As an IT manager, a number of things are expected of you. These are things like accomplishing IT results by implementing IT strategies and policies. As a manager, you’ll be involved in making sure your staff understand the job expectations. You’ll also be tasked with staff recruitment, employee training, and ensuring a secure working environment among other responsibilities. You can only do this if you have the knowledge and experience to effectively perform these tasks. Knowledge and experience in IT come through training and passing certification exams. Any of these Top 7 IT Management and Certifications is what you need to position yourself right as an IT manager. We’re going to show you how to gain these credentials in 2019 with ExamSnap.com.
1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
The PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification validates your specialized experience in working as a project manager or as a project team member. Through this, organizations can now attain great results by implementing standardized project management practices. The CAPM certification is for those who are just beginning their project management career and want to understand the terminologies and processes in project management.
The CAPM certification exam costs US$225 for members and US$300 for non-members. You can prepare for the exam by taking the Project Management Training course. Other reliable study resources and guides include study eBooks, latest practice tests from ExamSnap, and the PMBOK Guide.
To keep your CAPM certification current, you’ll be required to retake the certification exam every 5 years. The exam retake fee is $150 for members and $200 if you’re a non-member.
2. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification is offered by Scrum Alliance. CSM professionals have specialised skills that ensure their organization’s Scrum Team performance reach the optimum level. Their work also involves protecting the scrum team from internal as well as external distractions. While pursuing your certification, you’ll learn how the Scrum structure is like and also gain an in-depth understanding of aspects like team roles, artifacts and events.
Before taking the CSM certification exam, you must attend a 16-hour training by a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer). Once you’ve done this, the next step is to pass an online exam.
The CSM exam has no standard fee since it depends on the course that one takes. The cost of CSM training varies from one certified trainer to another. The exam fee is part of the training course.
Once you have attained your certification, you’ll have to recertify every two years. This process includes a fee of $100 per term and earning of 16 Scrum Education Units (SEUs). You must have earned the SEUs within the two-year period.
3. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
The ITIL credentials are focused on the ITIL structure, qualifications, and best practice. ITIL management professionals acquire skills and knowledge in varied ITIL areas and disciplines. Their specialization is focused on specific interest areas. The current transitioning of ITIL from ITIL v3 to ITIL 4 takes you from one scheme to another. However, the only available ITIL 4 certification at the moment is the Foundation level credential. The Managing Professional, Strategic Leader, and Master will be released from Mid-2019. The ITIL v3 certification has five levels. They include Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, and Master.
Training is compulsory for the Intermediate level exams and above. For the Foundation and Practitioner level exams, which cost $325 and $439 respectively, training is optional. The cost for the other level exams is included in the training courses offered by Accredited Trainers. These certifications do not expire.
4. Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP)
This is another top IT management certification which is offered by (ISC)². The CISSP certification validates your expertise in designing, implementing and managing an effective cybersecurity program. Becoming CISSP certified enables you to become (ISC)2 member. This comes with individual benefits like access to educational tools, exclusive resources, and networking opportunities.
The CISSP exam is based on 8 domains or areas of the CISSP CBK. The exam cost as shown on the exam pricing varies based on a candidate’s region. The standard CISSP exam cost is $599. You have to maintain your certification after three years by earning the required Continuing Professional Education (CPEs).
Be ready for the exam by ensuring that you study with the best exam tools like CISSP training courses, eBooks, and practice tests from ExamSnap.
5. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification
The PMI-ACP certification testifies that you are proficient in demonstrating Agile best practices. The knowledge and hands-on skills you gain are aimed at ensuring that your organization completes projects successfully. The credential is attained through a series of successful project executions and passing the certification exam. To keep your PMI-ACP certification valid, you need to earn 30 Professional Development Units (PDIs) every three years.
The exam costs $435 for members, while non-members pay $495. To prepare for your exam it is recommended to use PMI-ACP exam guidance resources, study guides and check the ExamSnap website to get the most valid and updated PMI-ACP exam dumps. These files can be gained free of charge, and the ones verified by IT experts, can be obtained for a small sum of money.
6. Six Sigma Certification
The Six Sigma Methodology includes five levels. Earning any of these certifications proves your readiness and commitments to your role in helping manage business processes. Improvement of production processes, elimination of defects, as well as guaranteed quality is what the Six Sigma program entails. The five levels are White Belt (WB), Yellow Belt (YB), Green Belt (GB), Black Belt (BB) and Master Black Belt (MBB). The White Belt is a basic certification dealing with Six Sigma basic concepts. As you move to the higher levels, required skills and experience become more advanced.
In addition to the above levels, there are other two professional levels responsible for directing and deploying projects, these are the Champion and Executive levels. Professionals at the higher levels are expected to train and mentor those at the lower levels. You can obtain your credential through bodies like ASQ that are charged with accreditation.
The cost of the Six Sigma certification exam varies from one level to another. The higher you go, the higher the cost. Also note, that non-members pay more than members.
7. TOGAF 9 Certification
The following certification we’ll focus on is TOGAF 9 issued by the Open Group. It takes its place among the top IT management credentials that most candidates apply for. The TOGAF 9 is based on the Enterprise. This IT open framework has been used by leading enterprises across the world in ensuring business efficiency. Candidates for this credential must demonstrate their mastery of TOGAF terminology, concepts, and structure. They also should have a solid understanding of the key principles that guide the Enterprise Architecture as well as the TOGAF standard. It comprises the TOGAF 9 Foundation certification and the TOGAF 9 Certified qualification. The TOGAF Foundation requires passing Part 1 exam only. If you set the goal to become TOGAF Certified, you need to pass one combined exam, that covers the topics of Part1 and Part2 exams.
The exam cost for TOGAF certifications is $320 per exam. The combined exam costs $495. These certifications require no renewal since they don’t expire.
To prepare for your TOGAF certification exams, you can choose self-study or a course from an accredited trainer, study eBooks, and practice tests from ExamSnap.
Final Thoughts
IT management goes beyond just having technical skills. As an IT manager, you’ll have to handle other responsibilities like managing your teams, implementing projects and managing business processes. With any of these top IT management certifications to gain in 2019, you’ll be ready to offer your expertise in helping organizations and businesses run their processes successfully. Make sure you prepare with the best exam study tools like training courses, study guides and exam dumps from ExamSnap website. This is the only way to earn any of these coveted certifications to become an efficient IT manager.
