by Nikola Gaydarov

I am an ITIL v3 Expert and I have been teaching ITIL for the last 5 years. During this time, I had many discussions with my students on how ITIL can be improved. We went up and down the phases and the process and as a result I have written some articles with ideas that came up. I even wrote an article called ITIL v4 well over a year before the official announcement was done. You can imagine the enthusiasm and the feelings I had, when the real work on the new update started. I have been even part of the whole discussion about the name – would it be v4, v3 2019 or just 4. It was great fun.

Leaving some time for the dust to settle, I decided to go for ITIL 4 Foundation certification few weeks ago. I got the book, I got access to a training and started reading.

It quickly became obvious that ITIL 4 would change the game. We are now ready to talk about value, value system and value streams. The best side of it, is that ITIL 4 is written in such a way that everyone can understand and relate to it.

In this article I will try to show you some great ideas laid down from ITIL 4 and why you might want to certify yourself on the Foundation level. Ultimately, I want to prove that ITIL 4 is good for every one of you.

So, let’s start with ITIL 4.

Why ITIL 4

The first thing that struck me was… We now have a definition of Value. Though it may seem funny, in v3 Value there was no such definition.

The next big thing is, of course, the Service Value System (SVS). There are a few other frameworks that have defined similar models, but here we can see the legacy and the new ideas in one model. ITIL 4 has kept and even promoted to the highest possible level the Guiding Principles.

Source: AXELOS, “ITIL Foundation: ITIL 4 Edition” (2019)

We can see how Governance and Continual Improvement fit as well.

Major change in this version are the Practices and the Service Value Chain. The first will extend our process driven model by focusing more on the Why, and the latest define the so called Value Streams.

Value Streams are a big improvement over what we had as a delivery model in v3. They mix activities and practices to deliver value. How great is that?

Source: AXELOS, “ITIL Foundation: ITIL 4 Edition” (2019)

And the good ideas go even further. We now have six activities: Plan, Improve, Engage, Design and Transition, Deliver and Support and Obtain and Build. Why is this a good thing? It is good because we now have focus. Is what I am doing an Engagement or Design and Transition activity? Are there any related best practices to how we engage with our customers? Do we have predefined procedures and guidelines? The list can go on. In short, we are given a high-level system, which can be split into activities and practices with a focus on value. It looks a lot better and a lot more up-to-date, doesn’t it?

I will go into detail, but we now have 34 Practices split into three groups. I think these are plenty of practices 😊 Major point is that we now have Business Analysis, Risk Management, Portfolio and Project Management, Deployment and Software Management. It looks sound from a practical perspective.

The 4 Dimensions of Service Management

Source: AXELOS, “ITIL Foundation: ITIL 4 Edition” (2019)

Last, but not least are the 4 dimensions of service management. They were always there, but we somehow always forgot about them. Something like the pink elephant in the room – it is there but it seems no one is paying enough attention. Emphasizing the importance of People, Information, Partners and Value Streams is a great way to deliver better and better services.

The more you read, the more you think ”Hey, this looks cool, I should certify”, don’t you?

Well, I thought the same, so I did it 😊

Why ITIL 4 Foundation

I have taken an online prerecorded training with a great quality. I read the book several times and done the mockup exams. The practical example about Axle Car Hire was a great help. You can easily understand and relate to theory, if you are given a practical example. The exam was straightforward, not easy, not hard. Well, I am an Expert, so I was close to perfection 😊

Source: AXELOS

Why do you need to certify? The main reason, of course, is that ITIL 4 will follow up on the steps of ITIL v3 2011 and become a well known and well used best practice framework. The certificate will be valid at least for several years and will be known throughout the globe. So, don’t wait, just go for it…

Who can take ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certification Training?

• All ITIL Experts
• Anyone with 17 or more ITIL V3 credits
• Anyone with 15 ITIL V3 Intermediate credits and ITIL 4 Foundation

Who can teach ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certification Training?

• Accredited ITIL Trainers who hold MALC or a minimum of 17 ITIL V3 credits and who complete the Managing Professional Transition Train-The-Trainer videos and take and pass the exam.

