A Proposed IEEE Certification Framework

Eileen Fitzgerald, CAE, Director of Certification

Mary Ward-Callan, CAE, Managing Director Technical ActivitiesNov 2008

Cert Programs – Current Situation

Program Framework Governance Compliance/ Oversight

Technology Space

CSDP ETS/Society Society Computer Society Software Dev

CSDA Prometric/Society Society Computer Society Software Dev

WCET PES/ComSoc Society ComSoc Wireless

Biometrics IEEE Framework and Holmes model

Biometric Council/EAB

Cert Center Biometrics

Chip Design Market Assessment is Under Review Elect. Design Automation

Systems Early Discussion Stage Systems

Power Early Consideration Stage Power & Energy

Reliability Investigating Possible Partnership Reliability

•Others in the preliminary investigatory stages

Current Makeup of Certification Programs

CertificationProgramBusiness

Framework(eventually a LoO*

Methodology should emerge)

Technical Space + = Cert

Program

EX

AM

PL

ES

ComSoc/PES + Wireless = WCETManagement

Computer Soc + Software = CSDAManagement Devel

Cert Center/ + Biometrics = BiometricsHolmes Model

*Line of Operation

General Activity Areas in a LoO FrameworkGovernance:– Who makes the rules (overall and specific)?– Who defines the LoO and general program framework?

Compliance and Oversight– Who follows the rules?– How are they reported?– What happens if rules are not followed?

Individual Program/Product Management– Who manages the P&L for the program?– Who defines grouped products?– Over what space is profitability be determined?

Certification Common Services– What services are offered to the cert programs as part of the IEEE

infrastructure?

Multiple Development and Business Models in Use Today

Models in use– Holmes (which is the basis for the IEEE proposed framework)– ETS– Prometric– PES

Key Differences– Market assessment/business plans– Creation of BOK and exam specs– Operational support structures– Exam preparation materials– Sales/marketing– Perspectives on organization structures needed for accreditation

Proposed Certification Program Framework

Market Assessment

Body of Knowledge

Certification Exam Courseware

Certification Renewal

Books

Support Materials

Support Services for Certification Operation

BMS ORACLE Cert Bus DB…IEEE Infrastructure

Business Framework - Relationship Model

Certification ExamExam Development Vendor

Exam Delivery VendorEduc and Training

Certification Unit

Technical UnitSubject Matter Experts, Steering Committee

Exam development support Payment processingExam maintenance support Application/registration processingExam Delivery Market Assessment ToolsLearning system devel support Customer supportDatabase, BMS interface Vendor/Contract managementRecord management Volunteer liaisonScheduling Reporting, statisticsCommunications Candidate materials

Customers

Certification Renewal

Recommended New Program Development Process

Perform Market

Assessment

DevelopBody of

Knowledge

Corp/IndustryBuy-in,

Involvement

Perform FocusedMarket

Research

DevelopBus/Mtkg

Plan

Develop Testing System

Stop

Develop Learning System

CertRenewalProgram

OperateProgram,Support

Customers

Stop Stop

ProgramUpdates,

MaintenanceOngoing

Development Process and Considerations

Decisions are market driven and there must be market pull

Several opportunities for go/no-go decisions– Following initial market assessment

– Following focused market research

– Following business/marketing/financial plan development

Long- term commitment to customers

Audience may differ from traditional IEEE members and customers

Market Segmentation Matrix – Biometrics Example

•Market Size

•creation and extension of biometric theory, algorithms, technology and

standards

•design, development and implementation of biometric-

based / enabled systems

•buyers, managers

•and operators

•Required training, technical •knowledge & skill-level

• •Equipment-specific Training

• •Company-level Training:

•Systems and General Biometrics

•University-level Training: •Ph.D. and Masters Programs

•Industry R&D Programs

•Professional Training:•Biometrics Technology, Systems

•and Applications•Biom

etrics

Each Certification Program Has a Product Portfolio to offer…

Certification Examination

Reference Material – Body of knowledge/Exam outline– Primary, secondary references (books and other sources)– Exam content guide or manual

Certification renewal– Related IEEE continuing education products (existing and

new)– External educational products approval program to certify

other programs for application (optional)

Exam review/preparation material– Learning Systems– Instructor-led courses– Individual review and preparation products

Self-directed review courseware Instructor review courseware Review classes (classroom-based and/or on-line) Sample & diagnostic tests Vocabulary, glossary Other

– Approved external products and program (optional)

Product Portfolio (cont.)

Game Plan for defining IEEE perspective on Certification

Define a preliminary approach for IEEE perspective on certification , e.g. framework, process flows, product components (Done-see slides)

Assess business framework using Biometrics (In progress, Eileen is lead – 2009 schedule)

All new certification programs will utilize this new framework (Eileen will support as time permits)

Assess size of IEEE Certification Business to determine if it warrants a Line of Operation management approach (End of 2009)

If it does warrant a LoO approach,– Define details of a Service Center (preliminary info provided in talk)– Determine investment needed for the service center– Establish a service center approach consistent with other LoOs– Determine which group should provide governance oversight of the LoO– Identify which groups are likely to offer certification programs

If not, existing programs will be maintained and we will assess the need for support services and their placement in the staff organizationCommunicate, Communicate, Communicate….