The intended audience for this document are individuals who want to
register
themselves for
direct certification (see Section 1.2) within The Open Group Certified
Architect (Open CA) Program (referred to in the rest of this document
as the Program or the
Open CA Program).
Certification within this Program
occurs using an online web system (see Section
1.3).
This document provides a roadmap to the steps required for
certification.
Summary Overview
The Open CA Program is designed
to validate the existence of those qualities and skills in a
professional that enable the effective practice of IT architecture. The
Program is skills and experience-based and goes beyond
validating the mastery of any specific knowledge base.
The Program includes a framework for accreditation of third
parties to establish IT Architect certification programs affiliated to
The Open Group. The framework of accreditation and certification is
specifically intended to standardize the process and criteria for IT
Architect professional certification and establish a foundation for the
required skills and experience necessary to achieve such a distinction.
The Program was designed to be flexible and extensible so that
the framework may be adopted by any industry, country, or
organization.
The Open Group supports two different routes to IT Architect
certification:
The first route is direct certification by The Open Group.
The second is indirect, through third-party programs accredited
by The
Open Group.
The Conformance Requirements for certification apply
equally to the direct and indirect routes to certification.
The three conformance levels currently supported in this program are as
follows:
Level 3: Distinguished (has significant breadth and depth of
impact on the business through the application of IT architecture).
Level 2: Master (able to perform independently and take
responsibility for delivery of systems and solutions as lead
architect).
Level 1: Certified (able to perform with
assistance/supervision, with a wide range of appropriate skills, as a
contributing architect).
Key Documents
The Program is based upon four key documents:
The Certification Policy, which sets out the policies and
processes by which an IT Architect may achieve certification.
The Conformance Requirements, in which the skills and experience
that a
Certified Architect must possess are documented
The Accreditation Policy, which sets out the policies and
processes by
which an organization may achieve accreditation for its own
certification program
The Accreditation Requirements, in which the criteria that must
be
met by an Accredited Certification Program (ACP) are documented
The latter two Accreditation documents are not applicable to the
audience of this document. At the end of this document is a Checklist to help you make sure that your
registration is complete.
The documents currently referenced for certification within the
Program are:
Open CA Program Documentation, July 2011, Open CA Certification
Policy,
Version 1.5.1 (X071), published by The Open
Group.
Open CA Program Documentation, July 2011, Open CA Certification
Conformance Requirements (Multi-Level), Version 1.0.1 (X110), published
by The Open
Group.
You should be familiar with the above documents prior to commencing
certification. See Section 1.3 for information on obtaining a copy
of the documents.
1.2 Summary of Program Documents
This section includes a list of all the Program documents and their
purpose.
To become familiar with this Program, you should read the following
Program documents:
The
Certification Policy
This document is the foundation of the Program, providing information
on the
policies and processes by which an IT Architect can become
certified, what it means to be certified, and how to remain certified.
See Section 2.1.2 for further information.
The
Conformance Requirements
The Conformance Requirements should then be read to understand the
detailed requirements against which an IT Architect
can be certified. See Section 2.1.2 for further
information.
The
Certification Agreement
The Certification Agreement defines the certification service and the
legal
commitment to the conditions of the service for individuals applying
certification through the direct route. See Section 2.6
for further information.
The
Guide to The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA) Program (this
document)
This document is a high level guide for individuals who want to
register for direct certification within the Program.
It provides detailed information on the steps required
to take to achieve certification.
Certification Package
This document is provided by an IT Architect to support registration
within the Program.
It is a detailed description of the skill levels attained and
experience
undergone, and provides the Certification Authority or Accredited
Certification Program with sufficient information to determine whether an IT Architect meets the Conformance Requirements. It is created by filling the
Certification Package template provided by the Certification Authority.
There is a separate certification package template for each
conformance
level.
