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  • How To Get ITIL® Certified

    How To Get ITIL® Certified

    Skilled IT professionals help business owners to protect their businesses, and when considering hiring such a professional, many employers will check that candidates have ITIL® certification. Itil qualifications prove that the person has undergone training, passed the exam, and has a vast knowledge of the subject.

    What is an itil certification?

    ITIL® is short for Information Technology Infrastructure Library and has been around since the 1980s, being continually updated. It reveals the best standard practices for IT and has been adopted by industries both big and small.
    So, what is an ITIL® certification? Well, there are various itil qualifications available for candidates ranging from the introduction course, which is the ITIL® v4 Foundation course, to more specialist courses for extended learning.
    The Foundation course is an introduction to ITIL® v4, with the candidate taking the course over three days. The candidate goes through several modules, and at the end, an exam is taken, and ITIL® certification is gained if the course is passed. This shows that the candidate has excellent knowledge in the field.
    So, in short, if an IT professional has ITIL® certification, it means they are trained to that particular level and can provide the services associated with that certificate.

    Itil qualifications levels

    There are four different levels of ITIL® certification, and these are:

    • ITIL® 4 Foundation;
    • ITIL® 4 Managing Professional;
    • ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader;
    • ITIL® 4 Extension Modules.

     

    What is ITIL® Foundation certification?

    The ITIL® V4 Foundation Course is the starting place for certification. The course is designed to provide IT professionals with an introduction to ITIL® 4 and is taken over three days.
    It provides the candidate with a look at IT service management by way of an end-to-end operating model for the creation, delivery and improvement of tech-enabled products and services. Through the course, the candidate goes through a service value system getting the candidate ready to become a responsible and qualified ITIL® professional.

    What is ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification?

    Next on the agenda of anyone wanting to get Itil qualifications under their belt is the ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification level.
    This comprises four modules that provide candidates with the technical and practical skills to take them from specialist to strategist. The four modules are:

    • Create, deliver and support;
    • Drive stakeholder value;
    • High-velocity IT;
    • Direct, plan and improve.

    Candidates need to take all modules before receiving the ITIL® 4 Managing Professional certification.

    What is ITIL® Strategic Leader certification?

    The ITIL® Strategic Leader certification is made up of two modules. These are direct, plan and improve strategist modules and digital & IT strategy leader modules.

    What is ITIL® 4 Extension certification?

    The ITIL® 4 Extension modules provide candidates with the skills, tools and strategies that are required to work with new technologies in the field of IT. The course is split into two modules. These are sustainability in digital & IT and acquiring & managing cloud services.
    This course is suitable for any candidate who wishes to gain more understanding of the ITIL® framework in general.

    How much does itil cert cost?

    If you are considering getting an Itil cert, one thing on your mind will be itil certification cost.
    TSG Training offers a large number of ITIL® certification courses, and itil certification cost will depend on your chosen course. If you check out the Itil certification page on the website, you will see that courses start from under £1,000 and go up to just a little over £2,000.

    Why get itil qualifications?

    Businesses, both big and small, have adopted the ITIL® framework because it is consistent and provide well-defined processes for all projects and services. When looking to hire professionals companies do expect candidates to have the necessary certification. This can only be obtained by taking and passing courses.
    The courses teach candidates the best practices, and upon receiving certification, businesses know you have a solid knowledge of IT service management. Additionally, with certification behind you, new career opportunities are opened up as you will be able to work to high standards after following and gaining experience with the best practices and processes needed to ensure you can complete the job.
    With more and more businesses beginning to implement ITIL® practices into operations, there is more demand for individuals who have undergone and passed IT service management courses.
    Jobs you could apply for after gaining ITIL® cert include:

    • IT project manager;
    • IT system administrator;
    • IT consultant;
    • Mid-level and senior-level professionals within the IT sector;
    • IT service management role;
    • Professional serving clients and customers in IT and technology services.

     

    Book your ITIL® certification today

    If you have decided to go ahead and you want to get Itil qualifications to broaden your horizons and your career you might want to consider taking a course with TSG Training.
    We offer various Itil cert and training courses on our Itil certification page to suit every level of learning. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner and want to become certified or you wish to further your skills as an IT professional, there is a course suitable for you.
    When weighing up Itil certification cost against what you can get out of your career after having been certified, the outlay is well worth it. Start your career with the ITIL® 4 Foundation Course then move on and take more specialist courses to further your career. Contact us or give us a call on 08000 199337.

  • What Career Options Are Available For ITIL®?

    What Career Options Are Available For ITIL®?

    As an IT professional, you might be interested in going down the route of obtaining an ITIL® certification to boost your career. More and more businesses are looking for protection for their IT investments and as ITIL® is the standard framework having a certificate in your resume can help greatly. But what ITIL®-related jobs and careers are out there waiting for you after you obtain certification?
    Well, there are a lot of opportunities waiting for you depending on the type of itil course you choose to take and how far you wish to go on the ladder. ITIL®-related jobs and careers you might go for include:

    1. Information Technology Project Manager;
    2. Service Delivery Manager;
    3. Information Technology Director;
    4. Senior Project Manager.

