Game on!

Regardless of what’s on your business card, you’re the coach

of your IT team. Your team is looking to you for a game plan
and your organization’s leadership is looking for results.

Just like a sports team, your IT team has generalists and

specialists, rookies and veterans. How do you meet the
needs of all of these players? How do you help them achieve
their goals?

It’s up to you to field an effective team every day and

anticipate the future needs of your organization… all while IT
unemployment is at an all-time low.

Welcome to the IT leadership playbook. Finally,

you’ve got a resource to help you achieve a
winning record.

2
 Your Rookies 4

Your Starters 6

Your Special Teams 10

Your Veterans 16
Table of Contents

Get on the Field 18

What’s the Score? 19

Be the Champion 20
3
 Entry Level Here’s the game plan for your entry level folks:
Your young ones. Your green team.
Whatever you call them, you’ll always CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
Vendor-neutral hardware and software MTA - Cloud Fundamentals - 98-369
have a few people on your team who Cloud fundamentals
technologies
are just starting out in IT. With tech Novice Novice
unemployment as low as 1.9% in the US,
you’re bound to need to hire someone
with a less than optimal skill set.
CompTIA Accelerated A+ (220-901/220-
902) End User Security Awareness
Give them a path that starts with the Vendor-neutral hardware and software Best security practices for the end user
basics and that’s easy to navigate. technologies Novice
Novice
The CompTIA courses and associated
certifications are a solid starting point
for all IT professionals. If your hires CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Linux for Beginners
come in with those under their belt, IT Fundamentals+ Getting started in Linux for new users
great. If not, or if they need a refresher, Novice Novice
you’ve got them covered.

MTA - Windows Operating System

Fundamentals - 98-349
Windows operating system fundamentals
Novice

According to
Your Rookies:

the US Bureau
Get them in the game

MTA - Server Fundamentals - 98-365

of Labor Windows server administration fundamentals
Statistics, tech Novice

unemployment
was at 1.9% in
2018. MTA - Security Fundamentals - 98-367
Security fundamentals
Novice

4
Desktop Support Here’s the game plan for your desktop support team:
Desktop support is a key area for all
organizations and is a good, early step in CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
Building a PC
the career of an IT professional. While the Vendor-neutral hardware and software
Assembly and configuration
ideal ratio of end user to IT service desk technologies
Novice
worker is 70:1, this number varies widely. Novice

Most organizations use this role as

CompTIA Accelerated A+ (220-901/220-
a springboard to more advanced IT
902) Virtualization Technologies
positions, so it’s a great place for your Vendor-neutral hardware and software Fundamentals of Virtualization
youngsters to dig in. technologies Novice
Novice
If you’re supporting solely a Windows
shop or a Mac shop, you’ve got a single
layer of complexity. Supporting both? CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Linux for Beginners
Make sure your team is cross-trained IT Fundamentals+ Getting started in Linux for new users
to handle every situation. Really, who Novice Novice
doesn’t need a few more desktop
support folks?
MTA - Windows Operating System
Fundamentals - 98-349 Windows Server 101
Windows Operating system fundamentals Introduction to Windows Server
Novice
Novice

According to
Gartner, the ideal ACA Mac Integration Basics 10.13 End User Security Awareness
Apple Certified Associate
IT end user to Novice
Best Security Practices for the End User
Novice
IT service desk
worker ratio is
70:1.
AntiVirus / AntiMalware
Detection and solutions
Novice

5
 System Administrators
These are the folks that keep the
engines running in your organization
— systems administrators and network
administrators. Your system admins are
experts in any system you may throw
at them. Your network admins keep the
network operating smoothly. If these
folks don’t do their job, you’ll hear about
it… loudly. If they do, it’s business as
usual, and that’s a good thing.
As coach, you need to approach them
with the right balance of a manageable
workload with challenging tasks and
continual upskilling.
Keep them at their prime with new skills
Here’s the game plan for your system administrators:
CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
technologies
Novice
CompTIA Accelerated A+ (220-901 / 220-
902)
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
technologies
Novice
MTA - Windows Operating System
Fundamentals - 98-349
Windows Operating system fundamentals
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-740
Installation, Storage, and Compute with
Windows Server 2016
Intermediate
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-741
Networking with Windows Server 2016
Intermediate
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-742
Identity with Windows Server 2016