IT Architect
Trademark License Agreement
To complete certification of an IT Architect, each individual must
enter the web system in order to accept the IT Architect Trademark
License Agreement. This sets out the
usage terms and conditions for the IT Architect Certification mark.
See Section 2.5 for further information.
1.3 Summary of Web References
A summary of the external web references is given below:
This section of the guide details the conceptual steps you are
required to take to achieve certification.
It provides information on how to perform each
of these steps.
The process involves:
Understanding the certification program and the processes
Preparing for certification
Applying for certification
Submission of Supporting Evidence
A formal Certification Board Review
Accepting the Trademark License Agreement
2.1 Understanding the Program
To become familiar with the Program, you should read the following
documents:
The Certification Policy
The Conformance Requirements
2.1.1 The Certification Policy
It is best to start with the Certification Policy, which is
the foundation of the Program. It provides information on the
policies and processes by which an IT Architect can become certified,
what it means to be certified, and how to remain certified.
The Conformance Requirements should then be read to
understand the detailed conformance requirements against which an IT
Architect can be certified. These contain a definition of the mandatory
and optional criteria an
IT Architect must meet in order to be certified.
The three conformance levels currently supported in this program are as
follows:
Level 3: Distinguished (has significant breadth and depth of
impact on the business through the application of IT architecture).
Level 2: Master (able to perform independently and take
responsibility for delivery of systems and solutions as lead
architect).
Level 1: Certified (able to perform with
assistance/supervision, with a wide range of appropriate skills, as a
contributing architect).
You should review Section 3, Conformance of the Certification
Policy and the Conformance Requirements to
check whether you understand the requirements.
2.2 Confidentiality
Your details when undergoing certification, are confidential between
you, the Certification Authority and the Certification Board members.
This is effective once you accept the Certification Agreement,
which is a prerequisite to commencing the formal registration process
for certification.
Upon successful completion of the certification process, the
certified IT Architect will not be included in the publicly available
Directory of Certified IT Architects at http://www.opengroup.org/openca/cert/Certified_Architects.html,
unless an explicit request
has been made to do so to the Certification Authority during the
registration process. See Section 5 DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED IT
ARCHITECTS of the Certification Policy for information
regarding the visibility
of your entry. A number of options exist including no visibility,
list by name only, list by name including full certification record,
and with or without contact details.
For the case of no visibility, each Certified IT Architect has a
personal confirmation code that they may pass to their customers and
prospective customers to allow queries to the Directory of Certified
IT Architects. This becomes available upon completion of certification
(see Section 3.6 below)
2.3 Preparing for
Certification
You should read the applicable requirements in order
to identify the requirements
you will need to meet. For Certification, this document is the Conformance
Requirements
If you still have a problem but are certain that you meet the
requirements, please check the Problem Report information database held
at http://www.opengroup.org/openca/cert/PR.
The online Problem Report database contains
known information on existing bugs and interpretations for the
Program. The issue may already be resolved by an existing
Interpretation, by an existing Evaluation Process Deficiency
or by an agreed Certification System Deficiency. If it is
not, please raise a new Problem Report, see http://www.opengroup.org/openca/cert/PR.
For general questions related to certification, but not related to
the conformance requirements, you can email
openca-helpdesk@opengroup.org fully
describing the problem. Please note that the Certification Authority
helpdesk only handles general questions and is not able to
address interpretations of the Program Conformance Requirements.
2.4 Certification
Certification is a formal process. By accepting the
Certification Agreeement terms, you warrant and represent that you meet
all the conformance requirements for
certification, and have the skills and experience claimed
in the Certification Package.
The obligations, terms and conditions of certification are fully set
out in the following documents:
It is necessary to read these documents before you start the
certification process in order to fully understand the policies and
requirements.
2.5 The IT
Architect Trademark License for the Program Logo
Once you have met the Conformance Requirements you will need
to accept the IT Architect Trademark License in order to become
certified.
