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Copyright(c) Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan. All rights reserved 2008

Information Technology Engineers Examination

Guide to the New Examination System

-- A Guidepost to Advanced IT Human Resources --

Information-technology Promotion Agency New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Report

December 25, 2007


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1 Summary of the System Revision ..................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Positioning of this Report .......................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Approach of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System Review ................. 4

(1) Examination System Compliant with the Common Career/Skill Framework ....................... 4 (2) Establishment of an examination that corresponds with Level 1 of the Common Career/Skill Framework .............................................................................. 8 (3) Integration of vendor-side and user-side human resources .................................................... 9 (4) Response to growing importance of knowledge and skills of embedded systems ................ 9 (5) Consolidation of advanced examinations .............................................................................. 9 (6) Fundamental review of scope of questions to reflect state-of-the-art technological trends .... 10 (7) Improvement of convenience for examinees ....................................................................... 10

2 Outline of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination System ............................... 11 2.1 The New Categories of the Information Technology Engineers Examination ........................ 11

(1) Examination categories ........................................................................................................ 11 (2) Considerations regarding the examination system .............................................................. 13

2.2 Outline of Examination Categories ......................................................................................... 14 (1) Typical examinees ............................................................................................................... 14 (2) Association between examination categories of the Advanced Examination and fields of work..... 15

2.3 Correspondence between the Current and New Examinations................................................ 16 (1) Correspondence between the Current and New Examinations ............................................ 16 (2) Comparison of the Scope of the Current and New Examinations ....................................... 20 (3) Transition of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System ........................ 20

2.4 Considerations for Questions in the New Examinations ......................................................... 20 (1) Corresponding to a Wide Range of Human Resource Models ............................................ 20 (2) Questions Regarding Knowledge of User Tasks and a Wide Range of Industries .............. 21 (3) Questions from Users' Standpoint ....................................................................................... 22 (4) Questions Related to Embedded Systems ............................................................................ 22 (5) Questions Related to System Audits .................................................................................... 22

3 Details of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination............................................. 23 3.1 The Human Resource Models (Tasks and Roles, Expected Technology Level,

Corresponding Level) Corresponding to Each Examination Category ................................... 23 (1) IT Passport Examination ...................................................................................................... 23 (2) Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination .......................................... 23 (3) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination .................................................... 24 (4) Information Technology Strategist Examination ................................................................. 25 (5) Systems Architect Examination ........................................................................................... 26 (6) Project Manager Examination ............................................................................................. 27 (7) Network Specialist Examination ......................................................................................... 28 (8) Database Specialist Examination ......................................................................................... 28 (9) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination ........................................................................ 29 (10) Information Security Specialist Examination ...................................................................... 30 (11) Information Technology Service Manager Examination ..................................................... 30 (12) Systems Auditor Examination ............................................................................................. 31

4 Configuration and Grading of Examinations .................................................................................. 33 4.1 Examination Time, Type, and Number of Questions and Answers ......................................... 33 4.2 Outline of the Scope of Questions ........................................................................................... 34 4.3 Grading Method, Points Allocation and Pass Criteria ............................................................. 34

5 Examination Implementation .......................................................................................................... 37 5.1 Implementation Schedule of the New Examination System ................................................... 37 5.2 Implementation Method and Period of Examinations ............................................................. 37


5.3 Exemption System ................................................................................................................... 38 (1) Introduction of Exemption System for a Part of the Morning Exam in the Advanced Examination .............................................................................................. 38 (2) Exemption System Interim Measures for Successful Candidates in the Current Examinations ...... 39 (3) Exemption System Interim Measures for Individuals that have Completed Authorized Courses in the Current Examination System .................................. 40 (4) Authorized Course Exemption System in the New Examination System ........................... 41

5.4 Accommodating Physically Disabled Persons ........................................................................ 41 6 Information Disclosure ................................................................................................................... 42

(1) IT Passport Examination (discussions ongoing) .................................................................. 42 (2) Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination, Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced Examination .... 42

7 Matters for Consideration ............................................................................................................... 44 7.1 In Consideration of Future Improvements and Enhancements of the Examination System ......... 44

8 Scope of Questions .......................................................................................................................... 45 8.1 IT Passport Examination ......................................................................................................... 45 8.2 Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination,

Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced Examination ........ 49 (1) Morning Examination .......................................................................................................... 49 (2) Afternoon Examinations ...................................................................................................... 60

Annex 1 Transition of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System ......................... 68

Annex 2 Comparison of Scope of Current and New Examinations .................................................... 69

Annex 3 Breakdown of Number of Questions per Field in the Fundamental Information Technology

Engineer Examination and Applied Information Technology Engineer Afternoon Examination .......... 76

Appendix 1 Abstract of “Aiming towards the Development of Advanced IT Human Resources” ..... 77

Appendix 2 Structure of Skill Standards ............................................................................................. 84

New Examination System Deliberation Committee Members List ..................................................... 87

New Examination System Deliberation Committee Deliberation History .......................................... 89

► “Guide to the IT Passport Examination”

(Level 1 Examination Working Group Report) ......................................................................... 89

The company and products names in this report are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective

companies. Also, this report does not specify ® and TM .


1 Summary of the System Revision

1.1 Positioning of this Report

The Human Resources Development Working Group (hereinafter, “HRD-WG”) which was

established in October 2006, under the Information Service and Software Subcommittee of the

Information Economy Committee within the Industrial Structure Council, has discussed matters

concerning the development of advanced IT human resources in perspective of the coming 10 years

in Japan. The results of the discussions have been summarized in a report entitled “Aiming towards

the Development of Advanced IT Human Resources” (hereinafter, “HRD-WG Report”), dated July

20, 2007 (see Appendix 1).

Based on the discussions of the HRD-WG, the Information-technology Promotion Agency

(hereinafter, “IPA”) established the New Examination System Deliberation Committee

(chairperson: Yoshiaki Iwamaru) in April 2007, consisting of experts on the Information

Technology Engineers Examination. This committee has deliberated the realization of a new

Information Technology Engineers Examination system.

The committee produced a report entitled “New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Interim Report” as an interim result of their discussions and invited public comments during the

period September 7 to 27, 2007.

This Report is a final summarization of the discussions by the New Examination System

Deliberation Committee, taking account of the public comments.

Furthermore, under the New Examination System Deliberation Committee, the Level 1

Examination Working Group (chairperson: Kazuhiko Satoh) has discussed the contents of the

newly established Level 1 Examination. The report entitled “Guide to the IT Passport

Examination” produced by this working group as a result of their discussions, is an integral part of

this report and is added to the end.

1.2 Approach of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System Review

In reviewing the Information Technology Engineers Examination system, the content was

examined closely from the viewpoints of examination implementation experts based on the

direction of the examination system reform as proposed by HRD-WG Report and moreover the

improvement of examinees’ convenience was considered.

(1) Examination System Compliant with the Common Career/Skill Framework

The HRD-WG Report proposed the establishment of a Common Career/Skill Framework that

indicates the career and required skills suitable for the advanced IT human resource models that

Japan should aim to develop in the future. In order to build an objective human resource evaluation

mechanism under the Common Career/Skill Framework, the Information Technology Engineers

Examination system is revised fundamentally to be compliant with each of the human resource skill


standards including the IT Skill Standard (ITSS)1, Embedded Technology Skill Standards (ETSS)2

and Users' Information Systems Skill Standards (UISS)3 (see Table 1 and Appendix 2) using the

Common Career/Skill Framework as a reference model and thereby make it useful for judging the

level of individual skill as shown below.

Of the seven levels of the Common Career/Skill Framework, Level 1 through 3 are judged

basically by passing the Information Technology Engineers Examination, and Level 4 is judged

by work experience etc. in addition to passing the Information Technology Engineers

Examination (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Level Judgment based on the Common Career/Skill Framework (Source: HRD-WG Report)

1 ITSS (Skill Standards for IT Professionals): A reference that defines and systemizes the skills required for

providing various IT related services, and that is intended to provide a useful guideline (common framework) for the education, training etc. of IT service professionals within the industry and academic world.

2 ETSS (Embedded Technology Skill Standards): A reference that defines and systemizes the skills required for embedded software development, and that is intended to provide a useful guideline (common criteria) for the human resource development and utilization of embedded software developers.

3 UISS (Users' Information Systems Skill Standards): A reference for optimal placement of information system functions within companies, and for determining required human resources and appropriate human resource development for this arrangement.

Note: indicates the scope of the Examination System Reform

Pro

fess

iona

l Co

mm

itte

e

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Entry

Middle

High

Super- High

Entry Exam

Basic Exam

Middle Exam

Advanced Exam

Adv

ance

d IT

Hu

man

Res

ourc

es

The new examcorresponds upto level 4.

