Course Overview

This course is an introduction to DevOps. The course emphasizes communication, collaboration , integration, and automation to improve the workflow between developers and IT operations professionals. Improved workflows lead to more opportunities to design software and services in a more agile fashion which can only be good for customers.

This course (based on the DevOps Institute syllabus) is intended as a basis for discovering the most important DevOps concepts and to understand the principles and methods behind this. The course will leave you with the inspiration to be the advocate of change; The idea is that what you have learned about DevOps – and continue to learn – is shared with others so that you can guide them.

DevOps Foundation (DOFD)® is a registered trademark of the PeopleCert group. Used under licence from PeopleCert. All rights reserved

Course Objectives

After completing the course, students will be familiar with the following aspects of DevOps :

  • Objectives and concepts
  • Company benefits
  • Performance criteria and results in the real world
  • DevOps principles
  • Concepts and methods (including the relationship between Agile, Lean and IT Service Management ( ITSM) )
  • Cultural and organizational considerations
  • Methods of communication and collaboration
  • Methods for automation and technology factors
  • Considerations when changing
  • Challenges, risks and critical success factors

Course Content

  • Introduction
  • Exam Requirements and weigthing
  • Why DevOps?
    • From a business perspective
    • From an IT perspective
    • Stereotypes of Dev and Ops: perception and reality
  • What is DevOps?
    • Introduction DevOps
    • Goals DevOps
    • Added value of DevOps
    • Proven Results
    • DevOps for businesses
    • DevOps principles (The Three Ways)
  • DevOps and other frameworks
    • DevOps and Agile
    • DevOps and Lean
    • DevOps and IT Service Management
  • DevOps culture
  • Characteristics of a DevOps culture
    • Organizational Considerations DevOps
    • DevOps stakeholders
    • DevOps roles
    • DevOps teams
    • DevOps organizational structures
  • DevOps methods
    • Continuous Integration
    • Continuous delivery
    • Continuous deployment
    • Value stream mapping
    • Kanban
    • Theory of Constraints
    • Improvement Kata
    • Deming’s quality circle
    • ITSM processes
  • DevOps and Automation
    • Methods for DevOps automation
    • Longevity and tools categories
    • DevOps applications
    • Transitioning to a DevOps culture
  • Implementation
    • Challenges, risks and critical success factors
    • Measuring DevOps successes
  • Tips for the exam
    • Sample exam

Course Overview

In this course, you will learn how to manage all aspects of project procurement effectively. You will discover the logic behind contracting principles and practices, and you’ll learn the terms, techniques, and tools of converting project needs into outsourced goods and services. You will learn to ensure successful procurements by gaining an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the internal and external stakeholders involved in the procurement chain.

In this skills-building course, you will spend 70% of class time working on contracting activities, from requirements documentation through to contract closure. Exercises include the development of a procurement strategy, contract selection, revising and updating SOWs, risk management, negotiating claims settlement, and collection of lessons learned.

Students pursuing a university-recognized and/or accredited certificate in Canada or continuing education units in the US must attend at least 90% of class time, participate in class exercises and section-knowledge checks, and score at least 70% on an end-of-class, multiple-choice assessment.

Course Objectives

  • Steps and stages of contract management from needs analysis to closure
  • Terms and terminology of contracting and procurement
  • Legal requirements of contracts and their implications
  • Ingredients for contracting success
  • Stakeholder mapping and expectations analysis
  • Converting project objectives to contract requirements
  • Applications and weaknesses of contract types
  • Risk transfer through contracting terms and conditions
  • Impact of subcontractors
  • Procurement planning from needs analysis through to creation of bid packages
  • Importance of the SOW
  • Procurement process including bid packages, source selection, and awarded contracts
  • Contracting paper trail and the time requirements for the steps involved
  • Negotiation principles
  • Administering contracts: Taking awarded contracts through to completed work
  • Communication feedback loop
  • Performance monitoring
  • Contract change control principles
  • Claims administration
  • Contract closure from completed work to creation of a contract archive
  • Early termination clauses
  • Lessons learned best practices
  • Contracting problems and their solutions

