What are the Benefits of Change Management?

In today’s fast-changing world everyone wants to drive positive change in their organizations and other structures, and rightly so. Change brings in disruption in one form or the other, while that surely cleans up messy tangles and gives you better manageability, it can be tricky to keep track without being careful at every step. You might even want to consider a change management course that makes you better informed about the step you’re about to take. But why would you go through such an elaborate process if you can’t see the benefits it brings?

Benefits of Change Management

  1. Measure the impact of change and the need for it: Change is a process that requires consistent effort from everyone involved and sticking to the concept of change management for a long time. So, make sure that the change is needed for your organization and the extent to which it can affect you or other members in the direct or indirect ways.
  2. Cost management and resource allocation for change: Since you have decided to go for change, it is necessary to verify that you have access to all the resources that will be a must for effecting change successfully. The costs involved should also be clear to related departments so that the already demanding process does not get tougher for people trying to cope with the same. A change management course will give you better insights.
  3. Arrange necessary training and help for everyone: When you have figured out the change plan, the process requires people to adjust to the plan by figuring out what is required of them individually as well as on the collective front. The best way to do the same is to provide training for gaps in skill and knowledge and evaluate the progress for each of them.
  4. Ensure effective collaboration and cooperation: Even when individuals are performing at their best capacity, the total effort counts better when there is better collaboration between teams. Ensuring that the passage of information is smooth and timely is of prime importance while making sure that related teams have access to shared resources and cooperate through and through.
  5. Maintaining smooth communication: It is very obvious that without efficient communication, it will become increasingly difficult for managers to ensure that the planned change is being implemented across teams. The majority of change management courses propagate the utmost need for tools and tactics that ought to be in place for a communication strategy that works seamlessly. Moreover, it is important to know how different people are tackling change and send feedback on how they can do better or just keep doing what they are in case they have found the best measures already.
  6. Mitigate stress associated with change: When you are a manager or someone who can affect in any way how the people under you or surrounding you perform, it is necessary that you learn the areas which might trigger anxiety in people, and how you can reduce the same to an optimum level. Motivational talks, frequent gatherings to check up on people, all are ways to make sure people feel supported and ready for the challenge change management poses.
  7. Align practices with organisational values: Since people are the greatest asset even in the process of change, they must understand the values behind the change and incorporate that into their practices. This will create an environment of solidarity without trying, and push the organisation towards a more agile future for stable growth.

Also Read: What are the Types of Change Management

Covid-19: How Imarticus Learning Successful in Online Learning That Compensates For Campus Experience?

COVID-19 has set many new normal in almost all aspects of life. Learning is one of those areas which are severely affected by COVID-19. When the global health crisis set its foot in the country, it jeopardised the dreams of thousands of students who were looking forward to exciting campus life. Campuses shut down when the pandemic started to spread in the community, taking away the best thing students love about the campus education – the campus experience.

When the government called for a lockdown, inevitably, all campuses had to opt for online classes. Needless to say, it was a huge blow to the students’ expectations of an exciting academic year. While many campuses struggled to match the experience an active campus life can offer, Imarticus Learning made a distinctive mark by providing unmatched experience through their distance learning programs.  Here is how they did it.

On-Campus Course Vs Online Learning

On-campus learning has many perks as compared to online learning. The most important one is the peer-to-peer interaction. It opens the windows to a wider world, with every student bringing their bit of knowledge to the campus ecosystem, and discuss everything from the syllabus to career opportunities.

Another factor that sets campus education apart is the involvement of faculties in the learning process. Learning from a teacher has more advantage over self-learning. Direct interactions and doubt clearing sessions are the best part of campus education.

Career fair and campus interviews are something every student look forward to. Many campuses offer placement assistance and conduct orientation sessions to help their students secure a good job as they finish the course.