    While the salaries for positions vary depending on the position you go for and your expertise and certification, the average salary for ITIL® jobs is £42,500 per annum.

    Information Technology Manager Position

    The average entry-level salary for an Information Technology Manager is $59,000 or around £48,486. So, what would you be doing if you went into this position?
    The information technology manager has the job of supervising the IT infrastructure of a company. This includes network technology, data storage, software platforms and IT security.
    The candidate will be responsible for designing the procedures required for IT management along with overseeing the daily implementation of the procedures. The information technology manager will also be responsible for the maintenance and efficiency of online communications channels. Other duties undertaken as part of the job include having the responsibility for the hiring, supervising and training of IT employees.

    1. Service Delivery Manager

    If you have got certification and are looking for ITIL®-related jobs and careers, you might want to consider a Service Delivery Manager position. The average entry-level salary begins at $60,000, which is around £49,676. However, if you have ITIL® certification, the average salary jumps to $96,132 or around £79,430.
    The job of the service delivery manager is to create strategies to meet the expectations of stakeholders and customers. The strategies are set out as Service-Level Agreements, which break down the objectives of the company into day-to-day operations and projects. As the service delivery manager, you are the link between clients, projects and business resources, and you have to monitor and provide reports on the efficiency and productivity of service.

    1. Information Technology Director

    Information technology director is another of the ITIL®-related jobs and careers available once you have been certified. Being certified also means that the average salary for someone with certification in itil will be around $118,000, about £97,646 per annum.
    The information technology director position is a good choice for those with a vast amount of experience in ITIL® with certifications. The director’s job is to undertake duties in line with the goals of the company they are working for and work with information technology and project managers.

    1. Senior Project Manager

    The average entry-level salary for a senior project manager is $93,000, which comes in at around £76,946. By gaining ITIL® certification and having lots of experience within the sector, candidates can travel further up the ladder as senior project managers. The senior project manager will be in communication with key stakeholders, and it will be your job to update stakeholders on the project’s progression.

    Grow your ITIL® career with TSG

    Before being able to apply for any of the ITIL®-related jobs and careers, you may wish to take a look at the many courses available. Courses help you to gain deeper knowledge about ITIL® so you can progress in your career. There are plenty of choices of courses whether you are just starting out or you already have basic certification, and you want to further enhance your knowledge to go for a higher-paid position within a company.

    ITIL® v4 Foundation Course – the starting point

    The ITIL® v4 Foundation Course is the entry-level for certification in itil. The course lasts three days and gives an introduction to itil 4. It provides a look at IT service management where candidates learn the following:

    • Key concepts of service management;
    • Key concepts of ITIL®;
    • Service value chain plan;
    • Introduction to ITIL® practices.

    The above topics are split into various categories and the exam is multiple choices with 40 questions per paper. To pass the ITIL® 4 Foundation exam candidates need at least 26 marks out of the 40 available. The exam lasts 60 minutes.

    More courses to consider before looking for ITIL®-related jobs and careers

    Once you have got the Foundation course you might want to get further qualifications to help you get a higher-paid position within the ITIL® industry. In this case, you might consider looking into the following courses.

    • ITIL® 4 Specialist Create, Deliver & Support – candidates can take the course to earn the CDS qualification, which is essential when considering a Managing Professional position. To take this course candidates need to have passed the ITIL® 4 Foundation examination;

     

    • ITIL® 4 Digital and IT Strategy – this course and exam are required by anyone wanting to take a Strategic Leader position within a company. To take this course candidates need to have the ITIL® 4 Foundation qualification and have a minimum of three years of experience of IT managerial experience;

     

     
    So, if you are considering which courses to take before venturing out and looking for ITIL®-related jobs and careers the above are just a few of the courses available at TSG Training.

  • A Comprehensive Guide to the ITIL® Framework: Revolutionise Your IT Service Management

    A Comprehensive Guide to the ITIL® Framework: Revolutionise Your IT Service Management

    The ITIL® (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework has become a significant force in shaping how IT organisations manage and deliver their services. It is a globally recognised set of best practices that enables organisations to align their IT services with business needs. In this guide, we will explore what the ITIL® framework is, its benefits, and how it can transform your IT service management.
    What is the ITIL® Framework?
    The ITIL® framework is a comprehensive, process-oriented approach to IT service management that provides a systematic way of planning, delivering, and maintaining IT services. It was developed by the UK government’s Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in the 1980s as a response to the growing dependence on IT and the need for a standardized approach to IT service management. Over the years, ITIL® has evolved into a robust framework that is now widely adopted by both public and private sector organisations worldwide.
    The ITIL® framework is based on five core volumes, each covering a different aspect of IT service management:

    1. Service Strategy
    2. Service Design
    3. Service Transition
    4. Service Operation
    5. Continual Service Improvement

    These core volumes provide a detailed understanding of the ITIL® environment and offer guidance on how to implement IT service management processes within an organisation effectively.
    ITIL® Service Management Framework: Key Components
    The ITIL® service management framework consists of several key components that are essential for effective IT service management. These components include:

    1. Processes

    Processes are structured sets of activities designed to achieve specific objectives. The ITIL® framework defines numerous processes across the five core volumes, such as incident management, change management, and problem management. These processes help organisations manage and control their IT services throughout their lifecycle.

