A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming an Atlassian Expert
Author: Rodolfo Bortolin
Valiantys has the largest collection of Atlassian certifications in the world. In this article, Rodolfo, an Atlassian Certified Expert, shares his guide to becoming an Atlassian Expert.
By following this guide, you will be equipped with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the complex landscape of Atlassian products and become a sought-after expert in the industry. Let’s dive into the intricacies of this exciting professional journey and uncover the valuable insights that will pave the way for your success as an Atlassian Expert!
Knowledge of Atlassian’s Main Products
To become an Atlassian expert, it’s crucial to start with a deep understanding of Atlassian’s core products, particularly Jira and Confluence. These two are the pillars of Atlassian’s suite and are widely used across various industries for project management, issue tracking, and team collaboration.
Jira
Confluence
> Collaboration Skills: Learn how Confluence is used for team collaboration, document management, and knowledge sharing.
> Integration with Jira: Understand how Confluence works hand-in-hand with Jira, enhancing project documentation and reporting.
> Customization: Explore how to customize Confluence spaces, create templates, and manage user permissions effectively.
Knowing the most used Apps
Here, I have carefully selected ten main and strategic apps, embodying the Pareto principle, where these represent approximately 80% of the apps you’re likely to encounter with clients. These are essential in maximizing the utility and efficiency of the Atlassian suite, a toolset for diverse organizational needs. This selection focuses on delivering the most impactful solutions, addressing the majority of common scenarios and requirements you will face in the field.
Expand to Other Atlassian Products
While Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Opsgenie, and Atlassian Access are crucial, familiarizing yourself with other Atlassian products like Trello, Bamboo, and Statuspage can be beneficial.
Perform Migrations
Acquiring expertise in executing migrations using Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA), Confluence Cloud Migration Automation (CCMA), and Bitbucket Cloud Migration Automation (BCMA) has emerged as a great skill.
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Now that Jira Server is being left behind (Support for Server products ends on Feb. 15, 2024), many migrations are happening to Cloud. This doesn’t mean that migrations will stop after that, as many companies merge and acquire other companies, often requiring the merging of these applications. Whether it’s Data Center to Cloud, Cloud to Cloud, or several combinations at the same time.
Enhance your Technical and Soft Skills
I wrote a post about which skills are necessary that fit into this topic. To avoid being repetitive, I’ll leave the link to the post here.
Official Training and Certifications
Atlassian’s official training and certification programs are a great way to gain comprehensive knowledge. Certifications like Atlassian Certified Administrator for Jira or Confluence Administrator validate your skills and enhance your professional credibility. Holding at least two certifications is highly beneficial.
Hands-On Practice
Theory is important, but nothing beats hands-on experience. Apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. Set up practice projects or use these tools for your personal project management needs to get a feel for their practical applications.
Join the Atlassian Community
Engagement in the Atlassian community is invaluable. Participate in forums, attend webinars, join user groups, and participate in Community Events. This community involvement offers insights into real-world application scenarios and keeps you updated with the latest trends and best practices.
Stay Updated
Atlassian’s tools are constantly evolving. Keep up with the latest updates and features through blogs, community posts, and webinars. Staying updated ensures that you are always ahead of the curve.
Networking and Professional Experience
Practical experience in a professional setting is crucial. Work on projects that utilize Atlassian tools. Networking within the Atlassian community can also open up opportunities for collaborative learning and professional growth.
Specialize
You might find it more rewarding to specialize in a particular Atlassian tool or role. Whether it’s becoming a Jira expert, focusing on Agile development with Atlassian tools, or delving into IT Service Management (ITSM) practices aligned with ITIL principles using tools like Jira Service Management, specialization can make you a sought-after expert in that niche. Embracing ITIL, a widely recognized framework for ITSM, in conjunction with Atlassian tools, can significantly elevate your proficiency and value. This approach not only deepens your expertise in specific areas but also aligns your skills with industry standards and practices, making your expertise more relevant and applicable across various business scenarios.
Contribute to the Ecosystem
Consider writing blogs, creating how-to videos, or speaking at Atlassian events. Sharing your knowledge not only helps others but also establishes your reputation in the Atlassian community.
Seek Feedback and Mentorship
Connect with mentors who are seasoned Atlassian experts. They can offer invaluable advice, feedback, and insights that can guide you on your journey to becoming an expert.
Utilize Available Resources
There are numerous resources available, including Atlassian’s official documentation, online tutorials, books, video courses, and of course, this blog. Make the most of these resources to deepen your understanding and skills.
Conclusion
Of course, adding all the mentioned aspects to your repertoire is not mandatory, but each addition increases your chances of becoming a more well-rounded professional. Also, the time each person needs to learn and feel confident varies from person to person.
Just to conclude, becoming an Atlassian expert is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and continuous learning. By following these steps, you will not only enhance your skills in Atlassian products but also open up new avenues for professional growth and opportunities. Remember, the key is to stay curious, engaged, and always be ready to learn and adapt.
Read the full article on Rodolfo Bortolin 's Blog here: https://atlassianexpert.tips/2024/01/17/automation-to-create-knowledge-base-article-when-incident-is-resolved/
🅰 Independent Senior Atlassian Specialist | Driving Success for Global Enterprises over a Decade | Creator of an Extreme Board Game
12moWell done. For plenty of people, this is quite vague to grasp at first, what does it mean an Atlassian Expert. I especially like the "Specialize" part, as after all, we need to have the "T-shaped mindset" and knowing what skills are compatible with what we do is very valuable. I would probably add that knowing how to administer Linux based systems (CentOS, RHEL) is a very useful skill for on-premises admins, that carries over to other jobs.