Course Content

1. Introduction to Procurement Management

  • Contract schedule network diagram
  • Terminology – procurement and contracting
  • Contract definition – practical and legal
  • Purpose of contracts
  • Risk transfer through contracting
  • Definition of contracting success
  • Stakeholder mapping
  • Stakeholder expectations
  • Communications chain

2. Needs Analysis

  • Objectives to requirements documents
  • Requirements documents to SOW
  • Contract types
  • Contract management mistakes
  • Role of legal department

3. Plan Procurements

  • Planning documents
  • Requirement documents
  • Procurement management plan
  • SOW
  • Bid packages
  • Tender documents
  • Source selection criteria

4. Conduct Procurements

  • Stakeholder mappingVendor participation
  • Advertising and bidder conferences
  • Proposal evaluation techniques
  • Paper trail and due diligence
  • Principled negotiations vs. positional negotiations
  • Objectives of negotiations processes

5. Administer Procurements

  • Stakeholder mapping
  • Procurement team
  • Vendor relationship management
  • Monitoring performance
  • Contract change controls
  • Contract amendment
  • Performance reviews
  • Payment systems
  • Claims administration

6. Close Procurements

  • Stakeholder mapping
  • Early termination
  • Lessons learned
  • Procurement audits
  • Negotiated settlements
  • Contracting problems and their solutions
  • Ingredients for contracting success

Hands-On Exercises

  • Contracting schedule network diagram: Estimating procurement durations and total elapsed time
  • Strategic analysis of procurement strategy using SWOT technique
  • Evaluating bid proposals: Source selection and ranking of bids
  • Development of SOW documents: Source selection criteria and weighting system, performance and quality standards, and negotiating priorities
  • Integration of contract type, terms, and conditions into project schedule and risk management plans
  • Role playing: Negotiations between buyer and vendor over contract terms
  • Contract closure and collection of lessons learned

Course Overview

The combined ISTQB Foundation & Agile Tester Extension 5 day course covers the fundamentals of software testing, providing delegates with the necessary foundations for a career as a software testing professional and the last two days includes a high proportion of hands-on practical team-based activities to allow candidates to get a true feel for how agile projects work in the real world. 

The first three days is an intensive tutor-led course and includes exam preparation, revision and the ISTQB Foundation in software testing examination is taken on the afternoon of the third day. It is fully-accredited by UKTB on behalf of ISTQB and has been rated SFIAplus level 3 by the BCS. The last two days of this course include lectures, exercises and practical work and includes a high proportion of hands-on practical team-based activities to allow candidates to get a true feel for how agile projects work in the real world. The last two days have been rated at SFIAplus level 4 by the BCS. The ISTQB Agile Tester Extension exam can be taken on line at any Pearson Vue Centre, for which a voucher will be provided following completion of the training course. After successfully completing the course and passing the exams, delegates should be able to:  

  • Use a common language for efficient and effective communication with other testers and project stakeholders.  
  • Understand established testing concepts, the fundamental test process, test approaches, and principles to support test objectives. 
  • Design and prioritize tests by using established techniques. 
  • Analyse both functional and non-functional specifications (such as performance and usability) at all test levels for systems with low to medium levels of complexity.  
  • Execute tests according to agreed test plans and analyse and report on the results of tests.  
  • Write clear and understandable incident reports.  
  • Effectively participate in reviews of small to medium-sized projects.  
  • Be familiar with different types of testing tools and their uses; and assist in the tool selection and implementation process.  
  • Delegates should be able to collaborate in an agile team, being familiar with agile principles and practices.  

Course Objectives

Course Objectives

  • The objectives for the Certified Tester Foundation Level qualification are to:
  • prepare candidates for the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing based on the ISTQB syllabus;
  • improve understanding of software testing – its purpose and nature – and to raise awareness of issues and constraints around testing;
  • learn standard terminology;
  • introduce test techniques (static, white & black box) to delegates as well as providing practical experience of key techniques;
  • provide a complete picture of the test processes from requirements review to system implementation; and
  • provide delegates with an environment that supports their learning and impart them with the necessary confidence and means to support their future career as a test professional.
  • Collaborate in an agile team, being familiar with agile principles and practices;
  • Adapt existing testing experience, knowledge, and best practices;
  • Support the agile team in planning test related activities;
  • Apply relevant test methods and techniques;
  • Assist in test automation;
  • Help business stakeholders define understandable and testable user stories and acceptance criteria;
  • Work with and share information with other team members.

