ibm technical professions © copyright ibm corporation 2009 it specialist certification - overview...

IBM Technical Professions

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2009

IT Specialist Certification - Overview

Varada Rao S T V

[email protected]

Confidential | Dec 2009 © 2009 IBM Corporation

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Session Objectives

Mission Statement - IBM IT Specialist Program

Areas of Focus in IT Specialist Profession

Certification – Levels & Eligibility

Level One Certification Process

Challenges

Sample Package Template

Help & References

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IBM IT Specialist Program

Mission -

1. To support IBM’s development and growth of technically vital professionals with capabilities and deep skills in technologies, products, and solutions and

2. To foster community along a well defined technical/professional career path while providing value to IBM, IBM’s clients, and IBM professionals

IT Specialists -

develop proof of concepts, design, develop, build, test and implement systems.

have in-depth understanding of products, offerings and services within their specialty.

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IT Specialist Career Development Areas

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IBM IT Specialist ComponentsClient Focus AreasTechnical Sales

IT Specialists in this client focus area primarily apply their technical expertise to support the sales of IBM and business partner products.

Technical Support

IT Specialists in this client focus area primarily apply their technical expertise to support the operation and maintenance of IBM or OEM products.

Technical Services

IT Specialists in this client focus area primarily apply their technical expertise in an internal or external client services and implementation environment.

Technical Training

IT Specialists in this client focus area primary apply their technical expertise to develop and deliver training courses.

Technical Focus Areas & SpecialtiesSystems & Infrastructure

• Business Partner Enablement

• Cross Systems

• Networking Systems

• Server Systems

• Storage Systems

• Infrastructure & Systems Management

Software

• Application Development Products

• Application Integration and Middleware

• Content Management

• Data Management

• Package Application Enablement

• Portal and Collaboration

Business Integrations Solutions

• Application Development and Maintenance

• Business Analysis

• Business Information Management

• Data Integration

• Testing

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Certification - Levels

Level One Certification

Level Two Certification

Recertification*

Senior Certification**

*Recertification every 3 years

** You do not have to become Level 1 certified before going for Level Two. For Level 2, eight years or more is usually required to meet the criteria.

Level 2 certification is mandatory before applying for Senior Certification.

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Career Levels

Band Position Level (ITS) Certification Milestone

6 IT Specialist

7 Advisory IT Specialist Level 1 Certification

8 Senior IT Specialist Level 1 Certification

9 Consulting IT Specialist Level 2 Certification

10 Executive IT Specialist Senior Certification

B & D Distinguished Engineer Appointment

B & D IBM Fellow Appointment

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Level One Certification Process

Intermediate technical professionals who have strong skills and some leadership experience within the IT industry. They have demonstrated solid capabilities in the areas of technology, client relationship management, project management and tools.

Eligibility : Typical Level One Candidate Profile

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

IT Industry Experience: 5-7 years*

IBM Experience: One or more years as an IT Specialist

Project Experience: Provided successful solutions to significant, challenging and complex business problems, independently completed tasks, guided junior team members, applied formal methods.

Giveback: Performed two or more of the following activities: Instruction, mentoring, specialized chair assignments, profession-sponsored activities, contributions to IBM's intellectual capital, publishing and patents

*NOTE: There is no minimum requirement for years of experience. You may apply at anytime you

feel you have met the qualifications. The above provides general guidance.

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General Road Map in Certification Process

1. Submit your package

2. Management approves your package

3. Program Office Assigns Reviewers

4. Your package is reviewed

5. Board members conduct an interview

6. Your certification is approved or denied.

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Certification Package Process …Sequence of Actions

1. Select your IT Specialist Specialty Focus Area

2. Know the Package submission and Board Review Dates

3. Identify a Mentor

4. Plan and Complete the Learning

5. Request for the Qualification Tool

6. Prepare your Package (Notes Tool)

7. Mentor Review, Rework

8. Obtain Manager (PeM) Approval

9. Submit in IGA TLT ITS Database by Senior IT Specialist Review

10. Submit in AP Tool for Review Board Evaluation

11. Interview with Review Board

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Challenges in IT Specialist Certification

Attend all the briefing sessions without fail to get equipped with all the necessary information.

A thorough analysis of all the sections is advised before starting the package to consolidate the gaps.

An average of 2 hrs of effort per week is required to complete all the mandatory sections in the package within stipulated period.

A minimum of 40 hrs of training need to shown as Learning/Giveback to the organization in a calendar year.

SOA training (classroom/online) is a must for Level 1 Certification.

Package must not exceed 26 pages. Should be implemented strictly in case of Level 1 Certification. Should not exceed 40 pages in case of Level 2 certification.

Constant interaction with Mentor (once in two weeks) is advised and be in touch with your co-participants to learn about the latest happenings related to ITS program.

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Sample Package Template - Specialty Focus Area – Application Development and Maintenance

Template :

Useful Links :

http://w3.tap.ibm.com/w3ki02/display/itscert/Core+capabilities

http://w3.tap.ibm.com/w3ki02/display/itscert/Application+Development+and+Maintenance

Appln Dev & Maint

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Reference Links

IT Specialist – Career Development Guidance

Overview :

http://w3-07.ibm.com/hr/ap/in/yourcareer/en-us/jcitsov001.html

WW IT Specialist Certification Guide

http://w3-07.ibm.com/hr/ap/in/yourcareer/en-us/caits003c.html

IT Specialist Wiki

http://w3.tap.ibm.com/w3ki02/display/itscert/Home

Schedules

http://w3-07.ibm.com/hr/ap/in/yourcareer/en-us/caits013.html

AP Tool Package Request Information

http://w3-07.ibm.com/hr/ap/in/yourcareer/en-us/caits021.html

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Help

List of People who were part of the ITS Level 1 Certification Program in the year 2009 (New structure)

Rupalekha Rao/India/IBM@IBMIN (Bangalore)

Kanakalakshmi Edukulla/India/IBM@IBMIN (Hyderabad)

Varadarao Tv Sriramagiri/India/IBM (Hyderabad)

Susheela Kumari/India/IBM@IBMIN (Hyderabad)

Jyothi V Devireddy/India/IBM@IBMIN (Hyderabad)

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Questions ?

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