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Delivered Wednesdays- While paid educational programs are available, IT managers interested in project management can take advantage of free training materials.
- Many project management certifications require an exam to demonstrate your competency in the information the course covers.
- An IT certification can propel your career forward, give you more experience and advance your project management skills.
- This article is for IT professionals, managers and entrepreneurs interested in project management training.
Project management and information technology (IT) have a complicated relationship. While it’s not exactly a core subject for related academic curricula, project management is something that touches deeply and directly on most IT activities. That probably explains why project management certifications command a constant presence among the top 10 top-paying certifications of interest to IT professionals over the past decade.
Given the incredible popularity and demand for project management skills and knowledge, it is no surprise that one can find commercial project management training courses to fit nearly every schedule and budget. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good choices available for free training. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best project management training systems and certifications to help you become a better IT manager.
What are some free project management training options?
An online education phenomenon is reshaping the training landscape as we know it. It’s based on free online training courses called MOOCs, short for massively online open courses. These are housed on open, high-volume, high-capacity, cloud-based training platforms, such as edX, Moodle and Udemy.
While monetization of training is possible on some of these platforms, a MOOC is supposed to be free for the taking. Organizations or institutions that offer such free courses can still charge fees for testing, certificates of completion and other add-ons, but the basic course materials remain free to all interested parties.
Here’s a list of some of the best project management offerings.
Cybrary Course CYB-2010: Project Management Professional
Professional instructor Vincent McKeown delivers a 10-module series of video lectures, each of which maps to a domain in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) for the Project Management Institute Project Management Professional (PMI PMP) certification. At just over five hours, the course is neither incredibly detailed nor extensive, but it does provide a useful orientation for those just getting started on the subject.
ALISON: Diploma in Project Management
With more than 282,000 students having either taken or now taking this course, this MOOC has seen some serious traction to mostly positive reviews. The course contains three modules, covers 28 subjects and takes 10 to 15 hours to complete. While it doesn’t map directly to the PMP or other project management credentials, it does provide a useful introduction to the subject matter.
Other ALISON courses on project management
As a full-fledged MOOC delivery platform, ALISON offers a project management page among its course listings. In addition to the previous diploma item, it has courses about project management fundamentals, skills, resource management and a host of other topics.
Udemy
Udemy courses are not always or even often free, but many are inexpensive. A search for project management on Udemy produces hundreds of courses. Most cost between $20 and $50 each, although we found many as low as $10 and a few on the high end at $200. A search on PMP produces more than 2,600 free and paid courses. You’ll spend a lot of time fiddling with the search engine to find what you want, but there are plenty of choices here.
edX.org
EdX gets many of its project management courses via Microsoft these days. As a result, despite a huge catalog of offerings, many of the project management courses relate to Microsoft Project and Microsoft Project Portfolio Management (PPM). We did find a few project management courses from institutions such as the University of Adelaide, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Australian National University and the University of Washington.
The best online project management software can help companies organize their work and monitor tasks big and small.
MIT OpenCourseWare
A search on MIT OpenCourseWare produces thousands of results for project management courses, many of which show a profound focus on engineering and business management topics. Nevertheless, there’s a lot of interesting stuff here that’s well worth trawling through for those seeking top-notch offerings.
ProjectManager.com
ProjectManager.com has 30 guides designed to help you learn the basics of project management. Inside many of these guides are video tutorials that provide more information about their respective topics. You’ll need some time and willpower to stitch a curriculum together here, but there’s lots of good material available. The company also maintains a YouTube channel, where you can easily find training videos.
YouTube
YouTube is rife with project management training videos. Searches on YouTube for “project management” or “PMP” produce hundreds of thousands of results.
MOOC List
The MOOC List allows you to execute a consolidated search for trainings available in the next 30 days. Most courses are offered with specific starting dates, so this database points only to relevant courses starting in the near term.
Oxford Home Study Short Course
The Oxford Home Study Centre offers several project management courses that introduce candidates to the many aspects of project management, project life cycles and project management roles. A certificate is issued at the end of each course.
Saylor Academy
Saylor Academy has two project management courses: one in the business field and the other in software engineering. The first course requires 62 hours and covers the key elements of project management and its more technical details. The software engineering course totals 41 hours and presents subjects ranging from life cycle models to design quality assurance. Upon completing either course, you’ll receive a free certificate.
GoSkills
GoSkills pulls up 30 project management courses when searching for project management. These courses span basic frameworks, software programs and process control. Each course includes video tutorials along with tests and quizzes to help you prepare for project management exams and earn learning hours toward your certification.
Various online platforms offer free training, lessons and certification prep for deeper dives into project management skills and practices. It’s just a matter of sorting through the available options to find the ones that appeal to you.
What are some low-cost project management training options?
If you’re willing to spend a small sum of money, there are some appealing low-cost project management training options. For example, most Coursera courses are $49, and multicourse bundles are also available (such as UC Irvine’s Introduction to Project Management Principles and Practices). The Master of Project Academy offers numerous free online training courses for project management certifications, such as the PMP, CAPM, Six Sigma and Prince 2. However, for $397 per month, you can purchase an all-course bundle that includes all Master of Project Academy courses.
Like UC Irvine, many colleges and universities offer courses aimed at the PMP and related PMI certifications, such as CAPM and PMP add-ons for portfolio and program management, as well as other credentials for risk management, scheduling and so forth. These courses cost the same as other college courses and are taught in a similar fashion. That puts them halfway between low-cost/no-cost options and short-term, higher-priced intensive courses from traditional training outlets such as Global Knowledge, New Horizons and Learning Tree.
What are some higher-priced project management training options?
Hundreds to thousands of other offerings for project management training at higher costs are readily available around the globe. For PMP or other PMI certifications, there’s a whole network of partners that teach an official curriculum. Some are in academia; others offer purely commercial courses. All the biggest training companies offer PMP and related certification training, as do the major online training players (such as LinkedIn Learning, Simplilearn and Pluralsight).
Our project management software buying guide is designed to help small businesses find the right product for managing their operations.
What skills do I need to become a project manager?