Course Content

ISTQB Foundation:

There are six chapters with examinable content. The top-level heading for each chapter specifies the time for the chapter; timing is not provided below chapter level. For accredited training courses, the syllabus requires a minimum of 16.75 hours of instruction, distributed across the six chapters as follows: 

– Chapter 1: 175 minutes Fundamentals of Testing

– Chapter 2: 100 minutes Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle 

– Chapter 3: 135 minutes Static Testing 

– Chapter 4: 330 minutes Test Techniques 

– Chapter 5: 225 minutes Test Management 

– Chapter 6: 40 minutes Tool Support for Testing

ISTQB Agile Tester:

– Chapter 1: 150 minutes Agile Software Development

– Chapter 2: 105 minutes Fundamental Agile Testing Principles, Practices, and Processes

– Chapter 3: 480 minutes Agile Testing Methods, Techniques, and Tools

Course Overview

The complexity of IT projects continues to increase. At the conclusion of projects, it is assumed that quality solutions will be delivered within the set time and costs. Business Analysis has a major impact on successful projects. A good understanding of the role of a Business Analyst in the organisation and his/her contribution to the project are of great importance. The tools and techniques used, as well as the deliverables provided by the Business Analyst are essential to meet the project objectives.

Project managers have generally attended formal training courses on PRINCE2, PMI®, IPMA, etc. However, most project managers have never attended training on Business Analysis, while this subject is becoming increasingly important. This course builds a bridge between the Project Management profession and Business Analysis.

Course Objectives

  • Understand the scope of a Business Analysis role and how it complement Project Management
  • Apply numerous world-class Business Analysis techniques in work environment immediately
  • Learn how to better communicate with all project stakeholders using best practice business analysis tools and techniques
  • Appreciate the similarities and differences between Business Analyst and Project Manager roles
  • Plan projects to include requirements analysis and understand requirements engineering
  • Conduct and support requirements elicitation activities and requirements validation that will support the business need
  • Look beyond the delivery of the project to pre- and post-project activities

Course Content

Session 1: Introduction to Business Analysis

  • Project Management vs Business Analysis
  • Importance of Effective Business Analysis
  • Role of the BA
  • Standardization and Adaptability

Session 2: Requirements Planning

  • Role of the BA in Requirements Planning
  • Vision and Scope Document
  • Types of Requirements
  • Stakeholders
  • Business Analysis Plan

Session 3: Requirements Elicitation

  • Role of the BA in Requirements Elicitation
  • Investigative approach
  • Iterative approach
  • Elicitation Techniques

Session 4: Requirements Analysis

  • Need for Analysis
  • Using Analysis to get Stakeholder Feedback
  • Value of Modelling Techniques in Analysis
  • Modelling Techniques
  • Types of Requirements
  • Business Rules Analysis
  • Prioritizing Requirements

Session 5: Requirements Documentation

  • Formal and Informal Documentation and the, Leve of Detail Required
  • Writing for Usability and Comprehension
  • Common Requirements Document Defects
  • Components of a Formal Requirements Document
  • Requirements Verification and Validation
  • Requirements Sign-Off

Session 6: Requirements Management and Communication

  • Throughout the Project and to Decommission
  • Change Management
  • Define a baseline
  • Define a change management process
  • Identify the Change Authority
  • Traceability and Its Uses
  • Requirements Attributes
  • Requirements Communication

Session 7: Solution Validation and Acceptance

  • Testing and Non-Testing Methods
  • Purposes of Validation
  • Find defects
  • Prove compliance to requirements
  • Test Cases and Test Suites
  • Challenges in Testing
  • Structured Testing
  • Role of the BA in Solution Validation: the V Model
  • Solution Acceptance and Project Close-Out

Course Overview

Designed for business analysts and anyone new to Agile software development, this course will give you a solid grounding in the essentials of systems development using Agile. Systems Development Essentials is a Specialist Practitioner module on the internationally recognised BCS Diploma in Business Analysis.

