5 Steps to Plan Your Cisco Certification Journey like a Undertaking Supervisor  

Hello, I’m Natarshia, a advertising supervisor with a front-row view of learners in our neighborhood and their journey to changing into licensed. However I’m additionally a lifelong learner myself. As I work towards my Undertaking Administration Skilled (PMP) Certification, I’m studying that planning and organizing are important when beginning a undertaking.

Then I had a thought: Why not use these undertaking administration abilities to plan a certification journey? “The Undertaking Administration Method to Certification” positive does have a pleasant ring to it.

Getting a certification takes a whole lot of dedication, lengthy hours, sacrifice, and examine preparation! The identical is true if you’re managing a undertaking.  On my journey, I’ve realized concerning the 5 phases of undertaking administration: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and management, and eventually, closure. Making use of these ideas helps section the work, create a examine timeline, map progress, and construct confidence to fulfill objectives.

As a result of they’ve labored so properly for me, I feel they might additionally give you the results you want. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the 5 steps you possibly can take to plan your Cisco certification journey like a undertaking supervisor!  

Step 1: Initiation 

Earlier than you begin your journey, you have to first outline your objective; your anchor of motivation for if you get distracted. Lists have all the time helped me keep targeted.

Make a listing of the explanations you wish to get licensed. I’m a visible particular person, so I write them out and put up them on the wall. My causes are advancing my profession, rising my wage, and gaining credibility within the business. I additionally created a storyline from my record.

My story went like this:  

I’ve rather a lot to supply and might most likely do extra with my pure expertise and skill. I plan initiatives all day lengthy anyway. Would certification increase my credibility? The analysis I’ve learn says hiring managers usually tend to rent and promote folks from inside once they maintain certifications. It may imply a rise in my wage, and this degree of accreditation is a monumental achievement. 

In the event you want a bit push to get began on your record, ask your self: why certify? What are you able to acquire from being licensed? Possibly somebody impressed you and now you wish to turn into the following certification success story. Analysis potential job roles, contemplate the market demand and the place there may be alternative. For instance, cybersecurity is among the fastest-growing fields. If it piques your curiosity and also you wish to pursue a job in safety, reply the decision to certification. You can too discover out extra about profession paths you possibly can take, what has labored for others, and be taught extra about every Cisco certification from the Cisco Studying Community Group. 

Together with your objective outlined, you can begin planning your objectives.

Step 2: Planning 

I’d by no means begin planning a highway journey with out a map and an itinerary of important sightseeing locations. Likewise, you can also make an action-item roadmap for examination subjects if you create your certification plan. Suppose you’re learning for the CCNA Cisco certification: yow will discover the CCNA examination subjects on the Cisco Studying Community and obtain a examine plan worksheet.   

Tasks may be overwhelming. The Undertaking Administration Course of Chart* exhibits 5 phases and 49 processes to observe as you examine for the PMP. Every has its personal set of inputs, instruments, methods, and outputs (ITTOs). Sounds overwhelming, proper?  

However you possibly can break down these processes into smaller items to make them extra attainable. For instance, a Undertaking Administration work breakdown schedule (WBS) is a visible, hierarchical, and deliverable-oriented deconstruction of a undertaking.* A useful diagram software for undertaking managers, this step-by-step method permits you to map out one thing enormous into smaller, bite-sized duties.

The primary steps in a WBS embody defining the undertaking, setting boundaries, figuring out deliverables and workforce members, and charting undertaking actions over time. To simplify, let’s take the primary CCNA examination matter and break down the primary topic class into sub-subjects primarily based on the educational map. You may do that for every matter for the examination: 

Now take the examination subjects and do the identical factor, including an estimated timeline for every field. You recognize your self higher than anybody else, and you already know which ideas will take longer to soak up. However take warning! An extended timeline isn’t all the time higher. Stretching issues out too lengthy can result in procrastination. 

💡 Tip: Save time in your CCNA certification examine plan with this CCNA Examination Matter Research Device. (It’s free!)

Step 3: Execution 

The execution part forces you to set a deadline to finish your certification after which transfer towards milestones all through the plan. Based mostly in your timelines in your WBS, preserve adjusting till you’re comfy and your undertaking appears achievable. Then go forward and begin, attempting to remain as near your timeline as potential.  

 The WBS blocks symbolize your milestones. Cross them off as you full them. Asana is a wonderful software for planning and constructing your certification technique. 

Step 4: Monitoring and Management 

This part means you possibly can modify alongside the best way as you measure your efficiency and set targets. Ensure that to maintain your examine enjoyable and fascinating by mixing up your supplies. Use assets equivalent to Cisco Press books, coaching movies, podcasts, and Prep webinars, and bear in mind to make the most of your community! Ask questions from the specialists within the Cisco Studying Community Group boards. 

Step 5: Closure 

Simply if you thought you have been carried out, you continue to must gauge your information. An examination assessment software like Examination Overview: CCNA  is an effective way to do this. You can too hone your abilities with Cisco apply checks, Cisco Studying Labs, and community simulation and virtualization instruments like Cisco Modeling Labs. 

Congratulations! Lastly, you possibly can end what you began and take the examination to fulfill your purpose! 

Following these steps to plan your certification journey like a undertaking supervisor would possibly seem to be rather a lot to swallow. However for those who take small bites, plan your journey, and set up your time and assets, you’ll be amazed at how a lot you possibly can accomplish. I do know I used to be. 

Thanks for studying! I hope you discovered this weblog useful. I might love to listen to what you concentrate on my undertaking administration method to planning a certification journey. When you have different strategies that give you the results you want, let’s hear ’em. Share your ideas within the feedback beneath!

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Associated: Keep within the loop on each blueprint replace and revision. Learn: “Certification Roadmaps: A Holistic View to Plan Your Certification Journey.”  Learn now.

*https://www.projectmanager.com/guides/work-breakdown-structure
**https://www.forbes.com/advisor/enterprise/what-is-work-breakdown-structure/

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