Novice Intermediate

CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) SharePoint 2016 - 70-339

Vendor-neutral networking Planning and Administering SharePoint 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
Your Starters:

Microsoft Office 365 - 70-346 CompTIA Server+

Managing Office 365 Identities and Planning, Maintaining and Securing Server
Requirements Equipment
Intermediate Intermediate

Microsoft Office 365 - 70-347 CompTIA Linux+

Enabling Office 365 Services Powered by LPI
Intermediate Intermediate

6
Game plan for system administrators, continued:

Microsoft Exchange 2013 - 70-341

Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server
Advanced SharePoint 2016 - 70-339 Get a free team
Advanced Technologies of SharePoint 2016
2013
Advanced
trial with ITProTV to
Advanced keep your system
administrators on target!

Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 - 70-345

MCSE Windows Server 2016 - 70-744
Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange
Securing Windows Server 2016
Server 2016
Advanced
Advanced

System Center 2012 Configuration

Manager - 70-243
SCCM
Advanced

7
Here’s the game plan for your network administrators:

CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)

Vendor-neutral hardware and software CCNA Routing and Switching CCNP Routing and Switching - SWITCH
technologies Cisco Certified Network Associate Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks
Novice Intermediate Advanced

CompTIA Accelerated A+ (220-901 / 220-

CompTIA Linux+ CCNP Routing and Switching - TSHOOT
902)
Powered by LPI Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
Networks
technologies Intermediate
Advanced
Novice

CCENT MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-740 CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Installation, Storage, and Compute with CASP
Windows Server 2016
Novice Advanced
Intermediate

MTA - Networking Fundamentals - 98-366 MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-741 Cisco ASA Express Security
Networking Fundamentals Networking with Windows Server 2016 Next Generation Firewall
Novice Intermediate Advanced

CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-742 FirePOWER with Advanced FireSIGHT
Administration
Vendor-neutral networking Identity with Windows Server 2016
SSFIPS
Intermediate Intermediate
Advanced

CompTIA Security+ CCNP Routing and Switching - ROUTE MCSE Windows Server 2016 - 70-744
Vendor-neutral IT Security Implementing Cisco IP Routing Securing Windows Server 2016
Intermediate Advanced Advanced

8
 Special Teams
As the IT landscape expands and your
responsibilities as an IT leader grow, you’ll
need more specialized players to get the
job done. Your special teams group is just
that — a group that plugs in for specific
needs and goes deep on their expertise
in the field.
Whether it’s your cloud specialists,
cybersec experts, virtualization crew, or
DBAs, suit them up with the right training.
Cloud
There are so many variables with your
cloud computing approach. You’ve got
multiple vendors (AWS, Azure, Google
Cloud) and different deployment options
(public, private, community, hybrid). Your
Your Special Teams:
cloud specialists can ensure you’re
getting the most value from the cloud.
Stay ahead with advanced skills
In 15 months,
80% of all IT
budgets will be
committed to
cloud solutions.
Here’s the game plan for your cloud team:
CompTIA Network+ (N10-007)
Vendor-neutral networking
Novice
MTA - Cloud Fundamentals - 98-369
Cloud Fundamentals
Novice
AWS Certified Solutions Architect -
Associate
Designing distributed applications on AWS
platform
Intermediate
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
ACSA
Intermediate
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-740
Installation, Storage, and Compute with
Windows Server 2016
Intermediate
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-741
Networking with Windows Server 2016
Intermediate
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-742
Identity with Windows Server 2016
Intermediate
MCSE Windows Server 2012 - 70-413
Designing and Implementing a Server
Infrastructure
Advanced
MCSE Windows Server 2016 - 70-414
Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
Advanced
MCSE Windows Server 2012 - 70-744
Securing Windows Server 2016
Advanced
MCSE Private Cloud - 70-246
Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud
Advanced
MCSE Private Cloud - 70-247
Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud
Advanced
9
Game plan for cloud team, continued:

Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions -

70-535
Certified Cloud Security Professional Get a free team trial
Microsoft Azure
CCSP
with ITProTV to keep
Expert
Advanced your cloud team on
target!
Implementing Microsoft Azure
Infrastructure - 70-533
Microsoft Azure
Advanced

10
Virtualization
While all of your team should be familiar
with virtualization technology, you’ll need
folks to take a deep dive. Your go-to people
should understand the technology common
to all virtualization tools and know the main
Here’s the game plan for your virtualization team:
CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
MCSE Private Cloud - 70-246
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud
technologies
Advanced
Novice

tools inside and out.

VMware Certified Associate 6 VCA6-DCV MCSE Private Cloud - 70-247

Data Center Virtualization Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud
Get a free team trial Novice Advanced
with ITProTV to keep
your virtualization
team on target!
MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-740
MCSE Windows Server 2016 - 70-744
Installation, Storage, and Compute with
Securing Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
Advanced
Intermediate

MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-741

Networking with Windows Server 2016
Intermediate

MCSA Windows Server 2016 - 70-742

Identity with Windows Server 2016
Intermediate

VMware Certified Professional 6 VCP6-

DCV
Data Center Virtualization
Intermediate

11
Cybersecurity
Your security pros are in demand. They
must be familiar with the basics, plus
pen testing tools, cryptography, malware
detection, and more. Are they tasked with
running your end user security awareness
program as well? Arm them with the best,
most current training around.
Here’s the game plan for your cybersecurity team:
CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
CompTIA Security+
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
technologies Vendor-neutral IT Security
Novice Intermediate
MTA - Networking Fundamentals - 98-366 CompTIA Network+ (N10-007)
Windows server administration fundamentals Vendor-neutral networking
Novice Intermediate

According to
MTA - Server Fundamentals - 98-365 ECES
Forbes, there Networking Fundamentals EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist
will be as Novice Intermediate

many as 3.5
million unfilled
cybersecurity MTA - Security Fundamentals - 98-367 CEH v9
positions by Security Fundamentals Certified Ethical Hacker

2021. Novice Intermediate

CCENT CHFI v9
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
Novice Intermediate

CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-001) CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Powered by LPI
Intermediate Intermediate

12
Game plan for your cybersecurity team, continued:

CCNA Routing and Switching CCNA Cyber Ops (210-250 SECFND)

Cisco Certified Network Associate Cisco Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Intermediate Advanced

CCNA Security Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security SSCP
Intermediate Advanced

GIAC Security Essentials CISM

GSEC Certified Information Security Manager
Intermediate Expert

Certified Information Systems Security

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
Professional
CASP
CISSP
Advanced
Expert

CISA Certified Cloud Security Professional

Certified Information Systems Auditor CCSP
Advanced Expert

CyberSec First Responder

Logical Operations
Advanced

13
Database Administrators
The DBA is the heart of an organization,
running queries and slicing and dicing info
upon request.
Here’s the game plan for your DBAs:
CompTIA A+ (220-901) & (220-902)
Vendor-neutral hardware and software
technologies
Novice

CompTIA Accelerated A+ (220-901 / 220-

Get a free team trial 902)
with ITProTV to keep Vendor-neutral hardware and software
your database team technologies
on target! Novice

CompTIA Server+
Planning, Maintaining and Securing Server
Equipment
Intermediate

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 - 70-461

Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Intermediate

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - 70-462

Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012
Databases
Intermediate

14
 Here’s the game plan for your IT project and service
Veterans management gurus:
The team members with a ton of
experience can help take you to a new CompTIA Project+ Accredited SIAM Foundation
level with advanced certifications. Get Project Management SIAM Foundation
your IT team to perform at optimum Novice Novice
levels and keep them there with
processes and disciplines that are
proven at organizations globally.
Accredited ITIL® Foundation Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - RCV
Whether you choose ITIL®, Lean Six Foundation Release Control and Validation
Sigma®, Agile, Project Management Novice Intermediate
Professional (PMP), PRINCE2® or
CompTIA Project+, the key is applying
the learnings your team brings to the
table and using these strategies to Lean Six Sigma® - Green Belt Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - OSA
optimize your organization. Green Belt Operational Support and Analysis
Novice Intermediate

