Do You Use a Dash?

This may be a silly thing, but when you write your job title, do you write it as "I/T Architect" or "IT Architect" ?

I got used to using the slash several years ago. I think that is what I saw most often inside IBM where I work.

However, now it seems that I am seeing the title written without the slash. I noticed that the Open Group certification program uses no slash. (See the Master Certified IT Architect logo on the right side of my blog.)

I'm tempted to abandon the slash. What do you think? Which do you use? Which do you like better?

Copyright © 2008 by Philip Hartman - All Rights Reserved

The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies, or opinions.

I Really Am a Master Certified I/T Architect

I have previously blogged about the on-going efforts for vendor-neutral certification of I/T Architects, The Open Group which is running the program, how the goal is to get this certification as widely recognized as the PMP certification for project managers, and how IBM was the first employer to have its internal I/T Architect certification program "accredited" by the Open Group. (Drum roll please...) I would like to officially announce that according to the Open Group I am now a "Master Certified I/T Architect".

Anyone who would like make sure I didn't make this up may do so by going to the directory search and using "IBM Corporation", "Hartman", and my personal confirmation code of "ART_SCI_ITA" as the search criteria.

Copyright © 2006 by Philip Hartman - All Rights Reserved /p>

The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies, or opinions.

I/T Architect Certification Revisited

I previously blogged about a Vendor-Neutral I/T Architect Certification Program sponsored by The Open Group. I noticed recently that IBM became the first employer to have its internal I/T Architect Certification Program “accredited” by The Open Group. This was effective January 26, 2006. I believe what this means is that I/T architects who work for IBM and are certified by internally by the IBM I/T Architect Program will also qualify for The Open Group I/T Architect Certification. (For anybody who cares, I've been an IBM-Certified I/T Architect since July 1996.) The Open Group calls this “indirect” certification. I expect HP will also get their I/T Architect certification program accredited as well as HP is also a “Platinum Member” of The Open Group. If your employer does not have an accredited certification program or you are an independent, you have the option to get a “direct” certification. See I/T Architect Certification for more details.

The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies, or opinions.

Vendor-Neutral I/T Architect Certification

Nearly every major software vendor has some kind of certification program to help identify people who meet a certain minimum set of standards in regards to a particular type of skill in I/T. Microsoft, for example, has many different ones including Microsoft Certified System Engineers, Microsoft Certified Database Administrators, and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer. See their certifications page for a complete list.

Sun has another group of certifications which are well known, particularly in the Java community including Sun Certified Developer and Sun Certified Enterprise Architect. See their Java certifications page.

And my employer IBM has a long list of product-focused certifications including things like IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V6.0 and IBM Certified Associate Developer - Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V6.0.

All of these technology certifications have one flaw, if you want to call it that. They are tied pretty closely to a vendor. Some are even tied to specific release levels of a particular product of a particular vendor. What about us I/T Architects whose value to the application development process is not really dependent upon whether I’m using IBM or BEA application servers? Does my contribution vary depending on whether I’m using version 5.0, 5.1, or 6.0 ?

What you may find yourself wanting is vendor-neutral, externally recognized certification that is not tied to a particular technology company or version.

The project management community seems to have this problem solved already. They have one of the most widely recognized certifications of this type. You may have heard of the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

Well... all you architects out there who have been having certification envy of our project management friends, you no longer have to wait. The Open Group which pushes I/T standards and its vision of “Boundaryless Information Flow™” has started an I/T Architect Certification Program which should become similarly well recognized and valued.

And.. if you happen to work for an employer who has their own internal I/T Architect program (IBM is one, HP is another I think) and they get their program certified by The Open Group, you will be able to stake claim the externally recognized Open Group I/T Architect Certification as well. This should play well with future clients or employers.

No more certification envy! Parity with Project Managers! I/T Architects Rule! (sorry, couldn’t resist)

The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies, or opinions.