to have a 35-hour contact certificate to take the exam and you are good to go.

According to a survey done by PMI in 2019, Project managers take-home salary is $112,000 annually in the States and earns 23 percent higher than one without PMP certification.

Project Management includes other certifications such as CAPM, PRINCE 2 Foundation, PRINCE 2 practitioner and PRINCE 2 combo.

6. CompTIA A+

With this particular certification, you will have a complete fundamental knowledge of hardware and software. You’ll also learn about troubleshooting a wide range of devices, from computers to smartphones.

The examination is outlined to certify the capability of entry-level personal computer service professionals in installing, operating, customizing, and maintaining personal computers and other devices.

In the US, a CompTIA A+ certified professional earns about $59,000 on an average per year according to PayScale as of August 2019.

7. ITIL 

ITIL or Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a set of best practices for IT service management. ITIL concentrates on adjusting or arranging on the IT services according to the requirements of the companies.

It includes a list of relevant specializations such as IT operations, capacity management, incident management, and availability management, to name a few. Best practices intend to manage or lessen IT costs, improve IT services, and balance IT resources.

According to Ziprecruiter.com the majority of ITIL Foundation salaries as of August 2019, range between $52,000 to $118,500 across the United States.

8. Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

GIAC provides a set of vendor-neutral computer security certifications. It offers 30+ specific information security certifications. The objective of these certifications is to focus on job-based capabilities rather than providing a standard course to all. The certification process approves the specific abilities of security professionals and developers with standards established on the most important benchmarks in the industry.

An increase in the number of devices and networks calls for more threat. It leads to the demand for highly skilled people to manage the threats and eliminate them.

According to PayScale August 2019, a GIAC certified can earn an average of $90,000 per year in the US.

9. MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert

The MCSE certification will help if you are an IT Professional to validate your technical expertise through accurate, industry-proven, and industry-recognized exams.

MCSE certifications show the skills to design and build advanced solutions that integrate multiple Microsoft technologies.

Prior to doing MCSE, you will have to complete MCSA certification which will validate your ability to build and design solutions using core Microsoft technologies.

MCSE has various other certifications under it such as MCSE: Business Application, MCSE: Core Infrastructure, MCSE: Data Management & Analytics, MCSE: Mobility, and MCSE: Productivity.

The demand for skilled cloud specialists has exponentially increased due to a multi-cloud strategy approach taken by most businesses.

According to Payscale the average salary in the US for Microsoft certified solution expert is $92,000 per year as of August 2019.

10. CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker

In today’s date hiring an ethical hacker is not a choice but a necessity. If you wish to become one, you will have the ability to understand and know how to look for vulnerabilities in target systems.

You will also be able to use the same expertise and means as a hacker but strictly aligned with the law to evaluate the security posture of a target system.

Not only in the US but also in other countries malicious hacking is a strict offense. However, one should have the same technical skills that hackers possess to catch a criminal.

A Certified Ethical Hacker certification indicates your knowledge in network security, particularly in preventing malicious hacking attacks through pre-emptive countermeasures.

In the US, a Certified Ethical Hacker earns on an average of $90,000 per year according to Payscale as of July 2019.

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Use the Value Index to Prioritize Project Efforts

This article proposes a method to fairly assess the value of a solution concept or even a project. Most improvement work has multiple voices that must be assessed:

◈ Voice of the customer (VOC)
◈ Voice of the process (VOP)
◈ Voice of the business (VOB)

The value index is a method to combine these voices to aid in decision-making – it’s another tool to have in your improvement toolbox. The value index blends concepts that most improvement professionals are already familiar with:

◈ Process capability
◈ Taguchi Loss Function
◈ Cost of tolerance
◈ Cost of implementation

Admittedly, in many projects the value is obvious, but – in those situations when it isn’t obvious – the value index can be used as a tool to prioritize efforts as well as measure optimization between performance, quality and costs.

Process Capability (Quality)

Process capability, from a conceptual view, is a measure of the relationship between VOP and VOC. It is a ratio of customer requirement (specification) and the process variation.

