early results from sap certification 5 survey
DESCRIPTION
Some early results from the SAP Certification 5 Survey.TRANSCRIPT
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C5 SURVEY: EARLY RESULTS
‣ 10th September, 2010
‣ #sitbru #sitbra
Dennis Howlett
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WHO ARE THE C5?
‣ Leo De Araujo - Canada
‣ Martin Gillet - Belgium
‣ Dennis Howlett - Spain
‣ Michael Koch - UK
‣ Jon Reed - US
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C5 MISSION
‣ Promote improvements to SAP Certification
‣ Provide input to SAP Certification
‣ Raise awareness of potential value in SAP Certification
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PROGRESS TO DATE
‣ Discussion paper developed (4,891 downloads)
‣ Promoted at SAP board level
‣ Input to Certification vision pending
‣ Survey underway c. 400 responses to date
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C5 DISCUSSION PAPER
‣ No budget
‣ Collective effort
‣ Achieved using social and collaborative tools
‣ Used Scrum style development process
‣ Marketed guerilla style
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WHY A SURVEY?
‣ Iterative process, not one thing
‣ Insufficient empirical data to support discussion paper
‣ Need for validation (or otherwise) around assumptions
‣ Collect more qualitative data
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SURVEY DATA
‣ Conducted Late August 2010 > ongoing
‣ Views to date: 2165
‣ Completed: 399
‣ Qualitative responses: 124 (= 31% offering insights)
‣ Uncompleted: 0
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KEY FINDINGS
‣ Theory that Certification can be meaningful in the market: SUPPORTED
‣ Theory that Certification can be valuable in the market: SUPPORTED
‣ Disconnect between value claimed and value delivered from current Certification: SUPPORTED
‣ Need for improvement/change: SUPPORTED
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KEY FINDINGS
‣ Theory that Certification can be meaningful in the market: SUPPORTED
Certification 5Certification 5
KEY FINDINGS
‣ Theory that Certification can be valuable in the market: SUPPORTED
Certification 5Certification 5
KEY FINDINGS
‣ Disconnect between value expected and value delivered from current Certification: SUPPORTED
Certification 5Certification 5
KEY FINDINGS
‣ Need for improvement/change: SUPPORTED
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KEY FINDINGS
‣ Need for improvement/change: SUPPORTED
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ SAP Certification via MCQ is an insult to the disclipine of Computer
Science/Information Systems. None of my higher level CompSci classes were
passed only by answering multiple choice questions. Higher level computer
science classes(including systems analysis) require essay style questions to test
knowledge in an objective fashion. The current MCQ certification exams only
promotes rote memorization of feature lists and not whether you have the ability to
solve a business problem via that solution.
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ SAP Certification in my opinion is not going to work because there are several SAP
consultants who don't have exposure to software development practices. I mean
most of them started working in SAP after attending training programs 10+ years
ago. For example, a good number of BW developers would know how to create
DSOs/ODSs, Cubes, mapping, transfer rules, loading etc. Most of them probably
attended training programs in BW and learnt just these tasks. So yes, they would
do very well if you or certification exam asks questions on tcodes, how to create
objects, transfer rules etc. They may not have other soft skills(such as analzying
data) needed to be successful.
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ Most of the people I know working in SAP security specialize, and the security certification
requires taking over USD 5,000 in courses. That is a lot of money to spend for learning
that is not all required for today's jobs in SAP security. My employer won't pay it, that's for
sure.
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ I am a strong opponent of these kinds of certificates. I see NO reason in making
ANY kind of certificiation. 25 years of experience just speak for themself.
Professional and Master seems to be as useless as all the other ones. I feel a
notion of SAP tries to control and sense another money source in the freelancer
market here. I will talk my clients into ignoring certificates as long as I could.
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ Questions are asked very strange. Totally not in line with what's discussed in the
training.
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QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT
‣ The case study at SAP the week before the exam was the most useful aspect of
the certification process (rather than the exam), as it involved completing practical
project tasks that are typical of the work of a consultant. Certification seems to be
considered as background knowledge when looking for a job - similar to having a
degree. Experience is what actually counts when applying for jobs.
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YOU CAN DO IT TOO
‣ Ignore everybody, do the needful
‣ Use social tools: Twitter, SDN, Mentor webinars (even if not a Mentor)
‣ Be relentless
‣ Trust your team
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Q&A
Dennis Howlett