INCOSE Certification of Systems Engineers

1
INCOSE Certification ofSystems Engineers
SE Certification

• Certification Program Briefing for Chapters
• CB0102
• Karl C. Geist, CSEP
• 28 September 2005

2
Table of Contents

• Background
• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
  Requirements
• Certification Program Features
• Program Status
• Communications

3
What is Certification?

• Certification is an occupational designation
  issued by an organization that provides
  confirmation of an individual's qualifications
  (specific knowledge and/or skill level) in a
  specified profession or occupational specialty.
• Certification is voluntary. That means it is
  neither a barrier nor a gate to entering or
  exiting a job. However, it may be used as a
  qualifier in placement.

4

Certification an Instrument for Realizing
INCOSE Strategic Goals

• Influence increase awareness among SE
  professionals, employers, and educators
• Advance promulgate todays State of the Art
  to broaden the foundation for advancement
• Growth certification should improve INCOSE
  membership retention and stimulate growth

5

INCOSE Top Five Priorities

• Complete the classification of all existing
  INCOSE products and make them available to
  members on web.
• Implement the Guide to the Systems Engineering
  Body of Knowledge and populate it.
• Complete the INCOSE Technical Vision on the
  future of Systems Engineering.
• Revise the Systems Engineering Handbook, Version
  3.
• Implement the Systems Engineering Certification
  Program

6
Table of Contents

• Background
• Certified Systems Engineering Professional
  (CSEP) Requirements
• Certification Program Features
• Program Status
• Communications

7
Requirements for CertifiedSystems Engineering
Professional (CSEP)

• SE Experience - 5 years minimum in multiple SE
  disciplines
• 2. Education Bachelors degree/equivalent in
  technical field
• (Additional experience must be substituted
  for non-technical degree)
• 5 more years of engineering for non-technical
  Bachelors (total 10 years)
• 10 more years of engineering if no Bachelors
  degree (total 15 years)
• 3. Recommendations from at least 3
  Colleagues/Peers/Managers who are knowledgeable
  in Systems Engineering
• Pass Certification Exam
• Application and Fee Submittals Required
• Application requires copy of degree transcript or
  diploma
• Application fee is 400 discounted to 300 for
  INCOSE members
• Test fee is 80 payable to Testing organization
  when scheduling exam

INCOSE membership not required to participate in
program
8
Certification Process Diagram
Applicants own pace
Applicant has up to one year to pass the test
(three tries 3 months apart). Test is scheduled
directly with Thompson-Prometrics.
9
SE Disciplines Qualifying for SE Experience

• Requirements Engineering
• Risk and Opportunity Management
• Baseline Control
• Technical Planning
• Technical Effort Assessment
• Design Development
• Qualification, Verification, and Validation
• Process Definition
• Tool Support
• Training
• System Integration
• Quality Assurance
• Specialty Engineering

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Exam Information

• Exam is based on current INCOSE SE Handbook
  Version 2A which is available on INCOSE web site
• Exam cost is 80 per exam
• Current exam is 120 questions (98 scored, 22 Beta
  questions)
• Current exam is 2 hours in length
• Pass/Fail results provided immediately upon exam
  completion
• Candidates eligible for two re-tests within the
  year
• SE Handbook version 3 is in development. Expected
  release is in 2006
• Exam will be updated for SE Handbook Version 3

11
Exam Question Format with Sample Content

• Which three of the following are methods to
  express functional behavior? (Choose three)
• Allocated requirement diagram
• Functional flow diagram
• Behavior diagram
• Integrated definition for functional modeling
  (IDEF) diagram
• Network Tree
• This question IS NOT from the INCOSE
  Certification Exam. The format and content are
  similar (based on SEHv2a),
• however it was created by CSM and
  Thompson-Prometrics, and is used with permission.