Process capability expresses how well a process performs relative to the VOC; it’s a prediction of how well a process will meet customer requirements in the future. A capable process is one where almost all measurements of a feature produced by the process fall inside specification limits.

The customer expects all samples to fit inside the specification limits and that the process is reasonably centered in the specification range. But not all processes are centered on the target value, which must be taken into account.

For a process:

Process capability expresses how well a process performs relative to the VOC; it’s a prediction of how well a process will meet customer requirements in the future. A capable process is one where almost all measurements of a feature produced by the process fall inside specification limits.

The customer expects all samples to fit inside the specification limits and that the process is reasonably centered in the specification range. But not all processes are centered on the target value, which must be taken into account.

For a process:

The standard deviation is the average spread of the data about the mean. Note that USL and LSL are the points at which the customer is no longer satisfied. This view allows the concept to be applied to transactional process performance, too.

This concept assumes that a part A just under the specification is as valuable as a part at target, while a part just outside the specification is of no value. In actuality, however, the part closer to target is of highest value as downstream sub-systems, parts and features do not need to be tolerant to the extra variation of part A. The part just inside the specification and the part just outside the specification have a trivial difference in value.

Voice of the Business (Cost-Benefit)

A missing element in the assessment of process capability is VOB. Even though employees might be passionate about solving problems, making improvements and helping people be better at what they do – and find that rewarding – they work for a paycheck/benefits. Likewise, the companies themselves are in business to make money and reward shareholders. Even not-for-profit organizations need to be good stewards of money. In evaluation of solution concepts, VOB must be assessed.

It is possible to maximize either Cpk or sigma level (Z score), but if doing that has an astronomical cost, the VOB is low. Conversely, if cost is minimized, customers would be dissatisfied and would have poor value. The minimal cost would be to produce nothing, which is minimum value. Cost and quality are not independent.

To maximize long-term value, it is necessary to simultaneously minimize process variation, the difference from process average, and the target value and minimize overall cost. Value combines VOP, VOC and VOB, which can be simplified to the most benefit per dollar. This high-level concept can lead to a value index.

Taguchi Loss Function

The Taguchi Loss Function is a way to assess the cost of performance relative to the customer’s target. The Taguchi Loss Function explains that as parts or services deviate from the target, the value of the part or service is diminished. The downstream process or customer must be tolerant of the deviation from the target. Taguchi calls this loss to society.

For product and or process response outputs, there is a Loss Function. The Loss Function is developed on the principles:

1. Loss is minimum at the target value.

2. Loss increases as the value varies from the target.

The loss function is an approximation of a Taylor series expansion around the target, τ. It should be noted that κ is a function of financial importance. If X is a feature that affects the function (life and death) of a heart-lung machine, for example, the value of κ would become large.

Figure 1: Taguchi’s Nominal the Best Loss Function

When the Loss Function is overlaid with the process distribution, it is easy to see why the centering of the process around the customer’s target value and minimizing the deviation about the process mean is concerning. As the spread (σ2) increases, the loss increases. And as the mean of the process moves from the target (τ), loss increases.

Figure 2: Expected Loss or Average Loss

Pulling It All Together

Performance is the distance that the process average is from the target value: 

The goal is to minimize the distance, which can be expressed as 

The quality portion can be expressed as variation about the mean, which is variance, σ2. This should be minimized, too: 

To get to value, cost must be included. Try using total lifecycle cost including bill of materials cost, process cost, capital cost, scrap cost, warranty cost, etc. As the tolerance range gets smaller, there is a greater need to be near the target with smaller variation. Of course, don’t forget to adjust for implementation cost. After some algebraic manipulation, a the-larger-the-better index is revealed.

Notice the mean standard deviation (τ) is under the radical so it is in natural units; value is in terms of dollars per mean deviation from target value while costs are per unit. If a feature that has a target of 100 is simulated, X distributes normally, costs distribute normally and sigma follows a chi-square distribution. For simplicity, the tolerance range is at 1 and IC is at 0. The best values are near the target but not the nearest to the target. The highest value isn’t the lowest cost nor is highest value at minimum variation.

