In my last post, I discussed the issues around using the title Software Engineer and how our educational system (i.e. Computer Science programs) needs to get into the software engineering game. While perusing about on this topic, I come across a posting on Grady Boochs site called, Certification of IT Architects.

 

Reading the Open Groups faqs, I came across this statement, 2.2 Will there be tests required to obtain the IT Architect certification?   Since there is no prescribed body of knowledge for the program, there is no test. Instead we will assess candidates experience and skills against the requirements of the program by evaluating their written applications and by a Certification Board interview.

 

The faqs go on to say how long it will take to obtain certification (3 to 6 months) and how much it costs ($1250 for the assessment plus $175 per annum to remain certified plus recertification every 3 years).

 

Now, I am all for industrializing our software world, but something bothers me here.  It is the statement that there is no prescribed body of knowledge and therefore no test.  No prescribed body of knowledge for an IT Architect?  Come on, of course there is.  Any seasoned IT Architect can pretty much tell you what the body of knowledge is required to be successful at the job.  It is the same body of knowledge that has been required since the first commercial software project was written some 40 years ago. 

 

It goes something like this: requirements, design, code and test.  Over and over again.  In fact, it has never changed, other than the fancy marketing names that have been attached to this process over the years.  Oh yes, you need some project management skills that you can find in the Project Management Book of Knowledge (been around for 20 years).  Specifically, I would also suggest Grady Boochs excellent book on Managing the Object Oriented Project (been around for 10 years) as a body of knowledge. You will need some body of knowledge on the process of quality as well, the Software Engineering Institute, has several bodies of knowledge on this subject area, including software engineering in general.  The SEI has been around for over 20 years.

 

10 years ago, I took a post-graduate, 2 year certificate program, called, Software Engineering Management at the University of Calgary taught by Karl Williams on behalf of Motorola University.  I can tell you there was a body of knowledge because I had to write 17 exams over those two years to prove I knew what it was. 

 

With respect to being a certified IT Architect, I am disappointed that our software industry would let an organization be accredited to issue certificates without any requirements for a prescribed body of knowledge and no written exams.  How is this advancing the industrialization of software development?