Project management software is at the heart of most IT activities, including system design and development, deployment, and maintenance. All of these routine activities can also be characterized as projects – some of massive scope and duration, others more quick and evanescent. Indeed, that’s why project management skills and knowledge are in high demand among IT professionals in nearly every specialty and area of technical focus in that field.
The best project managers possess a great eye for detail and are highly organized. Masters of soft skills, they are clear, concise and effective communicators in both speaking and writing. These professionals are excellent problem-solvers and negotiators. It’s also helpful if they have an understanding of cross-functional areas – such as supply chain, HR and resource constraints; procurement; finance; and change orders – which may impact overall project outcomes.
What are some popular project management methodologies?
As a project management professional, you’ll find no shortage of methodologies. There is no one “right” methodology, and the one you choose to practice will be influenced by factors like the type of project, industry sector and your business’s preference. When choosing project management training materials, look for courses that complement the methodology you want to practice.
These are some of the most popular project management styles and frameworks:
- Waterfall is a traditional project management methodology with a linear downward process flow. Design changes are difficult to implement. Project phases include system and software requirements, analysis, design, coding, testing, and operations. It’s often used with large projects where defined schedules are required and few changes are expected.
- Six Sigma project managers (usually referred to as Black, Green or Yellow belts) focus on improving quality and efficiency by identifying what doesn’t work and removing it from the process. A Six Sigma Black Belt, for example, would define the problem, measure the current process, analyze data, Excellerate the process and then control the future process.
- Agile was introduced in 2001 as a response to the Agile Manifesto and originally geared toward software development. In the Agile framework, teams are collaborative and self-organizing. Projects are incremental and iterative, enabling team members to move quickly and respond to change.
- Scrum, a type of Agile framework, focuses on five core values – courage, commitment, openness, respect and focus. As with Agile, teams are collaborative. Iterations are organized into short blocks of time called “sprints,” which enable great flexibility to respond to design change. A Scrum master (a servant-leader) holds daily meetings where team members discuss what they did the day before and what they plan to accomplish each day. [Related article: What Is Agile Scrum Methodology?]
- Kanban, another type of Agile framework, is popular in manufacturing environments. Teams are collaborative and self-managing. Kanban practices include visualization, limiting work in progress, flow management, making policies explicit, feedback and collaborative evolution.
- PMI PMBOK (the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge), while not strictly a project management methodology, is a well-known and respected standard for project management practices. PMI’s certifications, especially its PMP credential, are among the most coveted project management credentials. PMBOK practices focus on five primary process areas: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing.
While project management is all about managing workflow, project resource management is about ensuring resources are being used efficiently.
How long does it take to get a project management certification?
Requirements to earn a project management certification are set by the individual certification provider and may include a combination of exams, specific training courses, and minimum education level or experience. The requirements to earn advanced certifications are generally more than those for entry-level credentials. For example, the Project Management Professional is one of the most highly prized certifications available. In addition to passing a rigorous exam, candidates must also possess a combination of education, project management education and experience.
CompTIA’s Project+, an entry-level certification, recommends that candidates have 12 months’ experience before attempting the exam. However, since this is a recommendation only, candidates can obtain this certification by sitting for the exam regardless, which makes it the only one we found that is available without requiring additional training, education or experience.
In the table below, you’ll find information on obtaining five popular project management certifications. For more details, see our roundup of the best project management certifications.
| Certification | Skill level | Exams | Education/experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Project+ | Entry | 1 | 12 months’ experience recommended |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Entry | 1 | High school diploma and 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education |
| Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Entry | 1 | Two-day, fee-based training course |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | Advanced | 1 | Four-year college degree, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification or High school or associate’s degree, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification |
| Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) | Advanced | 1 | Three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas, plus one completed project with signed affidavit or two completed projects with signed affidavits and three years of work experience |
There are several types of project management certifications. Some are more difficult than others, and each one has its own requirements for candidates.
Are IT certifications necessary?
You don’t necessarily need an IT certification to lead projects in the field. However, obtaining an IT certification can help you gain more knowledge and skills for effectively managing projects and leading your team. Getting an IT certification can also result in a salary increase and make your résumé more appealing to employers.
If you believe an IT certification could be a good addition to your career, the first step is to choose the area in which you want to receive a certification; project management is hardly the only option. Below are more than a dozen of the best certification areas for IT professionals.
- Big data
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- Cloud IT
- Computer forensics
- Computer hardware
- Computer networking
- Data center
- Databases
- Enterprise architect
- Healthcare IT
- Help desk
- Information security
- IT governance
- IT trainer
- Linux
- Mobile app development
- Mobility
- Programming
- Project management
- Storage
- System administrator
- Telecommunications
- Unified communications
- Virtualization certifications
- VoIP and telephony
- Web
- Wireless networking
How should I get started with project management training?
Start digging into the outlets and offerings that interest you most. When training is free, the only thing you have to lose is your time and energy. Thus, you can try things out and stop at any time if they don’t work for you. When it comes to paid training, we recommend looking at online reviews, seeking personal recommendations from people you know and trust, and requesting feedback from former course attendees or materials users to help steer you toward the right choice.
Shayna Waltower contributed to the writing and research in this article.
VIEW ALL COURSE TIMES AND SESSIONS
Description
The objective of the course is to make students aware of the Economical, Technological, Managerial and Organizational aspects associated with outsourcing and project portfolio management. Case studies and related discussions will explore some of the challenges and best practices in the area of outsourcing and project management. subjects include: project and portfolio management, benefits and risks of outsourcing, performance metrics, business models and ROI. Students will learn how to prepare business cases and learn how to choose which projects should be undertaken. Students will also explore how to handle the human side of managing projects.
Faculty Profile
Project management certifications have claimed a place in every top IT certification list for years. That’s because project managers are important to IT operations of all kinds. Whether you are interested in becoming an IT project manager or just want to add project management to your list of soft skills, these five leading certifications will help you add to or boost those skills and, in turn, increase your value.
