I’m in the middle of listening to a PMI Agile CoP webinar on “The Merits and Limits of Certification”. It is basically a debate between James Shore and Alistair Cockburn. James Shore took a tack that certification is evil, causes stagnation, does not prove that you know something, etc. Some of this is true and I agrre with those but some of his arguments sounded like James Shore vs "The Man"
Alistair Cockburn then asked Shore if he offers certificates to which Shore answered yes. The emperor has no clothes…
What do you think? As always questions and comments are welcome.
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was this thing recorded. I didn't register, but might want to listen.
Posted by: Glen B Alleman | 2011.05.24 at 22:16
Glen,
It was, here is the link http://agile.vc.pmi.org/DesktopModules/Pmi.Dnn.Modules.Webinars/WebinarAction.aspx?PortalId=5&WebinarExternalKey=ce49fbd1-38a1-4dac-b085-d4d7de4ca104&WebinarAction=DownloadRecording&RecordingId=225
Posted by: Patrick Richard | 2011.05.24 at 23:29
I know a little about certification because I've worked with our SEI certification group on a couple exams. My experience is
1) what certification proves depends upon how well set up the program is. It usually involves some training, often an examination. Tehre are other approaches based on experience and practical observations. Our (SEI) program is run by a gentleman who used to certify airline pilots. I think he knows what he is doing and he has patiently explained it to me.
2) One must be careful not to "teach to the exam" or the results are invalid. Despite having written, reviewed, and tested questions, I am not permitted to see the current test bank.
3) Building good courses is hard work, validating is hard too
4) courses and exam should be separately built upon a common body of knowledge. (BOK)
5) Building a BOK is hard too.
6) Assuming the above is done well, there is done well, you can legitimately certify that people have certain skills and knowledge
7) There is no gurantee that the skills are actually relevant to the job at hand. Use your judgement.
8) There is no gurantee that people will actually use the skills that have been certified.
In summary, if done well, the certification can demonstrate that a set of skills has been taught and some level of mastery has been shown.
Posted by: Bill Nichols | 2011.05.26 at 07:29