The trademark license agreement states the terms and conditions for
use of the Program Logo and Program name in relation to services you
offer, and descriptions of yourself and your skills and experience.
This agreement is completed as the final step to certification and is a
click wrap
agreement.
For information on obtaining a copy of the IT Architect Trademark
License Agreement
see the links on the left panel of the web site.
You are required to agree to the Certification Agreement
when you commence your registration.
The Certification Agreement is between you and the
Certification Authority. It defines the certification service and the
legal commitment to the conditions of the service. This is also
where you warrant conformance to the Conformance Requirements.
To support your registration for certification you need to prepare
and submit supporting evidence. This includes
completion of a Certification Package in accordance with the template,
and completion
of a number of online forms giving
information about yourself which comprise your Certification Record
(see
Section 3.2 Certification Record of the Certification Policy).
You may also be required to submit documentation describing the
Method(s)
that you have chosen to cite with your submission, if not
in the set of presently recognized methods.
2.7.1 The Certification Package Template
You must complete a Certification Package in accordance with the
template to support your registration.
This is a detailed description of the skill levels attained and
experience
you have, and will be examined by the Certification Board to determine
whether you
meet the Conformance Requirements. To aid preparation of the
Certification Package a completed example is
provided on the web site.
It is
important that you follow the instructions within the
template, which are very specific on the level of detail required, for
example your submission must be a maxium of 50 pages and must include a certain
number of projects in each section. If you do not complete
the document correctly it will need to be updated and resubmitted before
you can be scheduled for a Board Review.
2.7.2 The Certification Record
You must complete a number of online forms within the web
system to define your Certification Record. This includes giving
information about yourself, your contact details and optionally about
your employer. The web system allows you to change
parts of your Certification Record as defined in
Section 3.2 Certification Record of the Certification Policy.
2.7.3 Methods Documentation
If your available choice for the method(s) cited to support your
submission is not available in the list of recognized methods, you will
be required to
submit supporting documentation describing the Method(s)
that you have chosen to cite with your submission. This will
be evaluated as part of your submission.
It is important that you provide your assessment of how the method
meets our published criteria, with sufficient references and/or back up
material to support your case when evaluated by an expert the field of
IT Architecture. This does not mean you need to provide full
documentation
for the method. Information on the current set of recognized methods
and a template for a summary assessment of a method are available
here.
The criteria for recognition of a method are documented in the
Conformance Requirements.
3. Registration
3.1 Accessing the Web Certification System
The Certification Authority provides a web based certification system through which an individual can submit themselves for
certification. This is a workflow system that will guide you through the necessary steps for completing a registration. The entry
point to the system is at https://www.opengroup.org/openca/cert/ (this is a
secure server).
3.2 Submitting Initial Certification Information
To log into the web certification system you need a valid username and password on the Certification Authority's web server.
If you don't yet have an account, you may obtain one from the certification web site by selecting "New User" to create your
username and password. It takes approximately thirty minutes for a new account to become activated.
Once you have your username, from the secure web site, select "Login".
3.3 Registering yourself for the Open CA Program
Once you have successfully logged in, to register for the Program
select "follow this link" under the Direct Certification Route, or
if you have previously created a registration select the "Home Page" link
and then "Start a New Registration".
An application form is then presented on the screen for completion. The form is used to produce your initial Certification
Record. This includes giving your contact details and optionally information about your employer. You also need to decide in this
screen the initial visibility of your entry on the Directory of Certified Architects, and if visible whether you want your contact
details on the public Directory.
You must then select the Method(s) that you have chosen to cite with your submission from a set of recognized methods. This is a
multiple selection. If your available choice is not available select OTHER. If OTHER is selected, then an upload will be required
later in the process
containing documentation describing the method.
You must also indicate whether you wish to cite any granted problem reports in support of your submission. A scrollable selection allows
you to select one or more references from
the available granted problem reports.
You can also set the initial value for your personal confirmation code.
