Wave Issue 0529 7/22/05 Article 4-01

***The Open Group Launches Global Certification Program for IT
Architects; Establishes New Industry Benchmark for IT
Architecture Practitioners

NEW YORK
July 19, 2005

The Open Group, along with other industry leaders including IBM,
Hewlett Packard, and Capgemini, announced that its IT Architect
Certification program is "open for business." Experienced IT
Architects can now apply for certification in the program.

Developed in response to the increasing demand for experienced IT
architects, the program defines a set of worldwide standards for
measuring the skills and experience of IT architects and for the
operation of IT architecture practices within enterprises. The
Open Group IT Architect Certification program will offer the
first independent, comprehensive, global certification for
determining the skills, experience and knowledge of a
professional IT architect.

Establishing an experience and skill baseline, and setting
certification criteria for IT architects will bring a number of
benefits to customers, companies, governments, academic
institutions, as well as individuals.

Organizations will gain an industry-wide benchmark for selecting
qualified individuals to lead their critical programs, and will
be able to verify their status in The Open Group Certification
Directory. Companies with internal IT architect programs will
gain credibility and increased stature for their programs.
Certified professionals will get portable credentials and be able
to choose the best of the available positions. Academic
institutions will be able to use the skills criteria for fine-
tuning their curriculum focused on IT architecture. And finally,
a recognized certification standard will help ensure further
industry development and elevate the practice of IT architecture
and the professionals who perform it.

Certification and Accreditation Criteria and Process

IT architects who wish to be certified will need to meet the
required levels of experience and skill and will be interviewed
by a peer panel of Certified IT Architects. They will be able to
achieve the IT Architect Certification in two ways: either by
applying directly to The Open Group, or by going through a
certification program that has been accredited by The Open Group.
The skill and experience requirements for both the Direct
Certification and the Accredited Certification are the same.

All third-party IT architect certification and professional
development programs are eligible for assessment, including
programs operated by major consulting firms. Those meeting the
requirements will be accredited.

Certified IT Architects will be entitled to use an official
certification mark as an indication of their status, and will be
listed for public reference in the Certification Directory
maintained by The Open Group.

www.opengroup.org/itac