1 1
Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering
Certification Overview
Certification Overview
Source:Source: http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/
Florence Heidel
Florence Heidel
Christy Marzec
Introduction
Introduction
Here
Here
’
’
s what you
s what you
’
’
ll hear today
ll hear today
…
…
An overview of the Systems Engineering
An overview of the Systems Engineering
Professional certification program by the
Professional certification program by the
International Council on Systems
International Council on Systems
Engineering (INCOSE)
Engineering (INCOSE)
Why INCOSE created the program
Why INCOSE created the program
What the benefits are
What the benefits are
How to get certified
How to get certified
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System Engineering is about seeing the
System Engineering is about seeing the
bigger picture
bigger picture
facilitating through
facilitating through
process
process
and
and
inter
inter
-
-
disciplinary
disciplinary
involvement
involvement
…
…
. to enable the realization of successful
. to enable the realization of successful
systems
systems
What
What we envisioned
What we envisioned
…
…
. isn
. isn
’
’
t quite
t quite
what our customer wanted.
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Better Systems Engineering
Better Systems Engineering
INCOSE
INCOSE
’
’
s
s
mission is to
mission is to
“
“
Advance the state of the art and
Advance the state of the art and
practice of systems engineering in
practice of systems engineering in
industry, academia, and
industry, academia, and
government
Setting the Standards
Setting the Standards
International Council on Systems
International Council on Systems
Engineering (INCOSE)
Engineering (INCOSE)
Improves systems engineering by creating a
Improves systems engineering by creating a
standard of measure of systems engineering
standard of measure of systems engineering
capability
capability
Since 2004, established a multi
Since 2004, established a multi
-
-
level
level
Professional Certification Program to provide
Professional Certification Program to provide
a formal method for recognizing the
a formal method for recognizing the
knowledge and experience of systems
knowledge and experience of systems
engineers, regardless of where they may be
engineers, regardless of where they may be
in their career.
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Benefits for You
Benefits for You
Formally recognizes your systems
Formally recognizes your systems
engineering capabilities
engineering capabilities
Furthers your development as a systems
Furthers your development as a systems
engineer in the preparation for certification
engineer in the preparation for certification
Participates in continuing education
Participates in continuing education
Provides a designation that can be a
Provides a designation that can be a
differentiator at your current job and future
differentiator at your current job and future
ones
ones
Benefits for your company
Benefits for your company
Certification provides an indicator of an
Certification provides an indicator of an
individual's systems engineering capability
individual's systems engineering capability
as measured against a particular standard
as measured against a particular standard
Establish a common systems engineering
Establish a common systems engineering
language
language
A selling point and a discriminator for
A selling point and a discriminator for
proposals
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Citation
Citation
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, TechnoOffice of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and logy and
Logistics
Logistics -- Systems and Software Engineering Website Systems and Software Engineering Website ““WhatWhat’’s News New”” News News Announcement
Announcement ::
DoDDoDCollaborates with INCOSE on New Certification Program for SysteCollaborates with INCOSE on New Certification Program for Systems ms
Engineers Working on
Engineers Working on DoDDoD Acquisition ProgramsAcquisition Programs (Posted Jul 2008)(Posted Jul 2008)
More Citation
More Citation
…
…
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway
Administration
Administration -- Systems Engineering Guidebook for ITS Systems Engineering Guidebook for ITS Web Site:
Web Site:
Chapter 7: Capabilities and Best Practices in Chapter 7: Capabilities and Best Practices in
System Development
System Development •
• ““Systems Engineering Technical Assistance [SETA] Systems Engineering Technical Assistance [SETA] consultants or systems managers may not be currently
consultants or systems managers may not be currently
considering any formal assessment to be performed. An
considering any formal assessment to be performed. An
internal assessment using continuous representation would
internal assessment using continuous representation would
be recommended. As an alternative, staff can
be recommended. As an alternative, staff can demonstrate demonstrate their expertise through professional certification
their expertise through professional certification
programs like the INCOSE Certified Systems
programs like the INCOSE Certified Systems
Engineering Professional [CSEP]
Engineering Professional [CSEP] and Project Management and Project Management Institute [PMI] certification.
Institute [PMI] certification.””