Course Objectives

An overview of the issues and concepts involved in developing quality business solutions using Agile, the Systems Development Essentials course is perfect for business analysts and anyone wishing to learn about Agile software development. Study a number of systems development life cycles, both defined and evolutionary, and examine the context in which different lifecycles could be applied, before focusing on an Agile approach.

Topics covered include examining how the systems development effort can be organised; understanding requirements; stakeholders and roles in an agile environment and techniques that support iterative development such as prototyping, hothousing and scenarios.

When combined with our Systems Modelling Techniques course, this module provides you with the core tools and techniques you’ll need to become an effective systems analyst, development team analyst or technical business analyst.

Course Content

During this course, you will cover:

Introduction

  • Characteristics of software quality
  • The purposes, objectives and tasks of systems development
  • Roles and responsibilities in systems development
  • Technical and interpersonal skills of the business analysts and solution developers

Systems architecture

  • Enterprise, systems and infrastructure levels of architecture
  • Inputs at an enterprise level
  • Inputs at system and infrastructure level
  • Model Driven Architecture

Development approaches

  • Bespoke development
  • Commercial off the shelf (COTS) software package solutions
  • Configuring and customising COTS software package solutions
  • Component-based systems development
  • Service-based solutions and other approaches
  • Evolutionary prototyping

Systems development lifecycles

  • Waterfall model
  • V model
  • Incremental model
  • Spiral (evolutionary) model
  • Advantages and disadvantages of each approach
  • Selection of an appropriate development approach

Methods and approaches

  • Detailed study of the Agile approach including life cycle, deliverables and roles
  • Iterative systems development using the DSDM Atern methodology
  • Other agile development methodologies (The Unified Process (UP), Scrum, eXtreme Programming)

Modelling techniques

  • Models of the Unified Modeling Language (UML)
  • Interpretation and principles of:

– Use case diagram

– Use case description

– Class diagram

– State machine diagram

  • Validating models using a CRUD matrix

Requirements in an Agile environment

  • Fact finding approaches:

– Workshops

– Interviewing

– Questionnaires

– Scenario analysis, storyboarding, user stories and hot-housing

– Model office and focus groups

  • Functional requirements definition
  • Non-functional requirements definition
  • Documenting & prioritising requirements
  • Human aspects of systems investigation and introducing change

Iterative systems development

  • Features of iterative development approach
  • Prototyping
  • Categories of prototype
  • Timeboxing
  • Prototype development plans

Systems design, implementation and maintenance

  • Design principles and constraints (legal, ethical, financial)
  • Systems deployment and hand over
  • Post-implementation reviews
  • Different types of maintenance
  • Estimation and development planning

Quality assurance

  • Definitions of software quality
  • The V model
  • Requirements-driven testing
  • Static testing: types of walkthrough and inspection
  • Post-project reviews

CASE and CAST tools

  • Features of Computer-aided Software Engineering (CASE) and Computer-aided Software Testing tools (CAST)
  • Life-cycle coverage
  • Requirements traceability
  • Advantages and disadvantages of software development support tools

Course Overview

The perfect course for those who want to develop their IS and IT project management skills. Contributes towards the BCS (ISEB) International Diploma in Business Analysis.

Course Objectives

The Foundation in IS Project Management course is an ideal introduction to the core IS and IT project management principles. 

Over three days of investigation and learning, using a realistic case study, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of common IS project management issues. Learn about the nature of projects and project work, monitoring and control, quality issues, project organisation and communication and more.

Presented by one of our expert training consultants, who bring substantial practical knowledge of project planning and management to this programme.

