[BSDCert] Publication of Survey Report

[Dru]

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005, Tillman Hodgson wrote:

> I'm reviewing it in depth, up to about page 70. So far I'm impressed ...
> it seems much like the sort of tone that the SAGE Salary Survey conveys.
> It's also very interesting to see how the different schools of thought
> played out in the survey--they're clearly clumped in the results.
>
> One thing that sticks in my mind is that the survey only covers
> community feedback. Where's the rest of the roadmap for moving the cert
> forward? The details of the business side is something that I'm very
> interested in. Even non-profits require a viable business model.
>
> I'm eager to see the what the next step is and help to get the cert off
> the ground.


You said the magic word, "roadmap". That's our next task. Creating the 
report took longer than expected but we figured it was better to take more 
time and ensure the result was of high quality.

At the moment, the Group members are also wading through the results, in 
preparation for developing a roadmap that contains realistic time goals. 
In effect, we have to condense the findings into a workable plan we can 
agree on and put forth for those involved in developing curriculum and 
testing methodology. This is where the input from those of you who have 
read the report can be invaluable.

As one example, its pretty clear from the report that people aren't 
interested in just one exam. However if there had to be only one exam it 
should target the experienced, but that would leave the less experienced 
out in the cold.

Looking at that one result, the standard needs to determine things like:

- do we make the experienced exam first and offer a less experienced exam
   later on?
- do we concurrently create both exams and offer them when they're ready? 
- do we decide to just stick with one experienced exam?

Part of that determination requires realistic time goals. As just another 
example (I'm not saying this is how it will be):

- if an experienced exam was to have a customized hands-on lab
   environment, how long would it realistically take to create such component
   and make it available, say, at approved global educational centers?

- if an inexperienced exam was to be a multiple choice, say, at Prometric,
   how long would it take to create educational materials to ensure the
   inexperienced could learn the material required to show mastery of new
   skills?

These are the types of things that are discussed as part of creating that 
roadmap.

Dru