This is the code that you can give out to third parties for obtaining your
details from the Directory of Certified Architects if you select not to
have a visible entry.
If you wish to send any notes to the Certification Authority about this registration you may do so on this form. Such notes are
held confidential between you and the Certification Authority. You
should use this field to specify any preferences for scheduling
for the Board Review meeting.
After you select the "Submit" button, you are then presented with
the Payment Screen. You should also complete this screen at the same
time otherwise when you return you will need to repeat the above
screen.
3.3.1 Payment
Payment is required to complete the initial submission for registration. Payment must be made by credit card. Fees are
non-refundable and net of all taxes. Included with the payment screen is the Certification Agreement, which must be accepted
in order to proceed with this registration.
When alerted that payment has been accepted, return to the site and Login. The screen will now prompt for you to upload the
Certification Package documentation. This must be a Microsoft Word format file. A template is supplied on the certification web
site that should be completed to generate this document.
If you selected OTHER as the Method(s) in the initial registration stage,
then an upload is required
containing documentation describing the method(s). This will be evaluated as part of your submission. This should take the form of a
html or pdf file. A template for a method submission and the
list of available methods is available here.
3.5 Submitting your Materials for Audit
Once you have completed input of all the required information, the web based certification system allows you to confirm your
submission details.
The certification system will display a form into which you enter the final details that are required to submit yourself for the
Program. This is done in two stages:
This form allows you to check all the information relating to yourself and the registration. It is divided into sections; each
one needs confirmation from you that it is correct. You can also signify that you wish the registration to be kept confidential. If
any of the information needs correcting you can, at this point, update it.
The second and final part is to re-affirm your commitment to the terms and conditions of the program as stated in the
Policy and Certification Agreement. Once you have submitted your application, your details are frozen until your
request is accepted or rejected.
3.6 Completion of Certification
If for any reason the submission was not complete, you will be notified within 10 business days so that any corrections
can be made and resubmitted. Such a resubmission needs to be done within one month unless an extension has been granted by
the Certification Authority. The initial fee covers one set of corrective actions.
The Certification Authority will assign you to the next
available Certification Board for evaluation. Certification Boards
meet at a time and place of the Certification Authority's choosing
according to demand.
The type of meeting is defined in
the conformance requirements.
Where a face to face interview is
required these are normally convened
quarterly. Where attendance is required in person (Level 2:Master or Level 3:Distinguished)
it should be noted that the Certification Authority will not provide
you with any monetary or other assistance with travel,
subsistence or other expenses incurred, or any compensation for loss of
earnings or revenues, in connection with attendance at the
Certification Board.
Where a telephone interview is required (Level 1:Certified, or a re-certification) this will be scheduled within
the 45 to 60 days of your submission being audited as acceptable by
the Certification Authority. In this case your details will be passed
to Board Members and they will contact you directly.
After assignment to a Certification Board, you may, with no less than 30
days notice, request a postponement to the next available Certification
Board. Failure to attend the assigned Certification Board with less than
30 days notice will result in the application being terminated without
any refund of fees.
You will be informed of the outcome of the Certification Board Evaluation of your submission by electronic mail. Upon success,
you should proceed to log in to the certification web site using your existing user name and password. You will then be given the
opportunity to enter into the trademark license agreement. You need to complete this step in order
to become certified.
The details of your certification will then be put on the Directory of Certified Architects, which is a public document, unless
you have requested that it remains confidential. To keep the certification confidential, this option must be selected in the web
certification system at the time your registration is submitted.
Once you have become certified, this will also activate some additional features within your account:
You will be able to download a certificate.
You will be able to alter your visibility level within the Directory of Certified Architects.
You will be able to download the Program logos applicable to the level of certification.
You will be able to amend certain fields of your Certification Record.
You will be able to set the initial and later amend the personal confirmation code that you can give out to third parties for obtaining your
details from the Directory of Certified Architects when you have previously selected not to be visible.