Distance learning generally lacks all these perks. Traditional distance learning courses offer little support to the students. All they get is a set of reference materials which they can learn at their pace. While some online courses offer contact classes and assign projects through their off-campus centres, others just send a set of reference material to the student.

Imarticus Learning

Online Learning

Imarticus Learning has a completely different approach to distance/online learning. The distance education programmes are designed in a way that mirrors the regular on-campus courses. They adopt an industry-first approach to ensure better employability after the course. The state-of-the-art online learning system with highly tech-supported classes make the courses no less than the regular classes.

Alumni Network and Mentors

One of the striking features that differentiate Imarticus from their competitors is a strong alumni network of more than 35,000 ex-students. Many are industry experts and are good resources to approach when you complete your course and become market-ready. While this alone is a good support network, there are more than 100 active mentors offering guidance to the students. These stalwarts will help you understand the respective industry, help you accustom to the industry standard and trends and respond to your concerns and doubts regarding your career.

Placement Assistance/ Guarantee

Imarticus has successfully developed associations with more than 480 global firms. This enables them to offer an interview guarantee or assistance depending upon the course selected.

Revolutionizing Online Learning

Imarticus has been revolutionising online learning with their innovative approach and guaranteed job assurance. Recently, they introduced an ISA model, where the students need to pay their course fees only after securing a permanent job with a minimum salary package of ₹500,000 per annum. The fees can be paid in 36 installments each payment amounting to 17% of their monthly income at 0% interest.

Partnering with Market Leaders

No matter how good your curriculum and knowledge base are, relevant experience is what gives you an edge in the job market. Imarticus has partnered with market leaders like KPMG to help the students jump over this hurdle. The students will get to deal with case studies from the partners thus dealing with real problems and finding feasible solutions.

With the right approach, newest technology, and a wonderful supporting structure, Imarticus has proved that online classes can be as productive as the on-campus courses, if not more. They have invested in an innovative approach to help their students to have an edge over their competitors while racing for an opportunity.

Are Business Analysis Certifications Worth Earning?

Business analysts are typically assigned the task of determining whether products and projects are strategically viable. The role involves collaboration, strategic planning, as well as top-tier communication skills. When it comes to hard skills, however, knowledge of Oracle or Hadoop and similar frameworks are often valued highly. This is especially so if the company you’re applying to works with tonnes of data and needs someone familiar with both software and the business side of business analysis.

That said, it is worth exploring whether a business analysis certification adds value to your resume or is just a waste of time and money. It is also worth evaluating whether all the business analysis certifications out there do what they claim to do or don’t add much to your CV.

If you’re not sure whether to take the leap or not on a business analysis certification, read on:

Popular Business Analysis Certifications

Most businesses prefer hiring people who have certifications covering Oracle and Hadoop, along with other data analysis techniques. The most preferred certifications in this field are the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and Certified Data Science (CDS)– they also happen to be the ones that are most consistently opted for by rookie business analysts.

Other than these two, there are other certifications with different focus areas. They include:

  • ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis)
  • CBATL (Certified Business Analysis Thought Leader)
  • CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional)
  • CCBA (Certification of Capability in Business Analysis)

The Benefits of Getting a Business Analysis Certification

  • They’re given importance during recruitment processes: Business analysis certifications are especially helpful for professionals who have a bachelor’s degree but don’t intend to study further. Indeed, the majority of job postings for business analysis roles ask for a bachelor’s degree and a certification instead of a higher-level degree. This shows that employers are putting more emphasis on skills and industry-grade learning rather than advanced academic qualifications.
  • They display niche expertise: Getting a business analysis certification often involves training for a niche software, skill or project approach within the larger business analysis umbrella. Companies today are on the lookout for professionals who can solve problems and work with specific software such as those put out by IBM, Azure, Amazon and Oracle cloud. Certifications in these domains indicate to companies that you’re proficient and have an industry-standard certificate to prove it.
  • They keep you relevant: Certification may once have not been the norm, but companies are increasingly looking for certified professionals who have gone the extra mile to validate their skills. This is especially so during crises, where the large-scale changes and hordes of data can leave businesses stumped for insights and strategies. Certifications can be added on at every stage of your career to enhance your resume with every corporate rung you climb.
  • They give you industry exposure: The best certification courses are the ones that are either vetted by industry leaders or have been created in collaboration with them. This industry exposure is invaluable when it comes to leaving your mark in such a competitive world; it displays that you’re well-versed in both theory and practice. It shows that you are capable of solving real-world problems and are aware of the industry dynamics to such an extent that you can hit the ground running in your new role.