    1. Functions

    Functions are organisational units responsible for carrying out specific tasks within the ITIL® environment. Examples of functions include the service desk, technical management, and application management. Functions provide the necessary resources, expertise, and support required to execute the various ITIL® processes.
    Benefits of Implementing the ITIL® Framework
    There are several advantages to implementing the ITIL® framework within your organisation. Some of the key benefits include:

    1. Improved Service Delivery: By following the ITIL® best practices, organisations can deliver higher quality IT services that meet business requirements more effectively.
    2. Increased Efficiency: The ITIL® framework helps organisations streamline their IT processes, reduce duplication of effort, and eliminate unnecessary tasks, resulting in cost savings and improved productivity.
    3. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: With a focus on delivering value to customers, ITIL® enables organisations to better understand and meet customer expectations, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
    4. Greater Agility: The ITIL® framework promotes a culture of continuous improvement, enabling organisations to adapt and respond more quickly to changing business needs and market conditions.

    How to Implement the ITIL® Environment in Your Organisation
    Implementing the ITIL® framework within your organisation can be a complex undertaking, but the following steps can help guide you through the process:

    1. Assess Your Current Situation: Begin by evaluating your organisation’s current IT service management practices and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
    2. Define Your Goals and Objectives: Establish the specific goals and objectives that you want to achieve by implementing the ITIL® framework, such as improving service quality or reducing costs.
    3. Develop a Roadmap: Create a detailed plan outlining the steps required to implement the ITIL® processes within your organisation, including timelines, resources, and responsibilities.
    4. Train Your Staff: Ensure that your team members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and apply the ITIL® best practices effectively. View courses here
    5. Implement the ITIL® Processes: Begin implementing the ITIL® processes according to your roadmap, starting with the most critical areas and gradually expanding your ITIL® environment.

    In conclusion, the ITIL® framework is a powerful tool for transforming your organisation’s IT service management practices. By understanding what the ITIL® framework is and implementing it within your IT environment, you can improve service delivery, increase efficiency, and ultimately drive greater value for your business.

  • How To Create The Ideal Project Management Office Environment

    How To Create The Ideal Project Management Office Environment

    Are you looking to create an ideal project management office environment? In this guide, we are going to show you how you can set up a dedicated office with the aim of getting the most from your project management team.
    A project management office aka PMO is the hub where the project manager and team manage all aspects of projects. It is estimated that globally employers are going to need an additional 87.7 million people to take on project management roles by 2027.Along with this 71% of organisations around the world are creating offices specifically for project management which has increased by 15% since 2007.
    With this in mind, we are going to show you valuable steps to create the perfect space and how a dedicated office can help.

    How a dedicated project management office environment helps

    You might be wondering why you should create the ideal project management office environment. Well, there are many reasons, and they include the following:

    • Having a dedicated space with project-related services at your fingertips;
    • A dedicated office environment reduces pressure and stress;
    • It leads to more robust work structures;
    • A dedicated office environment is good for morale;
    • Shared resources may be managed more efficiently;
    • Can help to increase the quality of what you are already doing.

    Steps to create the ideal project management office

    Now that you know the benefits of creating an ideal project management office environment, let’s look at what is required.

    Step one – identifying the objectives of the project management office

    Before the creation of the office can begin, you should first identify the value and purpose the office is going to bring. Typically there are three types of PMOs: supportive, controlling and directive.

    • A supportive type is administrative, offering support, providing documentation and administration to projects;
    • The controlling type is more about setting and enforcing standardisation over projects within the organisation. Generally acting as custodians of the standards of a project, projecting toolsets and reporting standards by which all projects need to adhere to;
    • The directive-type project management office is the central source for documentation, tooling, methodologies and management of resources and capacity.

     

    Step two – assigning strong leadership

    The next step to creating an ideal project management office environment is to assign strong leadership. This is critical as you will need to choose and assign all the key team members who will work together to manage and execute the plan. These include the project sponsor, project manager and anyone else who is going to be involved with the success of projects.
    When choosing key team members, check for accreditations, there is a wide range of training courses related to project management, and certification is becoming increasingly important in the industry.

    Step three – the creation of the charter

    Next is the creation of the charter, where the project manager drafts the charter for the project for the creation of the project management office. The draft includes the scope of the project, high-level requirements, any relevant assumptions and constraints, along with major milestones.

    Step four – follow the lifecycle

    Once approval has been given for the charter, the creation of the project management office should follow the same lifecycle as any project would. The different phases of the life cycle include initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure.