Level 1

Level 2

Advanced Knowledge and Skills

Applicable Knowledge and Skills

Basic Knowledge and Skills

Minimum Required Basic Knowledge

High-End Players on a Domestic Level

High-End Players on a Corporate Level

Performance

(Achievement) Basis

Work Experience,

Interview, etc.

Exam Result and

Work Experience

Skill (Ability)

Basis

Exam Result Eva

luat

ed b

y E

ach

Cor

pora

tion

Domestic High-End Players Accepted Internationally


Table 1 Overview of Each Skill Standard (source: based on HRD-WG Report)

Skill Standards

for IT Professional

(ITSS)

Embedded Technology

Skill Standards (ETSS)

Users’ Information

Systems

Skill Standards (UISS)

Publication Date December 2002 May 2005 June 2006

Administration

Body

IPA: IT Skill Standard Center IPA: Software Engineering Center

(SEC)

Ministry of Economy, Trade and

Industry (METI)

Purpose A reference that defines and

systemizes the competence

required for providing various IT

related services, and a useful

common framework for the

development and education of IT

service professionals within the

industry and academic world.

A reference to realize optimal

human resource development, and

effective utilization of human

resources, with regard to

embedded software development.

(The skill standards focus on

“technology,” and do not define

skills such as business skills and

interpersonal skills).

A reference that systemizes the

skills required within user

companies and organizations

that utilize information systems.

Systemization is based on the

software lifecycle process from

system planning and

development up to maintenance,

operation, and disposal.

Main Target Vendors Embedded Engineers Users

Focus Human Resources

(Career Framework)

Technology

(Skill Framework)

Organizational Functions and

Jobs

Structure

(Note) For details of the structures, refer to Appendix 2.

↓

Career Framework

↓

Career Framework

↓

Skill Dictionary


The HRD-WG Report presents three human resource categories and seven human resource

models shown in Table 2 and Figure 2. Of these, the new Information Technology Engineers

Examination targets the five human resource models for basic strategist and solution provider

human resources.

Table 2 Types of Advanced IT Human Resources (Source: based on HRD-WG Report)

Human Resource Type Human Resource

Model Human Resource Model

Description Scope of

Exam <Basic strategists>

Plans basic strategies to solve various issues using IT

1) Strategist Leads the increase of business values by utilizing IT.

Included <Solution providers>

Designs and develops systems as well as supervising highly reliable and productive operations

2) Systems Architect

Designs systems best suited for the business strategy.

3) Service ManagerMaintains the system while ensuring ongoing high reliability.

4) Project Manager

Manages construction of highly reliable systems under given constraints (quality, cost, delivery date, etc.).

5) Technical Specialist

Implements technology domains such as databases, networks, etc.

<Creators> Pioneers social and economical frontiers using new elemental technology

6) Creator Brings innovation to society and economy by creation, etc. of new elemental technologies. Not

Included

<Others> 7) Others Corresponds with education of Skill Standards for IT Professionals.


Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7

Assessed by Exam Result,Work Experience, etc.

1 Business Strategist UI2 IS Strategist UI3 Program Manager UI4 IS Analyst UI5 Marketing ＩＴ

6 Sales ＩＴ

7 Consultant ＩＴ

8 Product Manager ET9 IS Architect UI10 IT Architect ＩＴ

11 Systems Architect ET12 IS Operation UI13 IS Administrator UI14 Security Administrator UI15 IS Staff UI16 IS Auditor UI17 IT Service Management ＩＴ

18 Customer Service ＩＴ

19 Project Manager UI20 Project Management ＩＴ

21 Project Manager ET22 Bridge SE ET

23 Development ProcessImprovement Specialist

ET

24 System Designer UI

25 Application Designer UI *226 Application Specialist ＩＴ

27 IT Specialist ＩＴ

28 Software Development ＩＴ

29 Domain Specialist ET30 Software Engineer ET31 QA Specialist ET32 Test Engineer ET33 Development Environment Engineer ET

34 Education ＩＴ 7. Other

* 1: Although the “Information Security Engineer Examination” and “Systems Auditor Examination” are designed to examine the human resource models of Service Manager or Technical Specialist, these examinations remain unchanged.

* 2: In the new human resource models application design is part of the Systems Architect category, while application implementation is part of the Technical Specialist category. In the examination, topics from application design to implementation is included in the “Systems Architect Examination.”

Creation 6. Creator Creators are ineligible for assessment by the ITEE.

Correspond to education category in ITSS

HumanResources

Type

HumanResourceCategory

Current Skill Standards (34 Job Titles) IT: Skill Standards for IT Professionals (11) ET: Embedded Technology Skill Standards (10) UI: Users' Information Systems Skill Standards (13)

SkillStandards

BasicStrategy

Solution

Assessed by Exam ResultAssessed by Work Experience,Evaluation of Professionals, etc.

1. Strategist

5. Technical Specialist

2. Systems Architect

3. Service Manager

4. Project Manager

Ent

ry E

xam

inat

ion ( T

ent

ativ

e N

ame )

Bas

ic E

xam

inat

ion ( T

ent

ativ

e N

ame )

Str

ategi

st E

xam

Work

Exp

erie

nce

Ver

ific

atio

n

Mid

dle E

xam

inat

ion

( Ten

tative

Nam

e ) S

yste

ms

Arc

hitec

t

Exa

m

Ser

vice

Man

ager

Pro

ject

Tech

nic

al S

pecia

list

Exa

m

Work

Exp

erien

ce V

erificat

ion

& E

valu

atio

n of

Pro

fess

ional

s an

d Exp

erts

etc

.

Work

Exp

erie

nce

Ver

ific

atio

n & E

valu

atio

n o

f P

rofe

ssio

nal

s an

d E

xpert

s etc

.

Work

Exp

erien

ce V

erificat

ion

& E

valu

atio

n of

Pro

fess

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s an

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etc

.

Sys

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s

Arc

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Exa

m

(Note) indicates the scope of the examination system reform.

Figure 2 Current Skill Standard and Direction of Restructuring of the Information

Technology Engineers Examination (Source: based on the HRD-WG Report)

(2) Establishment of an examination that corresponds with Level 1 of the Common

Career/Skill Framework

Information technology is becoming a social infrastructure of Japan, and is playing an

important role in any company regardless of its industry or its types of role up to a point where

company and organizational activities can hardly be discussed without taking information

technology into account.

To perform activities as business workers within these circumstances, in addition to being

capable of operating personal computers and processing data using them, all business workers are

required to have perspective for aggressively utilizing the potential of information technology in

their own tasks to generate added value. Business workers are also expected to have an

understanding of how to utilize information technology in order to identify and analyze issues in

the workplace and solve those issues. Furthermore, it is essential for business workers in the

coming years to possess knowledge such as how to safely perform business activities in the

network society and knowledge that contribute to improving corporate compliance.

Considering these points, the Level 1 Examination, which measures the basic knowledge

commonly required of business workers, is newly established to expand the IT human resource


population at entry level, thereby aiming to improve the overall national capability of information

technology utilization. The “System Administrator Examination,” which has achieved a good

reputation as an examination for information system users, is incorporated partially into the Level

1 and Level 2 Examinations in order that a better examination system may be formed..

The Level 1 Examination has a duration of just under three hours and consists only of

multiple-choice questions, and a broad range of questions are set with regard to basic knowledge

of the three fields of the Common Career/Skill Framework which are strategy, management, and

technology. Successful examinees must reach or surpass the standard qualifying scores set for

each of the three fields and for the total score of the three fields. Furthermore, examinations are

conducted frequently throughout the year, and the introduction of CBT (Computer Based Testing:

an examination method in which questions are displayed and answered on personal computers) is

sought so that examinees can take the exams in places most convenient for themselves.

Successful examinees are granted qualification certificates from the Minister of Economy, Trade

and Industry, and their score is written on the certificate.

For details regarding the Level 1 Examination, refer to the “Guide to the IT Passport

Examination”.

(3) Integration of vendor-side and user-side human resources

Both the IT industry and user industry are in need of human resources capable of strategically

utilizing information technology. Furthermore, in order to plan and construct an appropriate high-

quality information system, it is imperative that user-side human resources possess knowledge

and skills at levels comparable to vendor-side human resources, and vendor-side human

resources possess thorough knowledge of user-side tasks, and that both maintain close

communication with each other. Considering these matters, the examination system is reformed

to integrate vendor-side human resources and user-side human resources that had been separated

in the current Information Technology Engineers Examination. Specifically, the Level 1, 2, and 3

Examinations are designed to cover a wide area of questions not only from the technology field

but also from the management and strategy fields, so that the examinations can be also utilized

broadly on the user-side.

(4) Response to growing importance of knowledge and skills of embedded systems

Knowledge and skill of embedded systems are examined only in a certain examination

category under the current Information Technology Engineers Examination, but the examination

system is reformed so that questions on embedded systems are included broadly in order to

respond to their growing importance for increasing Japan’s global competitiveness.