When will the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Exam be available?

• PeopleCert will release the exam on October 3, 2019

How much will the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Course Exam cost?

• The exam price is expected to be $469.

Which Exam Institute provides the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Exam?

• PeopleCert

How is the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Exam administered?

• You can take the exam in a live classroom course or live online proctored anywhere anytime.

Do students have to take an Accredited Course to sit for the exam?

• Yes, a certificate of completion from an Accredited Training Organization is required to sit for this exam.

Does PeopleCert Offer Exam Re-Takes for free?

• No, you must pay for every exam.

When will the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certification Training Course be available?

• AXELOS finalized the materials that go into the class mid-September therefore it is expected that training organizations will begin teaching courses in the October/November 2019 timeframe.

How long is the class?

• Classroom courses are 4.5 days with the last half day dedicated to taking the exam.  Online self-paced courses are divided into video lectures, exercises, and sample exams.  It is expected that  students who take self-paced courses will spend 30 hours of study.

Do I need to read the 4 Managing Professional Books?

• Yes, AXELOS highly recommends that every student has a copy of the 4 books and reads them in addition to taking a classroom, live online or self-paced video class.

Do I need to take the ITIL 4 Foundation Course before I take the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certification Training Course?

• It is highly recommended that you take the ITIL 4 Foundation course or purchase and read the ITIL 4 Foundation book from AXELOS as the concepts covered in the ITIL 4 Foundation course will help you achieve the best learning experience when you take the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition course.

By Guest Author Bassomo Romaric

Background

I am Bassomo Serge Romaric, Cameroonian, 30 years old and I am Telecommunication engineer. I started my career 8 years ago in IT mostly around Storage (EMC), Virtualization (VMware), Network (CISCO, Fortinet). Service Operation is my bread and butter everyday job.

Why I wanted to achieve ITIL Certification

I was hired one year ago, in our National Telco Company. In my previous work experience, I knew about ITIL, but I was not feeling the necessity to learn more. It is when I changed my previous company that I discovered the power of ITIL and the desire to learn more. In fact in my current company we have poor user satisfaction, bad reputation in delivering services to customer, project are delivered over-cost, over-time, quality is declining, many incidents …. Etc. We have some good guys in IT, CCIE, Oracle Expert, Microsoft expert but nothing runs as expected. We have no ITSM initiative at all, we are only focused on technology and not how IT creates value to business. This is why I decided to achieve ITIL certification.

Research of training provider

I passed my foundation exam in May 2015, I decided to look at the requirements of expert track. I have two options taking classroom exam or online class. Classroom was my preferred option because for me it is interactive. But when it comes to math :

1 – Lifecycle = 5 exams at $2000 each + 1 MALC exam at $3000 = $13 000

2 – Capability = 4 exams at $2500 each + 1 MALC exam at $3000 = $15 500

And I have to add travel fee because at the time there were no accredited training provider for intermediate courses (capability) in my country or nearby. It was too expensive for me. And my company only invests in tech certification for engineers. So my project was stalled.

At the beginning of 2016, I take my project out of the bag and I begin investigations for the online option. My first step was to have a short list of accredited training provider from EXIN. I checked the website of every training provider, also checked the background of the trainer on LinkedIn.  I choose GogoTraining because of the trainer Dr Suzanne Van Hove. I knew her ISO 20 000 with Lynda.com so I was very comfortable with the quality. And after I stay because GOGO people are very responsive.  And also very very important the price structure is very flexible you can buy access for 1 year, six months … etc depending on your time and budget. During my journey, I discover GOGO staff, they are very kind and always available.  When you send an email you have feedback immediately.

My exam technique

First of all the course is clear. Dr Suzanne is a great trainer. With GOGO you do two things at same time, you train for ITIL course and you have some great experience sharing with Dr Suzanne. She shares some tips of how to handle some cases in real life. Her Capability courses are simply excellent.

