| NEWS AREA |
| Program Management Certification V/s Managing Multiple Projects |
In keeping with our mission to deliver quality certification programs that are in high demand by the industry, our subject matter experts and the entire team are working hard towards launching the Program Management Certification. The certifications will be available in three levels, foundation, master and expert. |
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We have launched a separate certification for program managers – Certified Program Management. This is different from Managing Multiple Projects (MMP) – MMP is for Project managers who are tasked with multiple projects. Generally, in organizations, the project managers are assigned to multiple projects which makes it difficult for them to track the multiple projects at the same time. MMP is a credential for such multi-tasking project managers. |
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| AACPS Quarterly Magazine |
AACPS publishes a quarterly magazine which will be available free to our members including certified professionals, accredited training organizations and trainers. Non-members will have to pay a 50 USD per quarter as a subscription fee to subscribe for the same.
The magazine will contain insightful articles covering topics related to the different certifications that AACPS offers. The articles will help the reader keep abreast of the latest best practices, tools, techniques and developments in their area of expertise. |
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| Inviting Professionals for writing White Papers |
AACPS is always on the lookout for experienced professionals who can contribute to our knowledgebase and provide insights to our growing community of certified professionals, accredited training organizations and trainers. If you have rich experience in any of the certification areas that AACPS works in, please send us your profile and the specific areas where you wish to contribute on to support@aacps.org |
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| Online Exams through Prometric to start in July 2014 |
AACPS will start providing the certification exams online from July 2014 through Prometric, making us a truly global certifying body. Currently we have more than 300 centers for conducting exams. All our centers are proctored and monitored with due intelligence through our invigilators. We have our Accredited Examination Partner across the globe. |
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| AACPS Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification |
The Six Sigma Master Black Belt analyses and solves quality problems and is involved in quality improvement projects. A Master Black Belt is someone with at least five years of work experience and has demonstrated his or her knowledge and experience on Six Sigma tools and processes and Lean Management. A Master Black Belt has worked successfully on at least two Six Sigma Projects by applying the concept and Tools and techniques of Six Sigma and Lean Management. |
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The AACPS Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (AACPS SSMBB) Exam is based on the AACPS Six Sigma Body of Knowledge for Master Black Belt. The Exam is divided into two parts: Theory based exam and Project Submission. Additionally, candidate needs to submit his profile as per the format specified by AACPS. Theory based exam contains multiple-choice questions from each major section of the AACPS Body of Knowledge for Master Black Belt. The Project has to be prepared in a group under the guidance of Accredited Trainer. The project can be an educational Six Sigma project given by AACPS Accredited Training Partner or AACPS Accredited Trainer or can be demonstrated in your working organisation. The Project has to demonstrate application of maximum Tools and Techniques given in the AACPS Body of Knowledge for Master Black Belt. |
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| AACPS happy to launch Cloud computing |
We at AACPS are proud to launch Cloud Computing certifications based on the market demand. Due to the increasing demand of Cloud computing, AACPS has launched various levels of certification in this field.
Today, every business across the globe has their crucial data on cloud. There was a myth that clouds are not secure modes for storing business critical data but since past 2-3 years the market has seen a radical change from traditional server storage to Cloud storage. This rising demand for Cloud computing has given birth to this certification.
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| AACPS happy to launch Green IT |
We at AACPS are proud to launch Green IT certifications based on the market demand. Due to the increasing demand of Cloud computing and Green IT, AACPS has launched various levels of certification in this field.
It is a high time for us to realize that we have to be environmental friendly. We have to save our mother earth to save ourselves. Today, every big organization across the globe has realized the importance of Green IT. Green IT is not just awareness for saving our mother earth but it also helps organizations saving money and become cost-conscious. This rising demand for Green IT has given birth to this certification. Green IT certification helps individual to prove that he / she is conscious about the carbon foot prints. Every organization today adds to the carbon footprints on the mother earth and this certification helps individual to be aware about the methods and innovative ideas to reduce them.
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| Founder member board of AACPS, Global Chairman, Rolf Senevar died on 20th November 2013. |
AACPS Founder member, Rolf Senevar died on 20th November 2013. Candidates who have appeared for the examination in 2013 will hold signature of Rolf Senvar. We would like to clarify and confirm that Rolf Senevar was the authorized signatory of AACPS Global.
