Becoming an Atlassian Consultant can be a rewarding career path, particularly for professionals interested in helping organizations leverage Atlassian’s suite of tools (like Jira, Confluence, Trello, and Bitbucket) to improve collaboration, project management, and DevOps workflows. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to become and get a job an Atlassian consultant.
1. Understand the Atlassian Ecosystem
The first step is to gain a solid understanding of the Atlassian tools and their ecosystem. Atlassian offers a range of products that serve different business needs:
- Jira Software: Agile project management and issue tracking.
- Confluence: Team collaboration and documentation platform.
- Jira Service Management: IT service management tool.
- Bitbucket: Git-based source code repository and CI/CD integration.
- Trello: Simple project management tool for organizing tasks.
Understanding how these tools are used and integrated within a business environment is crucial.
- Tip: Start by using these tools in personal projects or contribute to an open-source project using Atlassian products.
2. Get Hands-On Experience with Atlassian Tools
Hands-on experience is critical. You’ll need to use Atlassian products regularly to become proficient. You can start with the free versions of Atlassian tools like Jira and Confluence to get practical experience.
- Suggested projects:
- Set up a Jira Software project to manage an Agile or Scrum team.
- Use Confluence for team documentation and knowledge-sharing.
- Integrate Bitbucket with Jira for development tracking.
This practical knowledge will be your foundation when consulting clients.
3. Get Atlassian Certified
Atlassian certifications validate your skills and give you credibility as an Atlassian Consultant. They prove to potential clients and employers that you have the necessary expertise. Some certifications to consider are:
- ACP-100: Jira Administrator for Data Center and Server
- ACP-120: Jira Cloud Administrator
- ACP-600: Jira Project Administrator
- ACP-300: Agile Development with Jira Software
- ACP-620: Managing Jira Projects for Cloud
Tip: Start with the Jira Project Administrator certification(ACP 600s) if you’re new to Jira, then progress to more advanced certifications like Jira Cloud Administrator(ACP 100s)
4. Learn Atlassian Administration and Customization
Being an Atlassian Consultant involves configuring Atlassian tools to meet business needs. This means you’ll need to learn:
- Jira Administration: Setting up workflows, permissions, and issue types.
- Confluence Configuration: Structuring spaces, managing permissions, and using macros.
- Jira Service Management: Setting up IT service desks, automations, and SLAs.
- Integrations: Linking Jira with other tools like Bitbucket, Slack, or CI/CD pipelines.
Additionally, knowing how to customize Jira using plugins (such as ScriptRunner, Jira Automation) will make you more valuable as a consultant.
5. Develop Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills
Clients will approach you to help solve specific problems, such as improving team collaboration, project management workflows, or scaling their tools as they grow. As a consultant, you must be able to:
- Analyze the client’s current systems and workflows.
- Identify gaps or inefficiencies in their processes.
- Design and implement tailored solutions using Atlassian tools.
The ability to understand complex organizational challenges and craft solutions that leverage the right Atlassian tools will make you an effective consultant.
6. Build Soft Skills: Communication and Collaboration
Consultants spend much of their time working directly with clients, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. You’ll need to:
- Understand client needs and translate them into technical solutions.
- Train teams on how to use Atlassian products effectively.
- Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting.
Being able to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders will enhance your ability to communicate value to your clients.
7. Gain Experience in Agile Methodologies
Many organizations use Agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban, and Atlassian tools (particularly Jira) are often used to manage Agile teams. You should gain a deep understanding of:
- Scrum: Backlogs, sprints, and velocity tracking.
- Kanban: Work-in-progress limits, visualizing workflows.
- Agile ceremonies: Sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives.
Understanding Agile practices will allow you to better help clients structure their workflows using Jira Software.
8. Learn About Atlassian Marketplace Apps
Atlassian’s Marketplace offers a vast array of apps that extend the functionality of Jira, Confluence, and other tools. Some popular Marketplace apps include:
- ScriptRunner: For automating tasks and customizing workflows.
- Tempo Timesheets: For tracking time and managing resources.
- BigPicture: For portfolio management and Gantt charts.
By becoming familiar with these apps, you can recommend tailored solutions that fit the client’s needs and budget.
9. Join the Atlassian Community
The Atlassian Community is a valuable resource for learning and networking. It consists of forums, blogs, and events where professionals share knowledge, tips, and best practices.
- Join Atlassian User Groups (AUGs) to network with fellow professionals and learn new skills.
- Participate in Atlassian Community forums to ask questions, offer solutions, and stay up-to-date with the latest updates.
You can also attend Atlassian Summit (now called Team), Atlassian’s annual event, to learn about the latest product developments and connect with other experts.
10. Start Consulting Part-Time or Freelance
If you’re new to consulting, start by taking on freelance projects or offering part-time consulting services. You can:
- List your services on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to attract smaller clients who need help with Atlassian products.
- Volunteer to help local organizations or businesses with Jira or Confluence setups to gain experience.
This will allow you to build your consulting portfolio and gain practical experience working with clients.
11. Specialize in a Niche
As you gain more experience, consider specializing in a niche within the Atlassian ecosystem. This could be:
- DevOps Consulting: Helping teams integrate tools like Bitbucket and Jira into their CI/CD pipelines.
- Agile Coaching: Implementing Agile frameworks and practices using Jira Software.
- ITSM Consulting: Helping organizations set up Jira Service Management for IT support and operations.
Having a niche will help you stand out in the consulting market and attract more specialized, higher-paying clients.
12. Work with an Atlassian Solution Partner
Another way to build credibility and gain experience is by working with an Atlassian Solution Partner. These partners are certified by Atlassian to provide expert consulting services to customers.
- Tip: Apply to Atlassian Solution Partner companies, such as Valiantys, Adaptavist, or Cprime, to gain more exposure and experience working with large clients.
13. Market Yourself as an Atlassian Consultant
Once you’re confident in your skills, it’s time to market yourself as an Atlassian Consultant:
- Create a professional website that highlights your expertise, services, and past projects. (Reach out to me to build you one)
- Use LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and share insights about Atlassian tools.
- Share case studies and testimonials to build credibility.
- Join consulting platforms like Toptal or Clutch to gain visibility.
- Inform your network (this helped me get a job as an Atlassian Solutions Developer and Consultant)
Ending Thoughts
Becoming an Atlassian Consultant requires a mix of technical expertise in Atlassian products, soft skills to work with clients, and business acumen to deliver valuable solutions. By gaining hands-on experience, earning certifications, and staying active in the Atlassian community, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful consulting career.
I’ll be writing on the tools to master to become an Atlassian consultant next week. (Read it here)
Stay Clouding!