How I used the material

• First I take one day off (Sunday) to listen all the videos about 8 hours. I skipped the exercises and sample questions.
• Afterward, I read the Book in particular order (Chap 1, 9 , 2, 3, 4, 5; 6; 7 , 8). There are scenario highlights when you are reading the book that refer to some real case company. There are so helpful and increase understanding. This is the first and most helpful sample question.
• Third step use this process model to verify if I have the understanding of a particular process.

• After my reading,  I did the exercises.
• Next, I viewed videos for the second time.
• I read ITIL pocket book
• 1 days before the exam I do sample exam question and I review the topics where I was weak.
• The day of the exam I read the enlarged slide and the video 01 Exams tips.

My scores

I passed all my exams the first time!!!

Foundation: 100%

Capability: SOA 90% , PPO 78%, RCV 95%

Lifecycle: SS 75%, SD 85% , ST 75%

Editor’s Note: We congratulate and thank Bossomo & all of our students who have learned so much and brought their skills to the ITIL Community! Well done!!

Despite innovations, disruptions, and rapid changes, IT is one industry that continues to survive and thrive

Contrary to popular misconceptions, the information technology sector is flourishing and will continue to employ skilled workers in large numbers. Factors like automation and new technologies only open new opportunities for your IT career path.

Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics, scientific advancements like space exploration and medical procedures, provide tremendous opportunities for IT experts.

For IT professionals in the US who are scared of outsourcing, fear not! Most of the outsourced jobs are mundane, repetitive jobs which will be automated sooner or later.

However, the innovative IT jobs are on the rise. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for someone who is a tech wizard.

If you’re interested in knowing what an IT professional’s career path looks like, keep reading….

It’s difficult but interesting

Working in the IT industry is not a cakewalk. But then, nor is it in any other industry!

If you have an affinity for technology and enjoy working on new complex challenges, the IT industry is for you.

You might have heard numerous stories of IT professionals who work day and night in their offices without even the time to go home just for a few hours.

It’s true. There are times when they have to slog and stretch. However, what most of the people ignore is the fact that a large number of people in this industry are highly passionate about their job. They enjoy their work more than anything else, which is the reason for their sustainability and growth despite the work pressure.

Working in the IT industry lets you apply your analytical mind, logic, and creativity.

If you want to become a successful IT professional, you must have passion, persistence and stamina.  If you do, success will be yours.

Career paths in the IT industry

Information technology is a vast industry with 100s of specialties. Some are discussed here:

Database Administrator

Big Data’s a revolution. Every enterprise generates massive volumes of data through its customer interactions, which is needed for analytics. This is where a DBA plays a key role.

Graphic Design

It’s where the creativity meets technology. If you’re a skilled artist, becoming a graphic designer is the right career for you.

Video Game Developer and Tester

Advancements in technology and graphic designing have made video games more sophisticated than ever. There’s tremendous scope as a games developer or tester.

Animator

Animators get to show their skills to a far greater extent now than ever. From animated movies to live action films, and advertisements and games, animation offers tremendous scope.

IT Security

The advancements in IT have also increased the threats. Viruses and malware are pretty common, and there’s always a requirement for more skilled IT security professionals to deal with the threats.

Programming and Coding

Coding shall never be out of the fashion. Most of the top entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg started out as coders. There’s immense scope in this field.

Project Manager

This comes as an advanced career path once you’ve moved up the ladder in the IT industry. As a project manager, you get to manage people and entire projects.

Conclusion

IT industry continues to offer significant scope for those who are willing to work hard and smart. Learn IT courses and programming languages online to move one step ahead towards building an exciting career in the IT industry.  If you’re looking to begin a new career, browse our course catalog and see how easy it is to get started in an IT career.

Why Oracle Database Management is Really Important

We frequently use spreadsheets to store and share data. As long as the data is small and straightforward, spreadsheets do a good job of saving it. However, as the volume and complexity of the data grows, you will have to use a Database Management System to store and retrieve the data. Databases are highly scalable, and they are designed to communicate with other applications which make them suitable for the web.