The Final Verdict

The bottom line of this debate is that business analysis certifications hold a lot of value for professionals looking to jumpstart their career, switch roles or advance up the corporate ladder. Business analysis is a complex, ever-changing field so showing, through certifications, that you’re up to date and ready to work will do your job projects no end of good!

How Much do Scrum Masters make?

With the influx of business and artificial intelligence, the world around us has changed. Due to this change, a lot of new roles have come up in the job market. People are coming up with a simpler solution to complex problems using technologies like data analysis and machine learning. However, these technologies are implemented with a proper framework and the companies are advised to adhere to these standards so that a professional atmosphere is maintained.

What is Scrum?

A scrum is a framework with the help of which solutions are developed for complicated and complex problems. These solutions are brought up by a lot of creativity. A Scrum Master ensures that the product delivered through the process serves the purpose and is of the topmost quality. Scrum also ensures effective utilisation of teamwork in coming up with innovative automated solutions. With a scrum master certification, you can understand the technicalities of the field and seek a career in the same. Being a relatively new field, scrum has found its place and a lot of companies are now looking for a scrum master. With proper training, you can easily understand the subject and with a lot of practice, you will be able to master it.

Who is a Scrum Master?

A person who generally develops an algorithm to come up with solutions to complex problems is called a scrum master. They know the implementation of agile methodologies to come with solutions from which a company can benefit. With a scrum master certification, you will understand the roles and responsibilities in a better way. These people are also called the drivers of change as they help the companies in upgrading their solutions concerning the change in the market scenario. These scrum masters are experts in their fields and they have the technical know-how to implement these agile scrum methodologies to bring out a successful solution.
A scrum master has to be good with the work he does. He needs to be aware of different processes and he must know how to work them out. A scrum master takes up the back seat and acts as a backbone in any project implementation. They bridge the gap between the business owners and the product managers and build comprehensive solutions to address different problems. They must have a proper experience of dealing with the tools and technologies as the work involves a lot of technical brainstorming.
He helps businesses in understanding the technical dependency of a particular project and tasks. A good scrum master must be a persuader and should influence people. With a scrum master certification, you can be market-ready for taking up scrum master roles.

How much do scrum masters make?

With automation, the demand for scrum masters has increased but only a few professionals are employable in this field. This factor makes it a very high paying job. In America, a scrum master earns about $100,000-$125,000. This pay is very high as compared to the average pay of the people working in different companies. In India, these scrum masters earn around Rs14,00,000 and can also be paid as high as Rs. 25,00,000. A master’s degree is not mandatory to become a scrum master.
Also, this pay increases with the level of training a person takes. A person with multiple certifications is more likely to earn a higher amount as compared to the base salaries. Companies like IBM pay Rs.16,00,000 per year which makes it a high-end product. Scrum masters are paid quite high and are considered to be one of the highest paying roles of all times. Companies are now moving towards Agile systems and they need someone to drive this change.

How Do I Start a Business Analyst Career?

Businesses run differently today. They have evolved to a great extent and are constantly looking out for professional who can sustain these changes and also become drivers of these changes in most cases. Businesses have to analyse a lot of aspects daily and they are constantly looking out for professionals who can help them out with the same.
With automation, times have changed. Everything has moved to an online platform and the things are now worked out from the same perspective. For making sure that all the automated work is carried out smoothly, companies have started hiring business analysts. A business analyst can look after the general affairs of the company. However, a lot of companies hire a business analyst to look after a particular domain and excel in the same.