(5) Consolidation of advanced examinations

In accordance with the integration of vendor-side and user-side human resources, examination


categories of technological fields that overlap are consolidated. Specifically, the current “System

Analyst Examination” and “Senior System Administrator Examination” are consolidated in order

to develop human resources which establish basic strategies and lead increases in business value

by utilizing information technology. Furthermore, the “Information Security Engineer

Examination” and “Information System Security Administrator Examination” are consolidated in

accordance with the requirements of vendor-side and user-side human resources with comparable

levels of knowledge and skills in the face of the rising importance of information security.

(6) Fundamental review of scope of questions to reflect state-of-the-art technology trends

To cope with the rapid development of information technology, a fundamental review of the

scope of questions is conducted in accordance with the Common Career/Skill Framework.

Knowledge required of IT human resources is organized into three fields: Strategy, Management,

and Technology. Furthermore, the essential technology fields such as embedded systems,

information security, and Open Source Software (OSS) are clearly included within the scope of

the questions, and state-of-the-art knowledge is incorporated.

(7) Improvement of convenience for examinees

In order to make it easier for more people to take the examinations, the newly established

Level 1 Examination seeks to introduce CBT. Furthermore, not only the total score, but also the

scores in each of the Strategy, Management, and Technology fields, are made available to

examinees in addition to their pass/fail result. Also, the exemption system with regard to the

Afternoon Examination of the Advanced Examinations is expanded.


2 Outline of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination System

The results regarding the reform of the Information Technology Engineers Examination system,

based on “1.2 Approach of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System

Review”, are shown below.

2.1 The New Categories of the Information Technology Engineers Examination

(1) Examination categories

The new Information Technology Engineers Examination is, in principle, designed as a system

compliant with the Common Career/Skill Framework. Specifically, Level 1 to 4 of the five

human resource models of Strategist, Systems Architect, Project Manager, Service Manager, and

Technical Specialist are covered.

a) For Level 1 through 3 of the Common Career/Skill Framework, an examination common to the

five human resource models are established. Of these, the examination associated with Level 1

is the “IT Passport Examination”, the examination associated with Level 2 is the “Fundamental

Information Technology Information Engineer Examination”, and the examination associated

with Level 3 is the “Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination”.

b) For Level 4, an examination category taking into account the human resource models, etc. of

the HRD-WG Report is established, and is collectively called “Advanced Examination”.

Specifically, the examination for Strategists is the “Information Technology Strategist

Examination”, the examination for Systems Architects and some Technical Specialists is the

“Systems Architect Examination”, the examination for Project Managers is the “Project

Manager Examination”, and the examination for Service Managers is the “Information

Technology Service Manager Examination”. For Technical Specialists, the target technological

area is explicitly identified and is subdivided into the following three categories: “Network

Specialist Examination”, “Database Specialist Examination”, and “Embedded Systems

Specialist Examination”. Besides the above, the “Information Security Specialist Examination”

and “Systems Auditor Examination” are established, and associated with Technical Specialists

and Service Managers respectively. (Table 3 and Figure 3)


Table 3 Examination Categories, and Associated Human Resource Models and Levels

Examination category Associated human resource models and levels

IT Passport Examination Level 1 of the 5 human resource modelsFundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination Level 2 of the 5 human resource modelsApplied Information Technology Engineers Examination Level 3 of the 5 human resource models

Advanced Examination

Information Technology Strategist Examination

Level 4 of Strategists (Note)

Systems Architect Examination Level 4 of Systems Architects (Note) Level 4 of Technical Specialists (Note)

Project Manager Examination Level 4 of Project Managers (Note) Network Specialist Examination Level 4 of Technical Specialists (Note) Database Specialist Examination Level 4 of Technical Specialists (Note) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination Level 4 of Technical Specialists (Note) Information Security Specialist Examination Level 4 of Technical Specialists (Note) Information Technology Service Manager Examination

Level 4 of Service Managers (Note)

Systems Auditor Examination Level 4 of Service Managers (Note)

(Note) For Level 4, qualification is determined by task experience etc. in addition to passing the

Information Technology Engineers Examination.

IT Passport Exam (IP)

Applied Information Technology Engineer Exam (AP)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Common Career Skill

Framework

Basic

Working

Knowledge

Basic

Knowledge

& Skills

Applied

Knowledge

& Skills

Advanced

Knowledge

& Skills

Vendor / User

Information Systems / Embedded Systems

Independent

Advanced (Professional) Examination

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Exam (FE)

Sys

tem

s A

udito

r E

xam

IT S

trat

egis

t Exa

m

Sys

tem

s A

rchi

tect

Exa

m

Pro

ject

Man

ager

Exa

m

Net

wor

k S

peci

alis

t Exa

m

Dat

abas

e S

peci

alis

t Exa

m

Em

bedd

ed S

yste

ms

Spe

cial

ist E

xam

IT S

ervi

ce M

anag

er E

xam

Info

rmat

ion

Sec

urity

Spe

cial

ist E

xam

(AU)(SM)(SC)(ES)(DB)(NW)(PM)(SA)(ST)


<Description of examination category abbreviations> Examination category name Abbreviation

Information Technology Passport Examination IP Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination FE Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination AP Information Technology Strategist Examination ST Systems Architect Examination SA Project Manager Examination PM Network Specialist Examination NW Database Specialist Examination DB Embedded Systems Specialist Examination ES Information Security Specialist Examination SC Information Technology Service Manager Examination SM Systems Auditor Examination AU

Figure 3 Structure Diagram of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

(2) Considerations regarding the examination system

The followings are addressed in consideration of the standpoint of the information policy,

continuity with regard to the current examination system, and the expected number of applicants

and examinees, etc.

a) Target scope of the Information Technology Strategist Examination

The Information Technology Strategist Examination targets basic strategists who plan basic

strategies to solve various business management issues by utilizing information technology, and

includes the contents of the current System Analyst Examination and Senior Administrator

Examination.

b) Target scope of the Systems Architect Examination

The Systems Architect Examination addresses systems architects who design the system

structures of information systems4 and embedded systems, and technical specialists who design

and develop applications for information systems.

c) Target scope of the Information Security Specialist Examination

The Information Security Specialist Examination includes the contents of the current

Information Security Engineer Examination and Information Security Administrator Examination.

4 Hereinafter in this report, systems that are mainly enterprise type will be referred to as “information systems”

in order to differentiate them from embedded systems. Furthermore, information systems and embedded systems will be collectively referred to as “systems”.


2.2 Outline of Examination Categories

(1) Typical examinees

The profile of intended examinees for each examination category is shown in Table 4.

Table 4 Typical Examinees for Each Examination Category Examination category Typical examinee

IT Passport Examination

Individuals who have basic knowledge of information technology that all business workers should commonly possess, and who are doing information technology related tasks, or trying to utilize information technology in their tasks in charge.

Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination

Individuals who have basic fundamental knowledge and skills required to be an advanced IT human resource, and who possess practical utilization abilities.

Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination

Individuals who have applied knowledge and skills required to be an advanced IT human resource, and who have established their own direction as an advanced IT human resource.

Adv

ance

d E

xam

inat

ion


Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who plan, propose, and promote basic strategies to innovate, sophisticate, and optimize certain processes with regard to business models and activities utilizing information technology, based on the company’s management strategies. Or, individuals who supervise the planning and development of embedded systems, and plan, propose, and promote basic strategies to realize new values.

Systems Architect Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and in response to suggestions from IT strategists, define the requirements that are necessary for the development of information systems or embedded systems, design the architecture to realize the systems, and for information systems, lead development.

Project Manager Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who, as a person responsible for a system development project, prepare project plans, secure the required personnel and resources, and control and manage the project while taking responsibility for achievement of the planned budget, delivery date, and quality.

Network Specialist Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who utilize specific technologies related to networks and take a central role in the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance of optimal information system infrastructures while providing technical support for the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance of information systems as a specialist of specific technologies.

Database Specialist Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who utilize specific technologies related to databases and take a central role in the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance of optimal information system infrastructures while providing technical support for the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance of information systems as a specialist of specific technologies.

Embedded Systems Specialist Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who utilize their broad knowledge and skills related to embedded system development and lead the establishment of optimal embedded system development infrastructure and the design, establishment, and production of embedded systems.

Information Security Specialist Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who, with regard to the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance, support the realization of security


Examination category Typical examinee features compliant with information security policies or prepare the information system infrastructure and support information security management as a specialist of information security technology.

Information Technology Service Manager Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who with regard to the overall information system, ensure stable operations and act to minimizes damage from incidents as well as take efforts such as continuous improvement and quality management to provide highly safe and reliable services.

Systems Auditor Examination

Individuals who have an established field of expertise as an advanced IT human resource, and who from a standpoint independent from auditees, comprehensively inspect and evaluate the risks and controls of information systems and embedded systems, report audit results to top management and others, and recommend improvements.