Organizations like Banks, Government departments and multinational corporations all have vast amounts of data that need to be store and retrieved securely. Therefore, they use relational database management system to manage their data. A relational database recognizes the relationship between stored information.

Oracle is an object-relational database which is among one of the most complex databases in the world. It means that it supports many object-oriented features such as enhancing the capability of the database server by defining new and complex data types and using the attributes of “Inheritance” to define objects, which can procure properties of other objects.

Since most Database Management Systems (DBMS) understand a particular query or a specific language, not everyone can operate them. Database Administrators (or DBAs) use specialized software to store, update, delete or manage data in the DBMS.

If you want to become an Oracle Database Administrator, here are five things you should know:

What does an Oracle DBA do?

An Oracle DBA’s core job is to maintain data integrity, which means protecting the organization’s data. Database Administrators are involved in almost all functions related to data management such as development, storage, and retrieval of the database. They also “create, install, examine and troubleshoot” the database management systems that deal with the data in any organization. As an Oracle DBA, you will also be involved in the processes of backup and recovery of data, storage and capacity planning, performance monitoring and tuning, data extraction, transformation, & loading, etc. You may also be communicating with developers, data analysts and network operators to ensure smooth and efficient management & flow of information in the organization.

What are the necessary requirements for becoming an Oracle DBA?

Since database administration requires advanced knowledge of computing as well as business environments, most of the Oracle DBAs hold a Bachelor’s degree (BS) in computer programming. Due to intense competition, a college degree may not be adequate to become a DBA. Therefore, you need to upgrade your skills and become a certified expert in Oracle to advance your career. Excellent communications skills always help as in any other technical role.

You Can’t Avoid SQL

SQL or Structured Query Language, is at the core of all relational databases. SQL is used to store or fetch data in the relational databases. In fact, Oracle itself is a form of SQL Database. Also, the Oracle database is ANSI compliant. Thus, you can’t avoid SQL if you want to become an Oracle DBA. Join an introductory course in SQL before you aspire to learn advanced modules of Oracle database.

How much Oracle DBAs Earn?

The compensation of an Oracle Database Administrator may depend on several factors such as expertise in Database Administration, relevant experience, communications skills, educational qualification, etc.

According to a Salary.com report, as of Feb 2017, the median salary of Oracle DBAs is $111,450.00 per year. The average annual salary of top 10% Oracle DBAs is $132,613.00 whereas the bottom 10% earn an average annual salary of $85,637. This data clearly shows that Oracle DBA experts are among the highest paid professionals in the Information Technology sector.

How to Get Started

If you are a beginner, join an online training program to learn the basic SQL programming language. You should also acquire as many certifications in Oracle as possible to establish your credentials. Large organizations usually ask for a certain number (2-5 Years) of years of work experience. Therefore, you should also begin working as an intern along with your course to gain real world experience. You will need to be persistent and should have patience to learn Oracle DBA as it is an advanced programming language. Remember that your effort to learn Oracle will pay off quickly when you get your first job.

GogoTraining conducted a webinar on Mar 15, where Dr. Suzanne Van Hove discussed several nuances of ITIL Practitioner. She explained in detail about the ITIL Practitioner course, the concepts of IT Service Management, and why you need the Practitioner. She also answered some frequently asked questions related to ITIL Practitioner.

Key takeaways from the seminar:

1. Students will need to understand the following terms & concepts:
   1. What is Adopt & Adapt
   2. Service Value,
   3. Who is or can be the Customer
   4. What is Effective vs. Efficient,
   5. VOCR (Value, Outcome, Costs, Risks)
2. The importance of Communication, Metrics and Organizational Change Management to the Service Management consultant
3. The need for and use of an improvement framework

A Peek Inside the ITIL Practitioner Exam

Passing the ITIL Practitioner exam is all about applying the concepts. 70-80% of the questions in the ITIL exam are application-based while remaining are based on theories. Thus, you should spend a majority of your preparation time (70-80%) on doing exercises to strengthen your ability to apply theoretical knowledge.