12
Exam Question Format with Sample Content

• Which three of the following are methods to
  express functional behavior? (Choose three)
• Allocated requirement diagram
• Functional flow diagram Pgs 133 - 136
• Behavior diagram Pg 125, last
• Integrated definition for functional modeling
  (IDEF) diagram Pg 127, 1
• Network Tree
• This question IS NOT from the INCOSE
  Certification Exam. The format and content are
  similar (based on SEHv2a),
• however it was created by CSM and
  Thompson-Prometrics, and is used with permission.

13
Exam Question Format with Sample Content

• Which are three justifications for Configuration
  Management? (Choose three)
• Facilitates communication
• Encourages changes
• Prevents changes
• Forces comprehensive change evaluation
• Maintain control over requirements
• This question IS NOT from the INCOSE
  Certification Exam. The format and content are
  similar (based on SEHv2a),
• however it was created by CSM and
  Thompson-Prometrics, and is used with permission.

14
Exam Question Format with Sample Content

• Which are three justifications for Configuration
  Management? (Choose three)
• Facilitates communication Pg 48, 1
• Encourages changes
• Prevents changes
• Forces comprehensive change evaluation Pg 48, 1
• Maintain control over requirements Pg
  46, 2
• This question IS NOT from the INCOSE
  Certification Exam. The format and content are
  similar (based on SEHv2a),
• however it was created by CSM and
  Thompson-Prometrics, and is used with permission.

15
Requirements for CSEP 3-Year Renewal

• Continuing Education during Prior 3 Years - 120
  PDUs
• Renewal Application and Fee Submittals
• Must be submitted before current certification
  period ends
• Continuing education log submittal required
• Renewal Fee is 100 discounted to 50 for
  INCOSE members

INCOSE membership not required to participate in
program
16
Continuing Education Credits for Certification
Renewal
17
Table of Contents

• Background
• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
  Requirements
• Certification Program Features
• Program Status
• Communications

18
Certification Program Features

• Certification Program Scope
• Initially only one level Certified Systems
  Engineering Professional (CSEP) Foundation
  Level
• Advanced and Specialty area levels of
  certification may be added later
• Certification Program Operations
• Administration
• Provide candidates with appropriate test ID
  numbers
• Implement procedures for handling applications
• Handle applications for certifications and
  renewals
• Act as focal point for communications and
  coordination
• Management
• INCOSE BOD provides funding approval and Program
  oversight
• Certification Advisory Group (CAG) establishes
  policy and provides oversight to the Program
• Program Manager implements policy/procedures,
  manages operations, reviews and approves
  applications
• Certification Application Reviewers (CARs) are a
  pool of CSEPs to review candidate qualifications

19
Table of Contents

• Background
• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
  Requirements
• Certification Program Features
• Program Status
• Communications

20
Certification Program Milestones

• Certification Program Development Authorized by
  BOD - IS 02
• Certification Exam Beta Tested IS 03
• Certification Program Operational Plan Approved
  by BOD IS 04
• Initial CAG and Acting Program Manager Appointed
  September 2004
• Initial CSEPs Awarded IW 05
• Certification Program Available to Public via
  INCOSE Web Page March 2005

21
Table of Contents

• Background
• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
  Requirements
• Certification Program Features
• Program Status
• Communications

22
Where Do I Find More Information?

• INCOSE Certification Web Area at
• http//www.incose.org/educationcareers/certificati
  on/index.aspx
• Introduction and Overview Briefing
• Certification Requirements
• Certification Renewal Requirements
• Certification Fees
• Online Payment
• Certification Exam
• Continuing Education
• Experience Applicable to Certification
• Colleagues/Peers Used for References
• Certification Forms
• Ethics Statement
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs - 47)
• Possible Future Levels of Certification
• Certification Reconsideration Appeal
• Certified Systems Engineering Professionals (53)

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How Long Will It Take Me to Become Certified?
Note We will collect metrics to establish a
better historical estimate.
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Program Change Considerations

• Selection of a Permanent Program Manager
• Online Submission of Applications and Renewals
• Update Exam After SE Handbook Version 3 is
  Introduced
• Review of Exam Training Programs
• Courseware
• Knowledge Providers (List or Recommendations)
  http//www.incose.org/educationcareers/shortcourse
  s.aspx
• Internationalize the Program (Multiple Languages)
• Multiple Levels of Certification
• Systems Engineering Management
• Systems Engineering Specialist
• Systems Engineering Enterprise Processes
• Systems Engineering Fellow

