Microsoft's accreditations updated
Microsoft's certification for IT professionals are about to undergo their biggest shake-up for five years. How big are the changes - and what does it mean to you, especially if you're already part way through your MCSD or MCSE?
24 November 2005
The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) programme is the cornerstone of the IT training industry, so when it changes, it's significant news.
Microsoft chose the same time as the launch of its new SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 products to launch the certification - and not by accident either, because the first updated courses and examinations to appear will be around those two new products.
So what if you're already studying for a Microsoft certification? Well, panic not. Current certifications stay current - and will have their originally projected lifespan, so they don't instantly drop out of date. In fact, Microsoft's whole approach to this is evolutionary, it's a gradual change. For example, the current MCSE remains wholly unaffected until the next version of Windows Server (codenamed Longhorn) ships, which isn't until the end of next year at the earliest. The first certifications to be affected are those specifically around the Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 products.
So, what are the main changes to the certification programmes?
It's commonly felt that Microsoft's certifications are just too big. This is because they are very general in nature and assume that a specific type of IT professional needs to know 'everything' related to a specific set of products. Of course, that's not really true. Many people have very focused roles - undertaking specific tasks with specific products.
So, to address this, the new certifications are much more role-based, designed to support typical job roles. This is much more efficient and saves you having to become a total expert when you actually only need to know specific things. A natural pay-off here is that course durations will become shorter, reducing the standard five days to three or just two. The course structure will be modular, though, with the idea that complementary two- and three-day courses can be run back-to-back, helping those whom it benefits to take all five days.
Being technical certifications, as well as being role-based, they are focused on a specific technology or product, rather than a group of products. Put those two pieces of thinking together and what you arrive at is a scenario where you become certified to 'undertake specific tasks or work in specific roles' 'for a specific product'. Good news - it's very logical and makes more sense in many ways than simply being MCSE or MCSD. It's extensible too, so you can add in more product or role skills as you wish, building your certification as you go.
The new certifications break down into three tiers, around four broad credentials.
Tier one: architect series
- Microsoft Certified Architect
Tier two: professional series
- Microsoft Certified IT Professional
- Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
Tier three: technology series
- Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Let's take a quick look at these, in reverse order. The technology series is the bottom rung of the ladder, but no less solid for that. Certifications in this series consist typically of one to three examinations, are focus on a specific Microsoft product (or technology) and don't include job-role skills. As happens now, a technology certification will retire when that technology expires or moves into the extended support cycle.
Currently there are five certifications in the technology series, with more planned. As we said, these are initially Microsoft's new products, and are:
- Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications
- Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications
- Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications
- Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005
- Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006
The middle tier, the professional series, combines technical knowledge with job-role skills. Indeed, you need one or more certifications in the technology series as a prerequisite. Again, these generally require passing one or three examinations. They differ in being focused on a particular job role - and recertification is required to keep your accreditation alive.
Currently there are two certifications in the professional series:
- Microsoft Certified IT Professional
- Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
Finally, the architect series is the superhero-level certification, an expert-level accreditation that requires recertification. In addition to training, you learn alongside a mentor (a previously qualified professional) and, in addition to a rigorous entry process, have to undertake a face-to-face review with a board of experts. Not for the faint-hearted!
As we said, this is being introduced steadily and, while it represents a lot of long-term change, right now it's business as usual. If you're studying for a Microsoft certification, carry on, your certification will continue to have the lifespan you expected. The new certification applies to those learning new products, starting with Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005 and BizTalk 2005.
If you'd like more information about the new Microsoft certifications, or want to chat through what it means to you or your organisation, then why not give us a call on 0845 650 6500 - we'll be happy to help.
