Pr The IP3 accreditation process Bob Hart Chief Assessor September 2008
Stages of assessment 1. Association responds to the guidelines in the form of a self evaluation 2. Consultation on Panel membership 3. e-meeting of assessors 4. Provision of supporting documentation 5. Audit visit to verify information and fill gaps 6. Draft audit report 7. Final audit report 8. Follow-up progress report (if required)
Two part assessment 1. Accreditation an evaluation on whether the Scheme qualifies for a IITP 2. Audit a check on the association s implicit or explicit claims about its capability to administer the Scheme
Accreditation Based on ISO 24773:2008 Certification of Software Engineering Professionals Comparison Framework
Requirements for a Scheme describe the work that those certified will do level of accountability, autonomy and complexity of the work they will do and the competences required the technical competences required in terms of knowledge, skills and performance levels includes a CBOK & educational requirements codes of ethics and conduct, including complaints and disciplinary processes what is required to maintain certified status, eg CPD requirements
Knowledge and skills assessment is based on a body of knowledge including a core If there are domain, application or other technical knowledge requirements they should be included breadth and depth required should be expressed in some taxonomy of cognitive and knowledge processes no intent to restrict academic institutions or associations. IP3 encourages diversity of course design and professional education.
Core body of knowledge the core knowledge that all certified members would be expected to have must include some information on the cognitive level required for each knowledge area IP3 has established a minimum CBOK to which the association must map there CBOK IP3 CBOK includes professional, managerial and commercial skills substantial equivalence is required
Competences associations are required to consolidate knowledge and skills to competences IP3 has opted for SFIA 3 as the benchmark association schemes are required to map competence skills against SFIA IP3 has set SFIA level 5 generic (autonomy and responsibility) skills as the benchmark certification scheme is also required to require at least one specialist skill at SFIA level 5 substantial equivalence is required
Delegations Where an association delegates to an external organisation determine qualifications or parts of the qualifications it is required to: list those organisations provide details of accreditation include details of all quality assurance processes Includes university and other educational institution accreditation programs
Codes of ethics and practice IP3 provides a set of matters that should be included in any code of ethics for IT professionals that includes: a check list of those items that would be expected in a code some assurance that members understand and are required to comply supplementary explanatory material, models of reasoning and concrete examples a program of review and improvement
Complaints & disciplinary processes IP3 provides a checklist of its ideal attributes of a complaints and disciplinary process transparency fair to all parties public accessibility external lay members on panels provides input to PD activities appeals processes subject to review and continuous improvement
Audit Based on ISO 17024:2003 Conformity assessment General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons
Quality control & assurance How does the association monitor compliance with requirements? membership standards & policies continuing renewal and professional development validation of information required for assessment and CPD compliance with codes of ethics & practice compliance with disciplinary requirements
Administration of the scheme Panel must be satisfied that association has: appropriate governance instruments and structure administrative policies and procedures in place that are replicable that can ensure compliance with the scheme has the resources, both financial and human to administer and continuously improve the scheme has appropriate records management and information systems in place to administer the scheme
Assessment: Assessors and Panels
Assessors IP3 board appoints a Chief Assessor responsible to the board for accreditation assessors are recruited to the assessment team based on experience in administering schemes and/or accreditation and diversity of cultures and experiences initially trained and then included on first accreditation as probationary assessors can provide advice to associations but then cannot participate in the assessment would be appointed by Chief Assessor to assist (status report or mentoring to accreditation) Assessors work on a voluntary basis, cost recovery only
The assessment panel panel is appointed by chief assessor, after consultation with association and assessors in regards to conflicts chaired by one senior assessor two (2) additional IP3 assessors two (2) independent assessors from association stakeholders allows for one (1) only observer from a registered association who may be in the process of preparing for accreditation all costs met by the registered association assessors work on a voluntary basis, cost recovery only costs recouped through IP3 who then recover from the association that is subject of the accreditation
Thank you