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Questions?
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Back-up Slides
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CSEP Projected Potential Impact
PMP Experience
INCOSE Opportunity

Based on historical data provided by PMI, the
number of PMPs today exceeds more than 116,000
or 78 of total members. ASE/CSMs CSEP forecast
using current market indicators suggests similar
success!
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Certification Organization
Board of Directors
Corporate Advisory Board
Member Board

• Certification Office
• Program Manager (PM)
• Certification Advisory Group (CAG)
• Certification Application
• Reviewers (CAR)

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Program Manager

• Establishes and Operates Program Office
• Primary Interface with all INCOSE BOD/Support
• Contracted by INCOSE BOD to 2-year Renewable Term
  Based on Recommendation of CAG
• Establishes Program Procedures
• Develops Program Budget for INCOSE Approval
• Ensures Satisfactory Interfaces and Services to
  All Clients of the Certification Program
• Publicizes and Markets the Certification Program
• Monitors, Measures, and Reports on the
  Effectiveness of the Certification Process
• Maintains Records of All Certification Activities

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Certification Advisory Group (CAG)

• Provides INCOSE Oversight to Certification
  Program Office
• Represents INCOSE perspective and interests
• 9 Members appointed by BOD for 3 year terms
  (staggered, limited to six consecutive years of
  service)
• Chair elected on annual basis by CAG members
• Establishes Certification Program Policy
• Identifies Qualified PM Candidates and Provides
  Recommendation to BOD for Appointment
• Evaluates and Reports Program Manager Performance
  to INCOSE BOD
• Monitors Program Metrics
• Provides Appeal Process for Contested Decisions
• Oversees Certification Examination Content

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Certification Application Reviewers (CARs)

• Pool of CSEPs available for evaluation of
  applicants technical credentials
• Applications assigned by PM to groups of CARs for
  review (min of 3 per application)
• Pool established by CAG based on following
  criteria
• INCOSE member in good standing
• Current CSEP status
• At least 20 years of engineering experience
• At least 10 years of systems engineering
  experience
• Some experience in hiring/managing engineering
  /technical personnel is desired, but not
  required.
• Initial pool appointed by BOD
• Additional CARs selected by CAG

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Example Commercial Knowledge Providers Prep
course ASE/CSM

• The 3-part program is 1,050. The course
  includes our 1-day application workshop (free)
  and includes
• Application Workshop
• 2-day Handbook Review complete with pre and post
  test exams with exam questions included in each
  module
• Course materials
• Study Guide
• INCOSE Handbook
• Thompson Prometric Exam Fee
• Follow-up and Coaching after the exam
• Our guarantee! Clients can recycle through the
  program up to 3 times without additional charge
• The 80 exam fee is refundable upon receipt of a
  self mailer, (currently in production), which is
  handed out during the Handbook review sessions.
  The mailer will include questions regarding our
  program, and applicants experience taking the
  exam.

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Example INCOSE Knowledge Providers Prep
Course HRA Chapter