    Best practices for effective project management

    If simply setting up a project management office was enough for success, every business would create one. The creation of an effective PMO is a challenge in its own right, and this is where a lot of people fail. It takes careful planning if you want to transform your business, and we are sharing with you some of the best practices to manage your project management office effectively.

    Senior management and project managers should work closely

    Companies where the project managers and senior management work closely side-by-side have more success than those that don’t. Along with this, external stakeholders may also significantly affect the project’s success. So, with this in mind, you should put focus on engaging stakeholders across the board.

    Make full use of the latest technology

    An ideal project management office environment will make use of the latest technology. By doing so you can offer information that is accurate, timely and relevant, all of which is essential to the key decision-makers.

    Standard processes and organised structure

    Having standardised processes in place provide project managers with a better assessment of whether the project is on track. While standard processes should be set out, do make sure there is some room for any tailoring of the structure that may be needed. This allows for the requirements of a particular project to be met.

    Updating skills

    Any good and successful project management office will have the perfect balance of experience and skills. The PMO will need to keep updated constantly with the latest trends, so continuous training is recommended. You may wish to check out the Agile training courses available at TSG Training to help your business acquire new skills.
    The key to any successful PMO is to remain relevant over the long term, and this is only possible if you keep up-to-date with the latest trends, technology and training.

    The ideal project management office environment

    An ideal project management office environment needs to be a happy workplace filled with the relevant qualified people, tools and technology. Project management is one area where there has been an increase in demand for good people and not only this but people who are certified. Contact TSG Training to find out how our courses can help you to create an ideal PMO. Our certified trainers have more than 20 years of experience and 98% of delegates rate us highly for our first-class training.
     

  • 10 Essential Skills You Need To Become A Project Manager

    10 Essential Skills You Need To Become A Project Manager

    You love organising things, have a creative mind, and you are good at communicating. All of these are skills required to excel as a project manager. Of course, there is much more to becoming a success than just these three skills but don’t worry as we are going to show you 10 essential ones you require if you want to be the best of the best.

    1. Project planning

    It perhaps goes without saying but if you want to become the best project manager out there you need to be good at actually planning projects. We are talking about planning every aspect of the project you are working on from the big to the minuscule.
    To gain skills in project planning you might want to take the PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner course which includes a section on planning in the syllabus, including planning techniques.
    You know when you have mastered project planning when you are always ten steps ahead.

    1. Scheduling

    One of the key skills of any successful project manager is being able to schedule. Without proper scheduling, you will have no idea of who is doing what and when they are supposed to do it.
    As a project manager, you are the one responsible for setting milestones, determining when things should be done and deciding which tasks are dependent on other tasks. What sets a good scheduler apart is laying everything out clearly and concisely so everyone knows what they need to do and the timeframe they need to do it in.

    1. Reading, writing and arithmetic

    The three Rs are essential skills you need as a project manager. While you might think you have a good level of reading, ask yourself if you could read a proposal for a project and immediately comprehend all of the legal and technical issues within the text you read. Could you write a solid brief for a project that any of your team members could understand? At the same time, can you verify or catch any math errors?
    One way to sharpen your skills in reading is to read anything and everything daily to hone your skills along with practising arithmetic skills and writing on your computer using one of the free helpful writing software add-ins or just relying on the built-in corrector in Word.

    1. Managing risks

    While we cannot predict the future and what might happen, we can develop skills for managing risks. Risk management generally comes with experience; however, you can boost this skill by reading books on risk management and talking to other project managers with more experience than you do.
    Risk management comprises identifying, evaluating, and avoiding risks that may crop up in your project. This means identifying any risks and working out a plan to avoid risk before it can derail the project.
    TSG Training offers the APM Project Risk Management level 1 course. The course determines knowledge and understanding of project risk management at the foundation level and is essential for anyone who wants to improve on this skill.

    1. Technical skills

    As a project manager, you typically have to be a jack of all trades and specialise in certain things. The number of technical skills you possess makes a huge difference in whether you are considered to be average or an expert.
    Technical skills cover a wide range of things, such as writing copy, being able to design, writing code or being able to wireframe a product.

    1. Researching

    A good project manager has to have excellent research skills. It is only by researching that you can understand the bigger picture. This not only applies to researching the project you are working on but also to knowing the systems and platforms you and your team use so you can have informed conversations with suppliers, clients and stakeholders.
    Try to become an expert in just about everything digital, for instance, everything from Apache to algorithms and Weibo, and clients will love you.

    1. Diplomacy

    As a project manager, an essential skill is being diplomatic. This means you can influence, negotiate and collaborate in any tricky situation. Being able to negotiate to ensure that all parties involved are satisfied is the key and is what makes you stand out.
    Any successful project manager will know that finding a middle ground is essential. If not handled tactfully, discussions can become counterproductive.

    1. Being a coach

    No, we are not talking about coaching football or any other sport. We are talking about being able to talk to your team and bring out the best in them. As a project manager, you need to draw out their full potential by such as giving positive feedback, showing them how they can grow, listening to any concerns they have and talking them over and to a point, allowing them to make mistakes to help them grow and develop their skills.