Course Content

During this course, you will cover:

Project environment

  • Characteristics of a project; the ‘triple constraint’ of time/cost/quality
  • Project and operational responsibilities
  • Special features of computer projects
  • Role of the Project Manager
  • Project success and failure
  • Development lifecycles

Project initiation

  • Stakeholder analysis and management
  • Defining the objectives and scope of the project
  • The role of the Client and their responsibilities
  • Project constraints and resources
  • Project Initiation Document

Project planning

  • The importance of breaking work down
  • Product breakdown structures
  • Project and User deliverables
  • Standard deliverable sets and templates
  • Product flows and work packages
  • The concept of dependencies

Estimating deliverables

  • Key concepts in estimating
  • Estimating difficulties
  • Estimating by analogy
  • Parametric estimating
  • Effort and elapsed time estimates
  • Schedule compression

Planning networks and charts

  • Precedence diagrams and project networks
  • The critical path and its implications
  • Gantt charts and resource histograms
  • Planning at an appropriate level
  • The use and abuse of planning software

Working in teams

  • The elements of a good team
  • Team composition
  • Team roles

Motivation and management style

  • The roots of motivation at work
  • Approaches to motivation (Maslow, Herzberg)
  • The effect of management style

Project risk management

  • Purpose of risk management
  • Risk management process
  • Identifying and assessing risks
  • Introduction to quantitative risk assessment

Project quality plans

  • Principles of quality management
  • The contents of a quality plan
  • Quality Management
  • Configuration management

The project plan

  • Elements of a project plan (schedule, quality, risk)
  • Contents and structure of a project plan

Project monitoring, reporting and control

  • The importance of monitoring and control
  • Allocating personal deliverables
  • Progress measurement
  • Time recording
  • Introduction to earned value analysis
  • Dealing with non-delivery
  • Slippage and re-planning – corrective actions
  • Change control, scope creep and over-engineering
  • Reporting structures

Project completion

  • Project sign-off and the need for a controlled close
  • Post-project reviews

The project manager

  • The project manager’s role revisited
  • Qualities and characteristics of effective project managers

Course Overview

Change Management is associated with the effects and management of change; this is primarily within organisations where change can have greater impact. This qualification is based on the theory and application of change for the individual, change for the organisation, communication and stakeholder engagement and change management best practice. Once you have passed the Foundation qualification you can progress to the more advanced Practitioner qualification.

Course Objectives

After completing this course you will be able to:

  • Understand how individuals are impacted by change, and be able to develop strategies to help people through change
  • Develop insights into how organisations work , organisational culture and the models and processes of change
  • Understand the drivers of change, the change governance structures typically used in organisations and how to define a change vision
  • Appreciate how to prepare people for change and support their learning and motivation to change
  • Learn about the stakeholder engagement process and how to develop suitable communications strategies and plans
  • Appreciate the impact of change on organisations , how to build momentum for change and sustain it
  • Understand the importance of defined change roles, and how to build and support an effective change team.

Course Content

Introductions and Objectives

The Change Management Context

Change and the Individual

Change and the Organization

Stakeholder Strategy

Communication and Engagement

Change Impact 

Change Readiness

The Change Team

Effective teams and team development

Preparing for Resistance

Sustaining Momentum

Foundation Examination

Course Overview

The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is a respected certification covering essential project management concepts, from planning and risk management to communication and teamwork. Recognised across industries, it’s ideal for those aiming to advance their project management career with a comprehensive skill set. 

The APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) course builds a solid foundation in project management principles, helping you develop key skills and a deeper understanding of effective practices. Ideal for experienced project managers, it sharpens your awareness, strengthens your approach, and equips you to manage projects with confidence and clarity.

The syllabus is based on the APM Body of Knowledge, which encompasses all areas of project management including strategic and commercial considerations, together with the technical, organisational and people management skills required to participate effectively in project management.

Course Objectives

After completing this course you will have gained an understnding of:

  • Project lifecycle stages, governance structures and sustainability considerations  
  • The business case as the project’s justification in terms of benefits, costs, and risks 
  • Transition management, benefits management, stakeholder engagement and communication management  
  • Leadership, team management and conflict resolution 
  • Diversity, ethics, compliance, and professionalism 
  • Requirements management, quality management, and solutions development 
  • Integrated planning, schedule and resource management, and change control 
  • Risk and issue management, budgeting, and cost control

Course Content

Getting Going

  • Project Management
  • Programme Management
  • Portfolio Management

Background

  • Project Life Cylces
  • Project Context
  • Reviews
  • The Project Management Plan (PMP)

People and Projects

  • Stakeholder Management
  • Organisation Roles
  • Project Office
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Conflict Management