Source: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cadiv/segb/views/document/Sectio
11
11
How to get certified
Multi
Multi
-
-
Level Certification
Level Certification
Growth path
Growth path
Associate Systems Associate Systems Engineering Professional Engineering Professional (available since 07/2008) (available since 07/2008) Certified Systems Certified Systems Engineering Engineering Professional Professional (available since 2004) (available since 2004) CSEP w/ US CSEP w/ US DoD
DoD Acquisition Acquisition (available since (available since 07/2008) 07/2008) Expert Systems Expert Systems Engineering Engineering Professional (to be Professional (to be available in 2009) available in 2009)
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Certification Requirements
Certification Requirements
Knowledge
Knowledge
Pass exam Pass examExperience
Experience
Varies by level Varies by levelEducation
Education
Bachelors degree Or equivalent
Bachelors degree Or equivalent
Or Substitute additional
Or Substitute additional
experience
Requirements
Requirements
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a
technical field
technical field
Education
Education
Experience
Experience No experience or No experience or
references required
references required
Pass Certification Examination
Pass Certification Examination
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 )
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 )
Knowledge
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Requirements:
Requirements:
Experience ExperienceMinimum of 5 years in multiple SE
Minimum of 5 years in multiple SE
disciplines
disciplines
SE References: Minimum of 3
SE References: Minimum of 3
advocates that recommend
advocates that recommend
certification
certification
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a technical
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a technical
field or 10 years of experience with non
field or 10 years of experience with non-
-technical degree or 15 years of experience
technical degree or 15 years of experience
if no degree
if no degree
Education
Education
Pass Certification Examination
Pass Certification Examination
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 )
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 )
Knowledge
Requirements:
Requirements:
Experience
Experience
Minimum of 5 years in multiple
Minimum of 5 years in multiple
SE disciplines
SE disciplines
SE References: Minimum of 3
SE References: Minimum of 3
advocates that recommend
advocates that recommend
certification
certification
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a technical
Minimum Bachelor's degree in a technical
field or 10 years of experience with non
field or 10 years of experience with non- -technical degree or 15 years of
technical degree or 15 years of
experience if no degree
experience if no degree
Education
Education
Pass Certification Examination
Pass Certification Examination
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 and
(INCOSE SE Handbook v3.1 and DoDDoD Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 4)
Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 4)
Knowledge
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Requirements:
Requirements:
Experience ExperienceMinimum 20 years of significant
Minimum 20 years of significant
SE experience with demonstrated
SE experience with demonstrated
accomplishments
accomplishments
Minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a
Minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a
technical field from an accredited institution
technical field from an accredited institution
Education
Education
Oral Presentation and Interviews
Oral Presentation and Interviews
(No Exam)
(No Exam)
Knowledge
Knowledge
Note: Must be an INCOSE member
Application Process Option 1 (Sequential)
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Application Process Option 2 (Parallel)
Application Components
Application Components
EducationEducation
Provide either a scanned copy of diploma or transcriptProvide either a scanned copy of diploma or transcript
ExperienceExperience
List specific work experienceList specific work experience
•
• Specific type of SE discipline, duration and description of workSpecific type of SE discipline, duration and description of work
Max Depth: 3 years in any 1 area and 2 years in other areasMax Depth: 3 years in any 1 area and 2 years in other areas
Max Breadth: 1 year in each of 3 areas and 2 years in other Max Breadth: 1 year in each of 3 areas and 2 years in other
areas
areas
References (Advocates)References (Advocates)
Current or former supervisorsCurrent or former supervisors or coworkers (SE knowledgeable)or coworkers (SE knowledgeable)
Cumulative coverage of the years of experienceCumulative coverage of the years of experience
ExamExam
ComputerComputer--based test on the INCOSE Handbook / based test on the INCOSE Handbook / DoDDoD
Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 4
Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 4
FeesFees
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Is there a TYPICAL SE?
Is there a TYPICAL SE?
Systems Engineers come from all facets of
Systems Engineers come from all facets of
engineering disciplines and provide a
engineering disciplines and provide a
variety of functions.