If there’s a single set of soft skills that’s been fixed on the IT radar for the past decade or so, to the point where it’s become almost as sought after and every bit as valuable as top-level credentials, it must be project management. Thanks in large part to the immensely popular and widely pursued Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), this area has become an incredibly valuable merit badge for IT professionals of all stripes. That’s because it enhances and expands on the value of just about any other kind of technical credential.
Project management has everything to do with planning, scheduling, budgeting for, and then executing and reporting on projects of all shapes and sizes. In fact, anything and everything that IT does can be understood or handled as a project of some kind. It applies to one-of-a-kind activities that happen only once or very seldom (think hardware or OS upgrades or migrating from older to newer platforms or infrastructures). Ditto for a recurring series of activities that repeat regularly (think security patches, software updates or other regular maintenance tasks). Thus, project management is incredibly important and valuable to IT operations across the board.
According to PMI’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition [pdf], IT professionals who hold a PMP report median base annual salaries in the U.S. of almost $116,000. The top 25 percent of survey respondents report base salaries of at least $139,000. Depending on such factors as complexity and size of projects, location, fields of expertise (e.g., IT, construction or healthcare), and experience, salaries for some PMP credential holders can be much higher still.
Robert Half’s Technology & IT 2019 Salary Guide lists project management as a hot certification, with salaries varying slightly by technology area. It cites a salary range of $93,000 to $157,500 for project managers in application development environments. Project managers engaged in consulting and system integration roles can expect to earn $96,250 to $163,500 nationwide. This explains nicely why PMP appears in nearly every top 10 list of popular, targeted or most desirable certifications since the early 2000s. It’s no surprise that Robert Half also lists the PMP credential, along with Agile and Scrum certifications, as “highly valued technology certifications” trending up in the IT industry.
To give you an idea of which project management credentials employers look for in prospective candidates, we conducted a quick survey on some popular job boards. Clearly, the PMP is the overall favorite and remains our No. 1 pick for must-have project management certifications. PMI’s entry-level project management credential, the CAPM, also made our top five. The CSM from Scrum Alliance, along with ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt credentials, round out those picks. It’s also worth noting that job postings for project managers increased by 20 percent from 2018 across all project management certifications.
Job board survey results (in alphabetical order, by certification)
| Certification | SimplyHired | Indeed | LinkedIn Jobs | LinkUp.com | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPM (Project Management Institute) | 593 | 718 | 1,187 | 381 | 2,879 |
| CSM (Scrum Alliance) | 3,550 | 4,916 | 9,286 | 3,052 | 20,804 |
| CSSBB (ASQ) | 998 | 1,231 | 1,817 | 848 | 4,864 |
| CSSGB (ASQ) | 1,205 | 1,457 | 1,966 | 842 | 5,470 |
| PMP (Project Management Institute) | 13,683 | 18,311 | 28,064 | 9,096 | 69,154 |
CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
The same organization behind the more senior Project Management Professional (PMP) credential also backs the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). In fact, the CAPM is properly considered a steppingstone credential for those who wish to attain PMP status by stages, rather than in a single giant leap. That’s why PMI describes the CAPM as a “valuable entry-level certification for project practitioners” that is “designed for those with little or no project experience.”
The PMP requires three to five years of documented on-the-job project management experience, depending on the educational background of each applicant. On the other hand, the CAPM requires only a high school diploma and either 1,500 hours of documented on-the-job experience (about nine months of full-time work) or 23 hours of project management classroom training prior to taking the exam. The education prerequisite can be met by completing PMI’s Project Management Basics online course which costs $350 for PMI members and $400 for non-members.
Nor does the CAPM require continuing education (which PMI calls PDUs, or professional development units) as does the PMP (60 PDUs every three years) to maintain this credential. To recertify, CAPM holders must retake the exam once every five years.
The CAPM is one of a small set of entry-level project management certifications (including the CompTIA Project+) that IT professionals interested in project management might choose to pursue. Remember, though, that it is just a steppingstone to the PMP.
Unless you work in a large organization where a project management team is in place that includes junior as well as senior positions, the CAPM by itself is unlikely to provide a ticket to a project management job. However, it’s ideal for IT professionals for whom project management is a part-time job role or who want to grow into full-time project management.
CAPM facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | High school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent, plus 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education
Certification valid for five years; candidates must retake exam to maintain credential. |
| Number of exams | One (150 questions; 15 questions are unscored; three hours to complete) |
| Cost per exam | Computer- or paper-based exams:
PMI member: $225 (retake $150) Nonmember: $300 (retake $200) Exam available in online proctored or center-based test (CBT) formats. Exam administered by Pearson VUE. |
| URL | www.pmi.org/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx |
| Self-study materials | PMI maintains a list of self-study materials on its exam guidance webpage, including the Exam Content Outline [pdf], trial exam questions [pdf] and the CAPM Handbook [pdf].
Numerous books are available, including: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members) CAPM exam Prep, Third Edition, by Rita Mulcahy, Sept. 2013, RMC Publications, ISBN-10: 1932735720, ISBN-13: 978-1932735727 CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One exam Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628 |
CSM: Certified ScrumMaster
As companies seek to deliver more for less, many adopt Agile methodologies to streamline processes, build quality into products and ensure that final builds meet customer requirements. As Agile methodologies have become more popular, it’s no surprise that we see increased demand for IT practitioners qualified to manage projects in Agile environments.
While different Scrum master certifications are available, our pick is the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from the Scrum Alliance. This nonprofit encourages adoption of Scrum and Agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 500,000 certified practitioners worldwide.
The Scrum Alliance provides a support system for Scrum practitioners, including Scrum Gatherings, user groups, virtual communications, coaching, online training and much more. In addition to community and advocacy activities, the Scrum Alliance offers numerous Scrum-related certifications at the foundation, advanced, professional, elevated (guide) and leadership levels. Scrum Alliance certifications are designed for team members engaged in Scrum master, product owners and developer roles. The Scrum master and product owner tracks offer credentials at the foundation, advanced and professional levels which the developer track only offers a foundation and professional level cert.
