Deployed in either the development or delivery of IT solutions, an IT Specialist is a service, support, sales or training professional able to bridge the gap between client concerns and technical challenges.

An IT Specialist’s role and responsibilities may range from implementer on up through management levels.

An IT Specialist typically concentrates on one of two Technical Focus areas: Solution Development or Solution Delivery. Within each of these two Technical Focus areas, various Streams and Sub-Streams are identified against which the individual IT Specialist may certify.

l Streams within Solution Development include (but are not limited to): Business Analysis, Application Development, Packaged Application Implementation, Data Integration, Business Information Management, Infrastructure Design and Testing.

l Streams within Solution Delivery include (but are not limited to): Infrastructure and Applications Management, Systems and Hardware Products (comprised of such Sub-Streams as Storage, Networking, Server and Cross Systems) and Software (encompassing Sub-Streams including Application Development Products, Application and Integration Middleware, Data Management, Content Management and Portal and Collaboration Software).

For more information, please refer to The Open Group IT Specialist Certification Conformance Requirements http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert/docs/ITSC_Conformance_Requirements.pdf

1.2 What is The Open Group IT Specialist Certification (ITSC)? Who established it? Who oversees it?

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification program is designed to verify the existence of those qualities and skills in a professional that enable the effective development, implementation and operation of IT solutions. Global, vendor-neutral and peer-reviewed, ITSC certification is skills and experience-based and goes beyond validating the mastery of any specific knowledge base.

Based on proven best practices, ITSC was conceived and developed (and will continue to be refined) by The Open Group, an international consortium of industry leaders including representatives from Capgemini, EDS, HP and IBM, along with certification experts from The Open Group staff. The Open Group manages and monitors the certification program, ensuring consistent application of standards across all credentials granted.

1.3 How is The Open Group IT Specialist Certification different from other credentials for IT professionals?

For IT Specialists and those who hire them or engage their services, The Open Group IT Specialist Certification is the only credential which ensures that those to whom it is granted meet or exceed rigorous worldwide standards for professional expertise and experience established by a consortium of globally-recognized industry leaders and warranted through administration and oversight by a vendor-neutral organization.

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification is distinguished from other credentials available to IT professionals, because it is:

l Peer Reviewed: A board of certified IT Specialists is engaged in the review process to ensure that the skills, knowledge and experience of each candidate meet qualification standards, and that certified IT Specialists are able to bridge the gap between client concerns and technical challenges.

l Based on Vendor-neutral Best Practices: The Open Group ITSC program was developed by consensus, by a consortium of worldwide industry leaders, based on proven best practices.

l Global: The Open Group ITSC program offers a worldwide set of standards for qualifying the skills, knowledge and experience of IT Specialists

l Portable: Because it is global and vendor-neutral, The Open Group ITSC certification is “portable.” It is applicable wherever the IT Specialist may choose to use it to distinguish his or her skills and experience. It is useful to organizations employing or retaining the services of IT Specialists, wherever they may be deployed.

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification is different from and complementary to other types of IT credentials. The following comparison is intended to differentiate ITSC Certification, not to disparage those to which it is contrasted:

l Academic: College, university and continuing education credentials may assure knowledge; ITSC certification confirms professional experience and expertise.

l Vendor: Vendor-specific credentials attest to know-how in regard to the specific hardware, software, systems and/or solutions that vendor purveys; ITSC certification is vendor-neutral in terms of technology, products and procedures.

l Association: Some association credentials may indicate professional prerequisites, and others simply signify membership or affiliation; ITSC certification verifies that an individual’s skills and experience meet or exceed a set of rigorous standards.

l Local: Some local and regional credentials are available, and some are more demanding than others; ITSC certification assures adherence to a set of globally recognized standards.

1.4 Why is ITSC important for IT Specialists?

As is the case with most certifications, ITSC may prove to be an aid in career advancement -- laterally, vertically or in moving to a new employer. For the independent IT Specialist, it may assist in client or project acquisition. Because ITSC is global and vendor-neutral, the certification is “portable” – it is meaningful wherever the IT Specialist may choose to use it to distinguish his or her credentials.

For the certified IT Specialist, ITSC conveys:

l Recognition: The Open Group ITSC acknowledges a high level of achievement, as recognized both through accomplishments and peer-review.

l Identification: Professionals upon whom The Open Group ITSC has been conferred can display the certification logo on business cards, resumes or CVs and can claim the credential on employment applications and consultation or project proposals. An individual’s certification can be verified through the Directory of Open Group Certified IT Specialists maintained on The Open Group Website.

l Differentiation: With technological innovation changing very fast, theoretical knowledge alone isn’t enough to satisfy the requirements of most employers and clients; they need to know that their employees and consultants can keep up with the pace of change. As more and more IT professionals enter the workforce from all over the globe, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the most qualified and capable. The Open Group ITSC immediately notifies potential employers and clients of the merits of its bearer, based on a combination of skills, knowledge and experience, as qualified against a set of globally-recognized standards, ascertained through peer-review and assured by administration and oversight by a vendor-neutral organization.