(2) Association between examination categories of the Advanced Examination and fields of work

The roles that the assumed human resources in each of the examination categories of the

Advanced Examination play in each field of work related to providing IT solutions, products, and

services, can be roughly organized as shown in Figure 4.

BusinessStrategyPlanning

InformationSystemStrategyPlanning

PlanningRequirements

DefinitionSystemDesign

SoftwareDesign

Production,Test,

DeploymentOperation Maintenance

SystemAuditing

Planning &evaluation of

businessstrategy

Planning &evaluation ofinformation

system strategyand overall

systemization

Envisioning &planning ofindividual

systemization

Management& evaluation of

informationsystemstrategy

execution

Technicalsupport

Systemplanning

Requirementsdefinition

Systemplanning

Informationsystem design

Informationsystem

establishment

Informationsystem

evaluation

Technicalsupport

Envisioning &planning ofindividual

systemization

Projectplanning &

management

Projectmanagement

Projectmanagement

Projectmanagement& evaluation

Technicalsupport

Technicalsupport

Systemplanning

Networksystem design

Networksystem

establishment

Networksystem

operation

Networksystem

maintenance

Technicalsupport

Technicalsupport

Systemplanning

Databasesystem design

Databasesystem

establishment

Databasesystem

operation

Databasesystem

maintenance

Technicalsupport

Technicalsupport

Systemplanning

Embeddedsystem design

Embeddedsystem

establishment

Technicalsupport

Embeddedsystem

enhancement &maintenance

Technicalsupport

Technicalsupport

Systemplanning

Securityfunctiondesign

Securityfunction

establishment

Technicalsupport

Technicalsupport

Servicemanagement

planning

Servicemanagement

planning

Servicemanagement

planning

Servicemanagement

planning

Servicemanagement

planning &execution

Servicemanagement

execution, andprovision &continual

improvement ofservices

Servicemanagement

execution, andprovision &continual

improvement ofservices

Systemauditing

: Main work fields : Subordinate work fields

Field of Work (Phase) (Note) Exam Category

Information SecuritySpecialist Exam

Embedded SystemSpecialist Exam

Network SpecialistExam

Database SpecialistExam

Project ManagerExam

Systems ArchitectExam

Systems Auditor Exam

InformationTechnology ServiceManager Exam

InformationTechnology StrategistExam

(Note) The fields of work are organized based on “Software Life Cycle Processes-Japan Common Frame 2007”.

Figure 4 Association between Examination Categories of the Advanced Examinations

and Fields of Work


2.3 Correspondence between the Current and New Examinations

(1) Correspondence between the Current and New Examinations

The categories for the new examinations roughly correspond to those of the current

examinations as shown in Figure 5.

Note that the rearrangement and restructuring of the examination categories is done to provide

a new measure for the development of competence that is more in line with needs of the age, and

this does not change a pass in an examination under the previous examination system.

In particular, while the Systems Administrator Examination is principally incorporated into

the IT Passport Examination in order that a better examination system may be formed, the

Systems Administrator Examination questions, which tested knowledge and skills required in

promoting the computerization of a section, required a higher level of understanding than the IT

Passport Examination, which mostly tests fundamental knowledge commonly required for

utilizing IT in the workplace. Therefore, it can be said that the Systems Administrator

Examination is inclusive of the level of the IT Passport Examination, and an individual

that has passed the Systems Administrator Examination satisfies the level required to

pass the IT Passport Examination.

The transition of the examination system, from its foundation in 1969 to the upcoming revision,

is described in Annex 1.


IndependentVendor/UserInformation Systems/Embedded Systems

Technical Engineer Examination

Sys

tem

s A

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xam

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ion

Sys

tem

s A

nal

yst

Exa

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Pro

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Man

ager

Exa

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Ap

plic

atio

n S

yste

ms

En

gin

eer E

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inat

ion

Net

wo

rk S

yste

ms

Software Design & Development Engineer Examination (SW)Systems Administrator

Examination (AD)Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)

Information SystemsUser Side

Information Systems Development & Operation SideIndependent

(NW)

Dat

abas

e S

yst

ems

(DB)

Sy

stem

sM

ana

gem

ent

(SM)

Em

bed

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Sys

tem

s D

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(ES)

Info

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ion

Sec

urity

(SV)(AU) (AN) (PM) (AE)

Info

rmat

ion

Sys

tem

s

Sec

urity

Ad

min

istra

tor

Exa

min

atio

n

(SU)

Sen

ior S

yste

ms

Ad

min

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tor

Exa

min

atio

n

(SD)Cur

ren

t Exa

min

atio

n

IT S

trat

egis

tE

xam

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ion

Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination (AP)

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)

(ST)

New

Exa

min

atio

n

Leve

l

Sys

tem

s A

rch

itect

Exa

min

atio

n

(SA)

Pro

ject

Man

ager

Exa

min

atio

n

(PM)

Net

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pec

ialis

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xam

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(NW)

Dat

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pec

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(DB)

Em

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Sys

tem

s S

pec

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(ES)

Info

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Sec

urity

S

pec

ialis

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xam

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(SC)

IT S

ervi

ce M

anag

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xam

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(SM)

Sys

tem

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(AU)

Information Technology Passport Examination (IP)

Ad

vanc

ed (P

rofe

ssio

nal

) E

xam

4

3

2

1

Figure 5 Correspondence between Current and New Examinations

Below, correspondence between the current and new examination categories is explained.

a) IT Passport Examination (Level 1)

･ The scope of questions covers a wide range of fields, from the fields of strategy, management,

and technology. It covers the same scope as the Morning Exam of the current Systems

Administrator Examination, and is further supplemented with fundamental theories.

･ Bearing in mind that the examination is aimed at testing basic knowledge that all business

workers should possess, the examination focuses on testing the understanding of fundamental

terminology and concepts, etc. in the fields of strategy, management, and technology.

: Indicates that the categories of the new and current exams correspond closely to one another in terms of the scope of the questions and level of difficulty.

: Indicates that the categories of the new and current exams correspond closely to one another in terms of the level ofdifficulty. The scope of the questions is widened and technical aspects are partially supplemented in the categories of the new exams.

: Indicates that the categories of the new and current exams correspond closely to one another in terms of the scope of the questions. The categories of the current exams include the level of the categories of the new exams.


b) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (Level 2)

･ The Morning Exam covers the same fields as the current Fundamental Information

Technology Engineer Examination. The afternoon exam covers the same technology fields as

the current Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination, while incorporating

management and strategy fields, questions is spread evenly across a broad range of fields.

･ The level of the examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Fundamental

Information Technology Engineer Examination.

c) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination (Level 3)

･ The Morning Exam includes strategy fields in addition to the technology and management

fields covered in the current Software Design & Development Engineer Examination. The

Afternoon Exam covers almost the same technology fields as the current Software Design &

Development Engineer Examination, but also includes management and strategy questions.

Several questions are provided, allowing the examinee to select and answer the questions that

best match his/her area of profession.

･ The level of the new examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Software Design

& Development Engineer Examination.

d) Information Technology Strategist Examination (Level 4)

･ In addition to fields covered by the current System Analyst Examination, this examination

covers the fields of formulation of management-oriented business strategies, as well as

execution management and evaluation of IT strategies. This examination is inclusive of the

current Senior Systems Administrator Examination. Multiple-choice questions on planning,

formulation of development schedules and promotion of embedded systems also are added to

expand the scope of questions.

･ While the current System Analyst Examination is targeted at ITSS level 5, the IT Strategist

Examination is targeted at level 4, with its relative difficulty lowered slightly such as by

reducing the complexity and the scale of the theme described in the questions.

e) Systems Architect Examination (Level 4)

･ In comparison to the current Application Systems Engineer Examination, the Systems

Architect Examination clarifies and focuses on the structural design of information systems

for total optimization and on the system formula design of the target information systems.

Architecture design for embedded systems is covered by additional multiple-choice questions.

･ The level of the new examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Application

Systems Engineer Examination.

f) Project Manager Examination (Level 4)


･ The scope of the examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Project Manager

Examination, but additionally covers embedded systems.

･ While the current Project Manager Examination was targeted at ITSS level 5, the new Project

Manager Examination is targeted at level 4, with its relative difficulty lowered slightly such

as by reducing the complexity and the scale of the projects used in the questions.

g) Network Specialist Examination (Level 4)

･ The scope and level of the examination is almost equivalent to the current Network Systems

Engineer Examination.

h) Database Specialist Examination (Level 4)

･ The scope and level of the examination is almost equivalent to the current Database Systems


i) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination (Level 4)

･ The scope and level of the examination is almost equivalent to the current Embedded Systems

Development Engineer Examination.

j) Information Security Specialist Examination (Level 4)

･ This examination covers the combined scope of the current Information Security Engineer

Examination and the Information Systems Security Administrator Examination. In order to

match the Technical Specialist model described in the Common Career/Skill Framework, the

Information Security Specialist Examination is weighted towards security technology fields

covered in the Information Security Engineer Examination (refer to *1 in Figure 2, and

Table 3).

