Putting a "Steak" in the Ground

I was in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week teaching Frameworx, eTOM, and SID to a class of business analysts.  Steak is one of my favorites (I seem to have a never-ending list of these) and some of the best I have had are in South Africa.  I wasn’t disappointed from steak burgers to a half-kilo rump steak, which I had to celebrate a successful trip on my last night below the equator.  I found a Southwestern themed restaurant right next to the hotel in which I was staying called “Spur Steak Ranch”.  Here is a link to their web site… http://www.spur.co.za/.

Providers/operators are now starting to put a “steak” in the ground about qualifications of consultants. Many are now asking if a prospective consultant has achieved Frameworx knowledge certification, including general Frameworx certification and certification in eTOM and SID.  For those of you that are not familiar with the term “stake in the ground”, here is a link… http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_it_mean_to_put_a_stake_in_the_ground.

I won’t try to explain the TM Forum’s Knowledge Certification program here since it is well documented at on the TM Forum web site here…http://www.tmforum.org/TMForumCertification/9687/home.html, but thought I would delve into what it means to someone looking for individuals or companies that provide Frameworx-based consulting services…at least from my perspective.

The first two levels of knowledge certification express base qualifications.  Achieving level 2 certification, whether it is for the Business Process Framework (eTOM), Information Framework (SID), or some other topic, represents these base qualifications via attendance at the applicable course (level 1) and passing the test (level 2).  From the perspective of someone looking for assistance in a given topic, this can be used to measure qualifications.  It is not the only measure however!

Level 4 certification expresses more advanced qualifications.  This level means that an intermediate course has been attended (level 3) and that a two hour test has been passed (level 4).  Passing the level 4 test presents a real challenge.  It not only challenges the level of advanced knowledge on a topic, but also presents typical scenarios that are encountered when applying knowledge associated with the topic.  A revised eTOM level 4 test and new SID level 4 test will be part of the training program offered at Management World Dublin…http://www.tmforum.org/ManagementWorld2011/Training/9860/Home.html.

So, when considering candidates, level 4 certification says quite a lot.  But, keep in mind that combined with project experience, it says even more.

I’ll be on the road again next week, doing work in China again for five days.  I can’t wait to have a new food experience!