Much in business — as on the stock exchange — moves in trends. Not forever though. Some trends will fade away when others amplify. And certain important incidents may cause new trends to start or others to finish abruptly.
Certification is also an phenomenon that is supported by a trend. Certification has an extended use. Most products should be certified, which mean that they agree with a certain standard. This is a best practice in the food sector, where serious damage could be done when the product is not certified. The certification demonstrates an certain quality level.
The trend that drives certification is a trend that is based on fear and the increasing demand for security. All though that we are willing to take risks, we want to secure our lives at the same time. And companies are often the first to stick to the save way in which case certification could be valued high.
Certification of professionals is common practice in many areas – in law, medicine or healthcare, architecture and construction and other areas where safety and precision is involved.
In the Netherlands there are two relatively new institutions that are concerned with certification of information architects, or architectural professionals. (The first is ERIA the other SCIA). The information architect is a relatively new profession in which the architect is dedicated to design and advice about new information systems. This is a highly influencing role which demands some indication of quality of the person that will exercise such a role as a consultant. Certification in this area could therefore also be a solution for both parties.
The companies that are to contract such an consultant will know what requirements are needed. The certification will make both the supply side as the demand side more transparent. An organization will know that with an certified architect the chances of a match are higher than some other architect that doesn’t have this nomination. and the risk involved will be expected to be lower. This does require however that the demanding company will select on objective criteria, whereas we know that unofficial and subjective criteria (“I have heard that he is really a professional consultant, you should try to contract him”) are also used.
At the other side, for the professional, the certification will bring an additional benefit. Not only the fact that you have passed an test or exam. But more important the fact that you have invested in something. In fact you are demonstrating to potential clients (organizations) that you are serious about the job. Your credibility increases and with it your market value.
© 2006 Hans Bool
Hans Bool is the founder of Astor White a traditional management consulting company that offers online management tools. Have a look at some of our free management tools
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