You will be able to renew your certification within the defined period prior to expiry of the certification period
You should note that certification is valid for a defined period as stated in Section 8, Re-Certification of the
Certification Policy. At the end of that period if you wish to remain certified you need to renew.
If, for any reason you wish to be removed from the register entirely please contact the Certification Authority directly.
3.7 Appeals Process
You may appeal decisions made by The Open Group Certification Authority as stated in Section 10, Appeals Process of the
Certification Policy. Any request for appeal should be sent by electronic mail to open-cert-auth@opengroup.org . Receipt of such
a request will be acknowledged within 6 working days by the Certification Authority and the appeals process invoked.
4. Renewals and Updating your
Certification Information
4.1 The Renewals Process
An IT Architect is certified for a period of three years.
During this period, annual renewal is required to ensure that the
Directory of Certified IT Architects is kept up-to-date.
After the three years , re-certification is required (see Section 4.3
below).
When a renewal is due the Certification Authority will notify you
around one month in advance and again one week in advance using
electronic mail (so it
is important to maintain your contact information). You may renew your
certification in
the web system once you have received the reminder. At any time, you
may use the web system to obtain your renewal date.
4.2 Certification Updates
You can enter the web system to update key information about
yourself as defined in Section 3.2 Certification Record of the Certification
Policy.
This includes some contact information.
The web system restricts changes to certain types of information, such
as your change of name. If the system does not allow you to make a
change, please
contact the Certification Authority. In the instance of a name change,
you would be required to provide proof.
4.3 Re-certification
At the end of your three year certification period you
are required to re-certify as defined in Section 8 of the
Certification Policy.
When a re-certification is due, the Certification Authority will notify
you around four months in advance and again two months in advance using
electronic mail (so it
is important to maintain your contact information). You are required to
submit a fully revised and current Re-Certification Package together
with an updated Certification Record.
You may begin the process of re-certification in the web system once
you have received the reminder. For re-certifications that take place
in the four-month renewal period, the new three-year term starts at the
end of the previous term.
5. Checklist
The following checklist is provided to assist with completion of
your registration:
Understanding the certification program and process
Have you read and understood the Certification Policy?
YES / NO
Have you read and understood the Conformance Requirements ?
YES / NO
Preparing for Certification
Have you identified and met the conformance requirements
required?
YES / NO
Have you read the certification frequently asked questions
file?
YES / NO
Have you completed your preparation?
YES / NO
Have you filed all the necessary Problem Reports?
YES / NO
Legal Agreements
Have you read the IT Architect Trademark License Agreement?
YES / NO
Have you read the Certification Agreement?
YES / NO
Has your legal representative reviewed the above agreements?
YES / NO
Registration
Have you downloaded and completed the applicable
Certification Package for
the certification level for which you are applying?
YES / NO
Do you have an account (userid/password) to access The Open
Group's web system?
YES / NO
Have you clicked acceptance on the terms and conditions of
the Certification Agreement?
YES / NO
Have you entered the information required about yourself ?
YES / NO
Have you identified the additional supporting information, if
any required for the Method?
YES / NO
If applicable, have you uploaded the additional supporting
information?
YES / NO
If you require to alter the visibility of your registration,
have you confirmed this within the web system?
YES / NO
Have you provided credit card details for payment
of the certification fee?
YES / NO
If applicable, have you made arrangements to attend the
Certification Board in person?
YES / NO
If a face to face interview is required and you cannot attend
the scheduled dates, have you notified the Certification Authority?
YES / NO
If you have received notification of meeting the conformance
requirements,
have you entered the web system to accept the Trademark License
Agreement, thereby completing certification?
YES / NO
Revision History:
Version
Date
Change History
1.0
July 2005
First release.
1.3
March 2006
Update to include Level 1 Conformance.
1.4
August 2012
Updated section 1.1 to reference latest Certification Policy and Conformance Requirements. Minor editorial updates.