Most of the exercises in ITIL Practitioner training are based on case studies. There will be a fictitious company and a hypothetical situation. You need to apply the ITIL concepts and identify key elements in order to implement the proper solution within the given situational context.   Only through the proper implementation of the concepts can you solve the problems correctly.

The ITIL Practitioner course has several advantages such as helping you gain practical skills, boosting your self-confidence and teaching you about the environment in which Service Management decisions are made within an organization. The course also helps you become an internal or external specialist and utilize the skills learned to provide expert professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are exam questions similar to the exercises in the course?

Answer: No. The exercises are designed to reinforce the principles. Since the exam questions are based on a particular case, you need to have a tremendous understanding of the concepts and their applications to answer them. However, practicing the exercises will help you do better in the final exam.

Question:  When can I take the ITIL Practitioner

Answer:  ITIL Foundation is mandatory for taking ITIL Practitioner exam. Also, it is recommended that you should take at least take one or two intermediate classes before attempting ITIL Practitioner so that you develop the understanding of the context and critical ITSM concepts.

Question:  How difficult would it be for experienced ITSM professionals if they take the Practitioner exam without undergoing a training program?

Answer: It will be difficult as it uses a specific language and you need to write ITIL Practitioner exam in a particular atmosphere. So, you will need to study the course extensively and familiarize yourself with all the core concepts before taking the exam.

Question: How much studying do I need to pass the exam?

Answer: It depends on the individual. There are many concepts which are subtle while others are quite dynamic. You need to read the course text thoroughly and practice the activities given in the book.  If you have done the ITIL CSI intermediate course, it will help you in the Practitioner exam preparation. You may also highlight the key concepts in the book so that you can refer to them quickly during the exam.

Question: Should I take any particular Intermediate Class before attempting the ITIL Practitioner exam?

Answer: It would be good to take one or two intermediate courses before you take ITIL Practitioner.  If you have not taken any we recommend CSI or Service Strategy.

Question: How is ITIL Practitioner different from ITIL Expert?

Answer: ITIL Expert is very different from ITIL Practitioner regarding content as well the context. The Expert doesn’t deal with the soft skills and still requires you to memorize the concepts even though it is more practical than the Intermediates. ITIL Practitioner is more hands-on and based on your application of concepts in different contexts.

Conclusion

You need ITIL Practitioner so that you learn the skills necessary to lead an Adopt & Adapt initiative within your organization. ITIL Practitioner is significantly different from the other ITIL courses as in the Practitioner your focus is not on memorizing new knowledge but, synthesizing what you already have and applying it to real-life situations.  Active participation in course exercises, as well as focused study, will be critical to pass this difficult exam.

If you have any questions to Dr. Van Hove, please send them to customerservice@gogotraining.com.

Average annual compensation for software developers and system engineers in the USA is around $104,500. A career in the IT sector not only offers a handsome salary and tremendous learning opportunities but it also provides a global exposure. The demand for digital tools and services is growing across all industries in the USA which is driving the growth in employment in Information Technology sector.  There is no better time than today to build a sound career in the IT industry!

Here are your 5 Steps to Landing a Job in the IT Industry

1.) Learn a Programming Language

To develop a career in the IT sector, you need to learn a programming language or a particular IT skill. Join an online course and gain mastery over any programming language or related skill set. Check out the applications and specialized software programs that are powered by the language you are learning. Try to work on as many real word projects as possible.  Practice rigorously, and build a robust portfolio. The portfolio will be extremely useful in showing your skills to potential employers.

2.) Get Certified

Not all programming languages have official certification exams. However, for some languages such as Java SE 8 programming, etc. you have the option to get certified by an authorized body. Taking advantage of certifications to advance your career in the IT sector is a smart move. Get certified by the appropriate widely recognized body. While the certification may not be entirely necessary, it will help you gain more credibility in your area of expertise and set you apart from other similarly qualified applicants.

3.) Write a Focused Resume

You need to invest significant time in developing a resume that represents your skills and accomplishments. Don’t copy the buzzwords from the internet. Prepare a short resume (1-2 pages) with all relevant details. It must be tailor-made for the job you are applying. This means it should have only the pertinent information related to the position you are applying for. By creating job customized resumes, you will increase your chances of getting that all important first interview.