- Scrum Master Track: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM), and Certified Scrum Professional – Scrum Master (CSP-SM)
- Product Owner Track: Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) and Certified Scrum Professional – Product Owner (CSP-PO)
- Developer Track: Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) and Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
- Elevated or guide credentials: Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Team Coach (CTC) and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC)
- Agile Leadership: The Scrum Alliance also offers the Certified Agile Leadership (CAL) program, a credential based on a combination of education and validated practice. There are two credentials – the Certified Agile Leadership I and Certified Agile Leadership II.
For project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners, the CSM makes an excellent entry-level credential. Not only must candidates demonstrate an understanding of Scrum principles and values, but they’ll learn how to implement and apply Scrum in practice. The Scrum Alliance provides CSMs with multiple resources, plus checklists and information about the servant-leader role of the Scrum master.
Certified ScrumMaster facts and figures
CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Globally recognized, ASQ certifications attest to candidate expertise, mastery of industry and regulation standards, and mastery of the ASQ Body of Knowledge. Currently, ASQ offers 18 credentials, three of which specifically target project management: the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (expert level), the Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional level) and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) (entry level).
The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is ASQ’s highest Six Sigma credential. The CSSBB aims at experienced practitioners who understand Six Sigma methodologies (including the DMAIC model), tools, systems and philosophies. CSSBBs can lead teams or manage team dynamics, roles and responsibilities.
The path to CSSBB certification is rigorous. In addition to passing a comprehensive exam, candidates must complete two projects that employ Six Sigma tools and processes, resulting in project improvement and a positive financial project impact. An affidavit is also required to attest to the veracity of the project. Alternatively, candidates with at least three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas need only complete one Black Belt project.
CSSBB candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of the ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge, called standards:
- Organization-wide Planning and Deployment (organization-wide considerations, leadership)
- Organization Process Management and Measures (impact on stakeholders, benchmarking, business measures)
- Team Management (team formation, facilitation, dynamics, training)
- Define (voice of the customer, business case and project charter, project management tools, analytical tools)
- Measure (process characteristics, data collection, measurement systems, basic statistics, probability, process capability)
- Analyze (measuring and modeling relationships between variables, hypothesis testing, failure mode and effects analysis, other analysis methods)
- Improve (design of experiments, lean methods, implementation)
- Control (statistical process control and other controls, maintain controls, sustain improvements)
- Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (common DFSS methodologies, design for DVX, robust designs)
The CSSBB is valid for three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 18 recertification units or retake the exam.
CSSBB facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | Two completed projects with signed project affidavit, or one completed project with signed affidavit plus three years of experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge |
| Number of exams | One: computer-based (165 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (150 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | $438 members, $538 nonmembers (retakes $338)
Exams administered by Prometric. |
| URL | https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt |
| Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive trial exams, books and other recommended references. |
CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) by ASQ is a professional-level credential targeting experienced Six Sigma practitioners. Often, a CSSGB works under the direction of the more senior CSSBB or as an assistant. CSSGBs identify issues and drive quality and process improvements in projects.
To earn the credential, candidates should have at least three years of experience working with Six Sigma processes, systems and tools. The work experience must have been full time and compensated; an unpaid internship, for example, doesn’t count. In addition, work performed must have been in at least one of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge competency areas.
In addition to work experience, candidates must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge. Currently, the Green Belt Body of Knowledge includes six competency areas:
- Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (organizational goals, lean principles, design methodologies)
- Define Phase (project identification, customer voice, project management basics, management and planning tools, project business results, team dynamics and performance)
- Measurement Phase (process analysis and documentation, probability and statistics, statistical distributions, data collection, measurement system analysis, process and performance capability)
- Analyze Phase (exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing)
- Improve Phase (design of experiments, root cause analysis, lean tools)
- Control Phase (statistical process control, control plan, lean tools for process control)
Overall, this is an excellent credential for those who have some experience but are not quite ready to take on the roles and responsibilities of a Black Belt.
CSSGB facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | Three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge areas
Experience must be a full-time paid position (internships do not meet the experience requirement) |
| Number of exams | One: computer-based (110 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (100 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | $338 members, $438 nonmembers; retakes cost $238
Exams administered by Prometric. |
| URL | https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-green-belt |
| Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of exam prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive trial exams, books and other recommended references. |
PMP: Project Management Professional
The Project Management Institute (PMI) not only stands behind its Project Management Professional certification, it works with academia and training companies to ensure proper coverage and currency in the various curricula that support this and other PMI credentials. Boasting more than 500,000 global members and 750,000 PMP certified professionals around the world, PMI’s PMP remains one of the most prestigious project management credentials available. (Note: The PMP’s precursor, the CAPM, is covered in an earlier section of this article.)
That’s why you can obtain college- and university-based PMP training from so many institutions. It’s also why you may sometimes find PMP coverage integrated into certain degree programs (often at the master’s degree level).
The PMP credential is coveted by employers seeking the most highly skilled project management professionals. Developed by project managers, the PMP certification is the highest level offered in PMI certifications. It is designed to ensure that credential-holders possess the skills and qualifications necessary to successfully manage all phases of a project, including initiating, planning, scheduling, controlling and monitoring, and closing out the project.
PMP certified projects managers are also well versed and skilled in managing all aspects of the triple constraints – time, cost and scope. Employers depend on the skills of PMP professionals to manage budgets, track costs, manage scope creep, identify how changes to the triple constraints may introduce risk into the project, and minimize such risk to protect the project investment.
The standards for PMP certification are rigorous. Beyond passing a comprehensive exam, credential holders must first demonstrate and certify that they have the skills and education necessary to succeed in the project management field. Credential seekers should be ready to provide documentation for items such as education, projects worked on and hours spent in each of the five project management stages – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing out the project.
While it’s difficult to achieve, the rewards for PMP credential holders can be significant. According to PMI’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition, PMPs in the U.S. earn an average of 23 percent more than their non-credentialed counterparts. The survey reports median salaries of PMPs in the United States at $115,000, as opposed to $92,000 for non-PMP certified project managers.
For those interested in program management or wishing to specialize in a project management area, PMI offers several interesting additional credentials:
The PMP remains a nonpareil certification for IT and other professionals whose responsibilities encompass project management. It is the standard against which all other project management credentials are judged.