• Who INCOSE Hampton Roads Area Chapter The
  George Washington University
• What Seminar on the Systems Engineering
  Handbook In Preparation for SE Certification
• For those individuals interested in taking
  the INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering
  Professional (CSEP) exam
• When Tuesday November 8, 2005 - 8 AM to 7 PM,
  and
• Wednesday November 9, 2005 - 8 AM to 5 PM
• Concept This Seminar will complement Systems
  Engineers' preparation for the SE Certification
  Examination by providing an overview of the each
  chapter of the INCOSE System Engineering Handbook
  (Ver. 2a) in a study group format. The program
  will consist of two days covering the Management
  and Technical Sections of the Handbook. The
  Management Sections (day 1) are chapters 1-7.
  Chapters 8-12 are the Technical Sections (day 2).
• Location Hampton Roads Area - INCOSE Chapter, at
  the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding and Carrier
  Innovation Center (VASCIC), 241 West Avenue,
  Newport News VA, 23607
• Cost Free for INCOSE Members
• 50 for non members to cover lunch, etc.
• Program Agenda
• Day 1 Tuesday Day 2 - Wednesday
• Time Time
• 8-9 Keynote Speaker - Dr. Forsberg
  8-12 Technical Chapters
• 9-12 Management Chapters 12-1 Lunch - Included
  in Cost
• 12-1 Lunch - included in cost 1-5 Technical
  Chapters
• 1-6 Management Chapters
• 6-7 How to Apply for Certification (Dr.
  Forsberg)
• 6-7 Virtual Technical Reviews (Bill Fournier)
• Online Registration Available at
  (www.hra-incose.org), starting in mid July. To
  attend the seminar you must complete the online
  registration by COB October 21st, and be a
  citizen of the USA. A formal visit authorization
  letter may be required to gain access to the
  VASCIC facility.

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INCOSE Certification Program Abstract

• Program Managers throughout industry frequently
  request some number of systems engineers to
  perform Systems Engineering (SE) tasks or jobs.
  Too often in their hurry to get someone now, the
  program fails to define what capabilities or
  skills are required of the requested systems
  engineers. The other aspect of the personnel
  problem is the large number of people who are
  called, or who call themselves Systems
  Engineers without there being any
  standardization in what the title means in terms
  of What SE tasks are they really capable of
  performing?
•  
• This problem requires a twofold solution
• Define SE task terms that can be used by Program
  Managers to specify SE tasks or jobs that need to
  be done, and
• Recognize SE personnel who have the knowledge
  and experience capabilities to perform the SE
  task or job assignments.
•  
• The Board of Directors of the International
  Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
  recognized this industry-wide void, and conducted
  a member survey. The detailed responses of the
  survey showed a perception that certification
  would increase the credibility, marketability,
  and professional status of systems engineers.
  Respondents also believed that a certification
  program would benefit employers by providing an
  objective means for selecting candidates and
  assessing skills. Individuals viewed attainment
  of certification as an accomplishment, and more
  than half indicated that they would participate
  in a certification program, notwithstanding a
  lack of conviction that certification would
  influence employment. So in response to this
  members' request, INCOSE commissioned a working
  group to develop and implement a plan for
  certifying Systems Engineers who have
  demonstrated a fundamental level of knowledge and
  experience in the SE discipline.

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INCOSE Certification Program Abstract (Cont)

• This presentation briefly describes the
  background that led to the development of the
  operational concept and procedures that INCOSE is
  following for certifying systems engineering
  professionals by covering the following topics
  Program Background, Certified Systems Engineering
  Professional (CSEP) Requirements, Certification
  Program Features, Program Status, and Program
  Communications. It also defines the objectives
  and initial scope of the certification program.
  Initially, this certification program will
  recognize only one level of SE Certification a
  foundations level. After gaining experience in
  operating the program, INCOSE plans to expand the
  program to accommodate more global SE
  applications and to recognize multiple levels of
  SE capability.
•  
• The program initially intends to achieve three
  goals defined in INCOSE Strategic Directions,
  January 2000, and to respond to its members
  needs. The potential contributions of an INCOSE
  Systems Engineering Certification Program to each
  of the three INCOSE strategic goals are as
  follows
•  
• Strengthen INCOSEs influence A professional SE
  certification program will increase the awareness
  among professionals, their employers, and their
  educators of the discipline of Systems
  Engineering and of INCOSE as the responsible SE
  professional association.
•  
• Advance the state of the art and practice of
  systems engineering A professional SE
  certification program will make a significant
  contribution to the promulgation of existing
  discipline knowledge, and will broaden the base
  for knowledge flow in the learning-codification-di
  ssemination loop.
•  
• Promote growth of the INCOSE organization SE
  professional certification may promote membership
  in INCOSE as the corresponding professional
  association that provides the best source of SE
  contacts and professional expertise.