Effective 1st December 2013, candidates who have appeared for their examination will have signature of the Vice Chair, AACPS Global. All certificates issues to candidate and all agreements signed by Mr.Rolf Senevar will be valid and the ownership will be taken by AACPS Global.
Therefore, all certificates bearing his signature are valid till the expiry of the certificate.
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| Balanced Scorecard at AACPS |
The Balanced Scorecard is a conceptual framework for translating an organization's vision into a set of performance indicators distributed among four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, and Learning and Growth. Indicators are maintained to measure an organization's progress toward achieving its vision; other indicators are maintained to measure the long term drivers of success.
We at AACPS Global understand and focus on achieving the market parameters by introducing Balance Scorecard program. This program has been devised with the help of Market Experts and Mentors who are a part of our elite Member Board.
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| Building & Implementing a Balanced Scorecard:
The Nine Steps to Success |
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The Nine Steps to Success is a disciplined, practical approach to developing a strategic planning and management system based on the balanced scorecard. Training is an integral part of the framework, as is coaching, change management, and problem solving. Emphasis is placed on “teaching clients to fish, not handing them a fish”, so the scorecard system can be sustained. |
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A key benefit of using a disciplined framework is that it gives organizations a way to ‘connect the dots’ between the various components of strategic planning and management, meaning that there will be a visible connection between the projects and programs that people are working on, the measurements being used to track success, the strategic objectives the organization is trying to accomplish and the mission, vision and strategy of the organization. |
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| Step One: Assessment |
Step One of the scorecard building process starts with an assessment of the organization’s Mission and Vision, challenges (pains), enablers, and values. Step One also includes preparing a change management plan for the organization, and conducting a focused communications workshop to identify key messages, media outlets, timing, and messengers. |
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| Step Two: Strategy |
In Step Two, elements of the organization’s strategy, including Strategic Results, Strategic Themes, and Perspectives, are developed by workshop participants to focus attention on customer needs and the organization’s value proposition. |
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| Step Three: Objectives |
In Step Three, the strategic elements developed in Steps One and Two are decomposed into Strategic Objectives, which are the basic building blocks of strategy and define the organization's strategic intent. Objectives are first initiated and categorized on the Strategic Theme level, categorized by Perspective, linked in cause-effect linkages (Strategy Maps) for each Strategic Theme, and then later merged together to produce one set of Strategic Objectives for the entire organization. |
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| Step Four: Strategy Map |
In Step Four, the cause and effect linkages between the enterprise-wide Strategic Objectives are formalized in an enterprise-wide Strategy Map. The previously constructed theme Strategy Maps are merged into an overall enterprise-wide Strategy Map that shows how the organization creates value for its customers and stakeholders. |
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| Step Five: Performance Measures |
In Step Five, Performance Measures are developed for each of the enterprise-wide Strategic Objectives. Leading and lagging measures are identified, expected targets and thresholds are established, and baseline and benchmarking data is developed. |
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| Step Six: Initiatives |
In Step Six, Strategic Initiatives are developed that support the Strategic Objectives. To build accountability throughout the organization, ownership of Performance Measures and Strategic Initiatives is assigned to the appropriate staff and documented in data definition tables. |
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| Step Seven: Performance Analysis |
In Step Seven, the implementation process begins by applying performance measurement software to get the right performance information to the right people at the right time. Automation adds structure and discipline to implementing the Balanced Scorecard system, helps transform disparate corporate data into information and knowledge, and helps communicate performance information. In short, automation helps people make better decisions because it offers quick access to actual performance data. |
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| Step Eight: Alignment |
In Step Eight, the enterprise-level scorecard is ‘cascaded’ down into business and support unit scorecards, meaning the organizational level scorecard (the first Tier) is translated into business unit or support unit scorecards (the second Tier) and then later to team and individual scorecards (the third Tier). Cascading translates high-level strategy into lower-level objectives, measures, and operational details. Cascading is the key to organization alignment around strategy. Team and individual scorecards link day-to-day work with department goals and corporate vision. Cascading is the key to organization alignment around strategy. Performance measures are developed for all objectives at all organization levels. As the scorecard management system is cascaded down through the organization, objectives become more operational and tactical, as do the performance measures. Accountability follows the objectives and measures, as ownership is defined at each level. An emphasis on results and the strategies needed to produce results is communicated throughout the organization. |
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| Step Nine: Evaluation |
In Step Nine, an Evaluation of the completed scorecard is done. During this evaluation, the organization tries to answer questions such as, ‘Are our strategies working?’, ‘Are we measuring the right things?’, ‘Has our environment changed?’ and ‘Are we budgeting our money strategically?’ |
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| IT Management System at AACPS |
Due to increased demand of IT services across various business sectors, there is an indispensable dependency on IT Management System in order to deliver optimized business results. We are glad to announce IT Management System program. This certification will be done in three levels – Foundation, Advanced and Expert.
