FYI
Is This the End of the MCSE World (As We Know It)?
There are some major changes coming on the Microsoft certification front. But you'd never
know it from looking at the public Microsoft Learning site or checking out its regularly e-mailed
"MCP Flash" newsletter, however.
Instead, we started hearing about the pending changes from Microsoft Certified Professionals
(MCPs) who've gotten the low-down privately from Microsoft at various Microsoft shows. And
just this week, we unearthed a few more details on the topic, via MCP Magazine ? the
publication that now goes by "Redmond Magazine."
From what we can gather, it seems Microsoft is moving to a new, tiered certification
framework. And it sounds as if the new framework will take effect around the time Microsoft
launches its Visual Studio 2005/SQL Server 2005/BizTalk Server 2006 trio (November 7,
2005).
The three tiers will be designated as Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist; Microsoft
Certified IT Professional or Professional Developer; and Microsoft Certified Architect. Microsoft
unveiled the new architect designation back in April.
Read More Details About Microsoft's Pending Certification Changes
And More, Specifically, About the Certified Architect Designation
So what happens to the current set of certifications that we've all grown to know and
understand? Things like Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified
Software Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), etc.? It's not clear.
It's also not clear which Microsoft-Certified Professionals will be expected to find the time and
money to re-certify.
One certified professional and security expert, Thomas Lee, captured the uncertainty well in a
blog post on his site:
"There are two ways to look at this news: the first is (as my post of mid June suggested), MS
is dumping the MCSE and pretty much the entire current MCP certification programme. All the
current premium certs (e.g. MCSE, MCDBA and MCSD) are being given the long term chop, in
favour of a whole brand new set of certifications. On the positive side, the new certification
approach is far cleaner than the current tangle of MC* certifications - three main levels and
that's it (and one of those, the architect level, is not a path for most IT Pros and Developers).
Assuming the new exams are 'solid', there may be some ability to avoid the paper-certification
reputation that parts of MCP had become. By having brand new certs, hopefully MS can restore
the quality appeal that MCSE once had. Let's hope so!"
Read Lee's Entire Posting on the New Certifications Here
Other certified professionals had questions about the new program, too. While Microsoft's
existing system of certifications is a bit crufty and in need of some kind of an overhaul, MCPs
said, Microsoft needs to be clear about its goals and requirements for the new program.
Likening folks who have not kept their skills up-to-date to rusty mechanics, one MCP quipped
that "I know people who worked on cars in the '70s who I wouldn't want to be touching my car
today."
That MCP is Patrick Hynds, who is chief technology officer of CriticalSites (a security-focused
consultancy), a Microsoft Regional Director, and holder of 55 Microsoft certifications.
Hynds said it is his understanding that, under the new certification system, Tiers 1 and 2 will
not require re-certification. "Tier 1 is the foot soldier. They get certified in products. Tier 2 is
more of a specialist. Tier 3 is the true architect," he explained.
His one pet peeve with the existing (and possibly, the new certification system): Microsoft
Consulting Services (MCS) employees are not required to hold Microsoft certifications.
"MCS has never embraced certifications. If MCS doesn't embrace them, why should the
partners? If they reinvent the certification process and MCS folks show up who aren't certified
architects, that is a problem," Hynds said.
Another MCP, Rob Maerz, an infrastructure manager with Gannett Fleming IT Services, said he
is counting on the new program to give MCP credentials more value.
The new certification system "Icould be a blow to the 'paper MCSEs' who still believe that
getting the certification 'will guarantee a minimum salary of $60K a year,' as the radio
commercial goes," Maerz said. But " I wouldn't view this as an expense as -- from what I've
read -- with the new certification program it appears that Microsoft is clearing up the blurred
lines of the MCSE, MCP etc. certs and adding value to the certification.
"Under the current Microsoft certification process, you could have obtained your MCSE in
Windows 2000 in year 2000 and still call yourself an MCSE five years later without having to
recertify. Granted Windows 2000 still has a significant installed base, but five years is a long
time to go without having your skills tested," Maerz added.
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