1.5 Why is ITSC important for employers?

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification is global and vendor-neutral, and therefore employers can implement it as a professional standard for locations anywhere in the world, as well as for the evenhanded qualification of a diverse workforce.

For those who employ IT Specialists, ITSC facilitates:

l Recruiting and Hiring: By specifying ITSC certification as a prerequisite, or by using it as a filter for applicants, organizations can speed time to hire and assure quality of hires.

l Deployment: ITSC certification can serve as a means to identify the right people to deploy on specific projects and programs.

l Staff Development: By recommending ITSC certification as an objective for IT Specialists, managers can set a clear career development path for those who are capable and willing to pursue advancement.

l Retention: Encouraging and supporting the certification of qualified professionals is a means of recognizing achievement and showing appreciation for people who are willing to work to hone skills, advance knowledge and enhance their experience.

1.6 Why is ITSC important for organizations that require the services of IT Specialists?

The Open Group IT Specialist Certification is global and vendor-neutral, and therefore it offers an excellent standard for specifying the requisite quality of the professionals to be assigned by outsourced service providers.

For those who require the services of IT Specialists, The Open Group ITSC ensures:

l Consistent Quality of Service: By specifying The Open Group ITSC as a requirement, organizations that outsource are assured of more consistent levels of service, even through personnel transitions, wherever their project may be located or from wherever the IT Specialists assigned may originate.

l Speed to Implementation: Low quality service may lead to delayed or even stalled implementations; service is expedited by assuring the quality of assigned professionals.

l Agility: As business and technology requirements rapidly evolve, planned implementations may become obsolete, even as they are being delivered. Service providers deploying certified IT Specialists who are qualified for a combination of vendor-neutral skills, knowledge and experience can be more flexible to recognize and address emerging needs.

1.7 How do IT Specialists get certified?

There are two possible routes to achieve The Open Group IT Specialist Certification. The conformance requirements are the same for both:

l Via Direct Certification: Application is made directly to The Open Group. The Open Group establishes peer review boards. The Direct route is available to individual practitioners, as well as to IT Specialists working in organizations for which the establishment of an accredited program would not be cost effective. To learn more about Direct Certification and how to apply, visit: http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert

l Via Accredited Certification Programs (ACPs): IT Specialists applying for certification via an ACP must be employees of the accredited organization. Application is made through the ACP. The ACP establishes peer review boards.

1.8 What is an Open Group ITSC Accredited Certification Program (ACP)? What is the difference between certification and accreditation?

When a company or organization desires certification for a large number of IT Specialists in its employ, it may apply to establish an ITSC Accredited Certification Program (ACP). Once accredited, the ACP manages the evaluation of its own employees seeking ITSC certification.

l Certification is the process by which an individual IT Specialist is evaluated against the criteria of The Open Group ITSC program.

l Accreditation is the process that assesses an organization’s methods for managing the evaluation process for IT Specialists in their employ who are seeking certification, against the requirements of The Open Group ITSC Program.

Accreditation ensures that companies or organizations operating the ITSC program for their employees apply the same criteria as The Open Group and all other ACPs. ITSC certification therefore means that IT Specialists certified through an ACP meet the same requirements as IT Specialists who are directly certified by The Open Group.

The Open Group ITSC program is intended to be flexible, permitting ACPs to add industry, cultural and organizational extensions to the base certification framework. ITSC accreditation allows for proprietary company methods that may be used to augment certification qualifications to remain confidential.

For more information, please refer to The Open Group IT Specialist Certification Conformance Accreditation Policy and associated documents at http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert/docs.

1.9 How do employers and organizations that procure the services of IT Specialists verify certification?

A directory of all Open Group certified IT Specialists -- certified directly or via an ACP -- will be maintained on The Open Group website at: http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert. Certified IT Specialists will be given a code/key, which they may provide to prospective employers or clients, allowing them to verify their ITSC status via the website.

1.10 In the press release announcing the IT Specialist Certification program, representatives from IBM and Capgemini are quoted. How are they related to the Open Group? Are they sponsoring accredited IT Specialist certification programs at their companies?

IBM and Capgemini are Platinum members of The Open Group and have representatives on our Governing Board. They jointly submitted the initial outline of the program to The Open Group and, in concert with other members and certification experts from The Open Group staff, developed the formal program documentation, processes and systems.

2. Process

2.1 When did the IT Specialist Certification Program commence?

The program opened on January 30^th, 2008.

