Hello, I’m Natarshia, a advertising and marketing 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 Mission Administration Skilled (PMP) Certification, I’m studying that planning and organizing are important when beginning a mission.

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

Getting a certification takes quite a lot of dedication, lengthy hours, sacrifice, and research preparation! The identical is true once you’re managing a mission.  On my journey, I’ve realized in regards to the 5 phases of mission administration: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and management, and at last, closure. Making use of these ideas helps phase the work, create a research timeline, map progress, and construct confidence to fulfill targets.

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

Step 1: Initiation 

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

Make an inventory of the explanations you need to get licensed. I’m a visible particular person, so I write them out and submit 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 listing.

My story went like this:  

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

When you want a bit push to get began on your listing, ask your self: why certify? What are you able to acquire from being licensed? Perhaps somebody impressed you and now you need to turn into the subsequent certification success story. Analysis potential job roles, contemplate the market demand and the place there may be alternative. For instance, cybersecurity is without doubt one of the fastest-growing fields. If it piques your curiosity and also you need to pursue a job in safety, reply the decision to certification. You can too discover out extra about profession paths you’ll be able to take, what has labored for others, and be taught extra about every Cisco certification from the Cisco Studying Community Neighborhood. 

Together with your function outlined, you can begin planning your targets.

Step 2: Planning 

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

Initiatives will be overwhelming. The Mission Administration Course of Chart* exhibits 5 phases and 49 processes to observe as you research for the PMP. Every has its personal set of inputs, instruments, strategies, and outputs (ITTOs). Sounds overwhelming, proper?  

However you’ll be able to break down these processes into smaller items to make them extra attainable. For instance, a Mission Administration work breakdown schedule (WBS) is a visible, hierarchical, and deliverable-oriented deconstruction of a mission.* A useful diagram instrument for mission managers, this step-by-step strategy enables you to map out one thing big into smaller, bite-sized duties.

The primary steps in a WBS embrace defining the mission, setting boundaries, figuring out deliverables and group members, and charting mission actions over time. To simplify, let’s take the primary CCNA examination subject and break down the primary topic class into sub-subjects based mostly on the training map. You would do that for every subject for the examination: 

Now take the examination subjects and do the identical factor, including an estimated timeline for every field. You realize your self higher than anybody else, and you understand 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 research 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. Primarily based in your timelines in your WBS, maintain adjusting till you’re snug and your mission 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 superb instrument for planning and constructing your certification technique. 

Step 4: Monitoring and Management 

This part means you’ll be able to regulate alongside the way in which as you measure your efficiency and set targets. Be sure that to maintain your research enjoyable and fascinating by mixing up your supplies. Use sources resembling Cisco Press books, coaching movies, podcasts, and Prep webinars, and keep in mind to make the most of your community! Ask questions from the consultants within the Cisco Studying Community Neighborhood boards. 

Step 5: Closure 

Simply once you thought you had been achieved, you continue to must gauge your information. An examination overview instrument like Examination Overview: CCNA  is an effective way to do this. You can too hone your abilities with Cisco follow assessments, Cisco Studying Labs, and community simulation and virtualization instruments like Cisco Modeling Labs. 

Congratulations! Lastly, you’ll be able to end what you began and take the examination to fulfill your purpose! 

Following these steps to plan your certification journey like a mission supervisor may appear to be so much to swallow. However for those who take small bites, plan your journey, and set up your time and sources, you’ll be amazed at how a lot you’ll be able to 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 mission administration strategy 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 under!

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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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