    1. Leadership

    Leadership is a skill that project managers must have to be a good project manager. As a manager, you have to lead and manage others on the team, motivating them, inspiring them and setting visions. An excellent course to take to boost leadership skills and other things is the Managing Successful Programmes Foundation & Practitioner course.

    1. Prioritisation

    Do you know how to prioritise? If you want to be successful in your career as a project manager, you need to excel at it. Not only do you have to be able to manage and prioritise your own time, but you also need to determine how your team will spend their time. You need to prioritise so that the right thing is done at the right time and no urgent tasks on put on the back burner while you deal with important ones. A time-tracking tool and task tool can help you to prioritise.

    Increase your skills to become the best project manager

    Whether you are just starting as a project manager or you wish to improve your skills there are plenty of project management training courses to help you succeed and get certified. You can boost your efficiency along with effectiveness in the workspace to become the best you possibly can be.

  • How to Make Decisions as a Program Manager

    How to Make Decisions as a Program Manager

    If you want to become a successful program manager, you will have to make many decisions during your career. Knowing when to take the next steps and how will be vital for the success of the project and is a valuable learning curve throughout your career. Here we are going to talk about critical decision-making skills for program managers and more to the point how to make good decisions.

    From unimportant to critical decisions

    As already mentioned as a program manager you will be making decisions daily, and plenty of them. Some of these will be critical and making choices will lead to the success or failure of the project, while others will be relatively unimportant but still need making.
    Making critical decisions is not easy and will require you, among other things, to:

    • Obtain accurate and complete data;
    • Take a close look at your logic and biases;
    • Think about the short and long-term impacts of your decision;
    • Acceptability of a decision and whether everyone will accept it.

    The classic approach to making decisions

    There is a rational set of steps outlined in the classic approach to making decisions, which are as follows:

    1. Identifying the issue – the first step is recognising that there is a problem. Following this is the definition of goals and collecting the information required to be able to go ahead and make a rational decision.
    2. Brainstorming all solutions – next is brainstorming all solutions without filtering anything reasonable at this point. This is where gathering assurance from many perspectives is important.

    A great example of a project that requires good decision-making is the multi-billion pound HS2 initiative in the UK. This is the largest infrastructure project in Europe, with Sir Jonathan Thompson at the helm, being responsible for leadership, oversight and accountability for the entire program. Imagine the pressure of making critical decisions on this scale.

    1. Choosing the best option – as a program manager, you need to use filtering criteria to decide on the best solution possible.
    2. Put the solution into practice and monitor results – finally, put the solution into practice and monitor the results.

    So, this is the classic approach to making the best decisions as a project manager, but of course, things don’t always go to plan.

    Issues to consider when following the classic approach to decision making

    While there is a rational set of steps that can be followed to help you make decisions as a program manager, there are issues with the model that don’t always make it easy to follow.
    For instance:

    • It would be easier to reach a decision if the problem was clear. However, in the real world, those making decisions very rarely have access to perfect information and the problem is not clear-cut;
    • Fatigue, attitudes and emotions may interfere with decision-making and put a stop to making a rational decision;
    • It is almost impossible for decision-makers to accurately forecast future consequences;
    • Ethical values and cultural values can influence the process of decision-making;
    • Data is often presented poorly, which makes a decision not obvious;
    • Decision-makers may find it difficult to comprehend huge amounts of information;
    • The decision maker may be influenced by those who may have a strong interest or preference for a particular outcome;
    • There are often more opinions than there are facts.

    Flaws in decision making

    Decision-making isn’t without its flaws when working as a program manager. There are five particular areas where flaws often occur that you have to be aware of, and these are:

    1. False assumptions
    2. Errors in logic
    3. Mistaking a symptom for a problem
    4. Unreliable memories
    5. Biases.

    Why Managing Successful Programs course is valuable

    A Managing Successful Programmes Foundation & Practitioner course (MSP®) is a best practice guide from the Home Office. It is a valuable course for any program manager as it is a structured approach.
    The course has been designed for program managers and was developed using collective expertise alongside practical experience from some of the leaders in the field. As such, the course reflects best practices while simultaneously being a workable technique that has been tested by program managers, strategists, consultants and others in the real world.
    The themes in the course are split over key areas that should be taken into account for managing programmes, along with practical examples to follow. One prime example of a theme is the justification theme which covers the whole journey, starting from the initial programme mandate through to completion. The themes are interlinked with the assurance and decision themes having a particularly close relationship.
    Assurance and decisions go hand-in-hand, as a successful program manager must have confidence in what they are doing. Confidence is crucial in making decisions as it affects everything, and this is covered in the course.

    Book your course to help you make better decisions as a program manager

    Good decision-making is key if you want to be successful as a program manager, and improving your skills goes a long way to ensuring you reach the top of your field by making better decisions.
    The MSP® course, which you can take virtually or in the classroom to learn the best practices in decision-making, is suitable for any program manager who wants to feel more confident in making decisions. This training can be invaluable if you want to become a better program manager, so why not book your course today with TSG Training?