4.) Expand your Network

Make an impressive LinkedIn profile and add relevant connections on a regular basis. Use a professional profile photo and complete the employment section with updated information. Use the right keywords that reflect your personality traits and professional skill sets. Engage with industry professionals and develop genuine relationships on the platform. Ask your classmates, current and former colleagues for a recommendation on LinkedIn. Remember that a majority of recruiters go through candidates’ LinkedIn profiles before calling them for the interview. Thus, an excellent LinkedIn profile can contribute significantly to your career’s success.

5.) Prepare for the Interview

An interview may last for 30 minutes or more. However, almost a third of interviewers know within the first 90 seconds whether they are going to hire you or not. That means, your first impression not only counts but impacts the selection process significantly. Thus, work on your personality and do everything that boosts your confidence. Pay close attention to your  outfit and personal hygiene. If the interview is on the phone, be aware of background noise and any speaking habits that hurt your credibility (“uhhh…”, “like…like…like”, speaking too fast, etc.)

Before appearing for the interview, brush-up your knowledge about the company and make sure to have a list of relevant questions pertaining to the job in question. During the interview, maintain a direct eye contact with the interviewer. Crack a smile when you are feeling less confident and speak assertively. Recruiters don’t hire people who are not sure about their expertise. Thus, stay positive and be confident during the entire interview process.

The Bottom Line…

Being prepared for the role you want and the company you’re interviewing for is crucial.   Be ready to work hard and become an expert in your field. Enroll for advanced online IT courses to keep your knowledge updated. Remember that to be successful in the technology industry, you need to learn new things continuously so that you can add value to the business from the start and all the way through your career.

Yes, you do!  Why? Because ITIL® Practitioner is the Certification that brings ITIL to life.   It will give you the practical skill-set to successfully adopt and adapt ITIL.  In short, you will take your “Book Knowledge” and turn into “Street Smarts”.

Without the skills to support your Adopt and Adapt initiative, you cannot put ITIL to work.  Bottom Line – if you want to bring ITIL to life, and take advantage of all of the benefits it has to offer, then you need to know how to adopt and adapt the ITIL Framework and ITIL Practitioner will give you the tools.

ITIL Practitioner’s Place in the ITIL Framework

In the diagram above you can see that ITIL Practitioner sits right in the middle of the Lifecycle and the Capability track of courses.  The Practitioner Certification is worth 3 credits towards ITIL Expert and may be taken any time after you achieve the Foundation Certificate.  However, it is a certification exam unlike any of the other ITIL Certification exams and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND that in addition to the ITIL Foundation Certificate that you have 2 years of experience working in IT Service Management and that you have taken at least 1 ITIL Intermediate course.

The ITIL Practitioner Certification Exam

The ITIL Practitioner Certification exam expects that you will have taken the time to read “AXELOS ITIL Practitioner Guidance” and really understand the material.  Success depends on knowing how to apply what you have learned.  It is NOT, I repeat, NOT like any other ITIL Exam.  It requires you to take your time and to study.

GogoTraining ITIL and Industry Expert Dr. Suzanne Van Hove designed a class with 8 practical exercises.  These exercises utilize the exam case studies and give you the opportunity to apply key course concepts, which will assist you when you take the ITIL Practitioner exam.

While taking a course is not required to sit for the ITIL Practitioner Exam, the exam is $356 and that is a lot of money to pay and not pass the exam.  After Dr. Van Hove (with 18 years of experience) took the ITIL Practitioner exam she decided to put a class together which focuses on the skill sets that a student needs to have in order to successfully take and pass.  Each of the eight exercises Dr. Van Hove has prepared will take students 2.5 to 3 hours each to complete. That is 24 hours of study on the practical skills of the ITIL Practitioner.

