Certification focus

(upbeat music) - We all want to be the best at what we do every day. We can say we're the best at what we do, but how do we prove it to those around us and those that might hire us for our next role? In the field of project leadership, certifications can play a vital role in proving that we know our stuff and can be entrusted with the most important business objectives. You may have heard that Agile is like the rule-breaker's version of project management. At the same time, you know more and more companies are adopting these practices. So why is that? Well, Agile has a much higher success rate than traditional methods. So many companies are trying it out. Since that's the world we project leaders live in, it only makes sense to learn more about this family of Agile practices. Understanding them can help you hone your skills so you're a more valuable team member to your organization. One of the top certifications in the field today is the Certified ScrumMaster, or CSM. The CSM demonstrates your knowledge of and ability to work in the Scrum framework. It's a great launching point to refine your skills as a ScrumMaster or to get started in a ScrumMaster role. - The exam will use the language of the Agile Extension and horizons and not necessarily the language you've used every day with your team or the exact methodology or framework that your team follows. If you haven't opened up and looked at the Agile Extension yet, it's a must. Besides being a great resource for Agile BAs and Agile analysis, it's what the exam is based on. To pass the exam, I highly recommend reading the Agile Extension in detail. Reading the Agile Extension, perhaps multiple times, will make you think, make you a better Agile BA, and prepare you for the exam. - Becoming a PMP-certified project manager can be a great way to further your career, increase your earnings, and become an in-demand resource for your company. As the project management profession has grown over the years, so has the need to have a documented way to practice project management. Out of this came "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge", otherwise known as the "PMBOK Guide". I remember how I felt the first time I saw the "PMBOK Guide". I'll admit, I was a bit intimidated by how thick it was and all the data that was packed into the chapters, but I soon discovered that the "PMBOK" was broken down by different components which made it easier to understand.