It should be noted that, after meeting the prerequisites, candidates are also required to pass a rigorous exam. Candidates must obtain an eligibility ID from PMI before they can register for the exam.
PMP facts and figures
| Certification name | Project Management Professional (PMP) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required Courses | Required courses: None
Prerequisite skills: Four-year degree, 4,500 hours in leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education OR Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or equivalent), 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education Note: Credential holders must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) per each three-year cycle to maintain certification. |
| Number of exams | One (200 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | Paper* and computer-based exams:
PMI member: $405 (retake $275) Nonmember: $555 (retake $375) *Paper-based exam only available if candidates lives more than 150 miles from testing center or if testing center is not available in the country of residence and travel would provide an undue burden. Exam administered by Prometric. Eligibility ID from PMI required to register. |
| URL | www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx |
| Self-study materials | PMI maintains a list of training resources on the PMP exam guidance webpage, including links to trial questions, the PMP exam Content Outline [pdf] and the PMP Handbook [pdf]. Additional training materials (quizzes, publications, books, practice guides and more) are available from the PMI Store.
Numerous books are available, including: Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members) PMP exam Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, Ninth Edition, by Rita Mulcahy; Feb. 1, 2018; RMC Publications Inc.; ISBN-10: 1943704040; ISBN-13: 978-143704040 CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One exam Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628 Practice exams: PMP exam practice questions and Study Guide, Ninth Edition, by J. LeRoy Ward and Ginger Levin; June 28, 2018; Auerbach Publications, ISBN-10: 1138440299; ISBN-13: 978-1138440299 |
Beyond the top 5: More project management certifications
Project management is truly a white-hot area for both certification seekers and employers. Several other project management certifications are available, for general IT project management as well as software development project management.
Honorable mention goes to the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) project management certifications, such as the Professional in Project Management, Associate in Project Management and Certified Project Director. The Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications (featured in the 2017 top-five list) are also excellent credentials and worth honorable mention.
The CompTIA Project+ credential (featured in the 2017 top-five list and honorable mention in 2018) remains a well-known entry-level project management certification for those starting their project management careers. ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) is another entry-level credential worth exploring, particularly if you’re interested in eventually moving up to the more senior Green and Black Belt credentials.
Most graduate business, management and management information systems (MIS) programs offer project management training to students, and some offer certificate programs outside the project management organizations as well.
You’ll also find training and occasional certification around various project management tool sets. For example, some Microsoft Learning Partners offer courses on Microsoft Project, and you can find a dizzying array of project management packages on Wikipedia’s comparison of project management software page.
The CAPM and Project+ remain the best-known entry-level project management certifications, with the PMP as the primary professional target and capstone for would-be professional IT project managers. Don’t forget to consider PMI’s related certifications as well. For project managers seeking entry into the realm of Scrum, the CSM is the best entry-level cert for Scrum practitioners.
At its core, Microsoft Project is project planning software with its advanced resource management, automated task management and pre-built reports. It includes all the basic features you need for project management, such as:
Role Assignment Features
In Microsoft Project for the web, you can easily create a group for each project and add members to the group. Then set permissions for how users can interact with the project, whether they can only view or edit tasks and project details. In the older Microsoft Project Online version, you need to choose whether the person who has access is a user or a resource. Active users need to be added along with their license number. And for on-premises versions of Project, you need to use the share option via SharePoint to add people to the project.
Timelines
All versions of Microsoft Project offer a timeline view, so you can see how a project is faring from a bird’s-eye perspective. You can see task dependencies along with a task list on the side in Project for the web, so you can home in on a specific part of the project for a clearer view. Slide any task bar on the timeline to a different date and all other tasks related to it will adjust dates.
In Microsoft Project Professional, the timeline view is a static look at your project. It’s a good way to simply see what’s coming down the pipeline and helps you plan accordingly if you’re off track.
Gantt Charts
In the on-premises version of Microsoft Project, the Gantt chart is where you’ll find the most functional view. You can adjust tasks and all related tasks adjust dynamically as you extend or reduce a task’s time. In this version, you can add a multitude of parameters to track on your Gantt chart, from baselines to costs to percentages complete.
Although Microsoft Project for the web doesn’t have a Gantt chart specifically, the timeline view works similarly to Gantt. You can’t track even close to the same number of parameters in a project as the desktop versions, but it’s also easier to use than the more complex versions of Microsoft Project.
The Gantt chart view in Microsoft Project (desktop version)
Software Integrations
Most of Microsoft Project’s integrations are with other Microsoft products. Microsoft 365, Teams and SharePoint are standards that can help extend the functionality of your project management software. Overall, there are fewer integrations compared to other mainstream project management software.
Dependencies
Every version of Microsoft Project allows you to set task dependencies, which helps immensely with project planning. In Microsoft Project for the web, you can choose a task from a drop-down menu to create the connection between it and another task. This will be reflected in the timeline view with an arrow. The program even gives suggested tasks using machine learning and historical actions.
In the on-premises versions, linking tasks is a little more complicated and requires more steps. From the Gantt chart, you need to choose the tasks you want to link by clicking and holding Ctrl, then navigate to the task menu and choose the link icon.
Budgeting
Desktop versions of Microsoft Project allow you to create custom cost fields so you can track budgets. Combine this with resource management and you’ll have a solid way to track finances and allocate the resources needed and allowed for a project.
Industrial operations and management subjects are concerned with designing and controlling production processes, worker activities, and related industrial business activities to meet production targets, comply with regulations and achieve other business goals. Engineers, CEOs, operations managers, specialists, and technicians at all levels use a variety of software and systems for applications such as asset management, maintenance, safety, situational awareness, energy management and more.
Standards are important, as are workforce management issues including human factors and ergonomics and project management. The syllabu also covers regulatory compliance, manufacturing execution systems (MES), and applications such as asset management and maintenance; facility, personnel and electrical safety; energy management; alarm management; and situational awareness.Operations and Management Training Courses
ISA training courses on operations and management provide the knowledge and skills needed to reduce downtime, find and correct inefficiencies, and institute safe practices.Executives of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Junior Achievement Africa, Dangote, among other leading Nigerian organisations are to discuss business opportunities on the African continent at Project Management Institute (PMI) Africa Conference.