  • Step By Step Guide To Starting a Successful Project Management Career

    Step By Step Guide To Starting a Successful Project Management Career

    So, you are considering starting a project management career, but as such a big industry, it can be overwhelming to know the best steps. Perhaps you just want to improve skills already learnt, you are just starting out, or you’re looking to acquire certain certifications to get to the next step. Here is a step-by-step guide to starting your successful project management career or enhancing it.

    What is project management?

    Project management is a complex field and a challenging career, and as a project manager, it is your job to be the leader of an entire project from the very conception to the planning, execution and completion. Therefore, to be a project manager, you need to be flexible and adaptable.
    As a project manager, you will:

    • Be a part of the creation process;
    • Execute the project;
    • Prepare methods of communication;
    • Find solutions and fix issues;
    • Solve issues quickly;
    • Monitor the whole of the project from beginning to end;
    • Connect the project to the business world and clients;
    • Be accountable for the success of the project.

     
    Project management generates £156.5 billion annually
    If you are entering project management as a career, you are among the 2.13 million FTEs in that sector in the UK. This is a profession that generates more than £156.5 billion annually.
    The government in the UK recently put the spotlight on project skills, which is a vital part of the UK economy. Two significant campaigns are levelling up and net zero, both of which require project managers before they can be delivered. However, they pointed out that there is a demand for project management professionals that isn’t covered by supply, so it is clear it is a career to get into as people are needed.
    So, where do you start?

    Step one – Is a project management career the right choice for you?

    The first step before jumping into a new career in project management is to make sure it is the right choice of career for you. Skills needed for success include:

    • Welcoming change with open arms;
    • Thriving on challenges;
    • Excel in organisation and communication;
    • Have great time management skills;
    • Have leadership skills;
    • Be a critical thinker;
    • Be able to make decisions under pressure;
    • A creative mindset;
    • Self-motivation;
    • Have a strategic focus.

    If you can say yes to the above, a project management career might be the one for you.

    Step two – Take a project management training course to become certified

    The second step towards enjoying a successful career in project management is to take a training course. TSG Training offers a range of courses with something suitable for everyone, including those just starting out, with foundation courses to specific qualifications and disciplines.
    Although you can get into project management by starting on small projects and working up, certification is becoming a skill that is required for many organisations. Find the right project management course for you to help you reach your goals, whatever stage of your career you are at right now. Online courses offer a great deal as you can gain work experience while at the same time preparing for the qualification.

    Step three – Choose your preferred area and apply for jobs

    With certification behind you, you are now on your way to a successful project management career, and you can choose your preferred area and then apply to companies for a job.
    Project coordinator is a good starting point
    There are many different areas and roles in project management. For instance, you might start in your career as a project coordinator. This is a great starting point as you work alongside project managers as an assistant, so you can learn a lot along the way. It’s a great way to enjoy hands-on experience and helps when applying for more senior positions at a later date.
    Delve into new development project manager
    If you have a keen analytical mind, you might choose to enter into a new product development project manager position. Development managers are always in high demand across many sectors, and key duties include product development and marketing it.
    Information technology project manager
    Information technology project managers are also keenly sought, and if you have IT-related skills or you learn and acquire them, this is an interesting sector to enter into.
    Environmental research project manager
    If you are passionate about the conservation of the environment, you might consider entering into an environmental research project manager position. Typical duties involved include the creation and development of plans for projects, coordinating and scheduling.
    Whichever sector you choose to venture into as a project manager, you can be sure no two projects you work on will be the same, and you are continually learning throughout your career.

    Take project management courses with TSG Training

    If you are looking to start a career in project management, you might want to start with the APMG Agile Project Management Foundation course. You can take the virtual course over two days, and it covers operating in an agile fashion within a project framework. Delegates gain an understanding of the Agile Project Management process and how it helps with such as planning, management and control for predictable project deliveries.
    The PRINCE2® Foundation Course is another great starter course, with the training providing delegates with an understanding of the PRINCE2® project management method. The virtual course is taken over three days and gets delegates ready for the examination at the end of the course.
    If you are considering entering into project management as a career, you might want to check out this article about overcoming key challenges as a project manager. The article applies to both newcomers and those who already have experience.
    TSG Training has been in the industry for 20 years and offers public and private training in physical and virtual classrooms, along with online self-paced training. Trainers provide a lifetime of support, and pass rates are above the industry averages. Contact us today to find out how we can help you to get started on your successful project management career today.