Applicable SE Experience
Applicable SE Experience
SE Technical DisciplinesSE Technical Disciplines
Design DevelopmentDesign Development
Qualification, Verification, and Validation Qualification, Verification, and Validation
Requirements EngineeringRequirements Engineering
System IntegrationSystem Integration
SE Management DisciplinesSE Management Disciplines
Baseline Control Baseline Control
Risk and Opportunity ManagementRisk and Opportunity Management
Technical Effort AssessmentTechnical Effort Assessment
Technical PlanningTechnical Planning
SE Support DisciplinesSE Support Disciplines
Process DefinitionProcess Definition
Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance
Specialty EngineeringSpecialty Engineering
TrainingTraining
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Application: Providing Experience
Application: Providing Experience
2.1 XYZ Program
2.1 XYZ Program
2.1.1 Prepared systems engineering schedule, identified 2.1.1 Prepared systems engineering schedule, identified
technical work required, expanded team from 5 to 12
technical work required, expanded team from 5 to 12
members
members
(6 months at 50%) (Technical Planning(6 months at 50%) (Technical Planning = 3 months= 3 months))
2.1.2 Defined, implemented and maintained program 2.1.2 Defined, implemented and maintained program
change control processes for both customer and
change control processes for both customer and
program team. Chaired Change Control Board (CCB)
program team. Chaired Change Control Board (CCB)
meetings
meetings
(6 months at 50%) (Process Definition = 3 months(6 months at 50%) (Process Definition = 3 months))
Experience Summary Sample
Experience Summary Sample
130.8 months
130.8 months
Total for All Areas
Total for All Areas
1.6.4 (2), 1.6.5 (3) Total: 5 months 1.6.4 (2), 1.6.5 (3) Total: 5 months Specialty Engineering Specialty Engineering 2.3.1 (3) Total 3 months 2.3.1 (3) Total 3 months Systems Integration Systems Integration 1.2.1 (0.5), 1.6.6 (0.9) Total: 1.4 months 1.2.1 (0.5), 1.6.6 (0.9) Total: 1.4 months Training / Process Training / Process Improvement Improvement 1.2.2 (1.6), 1.4.2 (1) Total: 2.6 months 1.2.2 (1.6), 1.4.2 (1) Total: 2.6 months Tool Support Tool Support 1.5.1 (6), 2.1.2 (3), 2.1.3 (4) Total: 13 months. 1.5.1 (6), 2.1.2 (3), 2.1.3 (4) Total: 13 months. Process Definition Process Definition 1.1.3 (2), 1.1.4 (2), 1.4.1 (2), 1.4.4 (9), 1.6.2 (4), 1.6.3 (6) 1.1.3 (2), 1.1.4 (2), 1.4.1 (2), 1.4.4 (9), 1.6.2 (4), 1.6.3 (6), 2.1.5 (10), , 2.1.5 (10), 2.2.1 (3), 2.3.1 (6), 2.3.2 (12) Total: 56 months 2.2.1 (3), 2.3.1 (6), 2.3.2 (12) Total: 56 months Architecture/Design Architecture/Design Development Development 1.1.2 (1) Total: 1 months 1.1.2 (1) Total: 1 months Technical Effort Technical Effort Assessment Assessment 2.1.2 (4) Total: 4 months 2.1.2 (4) Total: 4 months Baseline Control Baseline Control 1.1.1 (6), 1.1.5 (4.8), 1.3.1 (2), 1.4.4 (3), 1.4.5 (2), 1.6.1 ( 1.1.1 (6), 1.1.5 (4.8), 1.3.1 (2), 1.4.4 (3), 1.4.5 (2), 1.6.1 (10), 2.1.4 10), 2.1.4 (12) Total: 39.8 months (12) Total: 39.8 months Requirements Requirements Engineering Engineering 1.4.3 (2), 2.1.1 (3) Total: 5 months 1.4.3 (2), 2.1.1 (3) Total: 5 months Technical Planning Technical Planning
Total Months of Experience
Total Months of Experience
SE Work Areas
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SE Certification: Exam Information
SE Certification: Exam Information
Exam based on INCOSE SE v3.1 Exam based on INCOSE SE v3.1
Handbook
Handbook
120 questions in 2 hours120 questions in 2 hours
Immediate Pass/Fail results providedImmediate Pass/Fail results provided
2 re2 re--tests (3 tries total, each try at least 3 tests (3 tries total, each try at least 3
months apart) within one year of
months apart) within one year of
application submittal
application submittal
Same CSEP examSame CSEP exam
Plus 60 questions on Plus 60 questions on DoDDoD Acquisition Acquisition
Handbook Chapter 4 (additional 1 hour
Handbook Chapter 4 (additional 1 hour
duration)
Sample Question 1
Sample Question 1
Which three of the following are
Which three of the following are
approaches to handle risk: (7.17)
approaches to handle risk: (7.17)
Avoid the risk
Avoid the risk
Challenge the risk
Challenge the risk
Control the risk
Control the risk
Hide the risk
Hide the risk
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Sample Question 2
Sample Question 2
Which three of the following are basic test
Which three of the following are basic test
categories: (8.17)
categories: (8.17)
Development Test
Development Test
Acceptance Test
Acceptance Test
Sample Test
Sample Test
Qualification Test
Qualification Test
Certification Fees
Certification Fees
$200 $200 $95 $95 $450 $450 CSEPCSEP--AcqAcq: Non: Non--membermember
$125 $125 $95 $95 $350 $350 CSEP
CSEP--AcqAcq: Member: Member
$150 $150 $80 $80 $400 $400 CSEP: Non
CSEP: Non--membermember
$100 $100 $80 $80 $300 $300 CSEP: Member CSEP: Member $100 $100 $80 $80 $150 $150 ASEP ASEP Renewal Renewal Fees Fees
Exam Fees per
Exam Fees per
test taken test taken Application Application Fees Fees Certification Level Certification Level
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Life after certification
Life after certification
…
…
What to do to maintain my
What to do to maintain my
Certification?