･ The level of the examination questions is almost equivalent to that of the current Information

Security Engineer Examination and the Information Systems Security Administrator

Examination.

k) Information Technology Service Manager Examination (Level 4)

･ The Information Technology Service Manager Examination is based on the current Systems

Management Engineer Examination, but its scope is reorganized in accordance with JIS Q

20000 and ITIL for a greater emphasis on management aspects.

･ The level of the examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Systems Management


l) Systems Auditor Examination (Level 4)

･ The scope of this examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Systems Auditor

Examination. To foster systems auditors capable of coping with increasingly sophisticated


and diverse information technologies, the new examination demands a broader and deeper

understanding of information technology. Embedded systems are covered by additional

multiple-choice questions.

･ The level of the examination is almost equivalent to that of the current Systems Auditor

Examination.

(2) Comparison of the Scope of the Current and New Examinations

Annex 2 compares the scope of the current and new examinations.

For an outline of the scope of the examinations, refer to “4.2 Outline of Scope of

Questions”. For details of scope, refer to “8 Scope of Questions”.

(3) Transition of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System

The Information Technology Engineers Examination was established in 1969 as a national

examination administered by the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Since then,

it has undergone three major revisions to accommodate the needs of the age and the advancement

and changes in information technology.

For reference, Annex 1 presents the transition of the examination system, from its inception in

1969 to the upcoming revision, including information on the revisions in 1994 and 2001.

2.4 Considerations for Questions in the New Examinations

(1) Corresponding to a Wide Range of Human Resource Models

The IT Passport Examination, Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination,

and Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination are consistent with the five human

resource groups described in the Common Career/Skill Framework, and include a variety of

questions from the fields of technology, management, and strategy.

a) IT Passport Examination

The examination is structured on the basis that it is designed to test basic knowledge that all

business workers should possess.

In the strategy field, the examinee is tested on his/her knowledge of fundamental terminology

and concepts, etc. required for analysis related to computerization and corporate activities, the

content of the high school information technology course, and fundamental terminology and

concepts, etc. used in commonly read newspapers, books, and magazines, etc. There also are

questions concerning methods for grasping and analyzing familiar tasks, and resolving issues, as

well as basic knowledge for utilizing office tools for data analysis and problem solving.

In the management field, the examinee is tested on his/her knowledge of fundamental

terminology and concepts, etc. related to system development and project management processes,

but not on specific terminology and concepts, etc. that require a high degree of expertise. There


also are questions that test basic knowledge required to consider improving the task environment

using computers, networks, office tools, etc.

In the technology field, the examinee is tested on his/her knowledge of fundamental

terminology and concepts, etc, as well as on logical thinking, but not on fields that would require

a high degree of technological expertise. Furthermore, there are questions of fundamental

knowledge on the safe use of familiar systems.

b) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination

Since the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination targets both solution

providers and basic strategists, the questions evenly cover a broad field of technology,

management, and strategy. The proportion of software development (programming) questions is

reduced in comparison to the current Fundamental Information Technology Engineer

Examination, with the number of questions 1 instead of 2. Furthermore, while the current

examination targets solution providers and allows the examinee to select from four programming

languages (C, COBOL, Java5, and assembly), the new examination expands the target to include

basic strategists and user-side human resources that may not require programming skills, and is

revised to add questions to test logical thinking skills using spreadsheets as a subject enabling to

select questions other than programming languages.

c) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination

While the current Software Design & Development Engineer Examination specifically targets

software developers, the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination targets all five

human resource models, and hence covers a much wider range of questions. However, as the

examination is designed for those who have decided on the path they are taking as an advanced

IT human resource, the examination evenly covers the fields of technology, management, and

strategy, allowing both strategists and solution providers to select the questions that best fit their

tasks in charge and area of expertise.

(2) Questions Regarding Knowledge of User Tasks and a Wide Range of Industries

In order to develop superior software products (module products) that incorporate know-how

of user tasks, or to improve task processes by utilizing such products, human resources with a

thorough understanding of user tasks are expected. Considering the above, the Information

Technology Strategist Examination, Systems Architect Examination, and Systems Auditor

Examination in particular include questions that demand specific solutions to issues experienced

by user companies and organizations such as the financial, manufacturing, distribution, and

public services industries.

Furthermore, in response to the increasing importance of utilizing information technology

5 Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S.A and other countries.


solutions in various task areas, there are more questions concerning industries that have

previously received little coverage, such as medicine and transportation.

(3) Questions from Users' Standpoint

In response to the unification of vendor-side and user-side human resources, there are an

increased number of questions presented from the users’ standpoint, for example on RFP (request

for proposal) writing, estimation methods, contract-related knowledge, and outsourcing

management.

(4) Questions Related to Embedded Systems

In response to the increasing importance of knowledge and skills related to embedded systems,

questions on embedded systems are widely incorporated, not only into the Embedded Systems

Specialist Examination, but into all examination categories.

(5) Questions Related to System Audits

In a world where information technology is penetrating into every aspect of our economic

activities and increasingly becoming a social infrastructure, a systems auditor must understand

information technology precisely in order to contribute to the improvement of IT governance and

assurance of compliance. The Systems Auditor Examination aims to foster systems auditors

capable of coping with increasingly sophisticated and diverse information technologies, and

hence questions demand a broader and deeper understanding of information technology than the

current Systems Auditor Examination.


3 Details of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

3.1 The Human Resource Models (Tasks and Roles, Expected Technology Level,

Corresponding Level) Corresponding to Each Examination Category

The tasks and roles, expected technology level, and corresponding levels for each examination

category are shown below.

(1) IT Passport Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals who have acquired common basic knowledge of information technology that a

business worker should possess, and utilize information technology in their tasks as well as

perform the following activities:

a) Understand information devices and systems to use, and utilize them.

b) Understand the tasks in charge, identify problems of those tasks, and act to provide

required solutions.

c) Perform acquisition and utilization of information safely.

d) Support task analysis and systemization activities under the guidance of superiors.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following basic knowledge is required as a business worker in order to determine

information devices and systems, and to perform his/her tasks in charge as well as facilitate

systemization.

a) Knowledge of computer systems and networks to determine the information devices

and systems to use, and knowledge of how to utilize office tools.

b) Knowledge of corporate activity and related tasks in order to understand the tasks in

charge. Also, in order to identify issues of the tasks in charge and provide required

solutions, systematic thinking and logical thinking as well as knowledge of problem

analysis and problem solving methodologies are required.

c) Ability to act in accordance with relevant laws and regulations as well as various

information security provisions in order to utilize information safely.

d) Knowledge of development and operations of information systems in order to support

analysis and systemization of tasks.

Corresponding

Level

Corresponds with Level 1 of the Common Career/Skill Framework for the 5 Human

Resource Models (Strategist, Systems Architect, Service Manager, Project Manager, and

Technical Specialist)

(2) Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the planning of basic strategy or in the implementation of IT

solutions, products or services, and who perform either of the following activities under the

guidance of superiors.

1. Participate in strategic planning that utilizes information technology in response to

issues that a consumer (company management, social system) faces.

2. Build a highly reliable and productive system through design and development of

systems, or through optimally combining (integrating) generic products. Also,

contribute to the realization of stable operational services of systems.

Expected

Technology

Level

1. With regard to strategic planning utilizing information technology, the following

knowledge and skills are required, depending on the tasks in charge.

a) Understanding of the basics of target business fields and tasks and capability to utilize

this understanding in his/her tasks in charge.

b) Capability to perform projection, analysis and evaluation of information strategies

under the guidance of superiors.


c) Capability to participate in making proposals under the guidance of superiors.

2. With regard to design, development and operation of systems, the following knowledge

and skills are required depending on the tasks in charge.

a) Understanding of the basics of information technology in general and capability to

utilize this understanding in his/her tasks in charge.

b) Capability to design, develop and operate systems under the guidance of superiors.

c) Capability to design software under the guidance of superiors.

d) Understanding of policies of superiors and ability to develop software on his/her own.

Corresponding

Level

Corresponds with Level 2 of the Common Career/Skill Framework for the 5 Human

Resource Models (Strategist, Systems Architect, Service Manager, Project Manager, and


* Examination questions correspond to either: 1. Basic strategist or 2. Solution provider as outlined in

“Tasks and Roles” and “Expected Technology Level”. As such, in the Afternoon Examinations, there are

multiple-choice questions for each technological area. For more information, refer to Annex 3

“Breakdown of the Number of Questions per Field in the Afternoon Examination”.

(3) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the planning of basic strategy or the implementation of IT

solutions, products or services, and who perform either of the following activities

independently.