  • ILX Group announces acquisition of TSG Training Ltd

    ILX Group announces acquisition of TSG Training Ltd

    ILX Group, a leading provider of accredited and best practice training solutions, has completed the acquisition of TSG Training Ltd, a company that specialises in the provision of IT and software testing training courses.The deal will strengthen ILX Group’s accredited training offering and will provide growth opportunities to both businesses.
    ILX’s acquisition of TSG supports its ambition to help customers deliver on their digital transformation goals. IT is often at the heart of the changes that companies need to make to do business in the digital age, with software testing a critical component that accounts for an average of 30% of IT project development costs. The software testing market was sized at 40 billion USD last year, with a forecast CAGR of 6% between 2020-2030. This growing demand is leading to an increasing number of people looking to be trained and qualified in software testing.
    Russell Kenrick, Managing Director of ILX Group says, “TSG Training is a great company that shares our cultural values and approach to training and development. It has a strong brand with over 20 years of experience in IT and software testing training. As training specialists ourselves, we value this expertise, and when that’s combined with a great team, high quality products and fantastic customers – the incredible opportunity was clear. I am really excited to welcome the team to ILX Group and look forward to developing both businesses.”
    Current owner and Managing Director of TSG Training Ltd, Bernard Melson added, “I’m proud of what has been achieved at TSG Training, and I’m delighted that the business and its team have found a good home in ILX. They, like us, care about quality and have been focused on growing a business through great customers experiences, and I am excited to watch them build on the progress that we have made.”
    TSG Training Ltd will trade as a subsidiary of ILX Group PLC, and will be run by ILX as a standalone business, to leverage its strong brand. This will enable TSG Training to develop new products, invest in sales and marketing, bring in new customers, and ultimately, grow the business.
    TSG Training Ltd were advised by Chris Lloyd of Lloyd Advisory Ltd.
    About TSG Training
    TSG Training specialises in software testing training. The company offers public and private training delivered via classroom or virtual classroom, and can trace its roots back 20 years. TSG Training was established in 2017, having been spun out of Testing Solutions Group Ltd and is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and its most popular courses are ISTQB Software testing courses. TSG Training has been instrumental in furthering the bounds of excellence of the testing industry, and the company has contributed to the development of the syllabi and exams for the ISTQB certification programme.
    About ILX Group
    ILX delivers portfolio, programme & project management learning and consulting solutions via a blend of multimedia e-learning, games and simulations, mobile learning, traditional and virtual classroom training, practical workshops and coaching. We work with our clients to help them to take control of change and improve project outcomes.
    A market leader for over 30 years, ILX has provided best practice learning to more than 500,000 people across 5,000 organisations in over 120 countries. Our courses are developed in-house with a dedicated team of experts to produce quality learning that is engaging and flexible according to the needs of the client. The company and its multi-lingual trainers can support customers around the world.

  • How Secure is Your Data? Top Data Security Predictions for Hybrid Work in 2023

    How Secure is Your Data? Top Data Security Predictions for Hybrid Work in 2023

    As the world continues to move increasingly online, data security has become a major issue. With more and more sensitive information being stored and transferred digitally, IT professionals must stay informed on the latest data security trends and predictions. For hybrid work, in particular, data security is paramount. While IT teams were once tasked with keeping their organisation safe, now that the working boundaries have blurred with a hybrid set-up creating more challenges. So what can we expect from hybrid work and data security in 2023?

    What is data security?

    Data security refers to the practice of protecting sensitive or confidential information from unauthorised access and misuse. Protecting information from malicious actors and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations is important. In some cases, data security can even help to increase customer trust by demonstrating that a company takes its customers’ data seriously.
    Data security benefits include increased customer trust, improved compliance with regulations, and enhanced reputation. By protecting sensitive data, companies can ensure that it is not misused or accessed by unauthorised users.

    What is hybrid work?

    Hybrid work is the combination of remote work (working from home) and onsite work (working in an office). It has become increasingly popular since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers numerous advantages, such as cost savings and increased efficiency.
    However, there are also challenges associated with hybrid work. These include security threats, communication issues, as well as decreased collaboration among employees. Moreover, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different devices used in a hybrid work environment.

    Data security predictions for hybrid work in 2023

    Data security is essential for any business that relies on digital information transfer and storage. For hybrid work environments, this is especially true. Here are some data security predictions for 2023:
    Encryption
    Encryption is a must for any organisation that wants to protect its data from malicious actors. Encryption helps to ensure that only authorised personnel can access sensitive information. This is especially important in hybrid work environments, where multiple devices are used by different people. Going into 2023, we expect encryption to become increasingly important.
    Firewalls
    Firewalls are a crucial component of any data security strategy and are especially important for hybrid work environments. They should be set up to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic and block any malicious activity.
    Moving into 2023, experts predict that 99% of firewall breaches will come through misconfigurations rather than flaws – so bolstering these firewalls with training will become vital for increasing security protection.
    Multi-factor authentication
    Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a useful tool for ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive information. This can be implemented through the use of passwords, biometrics, or even physical tokens. We can expect organisations to increase the use of multi-factor authentication throughout 2023, as we already see this across many platforms as consumers.
    Data segmentation
    Data segmentation is an important part of any data security strategy and can help to protect both corporate networks and individual users in a hybrid work environment. It involves separating sensitive data into different segments and granting access to only those who need it.
    Access control
    Access control is a key element of any data security strategy and should be used to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive information. This can be done through user authentication, user authorisation, and privilege management.
    Monitoring activity
    Monitoring activity can help to identify any suspicious behaviour or malicious activity on a network or device. This should be done regularly in order to keep track of who has access to what information and detect any potential threats before they become a problem.
    Human factor
    Employee awareness is key when it comes to data security. Employees should be trained on how to protect sensitive information and how to identify any potential threats. Additionally, they should be encouraged to report any suspicious activity or suspected breaches immediately.
    Real-time prevention
    Real-time prevention methods such as behaviour analytics and AI-driven threat detection can help to prevent malicious actors from gaining access to sensitive information. These tools should be used regularly in order to ensure the safety of corporate networks and individual users alike.
    Mobile app security
    Mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular for both personal and business use, but they also pose a security risk if not properly secured. Mobile app developers must take steps to protect their apps from malware, unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and other potential threats.