Certification?
Continue Professional Development
Continue Professional Development
•
• Professional Learning Activity Professional Learning Activity
•
• Professional Contributing ActivityProfessional Contributing Activity
Maintain Professional Development Unit
Maintain Professional Development Unit
(PDU) Log
How to renew my certification?
How to renew my certification?
Certification renewal Requirements:
Certification renewal Requirements:
Minimum of 120 Professional Development Units Minimum of 120 Professional Development Units
(
(PDUsPDUs))
Renewal application and feeRenewal application and fee
PDU log submittalPDU log submittal
Must renew prior to expiration; otherwise repeat the Must renew prior to expiration; otherwise repeat the
entire certification process
entire certification process
Can carry forward maximum 30 Can carry forward maximum 30 ““excessexcess”” PDUsPDUs
Valid 5 years
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PDUs
PDUs
for Certification Renewal
for Certification Renewal
1 PDU
1 PDU
1 Professional Development Hour relevant to systems
1 Professional Development Hour relevant to systems
engineering
engineering
10 PDU
10 PDU
1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) relevant to systems
1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) relevant to systems
engineering
engineering
30 PDU
30 PDU
1 College quarter hour relevant to systems engineering
1 College quarter hour relevant to systems engineering
45 PDU
45 PDU
1 College semester hour relevant to systems engineering
1 College semester hour relevant to systems engineering
PDU Credit
PDU Credit
Professional Learning Activity
PDUs
PDUs
for Certification Renewal (Cont.)
for Certification Renewal (Cont.)
1 PDU
1 PDU
1 hour of professional development in coursework,
1 hour of professional development in coursework,
seminars, or professional or technical presentation made
seminars, or professional or technical presentation made
at meetings, conventions, conferences, or exam
at meetings, conventions, conferences, or exam
preparation relevant to systems engineering
preparation relevant to systems engineering
10 PDU
10 PDU
Patents in any area relevant to systems engineering
Patents in any area relevant to systems engineering
1 PDU
1 PDU
1 hour of participation in professional and technical
1 hour of participation in professional and technical
society working groups/management relevant to systems
society working groups/management relevant to systems
engineering
engineering
10 PDU
10 PDU
Authoring published papers, articles or books in any area
Authoring published papers, articles or books in any area
relevant to systems engineering
relevant to systems engineering
2 PDU
2 PDU
1 hour of teaching of professional development
1 hour of teaching of professional development
coursework relevant to systems engineering
coursework relevant to systems engineering
PDU Credit
PDU Credit
Professional Contributing Activity
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DonDon’’t underestimate the time it takes to do the t underestimate the time it takes to do the
application
application
Experience record in Application : Experience record in Application :
•
• Detailed info to cover depth and widthDetailed info to cover depth and width •
• TimeTime--consuming to collateconsuming to collate
Reference EndorsementsReference Endorsements
•
• Contacting your references ahead of time to make sure they are Contacting your references ahead of time to make sure they are willing to endorse
willing to endorse
•
• Have the time period coveredHave the time period covered
Contact INCOSE to verify they have received your Contact INCOSE to verify they have received your
application and endorsements
application and endorsements
Study and read the Handbook thoroughly (and again Study and read the Handbook thoroughly (and again
right before the exam)
right before the exam) –– consider a study groupconsider a study group
During exam During exam –– go with your gut feeling!go with your gut feeling!
Lessons Learned
SE Certification Links
SE Certification Links
INCOSE Certification website
INCOSE Certification website
http://
http://
www.incose.org/educationcareers/certifica
www.incose.org/educationcareers/certifica
tion
tion
/
/
How to Apply
How to Apply
http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certificat
http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certificat
ion/howapply.aspx
ion/howapply.aspx
Application form
Application form
http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/doc/For
http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/doc/For
m_1.doc
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