Who is a Business Analyst?

A Business Analyst bridges the gap between technology and the operations of a business. His primary job is to automate business processes for ease of operations. You can choose a business analyst course from the multiple courses available both online and offline. These analysts play a major role in formulating digital products and offerings of a business.

They are responsible for streamlining processes through the implementation of conclusions drawn out from data analysis. Their job is data-oriented. They have to give out data-driven results. Due to its nature, these results can be quite conclusive as they give out the quantitative aspects of a decision made by the company.

A lot of companies are hiring business analysts due to ongoing automation of all the processes that are carried on inside a company. BAs manage data and are responsible for data-driven results. They use these results to make changes in the existing system. Their main job is to look for automated solutions to all problems.

They work with data regularly. Therefore, it is their responsibility to check the technical feasibility of a plan or a business idea. They have to create new models which would support business decisions. The job of a business analyst is quite result-oriented. They also make use of a lot of online tools. Business analysts are well aware of the technical know-how and also have experience with coding and programming.

A good business analyst must have a sound understanding of regulating businesses and business reporting. He is also expected to be proficient in budgeting, forecasting, analysis etc.

How to Become a Business Analyst

Business Analyst has become a trending role in the job market. Therefore, if you want to become one you must have t6he right skill set and knowledge to excel in the field. You must have a degree in business administration or must be aware of how processes and finance work. A business analyst course will give you a better understanding of the things you can expect to work on.
For becoming a successful analyst, the first step is to educate yourself. Read and understand about businesses and how they work. You can take up a business analyst course and understand the requirements. You can then practice and become certified in a particular field. A certification takes you a long way.
For an analyst learning never stops. Therefore, keep up with your learning and improve continuously. Learn different computer programming languages like R, Python, SaaS, etc. It is also important to be in touch with professionals who are already working in the field. Getting a mentor could also be useful.

Conclusion

You can become a successful business analyst if you constantly strive and achieve what it takes. It is important to keep up with technical skills as well to become a successful business analyst.

Also Read: Business Analyst Career Path

#Knowledge Bytes: Careers in Change Management

In this Imarticus Learning webinar with Mukhraj Saberwal – Vice President of Technology, Accenture India, talks about the various components of Change management and how it is effectively utilized for creating successful Change managers. He explains to us the positioning of Business Analysis in the industry today and the growing demand for business analysts. He further talks about the employee landscape in terms of change and project management positions.

He also gives details about their indicative salaries as per functions. Mukhraj then tells us the importance of Change Management Prodegree program offered by Imarticus Learning, its certifications and knowledge split of the program. He then elaborates on the curriculum of various courses – Business Analysis, Agile and Scrum, Project Management, SAP and Job Readiness.

This program gives hands-on experience to the learners. Mukhraj elaborates how Change Management Value chain focusses on Starting with the Agile framework, an Agile analyst role and Career prospects. Check our complete #ImarticusPrograms playlist here: https://bit.ly/2JP52hM Subscribe to our channel to get video updates.

Hit the subscribe button above. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Why Imarticus?

Imarticus Learning offers a comprehensive range of professional Financial Services and Analytics programs that are designed to cater to an aspiring group of professionals who want a tailored program on making them career ready. Our programs are driven by a constant need to be job relevant and stimulating, taking into consideration the dynamic nature of the Financial Services and Analytics market, and are taught by world-class professionals with specific domain expertise.

