Atlassian Certifications
Back in 2011, Atlassian announced the Atlassian University. A place where you could go to take approved courses and follow learning paths to become a master of any other their tools. Inevitably it was not long until Atlassian also started rolling out certifications (ACPs). The Atlassian certification program has allowed thousands of individuals from all over the globe to prove their knowledge and even start entirely new careers becoming dedicated & certified individuals companies want, to run their Atlassian ecosystem.
Not too long ago, as I sat down for what was going to be a nice chilled night with a cold pint after work, I had a (not so) lovely reminder that I, like many of my colleagues within the ecosystem, have certifications from server days and these are due to expire. In order for me to make sure I stay a certified individual & therefore continue building my career, I needed to figure out which exams to take. But it did get me thinking as to why companies even make such exams? I mean Atlassian is by far the first company to make certified exams for their products, and certainly wont be the last.
Why do companies create certifications for their applications?
Companies create certifications for their applications for a few crucial reasons. Firstly, certifications provide a standard measure of competence and expertise for users. By having a certification program in place, companies can ensure that individuals using their applications have undergone rigorous training and possess the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize the software effectively. This boosts both user experience when in the hands of a trained administrator but also the companies brand as their software is being used to the best of its ability. As users inevitably move around, they will be reminded of how reliable and reputable the application was, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Secondly, certifications serve as a valuable marketing tool. They allow companies to differentiate their applications from the competition by highlighting the specialized skills and capabilities they offer. When prospective clients or customers are evaluating various software options, having a certification can give a significant edge to the certified application. Moreover, companies can leverage certifications in their marketing campaigns, showcasing the expertise and credibility associated with their software. If you think to all of the different Atlassian solution and marketplace partners exist. The tiers they fit into are driven not only by revenue and some other minor elements, but certified individuals working within the company. Certifications act as a symbol of excellence, which can attract new customers and reinforce the company's position as a leader in the industry. In this highly competitive market, certifications provide a clear advantage in terms of visibility, reputation, and market share.
Away from companies, this also applies to individuals. Job markets nowadays are incredibly competitive. Having an edge with your experience and certifications provides the company with further reassurance, they are choosing the right candidate.
The Atlassian certifications Program started roughly 8 years ago. In that time we have seen a huge growth in companies requiring certified admins to manage their environments. Having certifications can also open additional doors and has certainly been great for other community leaders within the Atlassian ecosystem.
What certifications are available?
With the change of focus for Atlassian from server to cloud, so have their exams (all be it at a slight delay). The old server specific like Confluence administration (ACP-200), JSM admin (ACP-400) or the systems administrator (ACP-500) will all retire at the same time as server officially ends (February 2024). In its place are more cloud focused exams. Some DC exams are remaining, such as the Jira Project admin (acp-620) and Jira admin for DC (ACP-100).
So what exists now for cloud?
We of course see the Jira administrator for Cloud (ACP-120) as well as the Jira project admin for cloud (ACP-120). But Atlassian have built out, JSM Project admin for cloud as a replacement for the retired server exam (ACP-420) and the Atlassian cloud organization admin (ACP-OA).
For more information on all available certifications, please see HERE.
| Datacentre | Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Jira Administrator for Datacentre (ACP_100) | Jira Administrator for Cloud (ACP-120) | |
| Jira Project Administrator for Datacentre (ACP_620) | Jira Project Administrator for Cloud (ACP_610) | |
| JSM Project Admin for Clod (ACP_420) | ||
| Atlassian Organization Admin for Cloud (ACP-OA) | ||
Maintaining your certifications
That’s right, unfortunately these certifications do not last forever. Currently each certification is valid for 2 years from the date you passed, but it’s okay, you do not have to take the entire thing again. Instead you just have to obtain one of the correct badges based on the appropriate certification. These badges are easier in terms of sheer amount of knowledge you need to learn but are not necessarily easier in terms of questions. They are often very specific in knowledge & if you are not familiar with those actions, it may take you more time to learn the exam.
You can find out more by clicking HERE.
Professional Vs Expert
Did you know that there are actually two levels to the certification program? When I first started I didn’t. I just figured some people really loved exams.
To become a certified professional, you must pass at minimum two exams. These exams can be any of the exams on the list. People often start with the more easier of the exams in the project admin exams since the majority of individuals have experience administering a project over an entire site.
To become a certified expert, you have to take a minimum of four exams, that follow a specific path. There are two paths to becoming an expert. One focused specifically on cloud, the other is a mix of DC & cloud. There are of course overlaps between the DC & Cloud counterpart exams, but in recent years Atlassian has developed a huge feature list that is cloud specific.
If you are interested in wanting to obtain the certified expert level & expand on any current certifications you have, Rodney Nissan (the Jira Guy) has done a great article outlining his views on how to become an ACE in the modern Atlassian age. Check out the following article.