2.2 Are there tests required to obtain the IT Specialist certification?

Since there is no prescribed body of knowledge for the program, there is no test. Instead, we evaluate candidates’ experience and skills against the requirements of the program by evaluating their written applications and through a Certification Board review.

2.3 The IT Specialist Conformance Requirements indicate that a “Certification Board” will assess candidates’ experience and skills. Who is on that board? How are Certification Board reviews administered?

In their applications for certification, candidates are required to describe their work experience in sufficient detail to support their claim of meeting the skills and experience requirements defined for the program. Certification Boards consist of certified IT Specialists who evaluate applications against the requirements of the program. Evaluation includes interviewing the candidate.

2.4 What are the different levels of certification?

There are two levels of certification for IT Specialists within the program:

l Level 1: Certified IT Specialist -- able to perform as a contributing Specialist with assistance/supervision, with a wide range of appropriate skills

l Level 2: Master Certified IT Specialist -- able to perform independently as lead Specialist, and take responsibility for delivery of solutions

2.5 Is training available and required for the IT Specialist certification?

As the program does not prescribe any particular body of knowledge, no training requirements have been defined.

2.6 Are there any fees for obtaining IT Specialist certification?

Direct applicants pay certification fees to The Open Group. These fees are $1,250 USD for the assessment plus $175 per annum to remain in the program and $625 for tri-annual recertification. (Fees are the same for both Level 1 and Level 2 certification.)

2.7 Do applicants need to travel for Certification Board interviews?

It depends on the level of certification. Level 1 (Certified IT Specialist) applicants are interviewed by telephone and no travel is required. Level 2 (Master Certified IT Specialist) applicants are required to meet with the Certification Board in person and to cover any expenses for their own travel and accommodation.

2.8 How long will it take to become certified?

It is anticipated that most applicants will take three to six months to complete the entire process. Thorough documentation of how the applicant meets the criteria is required and is much like preparing a very detailed resume. The application process and documentation systems are on-line and can be completed over a period of time.

2.9 Why do IT Specialists go through the effort and cost to become certified?

ITSC enables IT Specialists to validate their skills and experience against a vendor-neutral, globally-recognized set of standards, through a peer-reviewed program administered by an independent certification entity. ITSC certification can thus augment the confidence of employers, potentially contributing to the certified professional’s career advancement. ITSC can also enhance the trust of clients, thereby increasing appreciation for the quality of service provided by certified IT Specialists. With both the Open Group and accredited organizations working to increase awareness of ITSC, demand increases for the services of certified IT Specialists. There are numerous industry examples where rigorous certification programs have proven to be highly valued and individuals with those certifications are in the greatest demand.

2.10 Do certified IT Specialists receive some sort of logo or title to designate their credential? What does it look like? How is it obtained? How may it be used?

Yes, there are official marks, one for each certification level, that are awarded for use by certified Specialists. The logo artwork can be downloaded, once certification has been granted, via a link to a Resource Center that appears within the certified individual’s login account. Details for the use of these marks on business cards, proposals, etc. can be found in the Trademark Usage Guide at www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert.

2.11 How does one obtain a Personal Confirmation Code to verify that a person is ITSC certified?

Contact the individual concerned. As a certified IT Specialist, they have an obligation to provide their Personal Confirmation Code (PCC) to prospective or current employers and clients, upon request. Once you have obtained the individual's PCC, go to the Directory of Certified IT Specialists at http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert and enter the PCC in the Search facility, along with the certified IT Specialist’s last name.

2.12 What is the process to obtain accreditation to establish an Accredited Certification Program (ACP)?

Applicants will request accreditation from The Open Group, who will appoint an assessor. The assessor will conduct a review of the applicant’s program documentation and procedures. The assessor will report the results to the applicant and The Open Group and, if the applicant has been successful, accreditation will be granted.

For more information, please refer to The Open Group IT Specialist Accreditation Policy and associated documents at http://www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert/docs.

3. Criteria

3.1 What are the certification criteria?

There is an extensive set of criteria defined in the ITSC Conformance Requirements. This document can be found at www.opengroup.org/itsc/cert/docs.

3.2 What is the best method of obtaining the skills and experience necessary to meet the Open Group IT Specialist Certification criteria?

There is a set of foundation skills that form the basis for an IT Specialist’s practice. An individual seeking to become certified should, where practicable, obtain training to satisfy the foundation skills criteria -- for example, a Project Management course, etc. But most importantly, prospective candidates should seek to acquire the work experience that enables them to demonstrate that they possess the required skills.

The needed experience is best obtained and imparted through a combination of formal mentoring and individual performance and empowerment. We strongly suggest that prospective candidates discuss the Conformance Requirements with their managers, seeking support in shaping their work assignments to help acquire the skills and experience needed to achieve certification.

Accredited organizations may support the process by establishing a formal IT Specialist mentoring program designed to grow their community of certified IT Specialists.