Headquartered in Mumbai, Imarticus has classroom and online delivery capabilities across India with dedicated centres located at Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Delhi. For more information, please write back to us at info@imarticus.org Call us at IN: 1-800-267-7679 (toll-free) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2y6UjKW

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2J11llx

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2xwSoPM

#KnowledgeBytes: Change Management Landscape

In this Video Manoj Bathia – Head of SAP Education talks about the Power of Change management as a structured approach for ensuring that changes are thoroughly and smoothly implemented, and that the lasting benefits of change are achieved. Manoj also gives some guidance for the Change management enthusiast or entrepreneur and throws light on the way Change management is unfolding itself in coming times.

Follow us: Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2IXMPLd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imarticuslearning/

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2J11llx

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2xwSoPM

#KnowledgeBytes: “How does Google Maps know which route is the fastest?”

This webinar brings alive the usage of Machine Learning through a live discussion on its usage in Google maps. It helps a regular user to understand how Google Maps uses Machine Learning to find you the fastest route to your desired destination. It also helps us understand how Google Maps tell us the accurate real-time traffic data and how navigation works. It also elaborates about how the congestion is identified and how Google Maps find a faster route. It also explains to us the two types of algorithms that Google maps use – Dijkstra’s Algorithm and A* Algorithm. It also gives a historical perspective on how the Google founders conceived the idea of Google maps to make the world’s information universally accessible and useful.

Check our complete #ImarticusPrograms playlist here: https://bit.ly/2JP52hM

Subscribe to our channel to get video updates. Hit the subscribe button above. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Why Imarticus?

Imarticus Learning offers a comprehensive range of professional Financial Services and Analytics programs that are designed to cater to an aspiring group of professionals who want a tailored program on making them career ready. Our programs are driven by a constant need to be job relevant and stimulating, taking into consideration the dynamic nature of the Financial Services and Analytics market, and are taught by world-class professionals with specific domain expertise.

Headquartered in Mumbai, Imarticus has classroom and online delivery capabilities across India with dedicated centres located at Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Delhi. For more information, please write back to us at info@imarticus.org

Call us at IN: 1-800-267-7679 (toll free)

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2y6UjKW

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2J11llx

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2xwSoPM

Top 25 Agile Interview Questions

The Agile Methodology

At the very core of agile methodology lies the flexibility to respond to a change and build something new. It is a response to turbulent and uncertain scenarios that leads to a successful outcome. The ability to adapt and respond is the defining characteristics of the agile methodology.
The agile methodology in project management is a process that helps to manage and complete a project by breaking it into multiple stages. This involves frequent collaborations with various stakeholders and implementing changes in every stage of the project cycle.
Before the commencement of a project, the client’s need and requirements are properly assessed by the team and the objective is defined based on the client’s perception of customer expectations. Evaluating the project work continuously in every stage and making changes as per the new requirements is crucial for a satisfactory output.

Agile Software Development

The agile software development comprises of multiple frameworks including Scrum, Kanban, Feature Driven Development and Extreme Programming. It’s an umbrella term that entails general frameworks and practices for software development.
The software development methods that have a common crucial element of continuous development based on the changing requirements are categorized under agile software development methods. Iterative development is the central ideology of this methodology.
The agile methodology has been a game-changer in the field of software development and project management. `The demand for IT professionals with an in-depth understanding of the concept and its frameworks is paramount and growing by the day.
Agile certification is an easy way to up-skill yourself with relevant knowledge and builds credibility. Demonstrating knowledge in job interviews can be difficult at times and being prepared for the mainstream questions will establish authority in the domain.

Important Agile Interview Questions

Let’s look at some of the most important and frequently asked interview questions for agile developers.