ITIL Practitioner is a ‘Must-Have’ Certification

When it comes to Practitioner, we believe it is a must-have Certification because it stresses the skill-set you need to successfully adopt and adapt ITIL.  That said, remember, you need to prepare thoroughly before you take the exam.  ITIL Practitioner is heavily focused on application of concepts and as such, completing all exercises and spending time with the course materials will only increase your success rate. Additionally, having a background within Service Management, beyond the Foundation exam, is another important criterion. Focusing on both of the above aspects provides a level of confidence not only for the exam but, to participate and lead ITIL Adopt and Adapt initiatives.

If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the ITIL Practitioner Certification, please contact us at, customerservice@gogotraining.com or visit the course page here.

Python powers some of the most popular online sites such as YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Millions of high-traffic websites use Python because it is unarguably the program with the most intuitive syntax.

To understand this let’s take a look at the “Hello World” snippet below, written in Python and other popular programming languages.

Java Programming

1. class hello {
2. public static void main(String []args){
3. System.out.println(“Hello World”);
4. }
5. }

C Programming

1. #include <stdio.h>
2. main() {
3. printf(“Hello World”);
4. }

Python Programming

1. print “Hello World”

Here are some useful tips to get started with Python:

Pick up the right version

Python has two existing versions, Python 2 and Python 3. As a beginner, you may not be able to differentiate between the two versions. However, do some research and find out the right version for you. Python 3 is the significantly improved version of Python 2. But, since many developers didn’t like Python 3, they went back to Python 2, so you will find applications based on both the versions.  Choose your version carefully so that you don’t need to switch it later.

Use Python interpreter

Install Python interpreter and use it extensively. The interpreter will read instructions and execute commands. It also gives instructions on how the code should be executed. The interpreter is mainly needed to run the code you write.

Check this example of an online Python interpreter: http://mathcs.holycross.edu/~kwalsh/python/

As you can see,the interpreter reads the instructions, asks for inputs (the commands) and returns an answer. It helps you understand how your code is working. If the code has an error, it will highlight the same.

Don’t mess with indentations

If you have ever worked with a programming language, you know how a small mistake in coding can lead to a failure of the entire program and leads to endless frustration. In Python, indentations or Tabs, play a crucial role in the coding. An unintentional ‘tab’ while writing the code can lead to a never ending loop. So, plan and organize your code appropriately. Don’t use an indentation unless it is a must!

Join communities

Online communities provide a great opportunity to learn programming and share experiences. Join active Python communities and participate frequently. Ask senior members when you are stuck on something. Check out the problems, solutions, and code which are shared by other members. Always try to write fewer lines of codes for achieving complex programming goals. Unlike other programming languages, Python is quite straightforward and will enable you to learn to code efficiently and bring ideas to life using fewer lines of codes.

Invest in Your Education

There are plenty of resources on the internet on Python programming. Some of them are free while others are premium courses with active support from the service. If you are serious about making a career in Python development, you need to choose the resources carefully. Premium online training programs come with an organized step-by-step training methodology that saves time and teaches you the best practices of coding. Also, expert trainers bring with them years of industry experience. They can guide you through the application of concepts in various contexts and real-world situations. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in training and development to perfect your technical skills in Python to understand the applications of concepts in various contexts.

Conclusion

Attention to details sets excellent programmers apart from the crowd. Anyone can learn the syntax and write hundreds of lines of code. However, you need to plan your project and develop the right strategies to turn concepts into reality. Python is a high-level programming language that can be used to solve many business challenges. Learning this programming language can significantly boost your career. So, it is wiser to invest in a good Python training program and learn it like a boss to become a True Python professional.

AXELOS introduced the ITIL Practitioner certification in early 2016. While other courses of ITIL mainly focus on “What is ITIL,” the ITIL Practitioner is designed to teach “How to adopt and adapt ITIL.” It is a welcome step as it seeks to address the concern related to “How to get started with ITIL.”

The ITIL Practitioner shows you how to adopt and adapt ITIL best practices into your organization and make ITIL come to life. It helps you get beyond the best practices and see how to use them to streamline your organization and save money.

The ITIL Practitioner course has included several modern concepts, interactive tools, and templates, and most importantly the people aspect of ITSM implementations through key modules such as Organization Change Management (OCM) and Communication.

