Jan de Beer has been in IT for 23 years

and has worked as a Solutions Architect at CA

Southern Africa for the past 6 years,

specialising in enterprise management, servicespecialising in enterprise management, service

management and IT asset management.

During this time, Jan has produced solution

designs for clients in several industries,

including government, media, publishing,

finance, retail, telecommunications and

outsourcing.

Agenda

• Who am I

– And what do I do

• ITAC Information

• ITAC Certification process• ITAC Certification process

– My experience (ITAC Level II)

• ITAC in South Africa

– Certification Challenges

– How to approach certification

• Discussion

Who am I

• Jan de Beer

– Solutions Architect for CA Southern Africa

Is this you?

• Do you have one of >53 different job titles containing the word architect?

• Do you recognize the following statements:– “Describe architecture to me”

– “Too theoretical”, “too academic”

– “Sit in meetings the whole day”– “Sit in meetings the whole day”• (i.e. do nothing the whole day)

– “That will never work in real life”!

– “Prove the value” (i.e. prove your value)

– “You guys think everything fits into a framework”

– “Do you guys ever do any real work”

• …perhaps it is time to differentiate yourself

ITAC Information

• http://www.theopengroup.org/itac/

• Certifying Experience: The new Frontier– http://www.certmag.com/read.php?in=3808

• Voted as one of the top 5 must have certifications – http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/11/24/48FE-tech-certifications-high-demand_1.html

• ITAC,

• CISM, ISSAP/CISSP, MCSA, CCNP

ITAC Information (cont.)

• ITAC is not a test (but don’t be relieved)

– Certifies your knowledge, skills and experience

• You provide evidence

• The Open Group confirms your competence against a rigid

set of standardsset of standards

• It is about the successful contributions you make as architect

– ITAC is not about your CV, job description or what you earn

• ITAC certification is a career choice

– It takes time

– It takes continuous, applied effort

ITAC Certification Process

My Experience

• CA (vendor) Methodology (2004)

• ITAC awareness (2005/6)

• CA’s ACP (2006/7)

• Invitation (2008)

• Preparation of submission package (2008)• Preparation of submission package (2008)

• Interview process (end 2008)

• In for the pound– Certification (01/2009)

• In for the penny– Renewal (01/2010)

– Renewal (01/2011)

– Recertification due(2012)

Preparing the PACK

• Know the requirements– http://www.theopengroup.org/itac/cert/docs/ITAC_Conformance_Requirements.pdf

• Organise your records– You have records don’t you?

• Set your goals– Give yourself 6 months to 1 year (if you have

all the information for the pack)all the information for the pack)

• Get a mentor

• Prepare the package– My submission (2 weeks):

• 45 pages (50 max.)

• 92 MB of supporting documentation

• Study your package for the interview

The Interviews

• Done by Certified IT Architects

– 3 Hours back to back interviews

• Independently assessed by 3 interviewers– They meet to reach consensus

• Trying to determine you have done the work you claim • Trying to determine you have done the work you claim you did

• Clarifying any questions arising from their review of the submission pack

• It is not a job interview

– It is about past experience, not future potential

My Experiences (cont.)

• Benefits of certification• http://www.theopengroup.org/itac/

– Free AOGEA Membership• http://www.aogea.org

– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)

– Use of ITAC logo

My Experiences (cont.)

• Benefits of certification• http://www.theopengroup.org/itac/

– Free AOGEA Membership• http://www.aogea.org

– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)

– Use of ITAC logo

– More benefits gets mailed to you if you don’t pay

your renewal fees.

My Experiences (cont.)

• Benefits of certification• http://www.theopengroup.org/itac/

– Free AOGEA Membership• http://www.aogea.org

– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)– Linkedin Groups (The Enterprise Architect Network)

– Use of ITAC logo

– More benefits gets mailed to you if you don’t pay

your renewal fees.

– What has changed for me

• Myself, company, clients, peers, …

ITAC picture in ZA

• There are (only) 6 persons locally certified.

– Many are capable

– Many want to become certified

• What are the certification challenges?

Certification Challenges

• Inaccessibility

– Sponsorship by your Employer

• Is it worth the investment for the company?

• If I sponsor you, you will ask for an increase…

• If you become certified, you will look for another job…• If you become certified, you will look for another job…

• ITAC Schmitac…

– Familiarity or assistance with the process

• Who can help me if I get stuck?

• Do I have enough experience?

• What if I fail? (Wasted funds / Effort)

Certification Choices

• Direct Certification– E.g. Togaf certification

– Experience profile – career contributions

– Direct board Interview

• ACP– Accredited external certification program (IBM, HP, CA, Raytheon…)– Accredited external certification program (IBM, HP, CA, Raytheon…)

– Experience Profile – career contributions

– Internal Board Interview

– Have to be employed at that company

• All ITAC certified professionals must meet the same criteria.– ACP might have additional criteria

• Vendors understand the value of certification and are prepared to invest.

How to approach ITAC

• Set yourself a career goal to become certified

and to remain certified

How to approach ITAC

• ITAC Self assessment tool (level 1 &2)– http://www.opengroup.org/bookstore/catalog/x095.htm

• Get an initial view of how well you fit the conformance requirements

• Give yourself time – do not rush this

• Get a mentor (for package preparation and interviewing)

• Optionally join AOGEA as associate member ($70)• Optionally join AOGEA as associate member ($70)– https://www.aogea.org/membership/eligibility.jsp

• Find sponsorship– ?? Change your Job ??

• Pick a year and set a deadline

• Start you pack 3 – 6 months before your board interview (+/- 40 hours to complete the pack)

Discussion & Questions

• What will make the ITAC certification process

more accessible for local architects?

• How would you approach sponsorship?• How would you approach sponsorship?

• What else will you find helpful?

– E.g. mentoring pool

– …