PMI is a leading professional organisation for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals.
The highly anticipated event is being hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10-12 September 2023 even as the conference brings together Africa’s most influential PMOs, project leaders, practitioners, youth, and government to elevate the project management landscape.
With over 500 delegates attending, the conference promises to be the continent’s largest and most impactful gathering of project professionals.
The theme: ‘The Africa We Want: Together We Can’ will be reflected in presentations, product showcases, and panel discussions. The conference has a packed agenda with high-level experts addressing emerging and engaging subjects that will shed light on some of the latest trends in the project management space.
From issues ranging from the continent’s skills gaps and the role of project managers in delivering Agenda 2063 to the role of women and youth in driving Africa’s future and mainstreaming project management in the public sector, it is set to be an insightful conference.
The speakers, drawn from various fields, will share insights from their experience and expertise on a wide range of subjects and take a look at the first decade of Agenda 2063. They will also appraise the extraordinary work of project professionals in Africa’s project economy and reflect on the progress of some of the flagship projects.
Keynote speaker who is the executive director and group chief operating officer at UBA Group, Alex Alozie, will speak on cultivating skills for leading and managing complex projects and share lessons on the role of project management in the growth and success of major businesses.
The CEO of Junior Achievement Africa, Simi Nwogugu, will share her views on education and entrepreneurship while the CEO, Workspace Global, Sydney Sam is a panellist.
“With over 25 sessions across three days, PMI Africa Conference is a veritable meeting point for partners, stakeholders, and the project management community to connect with leading voices who will present in-depth content, share insights and highlight best practices in project management. A strong emphasis on designing and implementing successful projects will see participants gain practical knowledge to drive project success”, says the MD, PMI Sub Saharan Africa, George Asamani.
To him, “the PMI Africa Conference has a strong track record of attracting speakers from all over the continent and the world. The real-time collaborative ecosystem the conference creates draws a record number of project professionals to the conference each year.”
First-time attendees will get to network with industry peers, meet subject matter experts and learn more about PMI’s products and solutions. One of the conference’s highlights is the roundtable discussions – an invaluable opportunity built into the agenda for project managers to discuss subjects that matter most to the community.
The PMI Africa Conference 2023 is sponsored by the Creative Group and Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF).
Deployment management tools play a significant role in the CI/CD pipeline and can help developers, project managers and engineers save time with many tasks. This guide will discuss the following top deployment management tools for DevOps in terms of their features, pros, cons and pricing:
- Travis CI: a great choice as a user-friendly deployment management tool that requires minimal maintenance.
- New Relic: a solid pick for developers seeking AI-powered anomaly detection, comprehensive monitoring, scalability and hundreds of integrations.
- Dynatrace: ideal for project managers seeking insightful dashboards, excellent monitoring and analytics and extensive integrations.
- Atlassian Open DevOps: an excellent choice for small development teams seeking a free tool that prefer using other Atlassian products, such as Jira.
Jump to:
Travis CI
True to its name, Travis CI is a user-friendly continuous integration tool that helps developers code faster and deploy with confidence, thanks to built-in code checkers and code reviews.
Features of Travis CI
Travis CI’s features are highlighted by:
- Flexibility in terms of supported environments and platforms.
- Multi-language build matrix.
- Code review.
- Single-command automations.
- DevOps integrations.
Travis CI is a highly flexible DevOps tool that allows developers to run and test simultaneously in different environments and build in Windows, Linux, and macOS. It supports 30-plus coding languages with its build matrix and connects with Bitbucket, GitHub and other DevOps tools.
Travis CI also has automated code review to ensure quality, single-command automations for validation, integration and deployment, and integrates with programmer tools like AWS, Perforce, Docker, Slack and more.
Pros of Travis CI
The pros of Travis CI include:
- Simple setup.
- Easy to maintain.
- Several cloud-based options.
- Minimal code required.
The many cloud-based pricing plans from Travis CI give project managers and developers avenues to minimize setup and maintenance versus having to host the software themselves.
Beyond minimizing setup and maintenance through its cloud options, Travis CI also minimizes code by supposedly requiring one-third less code than its competitors. This can increase productivity and development speed.
Cons of Travis CI
The cons of Travis CI include:
- Not much customization.
- Lack of a free plan.
- Slow customer service reported.
Travis CI is somewhat limited in terms of its customization options. Not having a free plan is another disadvantage of the deployment management tool. Lastly, Travis CI’s customer support is reportedly slow at times.
Pricing of Travis CI
Travis CI gives software development teams plenty of pricing plans to choose from. The deployment management tool’s pricing is split amongst self-hosted and cloud plans. There is one available self-hosted plan that offers premium support, plus Perforce and Subversion CI/CD:
- Enterprise: $34 per user, per month.
And there are five cloud plans, all with a free trial:
- Bootstrap: $64 per month for one concurrent job.
- Startup: $119 per month for two concurrent jobs.
- Small Business: $229 per month for five concurrent jobs.
- Premium: $449 per month for 10 concurrent jobs.
- Platinum: Starts at $729 per month for 15-300 concurrent jobs.
All of Travis CI’s cloud plans offer unlimited collaborators, build minutes and repositories. Bootstrap was made for hobby projects, while Startup caters best to small software development teams. The Small Business plan is ideal for growing teams, Premium is geared towards large teams and Platinum offers ultimate scale.
You can learn more about Travis CI by memorizing our Travis CI DevOps Tool Review.
New Relic
New Relic is a deployment management solution for DevOps that specializes in offering real-time monitoring and analytics for applications. With it, project managers, DevOps engineers, and developers can gain critical insight into application performance and pinpoint problems before they become major issues.
Features of New Relic
Some of New Relic’s top features include:
- AI-powered anomaly detection.
- Comprehensive monitoring.
- Team collaboration.
- Hundreds of integrations to extend functionality.
New Relic’s AI-powered anomaly detection can detect deviations in behavior and alert DevOps teams so they can fix issues fast. The deployment management tool also offers various types of monitoring (infrastructure, network, model performance, mobile, browser, etc.), team collaboration built-in, and integrations with over 600 popular programmer tools.
