What you will learn in IBM Applied DevOps Engineering Professional Certificate Course
- Master Agile methodologies, including writing user stories, sprint planning, and tracking progress using tools like ZenHub.
- Develop RESTful Python microservices, implement Test-Driven Development (TDD), and practice Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) using tools like Jenkins and GitHub Actions.
- Deploy applications using container technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenShift, and explore serverless computing with IBM Code Engine.
- Implement application security best practices following OWASP guidelines, and gain proficiency in monitoring and observability using tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenTelemetry.
- Build a portfolio of hands-on projects, including a capstone project that integrates Agile planning, microservices development, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment on cloud platforms.
Program Overview
Introduction to DevOps
⏱️ 9 hours
- Understand DevOps principles, including shared responsibility, transparency, and embracing failure.
- Learn about Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and TDD/BDD.
Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum
⏱️ 11 hours
- Adopt Agile practices such as small batches, minimum viable product, and pair programming.
- Write user stories, estimate story points, and track progress using Kanban boards.
Introduction to Containers with Docker, Kubernetes & OpenShift
⏱️17 hours
- Learn to build and manage containers using Docker.
- Deploy and orchestrate containers with Kubernetes and OpenShift.
Application Development using Microservices and Serverless
⏱️14 hours
- Understand microservices architecture and its advantages over monolithic applications.
- Create and deploy microservices using Docker containers and serverless technologies like IBM Code Engine.
Introduction to Test and Behavior Driven Development
⏱️19 hours
- Implement unit tests with TDD methods, including coverage reports, factories, fakes, and mock objects.
- Understand the benefits of TDD for DevOps practices.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
⏱️14 hours
- Automate CI/CD tasks using Jenkins and GitHub Actions.
- Create Infrastructure as Code scripts using Terraform.
Application Security for Developers and DevOps Professionals
⏱️17 hours
- Develop applications using security by design principles.
- Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing with tools like Kali Linux.
Monitoring and Observability for Development and DevOps
⏱️16 hours
- Implement logging and telemetry using OpenTelemetry and tracing with Kubernetes.
- Use monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Instana for observability.
DevOps Capstone Project
⏱️18 hours
- Apply Agile planning, microservices development, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment using Kubernetes/OpenShift and Tekton.
- Demonstrate job readiness through a comprehensive, hands-on project.
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Job Outlook
- DevOps Engineers are in high demand as organizations seek to improve software development efficiency and reliability.
- Proficiency in tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and Terraform is highly valued in the industry.
- Completing this certificate can lead to roles such as DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, and Cloud Engineer.
Specification: IBM Applied DevOps Engineering Professional Certificate
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FAQs
- The program spans 9 courses, totaling approximately 120 hours of learning—broken down into modules ranging from 9 to 19 hours each.
- Most learners complete it over 3 months at about 10 hours per week.
- A Coursera FAQ suggests estimates averaging 3 months (approx. 92 h) for completion, depending on your pace.
- The curriculum is fully self-paced, allowing you to accelerate or extend based on availability.
- Though rated beginner-friendly by some sources, it’s actually best for existing software or IT professionals who are already proficient in at least one programming language (Python recommended), Linux/Unix command-line, shell scripting, and Git/GitHub.
- A learner review also suggests it may suit those with existing development or infrastructure experience.
- The program is rich with practical labs and projects, including hands-on work with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitHub Actions), Agile tools (like ZenHub), microservices, Test-Driven Development (TDD), serverless techniques, application security, monitoring, and observability.
- The capstone project ties everything together—requiring you to plan using Agile, build microservices, implement CI/CD workflows, and deploy using Kubernetes/OpenShift.
- Validated by Credly, the earned badge represents proficiency in DevOps practices, cloud-native technologies, Agile, and CI/CD.
Strengths:
- Receives high user satisfaction, with overall ratings around 4.6–4.8/5.
- Barclay the IBM backing, real-world tools, and job-focused curriculum are seen as major advantages.
Limitations:
- Several learners note that certificates alone don’t guarantee job placement; demonstrated projects matter more.
- One detailed Reddit comment describes deeply frustrating issues with labs around broken instructions, missing dependencies, or technical support—making completion difficult for some learners.
- If you’re a software engineer, operations specialist, or cloud/platform engineer, this certificate delivers practical skills in DevOps workflows and infrastructure.
- Great for building a DevOps portfolio—covering Agile planning, CI/CD pipelines, microservices deployment, security, and observability.
- A certificate adds credibility, especially when coupled with personal or open-source projects illustrating those skills.