At AACPS we have a very customer-focused approach to delivering information technology. Hence for the first time we are introducing Service Management programs. These programs focus on providing value to the customer and also on the customer relationship. Service Management provides a framework to structure IT-related activities and the interactions of IT technical personnel with customers and clients.
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| We offer multiple levels in ISO: |
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards give state of the art specifications for products, services and good practice, helping to make industry more efficient and effective. With the help of industry experts we have devised the following certifications:
ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 18001
ISO 20001
ISO 26001
ISO 27001
ISO 31001
Each of the above certification have the following levels:
Internal Auditor - Lead Implementer - Lead Auditor
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How to measure and evaluate smart community infrastructures Our cities and communities are draining the planet's natural resources. A new ISO technical report on smart communities infrastructures gives practical advice to help us counteract this worrying trend.
The problem is clear: community services like energy, water supply, waste management and transport require large infrastructure systems which are important for economic and social development, but can also have a heavy cost on the environment.
Smart community infrastructures take into consideration environmental impact, economic efficiency and quality of life, in order to build prosperous and sustainable cities.
Currently there are a myriad of evaluation concepts and metrics causing unnecessary complexity, redundancy and lack of transparency for governments, city planners, investors and operators involved in planning and procuring smart community infrastructures.
International Standards bring technological, economic and societal benefits. They help to harmonize technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient and breaking down barriers to international trade. Conformity to International Standards helps reassure consumers that products are safe, efficient and good for the environment.
For business
International Standards are strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity and help companies access new markets.
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| Benefits include: |
- Cost savings - International Standards help optimise operations and therefore improve the bottom line
- Enhanced customer satisfaction - International Standards help improve quality, enhance customer satisfaction and increase sales
- Access to new markets - International Standards help prevent trade barriers and open up global markets
- Increased market share - International Standards help increase productivity and competitive advantage
- Environmental benefits - International Standards help reduce negative impacts on the environment
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| The Business Analyst Career Road Map |
Happy to announce commencement of Certified Business Analysis is based on the AACPS Body of Knowledge (BOK) for Business analysis which covers the range of concepts, approaches and techniques that are applicable to Business Analysis. There are three levels:-
Foundation, Professional and Master
The Business Analyst Career from AACPS Global, UK maps business analysis opportunities for those wishing to enter this growing profession. It also provides direction for business analysts looking for senior positions, and includes the emerging roles in business architecture and business intelligence, roles which are in high demand.
The Business Aanlysis Career recognizes experience outside of the realm of business analysis. If you have experience as a subject matter expert (e.g. insurance, finance, health care), or, software testing, or project management or sales—just to name a few—then your transferable skills are an important foundation for business analysis.
Once you have a few years of experience in business analysis, agile projects, systems analysis, and are Certification of Competency in Business Analysis, moving to a senior role is definitely a good option. If you currently hold a senior position and the Certified Business Analysis Professional designation, there are opportunities for skill and career development.
Your Business Analysis career is a journey, with many entry and exit points. Identify your current position from the many role families listed; keep in mind that you probably have expertise in more than one family. For example, a functional analyst can also have process analysis experience, therefore your options for career growth have multiple entry and exit points. Then find out more about the role(s) in Business Analyst Career after doing the certification.
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| Role Families in Business Analysis |
| As per our survey Business analysis as a field has various roles in the market : |
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| 1. Business Focused Role Families |
Business Requirements Analyst: The business requirements analyst is tasked with helping the business to meet its objectives and goals. He/she will understand how work is being conducted, and through analysis, determine solutions to the issues. He/she will have in-depth business knowledge typically related to a department (e.g. customer service, manufacturing). This role may conduct a feasibility study or justify the investment in change through a business case.
Business Process Analyst: A business process analyst specializes in bringing change to organizations through the analysis, design and implementation of the business processes that keep organizations running and the management of changes to those processes. Business process analysts have deep competencies in identifying the current state of processes, eliciting useful and harmful attributes of them, documenting models of the processes and facilitating stakeholder groups to consensus regarding new business process designs.