Pros of New Relic
New Relic’s strengths as a DevOps tool include:
- Comprehensive monitoring tools.
- Anomaly detection.
- Scalability.
- Integrations with third-party tools.
New Relic offers multiple monitoring capabilities that project managers and developers can use to their advantage. The AI-powered anomaly detection does a great job of alerting users about deviations in performance. Plus, New Relic is highly-scalable. The developer tool also integrates smoothly with many third-party DevOps tools for added functionality.
Cons of New Relic
New Relic’s areas where it could Excellerate include:
- Cost.
- Clunky interface.
- Complexity.
- Too many features for new users.
Some users have complained that New Relic’s price is too high. The interface has been cited as confusing or clunky to use, and some may find the DevOps tool complex to use, at least in the beginning. While being chock full of features may be a pro in some eyes, others have said that they experienced feature overload with New Relic.
Pricing of New Relic
New Relic’s pricing is set up so project managers and developers only pay for what they use. Each of the DevOps tool’s plans unlocks all features, plus unlimited basic users (at no cost), hosts and CPUs, 100GB of free data ingested per month, querying capabilities, dashboards, custom charts, alerts and notifications.
Here are New Relic’s pricing plans.
- Standard: No cost for one full-platform user. $49 per core user, per month. $99 per each additional full-platform user.
- Pro: $49 per core user, per month. $349 per full platform user (for annual commitments).
- Enterprise: $49 per core user, per month. $549 per full platform user (for annual commitments).
Each plan also has monthly data costs of $.30/GB beyond the 100GB free limit for original data ingest and $0.50/GB beyond the 100GB free limit for Data Plus data ingest.
SEE: Tips and tricks for monitoring AWS with New Relic
Dynatrace
Dynatrace is a DevOps deployment tool that offers AI-powered automation, superb infrastructure monitoring, distributed tracing, and third-party integrations.
Features of Dynatrace
Dynatrace’s features include:
- AIOps.
- Infrastructure monitoring.
- Application lifecycle management.
- Third-party integrations.
AIOps uses machine learning models to power time-saving automation. Dynatrace also offers monitoring, distributed tracing, application security and application lifecycle management. The DevOps tool integrates with the top cloud computing platforms, allowing developers to use it to monitor Google Cloud Compute, AWS, Azure and more.
Pros of Dynatrace
Dynatrace’s pros include:
- Tons of integrations to increase features.
- Custom dashboards.
- Solid analytics and reporting.
- Superb monitoring.
Dynatrace offers superb flexibility by integrating with multiple cloud computing platforms, test automation frameworks and more. Its centralized dashboards offer detailed insights at a glance with regards to application performance, and the analytics and reporting are top-notch. Dynatrace’s application performance monitoring is also among the best in the business.
Cons of Dynatrace
On the other hand, Dynatrace’s cons include:
- Non-intuitive interface.
- Steep learning curve.
- High price.
- Limited documentation.
Dynatrace’s user interface is not the most intuitive, making it harder to use the DevOps tool right out of the box. Its many features and non-intuitive interface make it complex deployment management software with a steep learning curve.
Some have said that Dynatrace’s price is high compared to similar programmer tools, and others have noted a lack of documentation.
Pricing of Dynatrace
Dynatrace claims to offer the only hourly pricing in the entire industry. The DevOps tool’s pricing is divided according to category, such as automation, platform extensions, host monitoring, digital experience monitoring, application security, Logs powered by Grail, Events powered by Grail, etc. Within each category, there are separate costs as well.
Click here to see Dynatrace’s complete pricing rate card.
Atlassian Open DevOps
Atlassian Open DevOps is a flexible, full-featured deployment tool that integrates seamlessly with other Atlassian tools like Jira, Bitbucket, and Confluence.
Features of Atlassian Open DevOps
Atlassian Open DevOps top features include:
- Built-in project management.
- Agile planning tools.
- Issue tracking.
- CI/CD deployments.
- Source code management.
- Many DevOps integrations.
Since it brings together various Atlassian products, Open DevOps offers a bit of everything to each member of your team, covering the entire software development lifecycle.
As such, you can enjoy a complete list of capabilities that includes project management, software development, Agile planning, issue tracking, CI/CD deployments, source code management and integrations with not only Atlassian tools, but also other DevOps tools like CircleCI, Jenkins, and more.
Pros of Atlassian Open DevOps
The advantages of Atlassian Open DevOps include:
- Free access for smaller teams.
- Seamless integrations.
- Flexibility in terms of tool options and configurations.
- Comprehensive feature set.
Smaller development teams of up to 10 users (or five if you use Bitbucket) will enjoy free access to Atlassian Open DevOps. The deployment management software also integrates seamlessly with other DevOps tools and is highly flexible. Beyond those pros, Open DevOps comes packed with features to help developers thrive.
Cons of Atlassian Open DevOps
The disadvantages of Atlassian Open DevOps include:
- Learning curve.
- Non-intuitive interface.
- Overwhelming for some.
Getting used to Atlassian Open DevOps can take some time, especially with the interface that some say is difficult to navigate. While it does come with plenty of features, Open DevOps may seem overwhelming and is best suited to users with plenty of technical expertise or coding experience.
Pricing of Atlassian Open DevOps
Up to 10 users can access Atlassian Open DevOps for free on Jira, Confluence and Opsgenie. That number drops to up to five users on Bitbucket. If more users want to access Open DevOps via any of the above products, you will have to upgrade to a paid plan for that particular product.
For example, if your team has over 10 users who want to access Atlassian Open DevOps through Jira Software, you will need to upgrade to a Jira paid plan. Jira’s plans are as follows:
- Free: Up to 10 users.
- Standard: $7.75 per user, per month.
- Premium: $15.25 per user, per month.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing.
If you had 11 users needing access to Open DevOps through Jira, upgrading to the Standard plan would suffice. Choose a subscription to Confluence, Opsgenie, Bitbucket, etc., to gain access to Open DevOps and pricing will differ.
You can learn more about Atlassian Open DevOps pricing here.