The ITIL Practitioner exam requires thorough study and understanding.  You will be expected to have read the book and to understand how to adopt and adapt what you learned.  For the first time in the history of ITIL, there is a provision for open book format for the ITIL Practitioner certification exam.  You are allowed to mark up the pages and know where to find information so it may help you during the exam.  While this sounds as though it makes the exam easier, it is actually the opposite.  You really need to know the book inside and out before you take the exam.  You must be able to find what you need quickly and use it to select the correct answer.  This is a very different exam and you will need to plan differently to pass.

Why is the Exam is Open Book?

The ITIL Practitioner course deals mainly with the concepts that support the deployment of ITSM principles. The exam requires the students to adopt, adapt and apply ITIL best practices. The official course material consists of tools and templates such as KPI Balance Checklist, Communication campaign checklist, Business case, etc. which are used for various purposes. You need to have a working knowledge of these tools in order to correctly implement them in real-world situations. Thus, ITIL Practitioner certification exam is designed to assess your ability to apply the ITSM principles. A majority of the questions in the exam are related to different situations where understanding the context is more important than memorizing concepts. Thus, an open book format enables students to focus on contextual applications of the concepts without spending time in remembering the principles.

Here is a quick guide to help you prepare for the exam:

1.) Remember to Prioritize the Concepts

In this type of exam, your interpretation of the concepts is crucial. However, you need to study the concepts thoroughly and memorize some of them so that you don’t need to refer the book to answer every question. You will not have adequate time to do so. Thus, you need to prioritize the concepts that you should memorize. For instance, read and understand the case studies given in the book so that you don’t waste your time reading the cases during the exam.

2.) Form a study group

Study groups work well for any studies. It is particularly helpful in the preparation of ITIL Practitioner certification exam. By discussing ideas and sample questions with others, you will have a better understanding of the applicability of the concepts in different contexts. The study conversations with friends may also help you recall the ideas during the exam. The discussions also assist in making right assumptions while solving some questions.

3.) Use the book in the mock tests

If you are planning to use the book in the exam, then practice the mock tests in the similar fashion. By doing so, you will have a better understanding of how to search for the information in the book quickly and what preparation you need to make to score well in the final exam. In short, it will be of immense help in strategizing your certification exam.

4.) Mark key information in the official book

Bear in mind that only official handbook along with tabulation of its content is allowed in the exam. Since you have 135 minutes to answer 40 questions, you can’t spend significant time in searching for relevant information in the book. Thus, you should mark key ideas and tabulate them neatly so that you can find the relevant concepts quickly.

5.) Learn Time Management

Try to solve those questions first that don’t require any help from the book. Some of the questions might be very confusing and take a lot of time to solve them correctly even with the support of the book. Answer them towards the end of the exam. You must manage your time effectively so that you don’t miss many easy questions in the quest of solving a few tough ones or spending too much time on searching information in the book.

6.) Maintain Examination Temperament

Maintaining exam temperament and handling pressure effectively is the key to success in an open book exam format like this. There could be many questions which are vaguely worded and require you to make assumptions. It may be frustrating at times, to read and reread the questions and make assumptions when you are under pressure. You need to be calm, read the questions objectively and maintain your cool while tackling such issues.

7.) Write The Exam when you are Confident

Unlike traditional classroom programs, GogoTraining offers a self-paced learning environment where you have the flexibility to learn the essential concepts required for ITIL Practitioner certification at a time and place of your choice. Take advantage of the flexibility and write the exam when you are fully understood all the concepts. You will also have access to to the instructor to ask all the questions regarding exam preparation.

 Conclusion

Although ITIL Practitioner certification is not a prerequisite for ITIL Intermediate Level qualifications, it carries three credits towards ITIL Expert certification. Moreover, it is an excellent course because you learn how to adopt and adapt ITIL best practices which will make you a key employee, one that everyone wants to have on their team.  A carefully planned approach, thorough study and some practice you can easily get comfortable with open book format and score well in the exam.