Purple Zone

  • Scope Management
  • Estimating
  • Scheduling
  • Resource Management
  • Earned Value Management
  • Budgeting and Cost Management

Stop & Think

  • Requirements Management
  • Project Success and Benefits Management
  • Procurement
  • Negotiation
  • Governance of a Project
  • Health, Safety and Enviornmental Management
  • Quality Management
  • Risk and Issue Management
  • The Business Case

Information Management

  • Information Management and Reporting

Course Overview

This course covers how to operate in such an Agile fashion within an overall project framework.  It is based on the DSDM Agile Project Framework. Through practical experience of the Agile style of working, case studies and example scenarios from a highly experienced trainer, it provides delegates with an understanding of how the Agile Project Management process can enable planning, management and control for predictable Agile project deliveries.

Course Objectives

  • Understand the fundamentals of Agile Project Management
  • Understand the key Agile Project Management practices and how to manage Agile Project teams
  • Fully describe and relate the Agile Project Management process
  • Understand project control in the Agile environment

Course Content

  • Agile Project Management Fundamentals
  • What is Agile Project Management?
  • Benefits of Agile Project Management
  • When to use Agile Project Management
  • Preparing for a successful Agile project
  • Agile Project Management Principles
  • The Agile Project Management Process
  • Agile Project Management Framework
  • Configuring the Agile Project Lifecycle
  • Work Products and Deliverables
  • Management Products and Deliverables
  • Business Work Products and Deliverables
  • Technical Products and Deliverables
  • Agile Project Teams
  • Agile Project Roles and Responsibilities
  • Agile Project Team Empowerment
  • Agile Project Team Structure
  • Agile Project Management Practices
  • Facilitated Workshops
  • MoSCoW Prioritisation
  • Modelling
  • Iterative Development
  • Timeboxing
  • Project Management and Control
  • Agile Planning
  • Agile Risk Management
  • Agile Estimating and Measurement
  • Agile Configuration Management
  • Other Agile Project Management Concerns
  • Agile Requirements (functional and nonfunctional)
  • Agile Testing
  • Quality Management and Quality Control
  • Ensuring Maintainability and Scalability

Course Overview

Agile approaches such as eXtreme Programming, Scrum and Lean Software Development are becoming increasingly mainstream. They describe how to successfully deliver in complex situations when requirements and possible solutions are subject to continuous change; but they stop short of describing a full project lifecycle with defined Phases, Work Products, Roles and Responsibilities. This course covers how to operate in such an agile fashion within an overall project framework and is based on the DSDM Agile Project Framework (DSDM APF) approach. Through practical experience of the agile style of working, case studies and example scenarios from a highly experienced trainer, it provides delegates with an understanding of how the Agile Project Management process can enable planning, management and control for predictable Agile project deliveries.

Course Objectives

Understand the fundamentals of Agile Project ManagementUnderstand the key Agile Project Management practices and how to manage Agile Project teamsFully describe and relate the Agile Project Management processUnderstand project control in the Agile environment

Course Content

  • Agile Project Management Fundamentals
  • What is Agile Project Management?
  • Benefits of Agile Project Management
  • When to use Agile Project Management
  • Preparing for a successful Agile project
  • Agile Project Management Principles
  • The Agile Project Management Process
  • Agile Project Management Framework
  • Configuring the Agile Project Lifecycle
  • Work Products and Deliverables
  • Management Products and Deliverables
  • Business Work Products and Deliverables
  • Technical Products and Deliverables
  • Agile Project Teams
  • Agile Project Roles and Responsibilities
  • Agile Project Team Empowerment
  • Agile Project Team Structure
  • Agile Project Management Practices
  • Facilitated Workshops
  • MoSCoW Prioritisation
  • Modelling
  • Iterative Development
  • Timeboxing
  • Project Management and Control
  • Agile Planning
  • Agile Risk Management
  • Agile Estimating and Measurement
  • Agile Configuration Management
  • Other Agile Project Management Concerns
  • Agile Requirements (Functional and Non-functional Requirements)
  • Agile Testing
  • Quality Management and Quality Control
  • Ensuring Maintainability and Scalability