1. Devise strategy that utilizes information technology in response to issues that a

consumer (company management, social system) faces.

2. Construct a highly reliable, productive system through the design and development of

systems, or through optimally combining (integrating) generic products. Also realize

stable operational services of systems.

Expected

Technology

Level

1. With regard to strategic planning that utilizes information technology, the following

knowledge and skills are required, depending on the tasks in charge.

a) Capability to understand the managements’ policies, accurately grasp the external

environment surrounding the management, and collect trend information and case

studies when formulating business and IT strategies.

b) Capability to conduct gap analysis, etc. based on predetermined monitoring indicators

when evaluating management and IT strategies.

c) Capability to participate in discussing proposals and making parts of proposal

documents.

2. With regard to system design, development and operation, the following knowledge and

skills are required depending on the tasks in charge.

a) Capability to organize system requirements and conduct surveys of applicable

technologies when designing architectures.

b) Capability to ensure stable operation and provision of services in the field concerned

as a member of teams such as administration, operation, and service desk teams.

c) Capability to manage scope, budget, process, quality, etc. as a project member under a

project manager (leader).

d) Capability to understand the policies of superiors and solve technical problems

spontaneously with regard to the design, development, operation, and maintenance of

information systems, networks, databases, embedded systems, etc. Corresponding Corresponds with Level 3 of the Common Career/Skill Framework for the 5 Human


Level Resource Models (Strategist, Systems Architect, Service Manager, Project Manager, and


* Examination questions correspond to either: 1. Basic strategist or 2. Solution provider as outlined in

“Tasks and Roles” and “Expected Technology Level”. As such, in the Afternoon Examinations, there is a

choice of questions for each technological area. For more information, refer to Annex 3 “Breakdown of

Number of Questions per Field in the Afternoon Examination”.

(4) Information Technology Strategist Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the planning, promotion, or support of business innovation,

operational process innovation, development of innovative products and services utilizing

information technology, and who take a leading role in the following while guiding

subordinates.

a) In accordance with the characteristics of businesses in different industry fields,

formulate business strategies utilizing information technology in order to realize

management strategies, and evaluate implementation results.

b) In accordance with the characteristics of the businesses in different industry fields,

formulate information system strategies and overall systemization plans for realizing

business strategies, and evaluate implementation results.

c) Formulate concepts and plans for individual systemization to realize information

system strategies, and evaluate implementation results.

d) Considering the prerequisites and constraints of each business, manage the execution

of reform programs comprising multiple individual projects in order to realize

information system strategies.

e) As well as formulating development strategies for embedded systems, supervise the

lifecycle covering development, construction, maintenance, etc.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical ability are required to execute the formulation,

proposal, and promotion of basic strategies utilizing information technology in sections

such as business planning, the promotion of operational process innovation,

computerization planning, and product and service planning.

a) Capability to advise on the analysis of the business environment, the analysis of

information technology trends, and the formulation of business models as well as

capability to formulate or support business strategies. Also, capability to evaluate the

achievement level of the business strategies and provide feedback to management.

b) Capability to conduct surveys and analysis of the target business and task

environment, and formulate information system strategies and overall systemization

plans. Also, capability to evaluate information system strategies and overall

systemization plans.

c) Capability to conduct survey and analysis of the target business and task environment,

formulate concepts and plans for systemization of individual systems based on overall

systemization plans, and procure appropriate individual systems. Also, capability to

evaluate the implementation results of the systemization concepts and plans.

d) Capability to understand the prerequisites for implementing information system

strategies and reform programs, and monitor and control the realization of information

system strategies. Also, capability to perform causal analysis, formulate and

implement countermeasures, etc. with regard to the risks in the realization of

information system strategies.

e) With regard to the development of new embedded systems, capability to plan

competitive systems based on analysis of related technology trends, social constraints


and needs, intellectual property, etc. Also, capability to formulate and promote

deployment strategies and development strategies in accordance with added values,

extensibility, flexibility, etc. Corresponding

Level Prerequisite for Level 4 of the Common Career/Skill Framework Human Resource Model

of a Strategist

(5) Systems Architect Examination

Tasks and

Roles

[Information Systems]

Individuals engaged in the structure design of information systems for the realization of

information system strategies, the requirements definition needed for development, the

design of system methods and the development of information systems, and who take a

leading role in the following while guiding subordinates.

a) Design the structure of the target information system from the perspective of overall

optimization in order to realize information system strategies.

b) Analyze, organize and document the requirements needed for the development of

target information systems, in order to realize overall systemization plans and the

individual systemization concepts and plans.

c) Design optimal system methods for realizing the requirements of target information

systems.

d) Based on the requirements and the designed system methods, conduct review of the

design, development, testing, operation, and maintenance of software that satisfy the

required quality, and develop the target information systems.

However, for specific technologies such as databases, networks, etc, accept support

from specialists when necessary.

e) Evaluate target information systems and the effectiveness thereof.

[Embedded Systems]

Individuals engaged in the survey and analysis of embedded system requirements,

deciding functional specifications, and documenting the required specifications for

hardware and software, and who take a leading role in the following while guiding

subordinates.

a) Based on the conceptions and development plans for embedded systems, survey and

analyze the functional requirements, technical requirements, environmental

prerequisites, and quality requirements and determine the functional specifications of

target embedded systems.

b) Consider the assignment of functions to hardware and software to realize functional

specifications, design optimal system architecture, and compile the required

specifications for hardware and software.

c) Formulate policies regarding the validity of introducing generic modules and the

possibilities of reusing software assets that have already been developed.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical skills are required to smoothly execute the tasks

and roles of Systems Architect.


a) Capability to correctly understand information system strategies and consider the

overall organization of task models and information systems.

b) Capability to utilize both specialist knowledge of all types of task processes and

knowledge of systems, and to propose appropriate systems.

c) Capability to make abstractions (models) of a company’s business activities and

reconstruct them into a form in which information technology can be applied.


d) Knowledge about best practices for each industry, the status of task processes in

major companies, and the task processes in many user companies of the same

industry, specialist knowledge of each different industry, knowledge of industry

specific practices, etc.

e) Knowledge related to generic systems such as information system implementation

methods, development methods, and software packages, and capability to select and

apply them appropriately.

f) Knowledge about basic elemental technologies with regard to operating systems,

databases, networks, etc. and capability to construct and maintain appropriate

information systems, considering the technological risks and effects of those

technologies.

g) Capability to establish appropriate evaluation criteria for the system operation, task

operation, investment effects and task effects of information systems, and analyze and

evaluate the systems.

h) Capability to consider generalization of software and system services, bearing in mind

the possibility of deployment to many companies.

[Embedded Systems]

a) Capability to examine environmental conditions and quality requirements such as

safety of where the target embedded systems are used, and determine the functional

specifications that should be realized.

b) Capability to design appropriate combinations of hardware and software based on the

functional specifications of target embedded systems and compile the designs as

separate requirement specifications.

c) Thorough knowledge about real time operating systems and knowledge of generic

modules, and capability to consider the possibility of reusing software assets and

utilizing them appropriately. Corresponding

Level Prerequisite for Level 4 of the Common Career/Skill Framework Human Resource Models

of Systems Architects and Technical Specialists

(6) Project Manager Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the planning, execution and management of system development

projects as the person in charge of the project, and who take a leading role in the following

while guiding subordinates.

a) Support the formulation of individual systemization concepts and plans as required,

and prepare project plans for the execution of the relevant projects based on the

individual systemization concepts and plans that were formulated.

b) Secure necessary personnel and resources, and establish project organizations.

c) Manage budget, process, quality, etc. and run the project smoothly. Keep track of the

state of progress, pick up and recognize problems and anticipated future issues at an

early stage, and implement appropriate measures and actions to achieve project goals.

d) Report appropriately to senior members and stakeholders on the project execution

plans, state of progress, issues, countermeasures, etc, and obtain support and

cooperation to run the project smoothly.

e) Analyze and evaluate the project plans and achievements at the end of each stage and

at the end of projects, or as needed and reflect these in subsequent operations of the

projects as well as provide them as reference models for other projects. Expected

Technology


and roles of Project Manager.