What to look for in deployment management software
There are several deployment management software solutions on the market. To pick the right DevOps tool for your deployment management needs, look for one with an intuitive interface that is user-friendly and — hopefully — modern.
Pick a deployment management tool with solid customer support. If it has a large following or online community, that is a bonus that can help with added support, resources and possible extensibility.
The ideal deployment management software should have several third-party integrations with popular developer tools for added functionality, and it should also have essential features like infrastructure such as code, time-saving automation, version control and change management, incident management and monitoring.
Final Thoughts on deployment management tools for DevOps
The deployment management tools listed in this guide are some of the best available. Before deciding on one, make sure the DevOps tool has the features your software development team needs and that it fits your budget.
Udemy Q2 Learning Index highlights technical and professional power skills needed to navigate today’s rapidly changing workforce
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Udemy (Nasdaq: UDMY), a company dedicated to improving lives through learning, today released its Q2 2023 Global Workplace Learning Index, a quarterly report highlighting skills that are growing in demand, as professionals play a crucial role in enabling their companies to maintain their edge and future-proof their workforce.
Analyzing data from nearly 15,000 Udemy Business customers across the globe, the Index reveals the technical and professional power or “soft” skills that saw the biggest increase in course consumption (i.e., minutes spent learning) during Q2 when compared to Q1 2023. Udemy is uniquely equipped to provide data that helps companies understand learning trends and identify the skills their employees should learn, enabling them to grow while achieving critical outcomes for the business.
“We are in the midst of a shift to a skills-based economy where organizations are identifying the skills available within their teams and addressing any gaps,” said Caoimhe Carlos, Vice President of Global Customer Success at Udemy. “Organizations are partnering with Udemy to determine which skills are emerging and strategically upskill their teams — a win-win for both companies and professionals looking to stay ahead in today’s increasingly competitive climate.”
The Index highlighted several emerging themes in professional learning, including:
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Continued spike in certification preparation course consumption. Businesses and professionals continue to value industry certifications. Traditional cloud certifications, such as AWS, have experienced significant growth over time, while demand for other certification preparation subjects emerged, such as the Salesforce Certified Associate (130% increase globally), Certified Kubernetes Administrator or CKA (32% increase in Canada), and ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level or CTFL (27% increase in Germany). More than 10 million learners have enrolled in IT Certification courses on Udemy in the past 12 months, demonstrating the breadth and depth of corporate demand.
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Generative AI remains a sought-after skill across industries. Increasingly, the growth of AI is extending into non-technical fields such as marketing, HR, sales and project management. With growth in subjects such as ChatGPT (386% increase globally), Generative AI (278%) and Prompt Engineering (190%), companies are diving deeper into role-specific uses of generative AI to tap its transformative potential – improving SEO, streamlining talent recruiting, improving customer support responsiveness, and creating personalized marketing emails. Overall, across the Udemy marketplace and business learner landscape, Udemy has already seen over 1.5 million learners enroll in ChatGPT-related courses.
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There is a huge demand for project management skills by professionals across roles and industries. Project planning courses showed a global increase of 79% and project management was a top skill in the healthcare industry with 7% growth in demand. Project Management Institute (PMI) PMBOK Guide was the top in-demand skill for government workers with a 62% increase. The PMI Talent Gap Report underscores the global need for 25 million new project professionals and a total of 2.3 million project managers by 2030.
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ESG and climate change courses surge in demand. With 113% quarter-over-quarter growth in demand, corporations and the global workforce are demonstrating an increased interest and prioritization of climate change knowledge and ESG best practices as businesses work to address and avoid the negative consequences associated with climate change.
The Q2 Index also identified a number of emerging skills to watch, such as:
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Increasing focus on local language skills to drive global collaboration. Korean language courses experienced an 87% overall increase in consumption globally. English language remained a top in-demand skill in China with a 114% increase, and in France with a 22% increase.
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Semiconductor and chip manufacturing courses are experiencing remarkable global growth. VHDL (Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) courses saw an unprecedented surge of 3,576% over the first quarter. The demand for FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) courses in the U.S. has also skyrocketed by 2,838%, following increased funding and focus on semiconductor production through the CHIPS Act of 2022. Globally, FPGA courses witnessed a significant 1,256% increase in demand, reflecting the contentious race in semiconductor production worldwide.
"As the pace of global innovation and change accelerates, professionals are driven to learn new skills and adapt to shifting business priorities," said Scott Rogers, Senior Vice President of Supply Strategy at Udemy. “Major industry certifications, such as AWS, continue to dominate overall demand, but we are also seeing surging demand for Salesforce, Google Cloud and Kubernetes. This aligns with the roadmap of capabilities Udemy is bringing to market, as exhibited by our latest badging announcement, which supports the skills validation and certification trend.”
To learn more about country-specific learning trends, visit: research.udemy.com. To partner with Udemy Business to upskill for the future, visit: business.udemy.com.
Methodology
The Udemy Workplace Learning Index uses data from thousands of Udemy Business customers worldwide. Location data is based on the country associated with the company. The skills data compares the consumption of courses in the Udemy Business collection from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023. Courses are associated with one or more topics, with a maximum of five subjects per course. The trending skills that you see in the report are based on these topics. If a course covers multiple topics, consumption minutes are divided equally across all subjects associated with the course.
About Udemy
Udemy (Nasdaq: UDMY) improves lives through learning by providing flexible, effective skill development to empower organizations and individuals. The Udemy marketplace platform, with thousands of up-to-date courses in dozens of languages, offers the tools learners, instructors and enterprises need to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Millions of people learn on the Udemy platform from real-world experts in subjects ranging from programming and data science to leadership and team building. Udemy Business enables employers to offer on-demand learning for all employees, immersive learning for tech teams and cohort learning for leaders. Udemy Business customers include FenderⓇ, Glassdoor, On24, The World Bank and Volkswagen. Udemy is headquartered in San Francisco with hubs in Ankara and Istanbul, Türkiye; Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Dublin, Ireland; Melbourne, Australia; and New Delhi, India.
Media Contact
Risha Tyagi
Senior Global Corporate Communications Manager
press@udemy.com