Lean Agile Project Management Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - PPO

Project Management Planning, Protection and Optimization
Advance their skills even further

ITIL® certification Novice Intermediate

is among the top

5 highest paying
Accredited PRINCE2® 2017 Foundation
IT certifications.
Your Veterans:

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - SOA

Introductory certification to PRINCE2® 2017
project management Service Offerings and Agreements
Novice Intermediate

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - Service

Accredited ISO/IEC 20000:2011
Design
Information technology - Service management
Service Design
Novice
Intermediate

15
Game plan for your IT project and service management
gurus, continued:

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - Service

Lean Six Sigma® - Yellow Belt
Operation
Yellow Belt
Service Operation
Intermediate
Intermediate

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - Service

Accredited ITIL® - Practitioner
Strategy
ITIL® Practitioner
Service Strategy
Advanced
Intermediate

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - Service

Project Management Professional 6
Transition
PMP
Service Transition
Advanced
Intermediate

Accredited ITIL® Intermediate - CSI Accredited ITIL® Expert - MALC

Continual Service Improvement Planning, Protection and Optimization
Intermediate Expert

Accredited PRINCE2® 2017 Practitioner

PMI: Organizational Change Management PRINCE2® Project Management 2017
Implementing tranformational projects Practitioner Level
Intermediate Expert

Accredited Agile Project Management

How To Become an ITIL® Master
Foundation (Scrum)
The most prestigious of the ITIL® qualifications
Agile Foundation
Expert
Novice

16
 Now that you know the paths for your team, how do you get each person on the
right one and keep them there? An easy way is to invest in a training platform that
is broad enough to meet everyone’s needs, but also dives deeply enough to get
beyond surface knowledge. Look for a platform that specializes in IT training.

Your chosen platform should also track everyone’s progress, allow you to assign
and unassign seats, set learning paths and assign courses.

Tips for making sure your team is engaged in training:

Include a segment on training Discuss milestones at your Ensure managers are Tie training goals to
at regular team meetings one-on-one meetings with checking in on training individual and team KPIs
direct reports metrics
Get on the Field

Publicly celebrate Display certs in department Share progress reports

certifications achieved hallways/conference rooms with the team

17
 You’ll truly know the score when you can show the return on
investment (ROI) of your training spend. Here are a few metrics
that can be part of your reporting:

Track certifications achieved Show the number of episodes

and how those certs add value watched as a metric for how your
to your team team is staying ahead of tech
What’s the Score?

Note new skills added — cloud, Calculate the reduction in

security, etc. — with no travel outsourcing needs when you
expenses or time away from upskill your existing team
work at trainings/conferences

18
 How do you win at IT leadership?

Your team wins Your organization wins You win

when you have team members when you are maintaining systems, when your workload is
who feel that their careers are retaining employees, anticipating manageable, your staff is content,
moving forward with new skills needs, and preventing lapses in and your leaders trust you to get
and certs. service. the job done.

Now get out there and grab your trophy!

Be the Champion!

19
 Flexible training
Binge-worthy learning
TM

ROI proven

Free Team Trial

About ITProTV
ITProTV is an eLearning company that delivers engaging content to train IT professionals in every stage
of their careers. With training that’s more like a talk show, you’ll watch your ‘edutainer’ engage with a host
and an online audience to create a better-than-classroom experience that you’ll look forward to watching.
Access 4,000 hours of friendly content, with new content added daily, plus practice exams and virtual labs.
Flexible and cost-effective options are available for both corporate teams and individual learners. Learn on
the go, at your desk, or wherever is most convenient. ITProTV delivers proven ROI on training to businesses
and individual learners worldwide.

20
 Blueprint for an IT
Team that will Scale
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organized, and keep them happy

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21