Level a) Understanding of the basics regarding organization management and IT systems.

b) Capability to correctly understand the expectations towards the individual

systemization concepts and plans as well as the projects, and prepare feasible project

plans.

c) Capability to reliably accomplish project goals under the prerequisites and constraints.

d) Capability to manage personnel, resources, budget, process, quality, etc, unify overall

understanding of the project, and run the project.

e) Capability to understand the state of progress of the project and anticipated risks at an

early stage, and deal with them appropriately.

f) Capability to appropriately analyze and evaluate project plans and achievements. Also,

capability to utilize the results in the subsequent operation of the projects as well as

provide them as reference for other projects. Corresponding


of a Project Manager

(7) Network Specialist Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and

maintenance work for network systems, and who take a leading role in the following while

guiding subordinates.

a) As network administrator, manage network resources which comprise the foundation

of information systems.

b) Analyze requirements of the network systems and perform the planning, requirements

definition, development, operation, and maintenance considering efficiency,

reliability, and safety.

c) Provide network related technical support for the planning, requirements definition,

development, operation, and maintenance of information systems.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical skills are required in order to construct and

maintain network systems that conform to objectives.

a) Capability to foresee the trend of network technologies and services, and select

applicable technologies and services according to objectives.

b) Capability to understand precisely the requirements of the company, organization or

individual applications, and create requirement specifications of network systems.

c) Capability to evaluate design techniques such as modeling, protocol technology,

reliability design, security technology, network services, and costs etc. that relate to

the requirements specifications, and create optimal logical designs and physical

designs.

d) Capability to utilize network related companies (telecommunications companies,

vendors, construction firms, etc.), and construct and operate network systems. Corresponding


of a Technical Specialist

(8) Database Specialist Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and

maintenance work for data resources and databases, and who take a leading role in the

following while guiding subordinates.

a) As data administrator, manage data resources for the entire information system.

b) Analyze requirements of the database systems and perform planning, requirements

definition, development, operation, and maintenance considering efficiency,


reliability, and safety.

c) Provide database related technical support for the planning, requirements definition,

development, operation, and maintenance of individual system development.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical skills are required for the planning, requirements

definition, development, operation, and maintenance of high quality databases.

a) Capability to foresee the trend of database technologies, and select applicable

technologies according to objectives.

b) Capability to understand the purposes and techniques of data resource management,

and perform standardization of data parts as well as conduct the planning,

requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance of repository

systems.

c) Capability to understand data modeling techniques, conduct data analysis based on

user requirements, and create accurate conceptual data models.

d) Capability to understand the characteristics of database management systems, and

conduct planning, requirements definition, development, operation, and maintenance

of high quality databases. Corresponding



(9) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the development, implementation, and testing in the development

process of embedded systems based on hardware and software requirement specifications

of the embedded systems, and who take a leading role in the following while guiding

subordinates.

a) Balance the division of functions based on trade-offs between hardware and software

that realize optimal functional specifications and realtime processing in embedded

systems, and create design and specification documents.

b) Lead the execution of tasks of each stage in the embedded systems development

process.

c) Based on advanced specialist knowledge and development experiences in specific

technology and product fields, obtain technical knowledge from experts in the

relevant development fields, and incorporate the knowledge into each stage of the

development processes.

d) Prepare and improve the development environment for performing development.

Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical skills are required to appropriately decompose the

required functions, performance, quality, reliability, security, etc. into hardware and

software requirements and realize an optimal embedded system.

a) Capability to realize appropriate combinations of hardware and software based on

functional specifications and lead the execution of each stage of embedded system

development processes.

c) Capability to obtain technical knowledge from experts in the relevant development

fields and incorporate the knowledge into each stage of the embedded system

development processes, based on advanced specialist knowledge and development

experiences in specific technology and product fields.

c) Capability to construct and improve effective development environments for

performing embedded system development. Corresponding




(10) Information Security Specialist Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in promotion or support tasks for the planning, requirements

definition, development, operation, and maintenance of security functions, or the

preparation of secure information system foundations, and who take a leading role in the

following while guiding subordinates.

a) Analyze and evaluate threats and vulnerabilities to information systems and promote

or support the planning, requirements definition, and development of security

functions that appropriately avoid or prevent these.

b) Analyze the threats to information systems during development projects of

information systems or security functions, and support project management

appropriately.

c) Support security administration from a technical side in dealing with security

violations, application of security patches, and other information system operation

processes.

d) Support information security management sections such as in the creation of

information security policies and the education of users.

Expected

Technology

Level

As an information security technology specialist, the following knowledge and practical

skills are required to apply information security technology in cooperation with other

specialists as well as for the planning, requirements definition, development, operation,

and maintenance of secure information systems.

a) Capability to conduct risk analysis of information systems or information system

infrastructures, and extract concrete information security requirements compliant with

information security policies.

b) For information security measures, basic skills and application skills for multiple

specific areas with regard to technological measures, and capability to apply these

skills to target systems as well as evaluating their effects.

c) For information security measures, basic knowledge and techniques for applicable

cases with regard to physical and administrative measures, and capability to

understand the basic approaches to information security management, detailed

knowledge of cases where the approaches are applicable, and capability to evaluate

them.

d) For information technology knowledge, basic knowledge of networks, databases, and

system development environments, and capability to select necessary elemental

technology including encryption, authentication, filtering, and logging in order to

ensure confidentiality, accountability, etc. of information systems.

e) Basic knowledge as well as knowledge and experience of specific application

examples of process management and quality control for information system

development.

f) Basic knowledge regarding information security policies, and capability to support

information security management sections in policy formulation and user education,

etc.

g) Basic knowledge of information security related legal requirements, etc. and

capability to apply them. Corresponding



(11) Information Technology Service Manager Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the management of IT services with the objective of continually

improving their quality and cost efficiency, and who take a leading role in the following


while guiding subordinates.

a) Prepare and execute the processes of service support and service delivery as a leader

of teams such as operation management, operation, and service desk teams, and

provides IT services to customers at optimal quality and cost.

b) Conduct acceptance, operation, etc. of systems within the lifecycle management of

applications. Also provide stable information system infrastructures including

development environments, and conduct efficient operation management of systems.

c) Conduct continual improvement of IT services and management processes. Report the

state of implementation of IT services to customers, as well as make efforts to

improve customer satisfaction.

d) Conduct the operation and management of information security policies and the

controlling of information security incidents, and effectively manage information

security during IT service activities.

e) Conduct installation of hardware that matches customer facility requirements,

installation of software, customization, maintenance, and repair. Also, conduct facility

management of data centers.

Expected

Technology

Level


and role of IT Service Manager.

a) Capability to provide IT services by understanding and implementing the objectives

and contents of each of the process in service support and service delivery.

b) Capability to implement system operation control, operation methods in case of an

incident, performance management, and configuration management. Management

techniques required for system operation management such as incident management,

configuration management, account management, and performance management, and

capability to maintain the quality of information system infrastructures.

c) Capability to prepare a plan, implement and evaluate improvement measures for IT

services as well as provide high quality service reports to customers.

d) Knowledge and techniques required to implement highly effective information

security measures, and capability to operate and manage information security.

e) Capability to install, set up, maintain, and extend functions, and recover from

incidents with the aim of stable operation of hardware and software that has been or is

to be installed. Also, knowledge relating to the safety management of data centers and

capability to execute facility management. Corresponding


for a Service Manager

(12) Systems Auditor Examination

Tasks and

Roles

Individuals engaged in the audit of information systems and embedded systems from a

position independent of auditees, and who take a leading role in the following while

guiding subordinates.

a) Analyze the risks involved in information systems and embedded systems based on

broad and thorough knowledge of information systems, embedded systems and their

planning, development, operation and maintenance, and understand the necessary

controls.

b) By verifying or evaluating the controls relating to information systems and embedded

systems, either provide endorsements or advice, and contribute to the improvement of

IT governance and securement of compliance.

c) Prepare audit plans to implement b) and perform audits. Also, report audit results to

top management and the relevant people, and perform follow-ups.


Expected

Technology

Level

The following knowledge and practical skills are required to promote enhancements so that

information systems and embedded systems are utilized appropriately and safely, and to

contribute to the improvement of IT governance and securing of compliance.

a) Broad and thorough knowledge of information systems, embedded systems and their

planning, development, operation and maintenance as well as specialist knowledge

related to the risks and controls of realizing those objectives and functions.

b) Capability to evaluate the task processes to which the information systems and

embedded systems are applied and the risk to the company strategies, as well as

capability to clarify issues of the controls in place and establish decision criteria to

analyze and evaluate the issues.

c) Capability to prepare audit plans in accordance with business requirements,

management policies, regulations, guidelines, contracts, and internal rules for

information security, and protection of privacy and internal controls, etc. in order to

contribute to the improvement of IT governance and securing of compliance, etc, as

well as appropriately managing audit tasks based on plans.

d) Capability to apply auditing techniques in a timely and precise manner in order to

implement effective and efficient auditing procedures at the planning, development,

and operation stages of information systems and embedded systems.

e) Capability to put together audit results as logical reports based on facts, provide

valuable and convincing recommendations, and perform follow-ups. Corresponding


for a Service Manager


4 Configuration and Grading of Examinations

4.1 Examination Time, Type, and Number of Questions and Answers

Table 5 shows the time, type, and number of questions and answers for each examination.

Table 5 Time, Type, and Number of Questions and Answers for Each Examination.

