Version 6.3, 7/25/ IEEE Computer Society Software Professional Certifications

Version 6.3, 7/25/ IEEE Computer Society Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: –370,000 members, including more than 80,000 students, in over 160 countries. –Publishes 30% of the world’s technical literature within its scope of interest. The Computer Society is the largest of IEEE’s 39 technical societies: –Nearly 90,000 members –Founded in 1946, the world’s oldest and largest association of computer professionals. The Computer Society's vision is to be… “the leading provider of technical information and services personalized for members of the world’s computing communities.”

Version 6.3, 7/25/ So What is a Software Engineer? Is it simply coding? Hmmm... Not very specific! How can I determine if someone is competent to do this? Computer systems software engineers primarily write, modify, test, and develop software to meet the needs of a particular customer. They develop software systems for control and automation in manufacturing, business, and other areas.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ A Certified Software Development Professional: Possesses fundamental knowledge and understanding of computing principles and concepts and their application to the definition, design, construction, and testing of software. Is able to provide appropriate design with technical and economic tradeoffs of modules, subsystems, and systems in accordance with standards of practice, specifications, and principles of behavior of software as required to perform the functions as stated in the software requirements. Has met the IEEE CS CSDP education, experience, and examination requirements.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ IEEE Computer Society CSDP Reflects an engineering viewpoint of professionalism. –Anticipates career progression similar to engineers. –Designed for baccalaureate plus four years of experience. Certification based on: –education, –experience, –examination, –code of ethics, and –continuing education. Developed to be fair, reliable and valid. First public exam in April To date, about 600 certifications.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Requirements for CSDP Certification Education –Undergraduate degree or equivalent Experience –9,000 hours of experience (teaching, research, or practice) in 6 of the 11 software engineering knowledge areas listed in the brochure Proof of Professionalism –Review and acknowledge the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Examination for CSDP Certification Four-hour written examination Multiple-choice questions selected from a pool of questions across each of the knowledge areas Total of 180 questions –150 are graded –30 are being validated for future exams Closed book, calculators provided Computer-based test –Result provided almost immediately

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Approximate Distribution of Questions

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Test Schedule and Fees Annual Testing Windows –15 January– 11 July Application deadline: 27 June –18 August – 12 December –Application deadline 01 December Member $450, Non-member $550 Test is administered at Prometric testing centers in hundreds of cities on 6 continents.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Preparation for the Examination Depends on level of expertise in areas covered by Body of Knowledge Focus on areas needing the most review Study from the suggested reference material: –On-line course –Sample questions –Resource guide –SWEBOK Guide –Instructor-led courses (including on-site courses for groups) –... Unless your background covers most of the Body of Knowledge, you might want to consider three months of 2-4 hours a week for study

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Re-certification Every 3 years Requires 30 re-certification credits –3 credits/year for employment in SW engineering –2 credits/semester hour for graduate courses –5-10 credits for publishing a paper in the field –0.3 credits/hour for preparing/giving a presentation –3-5 credits for some forms of service to a professional society (NOT just for membership in a professional society) –Also self-study, writing questions for CSDP exam, etc. Fee: Currently $150 member / $250 non-members No re-exam required if you re-certify within 3 years

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Why Become Certified? Mark of Excellence: demonstrates the certified individual has the knowledge to ensure that recognized principles and practices of software engineering are being used. Competition in the Marketplace: companies and organizations need a work force proficient in principles and practices of software engineering that can work across borders. Recognition: Customer confidence based on your evidence of qualifications and suitability for the task or project.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Why Become Certified? (continued) Investment: certification is an investment in your career and the future of your employer Continuous improvement: to remain certified requires you to continue your education and involvement in software engineering-related work and activities. Your skills remain current and your flexibility to work on a variety of projects or for a variety of companies improves.

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Related Resource: SEVocab Systems and software engineering vocabulary Publicly available website Provides access to 4100 authoritative definitions of systems and software engineering terms Definitions may be reprinted (with attribution). Currency of database will be maintained by a vocabulary standards project coordinated between IEEE and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7. Sources: –IEEE standards –ISO/IEC standards –PMBOK® Guide, Third edition –Other sources New

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Plans for SWEBOK Guide The next version of the SWEBOK Guide will have a broadened scope that covers: –SE 2004 curriculum –Certifications New Knowledge Areas: –Mathematical Foundations –Computing Foundations –Engineering Foundations –Engineering Economy Foundations –Professional Practice Some additions and realignment of material in the existing ten knowledge areas New

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Plans for Entry-Level Certification Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) Suitable for: –New graduates from software engineering programs –Others who wish to enter the software engineering profession Cost and other details are not yet determined. Goal for availability is 1Q2008. New

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Plans for CSDP Creation of the CSDA may commend minor re-positioning of CSDP. According to accepted testing methodology, the CSDP is due for a “refresh”. New

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Who to Contact For Information Glenn Johnson CSDP Certification and Education Voice: address:

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Knowledge Areas for CSDP Software Requirements Software Design Software Construction Software Testing Software Maintenance Software Configuration Management Software Engineering Management Software Engineering Process Software Tools and Methods Software Quality Business Practices & Engineering Economics Same as SWEBOK + (The next refresh of the CSDP will achieve complete alignment of SWEBOK Guide and CSDP.)

Version 6.3, 7/25/ CSDP Examination Topics (1 of 4) Business Practices and Engineering Economics (3-4%) Economics Ethics Professional Practice Standards Software Requirements (13-15%) Requirements engineering process Requirements elicitation Requirements analysis SW requirements specification Requirements validation Requirements management Software Design (22-24%) SW design concepts SW architecture SW design quality analysis and evaluation SW design notations and documentation SW design strategies and methods Human factors in SW design SW and system safety

Version 6.3, 7/25/ CSDP Examination Topics (2 of 4) Software Construction (10-12%) Construction planning Code design Data design and management Error processing Source code organization Code documentation Construction QA System integration and deployment Code tuning Construction tools Software Testing (15-17%) Types of tests Test levels Testing strategies Test design Test coverage of code Test coverage of specifications Test execution Test documentation Test management

Version 6.3, 7/25/ CSDP Examination Topics (3 of 4) Software Maintenance (3-5%) SW maintainability SW maintenance process SW maintenance measurement SW maintenance planning SW maintenance management SW maintenance documentation Software Engineering Management (10-12%) Measurement Organization management and coordination Initiation and scope definition Planning Software acquisition Enactment Risk management Review and evaluation Project closeout Post-closure activities Software Configuration Mgmt (3-4%) Management of SCM process SW configuration identification SW configuration control SW configuration status accounting SW configuration auditing SW release management and delivery

Version 6.3, 7/25/ CSDP Examination Topics (4 of 4) Software Engineering Process (2-4%) Process infrastructure Process measurement Process definition Qualitative process analysis Process implementation and change Software Quality (6-8%) SW quality concepts Planning for SQA and V&V Methods for SQA and V&V Measurement applied to SQA and V&V Software Engineering Tools and Methods (2-4%) Management tools and methods Development tools and methods Maintenance tools and methods Support tools and methods

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Distance learning course Provides 10 modules of content for a total of 16 hours of learning Four months of 24x7 access Developed with KnowledgeNet/NETg Recently updated to provide more comprehensive preparation

Version 6.3, 7/25/ Books and Other Materials Much study material is listed on the certification web site. In addition, a new book provides sample examination questions and answers: –IEEE Computer Society Real-World Software Engineering Problems: A Self-Study Guide for Today's Software Professional (Practitioners), available at the CS Online store at