IT architecture is becoming the discipline that separates success from failure in large or complex IT projects. In response to the industry’s growing demand for highly experienced IT architects with proven track record of success, The Open Group is developing a certification program that will establish an industry-wide standard for IT architects’ skill set and expertise, and create a foundation for trust between suppliers and customers. The Open Group will act as the certification authority.

The Open Group’s IT Architect Certification program will provide accreditation of third-party IT architect certification programs as well as offer direct certification of individuals.

The Need for Certified IT Architects
In today’s global and highly competitive environment, businesses need to be flexible and able to quickly respond to changing market conditions across geographical boundaries, time zones, and organizational structures. The key enabler, a well-defined IT architecture that supports the needs of the business, is highly dependent on ensuring that the key employees, IT architects, have the required ability, experience and skills. As a result, the demand for highly experienced strategists is exploding. They must however, have proven competencies across a variety of disciplines, and the ability to synthesize, and apply their IT expertise to solving complex business problems. What is missing is a recognized standard that would allow organizations to benchmark against the skill level, experience and knowledge of IT architects.

The Program
IT architects will be able to achieve the IT Architect Certification in two ways: either by applying directly to The Open Group, or by going through a third party certification program that has been accredited by The Open Group. The skill and experience requirements for both the Direct Certification and the Accredited Certification will be identical.

Any third party IT architect certification and professional development program, including programs operated by major consulting firms are eligible for assessment; those meeting the requirements will be accredited.

Publications and Downloads

• White Paper: The Open Group IT Architect Certification Program

In the News

• Computer Weekly: Certificate to provide yardstick for IT abilities
• ebizQ: IT Architecture Comes of Age
• Press Release: The IT Architecture Emerging as a Discipline; Preview of the Upcoming IT Architecture Certification Program
• Computer Weekly: The skills of IT architects provide the foundation for business success
• Network World Fusion: The Open Group preps IT architect certification initiative
• SD Times: Turning Architecture into profession
• Press Release: Program Kick-off Announcement

Certification Criteria
IT architects who wish to be certified will have to have demonstrable levels of experience and skill that are currently being defined by an open industry panel. The candidates will be also interviewed by a peer panel of Certified IT Architects. Please check back for the more details as the program evolves.

Program Benefits

• Establishing an experience, and skill baseline, and setting certification criteria for IT architects will bring a number of benefits to customers, companies, governments, academic institutions, as well as individuals.
• Organizations will gain an industry-wide benchmark for selecting qualified individuals to lead their critical programs, and will be able to verify their status in The Open Group certification register;
• Companies with internal IT architect programs will gain credibility and increased stature for their programs;
• Certified professionals will get portable credentials and be able to choose the best of the available positions;
• Academic institutions will be able to use the skills criteria for fine-tuning their curriculum focused on IT architecture;
• And a recognized certification standard will help ensure further development and recognition of the IT architecture profession.

Program Development
The program is currently under development, with a launch scheduled for July 2005.