Figure 3: Scatterplot of Value vs. X-Bar

Figure 4: Scatterplot of Value vs. Sigma

Figure 5: Scatterplot of Value vs. Cost

The same data with different tolerance ranges verifies that as the tolerance gets smaller, the value to reduce variation and center increases.

Figure 6: Value Index by Tolerance Range

The value index can be used for other kinds of data that might be found in an improvement project by substituting estimates of central tendency and variation for the associated distribution. For example, if you are dealing with rates the data will most likely follow a binomial distribution, the value index then becomes:

When dealing with counts, the value index becomes:

The value index can allow fair comparisons across project outcomes or potential project outcomes. It could be used as a criterion in your solution selection as the value index fairly assesses benefit and cost with additional considerations of risk and time. The value index could be used as a tool to prioritize efforts as well as measuring optimization between performance, quality and costs.

In terms of per unit costs, it is possible to compare across projects by multiplying the value index by volume. This could help prioritize implementation of proposed improvements as there are always limited funds.

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Top 12 Project Management Certifications for 2018

Top project management certifications

1. PMP: Project Management Professional

The gold standard in project management certifications, the Project Management Professional certification is a rigorous test that covers absolutely everything you need to prove your knowledge and skill in managing the "triple constraints": time, cost and scope. The Project Management Institute (PMI) is this credential's parent organization, and works continuously with businesses and academia to ensure relevance for the certification.

Organization: Project Management Institute

Price: Computer based exams are $405 for PMI members; $555 for non-members. Paper-based exams are $250 for PMI members; $400 for non-members.

Requirements: Four-year secondary degree plus three years of project management experience, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours project management education OR a high-school diploma, five years of project management experience, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

2. CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management

The Certified Associate in Project Management is the precursor to the PMP certification and is also administered by the PMI. For professionals without a college degree, or with only rudimentary project management experience or those who want to achieve their PMP certification in steps rather than all at once, the CAPM is a stepping-stone to the more rigorous PMP.

Organization: Project Management Institute

Price: $225 for PMI members; $300 nonmembers

Requirements: High-school diploma, associates degree or equivalent and at least 1,500 hours of project management experience OR 23 hours of project management education.

3. CSM: Certified ScrumMaster

The use of agile methodologies has become the standard in IT organizations, so it's not surprising that IT practitioners uniquely qualified to manage projects in agile environments are in high demand. While there are different Scrum master certifications available, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance is a great jumping-off point for project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners. The Scrum Alliance, the parent organization for this credential, is a nonprofit organization that encourages the adoption of scrum and agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 450,000 certified practitioners worldwide.

Organization: The Scrum Alliance

Price: ScrumMaster training course cost varies by training provider, but is approximately $995 to $1,395

Requirements: General familiarity with scrum; completion of a two-day Certified ScrumMaster training course.

4. CompTIA Project+ certification

This entry-level certification is roughly on par with PMI's CAPM credential, though the requirements are less stringent. CompTIA's Project+ solicits feedback from the entire computing industry, government representatives, research institutions, academia and independent experts to design the certification.

Organization: CompTIA

Price: $285

Requirements: One year of experience managing, directing or participating in small- to medium-sized projects is recommended.

5. PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner

Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is most well-known overseas, especially in the U.K. and its government entities. The PRINCE2 certifications are delivered by the ILX Group and focus on directing, managing and delivering projects across all phases, pre-project, initiation, delivery and final delivery.

There are two primary qualifications, PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. The Foundation certification is an entry-level credential that tests basic project management terminology and methodology, while the Practitioner certification tests advanced project managers who have already achieved PRINCE2 Foundation.

Organization: ILX Group

Price: Foundation: $200; Practitioner: $340

Requirements: PRINCE2 Foundation requires a PRINCE2 Foundation course; PRINCE2 Practitioner requires one of the following: PRINCE2 Foundation; Project Management Professional (PMP); Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM); or an IPMA certification.

6. CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner

The EC-Council was formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to address issues of cyberterrorism and the information security of nations at large. The EC-Council's Certified Project Management Practitioner course is for project managers who want to benchmark their skills through hands-on experience and across various management techniques and tools necessary to successfully manage complex projects efficiently. The objective of the CPMP course is to add value to management professionals by developing managerial, leadership and technical skills required to make any project, small or complex, a success.

Organization: EC-Council

Price: $199 for exam voucher

Requirements: No prerequisites, but it is recommended that candidates attend a three-day preparation course.

7. Associate in Project Management

The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), which administers the Associate in Project Management (APM) — as well as a Professional in Project Management and a Certified Project Director certification — is a global, not-for-profit certification body that offers credentials across a variety of IT specialties. The GAQM's project management certifications are focused on a broad knowledge base and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The APM program is designed for the entry-level project manager, or for those who want to start a career in the field.

Organization: Global Association for Quality Management

Price: $300

Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course; no formal education or experience requirements.

8. MPM: Master Project Manager

The American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) has modeled the Master Project Manager (MPM) after the "professional licensure" model that many professions like pilots, engineers, doctors and lawyers follow. The AAPM focuses on professional project managers, but also includes those pros with business and technical management responsibilities.

Organization: American Academy of Project Management

Price: $300 for application, review, processing, review, initiation and certification.

Requirements: Three years of project management experience and training. Waivers are available for professionals holding a master's degree, with other qualified training and experience, the military or project management instructors.

9. PPM: Professional in Project Management

The Professional in Project Management (PPM) is a mid-tier project management credential from the GAQM. The GAQM's project management certifications are focused on a broad knowledge base and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The PPM is targeted towards intermediate to experienced project managers who are involved in risk and crisis management, and who are involved in the day-to-day management of projects.

Organization: Global Association for Quality Management

Price: $300

Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course; no formal education or experience requirements, but candidates should have at least some project management experience in order to pass the exam.

10. PMITS: Project Management in IT Security

The EC-Council’s Project Management in IT Security (PMITS) explores the complexities of managing an IT security project. The certification helps candidates reinforce their existing project management skills while tailoring them to the unique requirements of implementing and managing IT security within their organizations.

Organization: EC-Council

Price: $250 (PMITS courseware)

Requirements: At least two years of experience in information security and an educational background that shows a focus on security (bachelor's degree or higher preferred). Candidates may also opt to attend an EC-council training program before attempting an exam.

11. Certified Project Director

The GAQM's Certified Project Director certification is the credentialing body's highest-level project management certification. This designation is designed for experienced project managers who are involved in directing multiple, complex projects and programs. The program focuses on managing, budgeting and determining scope for multiple projects, multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating interdependent risks to deliver projects successfully. The CDP program is only for those who have significant project management experience.

Organization: Global Association for Quality Management

Price: $300

Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course; candidates must be familiar with principles and methodologies of project management and pass the PPM or equivalent exam.

12. CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM)

The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a global professional association and certification body focused on the project management profession. The IAPM’s purpose is to promote research, development and practical applications of project management, develop standards and guidelines for both beginner and advanced project management training, and review and approve project management competencies within the profession.

There are four levels of certification within the IAPM, split into two disciplines, traditional project management and agile project management: Certified Junior Project Manager and Certified Junior Agile Project Manager; Certified Project Manager and Certified Agile Project Manager; Certified Senior Project Manager and Certified Senior Agile Project Manager; and Certified International Project Manager.  IAPM’s Certified Project Manager certification is for candidates with a foundational knowledge of project management, including the basics of planning, organization and implementation of various projects. The exam covers both the hard and soft aspects of project management.

Organization: IAPM

Price: The certification and examination fee depends on a candidate’s nationality; pricing is gauged based on country-of-origin’s GDP to ensure that any candidate can afford the training and testing. In the U.S., the certification and exam cost is $650, with a 20 percent discount for students, job seekers and active aid organization personnel, according to the IAMP.

Requirements: There are no prerequisites, but IAPM offers workshops through global training partners, or recommended literature for self-study. Once a candidate has completed the workshop or feels adequately prepared, they can take a self-test to benchmark their knowledge. Candidates must achieve a 65 percent on the exam to pass.

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