    Protecting organisations in 2023

    Data security is essential for any business that relies on digital information transfer and storage, especially in hybrid work environments. As we move into 2023, IT professionals should consider the above data security predictions in order to protect their organisations from malicious actors.
    Implementing these strategies can help to ensure customer trust and compliance with relevant regulations while also providing peace of mind for employees working remotely or in an office setting.
    If you need more support in protecting your organisation from data security threats, TSG Training offers a range of classroom, virtual, and online training options to bolster your security skills. Browse our range of courses today here or if you prefer, chat with our team, who can talk you through the different options and find the courses that suit your particular learning style and career journey.

  • Main Challenges Of Test Automation For eCommerce Websites

    Main Challenges Of Test Automation For eCommerce Websites

    In 2022, the UK has over 60 million eCommerce users, with over 82% of the population buying goods online. Internet sales continue to take up a significant proportion of the retail market, which means that it’s now becoming more and more important for businesses to have an online retail presence. However, running an eCommerce site is not easy, and software engineers face a range of challenges when developing and improving eCommerce sites.
    Test automation, the process of executing tests automatically to compare the predicted outcomes against the actual outcomes, is a key part of managing eCommerce sites to ensure the site keeps up with customer demand and ensures a seamless user experience.
    However, test automation for eCommerce websites presents a unique set of challenges that must be addressed in order for software testers to ensure the quality and reliability of the website. Failing to execute adequate testing can cause significant problems for the business and customers and can seriously hinder the growth of the eCommerce site.

    What are the challenges that software testers face?

    Relevance of the testing process
    Test automation can help software testers ensure that tests are relevant to the current state of the system. This requires testers to be familiar with the system design, its components, and how they interact with each other. With this in mind, testers need to be familiar with the eCommerce software being used and be up to date with the latest training or updates for the software,
    Team collaboration
    In order for test automation to be successful, software testers must collaborate closely with developers and other stakeholders. This enables testers to ensure that tests are being written correctly and efficiently. When communication within teams is misaligned, this can create challenges in the test automation process.
    Maintaining a consistent test environment
    A consistent test environment is necessary for effective test automation. Software testers must ensure that all components used in tests are up-to-date and configured correctly. In the fast-moving eCommerce world, this can be difficult to capture.
    Third-party integrations
    eCommerce websites often rely on third-party services such as payment gateways or shipping services. Testers must ensure that these integrations are configured correctly and that tests take into account any changes made to them.
    Product and service changes
    As products and services change over time, software testers must update tests accordingly. This requires testers to have a solid understanding of how the system works and how changes will affect it. It is also then important to have clear information for all product and service updates which could impact the testing process.
    Keeping up with changes in the environment
    Test automation requires testers to regularly monitor changes in the environment, such as new features or bug fixes. This helps ensure that tests are up-to-date and relevant.
    Limited visibility of the eCommerce system
    Due to its complexity, an eCommerce system can be difficult to understand from a testing perspective. Software testers must have a comprehensive understanding of how the system works in order to identify potential issues before they become problems.
    Difficulty in simulating the user experience
    It can be difficult to accurately simulate user experience with automated tests due to their limited scope. Software testers must use tools such as user interviews and analytics to gain insights into how users interact with the system.
    Investing in automation tools
    Automation tools can be expensive, but they can also provide significant cost savings in terms of time and resources. Software testers must carefully evaluate which tools are most appropriate for their needs.

    Navigating the challenges of testing automation in the eCommerce industry

    Test automation for eCommerce websites presents a unique set of challenges that require software testers to have an in-depth understanding of the system design and the eCommerce set-up. There are many challenges that can come through test automation in this field, but addressing these challenges is essential for software testers in order to ensure the quality and reliability of an eCommerce website.
    By understanding these challenges and utilising appropriate tools, software testers can ensure that tests are relevant to the current state of the system and that all components are configured correctly.
    To support software testers, both training and tools become essential. At TSG Training, we can support software testers with a range of online and in-person training options. From our one-day Introduction to Test Automation course to help those starting in the field to the ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer Certificate Course, which ensures engineers will have all the information and support they need to design, develop and maintain automatic testing solutions.
    To find the right training solution for you and your team, TSG Training is happy to talk you through our range of courses to find the ideal course that will progress your knowledge and career in the field. Talk to our team here.