1. What is the normal duration for a scrum sprint?
2. Explain the important benefits of using Pair programming technique.
3. Explain the concept of impediments in scrums with relevant examples.
4. How is scrum different from agile and what are the similarities?
5. How is incremental development different from iterative development?
6. What do you understand by dynamic code analysis?
7. What do you understand about the Scrum poker technique? Is it different from planning poker?
8. Briefly explain the agile manifesto and its underlying principles.
9. Briefly explain the role of Sashimi in Scrum methodology.
10. Mention a few drawbacks of using the agile methodology.
11. Explain the use of burn-up and burn- down charts.
12. What do you know about the scrum master’s role?
13. What is the primary use of the binary interface?
14. Can you explain the concept of spring retrospective meeting?
15. What are the key responsibilities of a Scrum Master?
16. Mention the key differences between Tasks, User stories and Epic.
17. How do the daily standup meetings add value?
18. How will you handle frequently changing requirements in project development?
19. What are some key principles of agile testing?
20. When is it beneficial to use the agile methodology?
21. Mention some of the most crucial agile Matrices.
22. What is the key difference between agile testing methodology and other testing methodologies?
23. Explain the challenges involved in developing agile software from scratch.
24. How do you measure the velocity of the sprint?
25. What do the X and Y-axis of the burn-down charts depict?

Conclusion
These are some of the most important interview questions that should be prepared for by the applicants. It covers a wide range of topics that are related to the agile methodology to help you prepare for all aspects of agile development.

Difference between a Business Analyst and Financial Analyst

Today’s data-driven world calls for professionals who can gather analyse and study data to obtain valuable insights and help businesses to grow in new trajectories. Data science is growing to become one of the most rewarding career opportunities in the contemporary landscape. The need for data analysis is on an unprecedented scale.

Companies are leveraging progressive technologies to decode data and make sense of their business decisions. Naturally, this need to utilise data has increased the demand for data science-related professionals who can churn complex data and make sense of the big numbers.
The data science industry is very dynamic and it requires a diverse range of skill sets. People entering into data science-related fields have multiple options. These choices can sometimes be overwhelming for an individual; one such choice is between the role of a financial analyst and business analyst.

People are often confused between the two. Although there are multiple aspects of these roles that are very similar, there are considerable differences between the role of a financial analyst and business analyst. Let’s get some contextual insights into the differences between the two job roles.

Educational Requirements

Let’s start the comparison by finding out the level of education needed to enter into both the job roles. The academic requirements for both roles vary greatly depending on the organisation. However, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field remains a prerequisite for the job of an analyst. You can opt for a financial analyst course or business analyst course to supplement your education and get a relevant job.
The role of business analysts has a wider scope as it is related to the overall analysis of the business. The role of a financial analyst is very specific and is more inclined to the financial aspects of the business. Business analysts can choose from various majors like Finance, management, accounting, technology, etc. For financial analysts, preferable majors include finance, economics, and statistics.

Skillsets

One common skill set needed for any analyst position irrelevant of the specialisation is the ability to identify trends and patterns and find irregularities in data. In addition to this, financial analysts need to have good quantitative acumen. Technology has made it easier to solve complex mathematical problems but has a good quantitative acumen is a strong fundamental trait that financial analysts should have. The robust knowledge base in fields like probability, statistics, trends, etc. is a must-have. It also requires good presentation skills to depict the inferences derived from complex financial analysis.
Business analysts also need to have good quantitative acumen but the emphasis is laid on identifying errors and problems in the businesses’ operations. Business analysts need to have strong problem-solving skills and they should be able to leverage technology to solve business problems. They are more like the connecting link between the technical and non-technical aspects of the business. Strong logical reasoning and management skills are a must-have for a business analyst’s role.

Remuneration

Analysts, in general, earn more than average income, even at the entry-level positions. The compensation is less when compared with an investment banker’s income but it provides a better work-life balance which hardly is the case with investment bankers.
As per research reports, the entry-level salary of a financial analyst ranges from $53000 to $66000 in a large US-based firm. In addition to this they also receive fairly decent bonuses and commissions at times it is equivalent to their annual pay.
The average salary for a Business analyst professional ranges from $55000 to $70000 in a large US-based firm. They are also entitled to decent bonuses and commissions. The income potential is almost identical in both the roles.

Also Read: Difference Between Business Analyst & System Analyst