Decision Analyst – In Demand
The Decision Analyst (often referred to as a business intelligence analyst)
The decision analyst utilizes technologies, methods and practices for continuous iterative exploration and investigation of past business performance to gain insight and drive business planning. The decision analyst will help the business to develop new insights and understand business performance based on data and statistical methods.
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| 2. IT Analyst Roles |
Business Systems Analyst: The business systems analyst will utilize broad IT and in-depth business knowledge to implement IT solutions which address business needs. He or she will identify, develop and implement effective technology solutions that address business needs.
Systems Analyst: A systems analyst performs business analysis tasks through specialization in understanding the business usage of information technology (IT) and helping technology add value to the business. He or she understands and is comfortable with a variety of technical architectures and platforms, and understands IT capabilities and which applications in an organization deliver various capabilities.
Functional Analyst: The functional business analyst performs business analysis tasks through specializing in a specific technology product and its features and functions capabilities. The functional business analyst has deep knowledge of the technology product (e.g. SAP, PeopleSoft etc.) and has experience in a variety of implementation contexts in varying organizations, and sometimes industries. He or she helps organizations and stakeholders define the usage and integration with other systems and implements the features and functions of the technology product to meet business requirements.
Service Request Analyst: A service request analyst performs business analysis tasks by specializing in supporting stakeholders of a specific system application, maintaining the system, and handling user inquiries, user issues, and enhancements to the system. This analyst has a deep understanding of a specific application or set of applications he or she supports, how users use the application, and what other systems integrate with the application.
Agile Analyst: In the agile world, software requirements are developed through continual exploration of the business need. Requirements are elicited and refined through an iterative process of planning, defining acceptance criteria, prioritizing, developing, and reviewing the results. Throughout the iterative planning and analysis of requirements, business analysis practitioners must constantly ensure that the features requested by the users align with the product's business goals, especially as the business goals evolve and change over time. Agile analysis is a specialty often held by Business Systems and IT Analysts.
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| BA Leadership |
| The following are a list of roles within this family: |
- BA Project Lead
- BA Program Lead
- BA Practice Lead
- Relationship Manager
- BA Manager
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| Enterprise Level Roles |
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Enterprise Architect: The enterprise architect aligns IT infrastructure with IT and business strategy supporting the goals and objectives, and the successful implementation of change. He/she develops formal standards, manages the enterprise architecture processes and provides guidance to the architectural team, CIO, CEO and Business Architect.
Business Architect: This role works to create and maintain the business architecture. He or she leverages enterprise capabilities and efficient usage of process, technology, data and people, and aligns these capabilities to the business strategy.
Your future: Director, Vice President, YES even C level positions are on the BA path! The Business Analyst is the perfect candidate!
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| GREEN IT and its innovation |
Green IT specifically designed for a business audience, which introduces key climate change concepts and the standpoints of various groupings. It provides an overview of a Green IT strategy and a bottom line-orientated action plan. Introducing Green IT solutions at your doorstep now!!!
This program has three levels: Foundation, Expert and Master
Eco-Efficiency and Eco-Innovation for IT
GreenIT® is the leading advisor in sustainable Information and Communications Technology.
GreenIT® provides services to enable clients to drive measurable financial and environmental benefits from programs for IT Eco-Efficiency and IT Eco-Innovation.
GreenIT® is a progressive consultancy that serves clients in three primary markets:
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- Leaders in IT, Finance, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility actively involved in sustainability initiatives.
- Real Estate Professionals looking to make commercial property more competitive and environmentally responsible.
- IT System and Equipment Providers and Distributors seeking to understand and communicate the sustainability attributes of their products.
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The course and certification gives professionals in many fields a unique competitive advantage for career success in an era dominated by two powerful trends --- sustainability and technology. |
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- IT leaders and managers learn the vocabulary of sustainability and how to translate that knowledge into actionable plans.
- Chief Sustainability Officers and CSR professionals become technology literate and fully understand the role ICT has in the development of a sustainable enterprise.
- Facility Managers, Architects and Engineers develop knowledge and skills to design and manage buildings that are sustainable high-tech machines.
- Purchasing and Procurement professionals master the terminology and principles of ICT and drive cost-saving, sustainable enterprise strategy through directed buying and supply-chain management.
- Tech industry professionals in Executive Management, Sales and Business Development, and Administration learn how to lead their organizations and clients onto a path to sustainable operations.
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