Examination Category (165 mins)

Exam Type No. of QsNo. of As

IT Passport Examination Multiple-Choice

(1 from 4) 100 100

Examination Category

Morning Afternoon 9:30~12:00 (150 mins)

13:00~15:30 (150 mins)


Exam Type No. of Qs No. of As

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination

Multiple-Choice(1 from 4)

80 80

Multiple-Choice

13 (Note) 7

Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination


80 80

Short Answer12 (Note) 6

(Note) For details of questions in each field of the Afternoon Examination in the Fundamental Information

Technology Engineer Examination and Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination, see Annex 3.

Examination Category

Morning I Morning II Afternoon I Afternoon II (Note)

9:30~10:20 (50 mins)

10:50~11:30 (40 mins)

12:30~14:00 (90 mins)

14:30~16:30 (120 mins)



Exam Type

No. of Qs No. of As

Exam Type

No. of QsNo. of As

Advanced E

xaminations


Multiple-Choice

(1 from 4)

30 30


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Essay3 1

Systems Architect Examination


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Essay3 1

Project Manager Examination


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Essay3 1

Network Specialist Examination


25 25

Short Answer

3 2

Short Answer

2 1

Database Specialist Examination


25 25

Short Answer

3 2

Short Answer

2 1

Embedded Systems Specialist Examination


25 25

Short Answer

3 2

Short Answer

2 1

Information Security Specialist Examination


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Short Answer

2 1

Information Technology Service Manager Exam


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Essay3 1

Systems Auditor Examination


25 25

Short Answer

4 2

Essay3 1

(Note) In the Afternoon II Examination, the essay type indicates the essay (short essay) type of the current examination, and the short answer type indicates the essay (case analysis) type in the current examination.

Common Questions


4.2 Outline of the Scope of Questions

a) The scope of the questions is compliant with the Common Career/Skill Framework. To pursue

consistency between the Information Technology Engineers Examination and each of ITSS,

ETSS, and UISS human resource skill standards, a detailed discussion has been held to refine

the Common Career/Skill Framework, and under the direction of the Ministry of Economy,

Trade and Industry, necessary changes have been made to the major and middle categories as

shown in the “HRD-WG Report” (Appendix 1). For details of these changes, refer to Table

14 “List of Question Fields by Examination Category” and Table 15 “Scope of Morning

Questions”.

b) The IT Passport Examination tests the minimum required basic knowledge for business

workers involved in information technology. The Fundamental Information Technology

Engineer Examination tests basic knowledge and skills required for the development of

individuals aiming to be an advanced IT human resource. The Applied Information Technology

Examination tests applied knowledge and skills required to become an advanced IT human

resource. The Advanced Examination tests advanced, specialist knowledge and skills

related to information technology and tasks required for advanced IT human resources (“Basic

Configuration of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination” in Appendix 1

“HRD-WG Report”).

c) The IT Passport Examination and the Morning Examination evaluate by testing knowledge

indicated in the Common Career/Skill Framework to find whether the examinee’s skill reaches

the expected technology level in the relevant examination category.

d) The Afternoon Examination evaluates by testing problem finding ability, abstraction ability and

problem solving ability, etc. gained from reflection on experiences and the combination of

knowledge indicated in the Common Career/Skill Framework to find whether the examinee’s

skills reach the expected technology level for the relevant examination category. The questions

in the Afternoon Examinations are basically written in a format which lists the situations where

skills are applied for each task and process.

e) For details regarding the scope of questions, refer to “8 Scope of Questions”.

4.3 Grading Method, Points Allocation and Pass Criteria

a) Raw points are be used as the grading method for all examination categories and for all time

slots6.

b) The pass criteria for each examination are as follows:

･ In the IT Passport Examination, if the total points (total from all fields) and the points in each

field (points for the 3 fields of Strategy, Management, and Technology) are all above the

6 In the IT Passport Examination, points will initially be given as raw points, but data will be collected and

analyzed as the examination is conducted and a statistical method will be introduced at a later stage when preparations are in place.


required standard then a pass is awarded.

･ In the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination, Applied Information

Technology Engineer Examination, and Advanced Examination a pass is awarded if points in

each of the time slots (Morning, Afternoon, Morning I, Morning II, Afternoon I, and Afternoon

II Examinations in Table 6) are all over the required standard.

･ A certificate is granted to successful candidates from the Minister of Economy, Trade and

Industry. On the IT Passport Examination Certificate, points are indicated.

c) The points allocation (100%) and pass points are shown in Table 6.

Table 6 Points Allocation and Pass Points for Each Examination Category

Examination Category Time Slot Point Pass Points

IT Passport Examination - 1,000 total

points Total points (of all fields): 60% Points in each field: 30%

Examination Category Time Slot Point Allocation Pass Points

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer ExaminationApplied Information Technology Engineer Examination

Morning 100 total points 60%

Afternoon 100 total points 60%

Advanced E

xaminations

Information Technology Strategist Examination Systems Architect Examination Project Manager Examination Information Technology Service Manager ExaminationSystems Auditor Examination

Morning I 100 total points 60%

Morning II 100 total points 60% Afternoon 100 total points 60% Afternoon - Rank A (Note)

Network Specialist Examination Database Specialist Examination Embedded Systems Specialist Examination Information Security Specialist Examination

Morning I 100 total points 60%

Morning II 100 total points 60% Afternoon 100 total points 60% Afternoon 100 total points 60%

(Note) Evaluation Method for the Afternoon II Examination (essay type)

･ The content of the essay is evaluated from evaluation view points such as sufficiency of the

points required by the question, specificity of the essay, validity of content, consistency of logic,

assertions based on insights, perceptiveness/ability to take action, originality/far-sightedness,

and presentation and composition ability. Also, if the essay content does not adhere to the

“Instructions for Answering” in the questions booklet, evaluation may be lowered depending on

the extent of deviation, despite the content of the essay.

･ The relationship between the evaluation ranks and pass & fail are shown in Table 7.

Table 7 Evaluation Ranks and Pass/Fail Relationship of Afternoon II Examination (Essay Type)

Evaluation Rank Content Pass/Fail

A Satisfies passing level Pass

B Falls just short of passing level

Fail C Content is insufficient

D Deviates significantly from the requirements of the question


d) The Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination and Advanced Examination

employ a “Multi-Stage Selection Method” as follows:

<Applied Information Technology Examination>

･ If points in the Morning Examination do not reach the pass level, the Afternoon

Examination is not graded and the candidate fails.

<Advanced Examinations Exam Categories>

･ If points in the Morning I Examination do not reach the pass level, the Morning II,

Afternoon I, and Afternoon II Examinations is not graded and the candidate fails.

･ If points in the Morning II Examination do not reach the pass level, the Afternoon I and

Afternoon II Examinations is not graded and the candidate fails.

･ If points in the Afternoon I Examination do not reach the pass level, the Afternoon II

Examination is not graded and the candidate fails.


5 Examination Implementation

5.1 Implementation Schedule of the New Examination System

Giving sufficient consideration to the time for preparation and familiarization so that

companies and schools that use the examinations can adapt to the new examination system, all

examinations of the new system are supposed to be implemented from spring 2009.

Since the IT Passport Examination is the first attempt to introduce CBT methodology into a

national examination, careful preparation is needed to conduct CBT method examinations in a

steady and stable manner while ensuring the three examination principles: Fairness, Reliability,

and Validity. Therefore, the examination is initially done on paper. While accumulating sufficient

data in parallel, and upon constructing a safe and accurate framework, CBT methodology is

intended to be introduced fully in 2011.

Of the current categories, the Systems Administrator Examination is supposed to continue to

be conducted until the spring of 2009 (Table 8).

Table 8 New Examination System Implementation Schedule

Implementation Period Content Fall 2008 Examinations Fall examinations of the current examination system are supposed

to be conducted. Spring 2009 Examinations Spring examinations of the new examination system are supposed

to be conducted. The System Administrator Examination of the current examination categories is supposed to be conducted.

Examinations in Fall 2009 and Later

All examinations in the new examination system are supposed to be conducted.

5.2 Implementation Method and Period of Examinations

a) All examinations are supposed to be conducted on paper.

For the IT Passport Examination, CBT methodology is intended to be introduced in 2011.

b) The implementation period of the examinations is shown in Table 9.

･ The IT Passport Examination, Fundamental Information Technology Examination, Applied

Information Technology Examination, and Information Security Specialist Examination are

supposed to be conducted twice a year in spring and fall (3rd Sunday in April and October),

and the other examinations are to be conducted once a year in either spring or fall.


Table 9 Implementation Period of Each Examination Category

Examination Category Period IT Passport Examination Spring Fall Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination Spring Fall Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination Spring Fall A

dvanced Exam

inations

Information Technology Strategist Examination Fall Systems Architect Examination Fall Product Manager Examination Spring Network Specialist Examination Fall Database Specialist Examination Spring Embedded Systems Specialist Examination Spring Information Security Specialist Examination Spring Fall Information Technology Service Manager Examination Fall Systems Auditor Examination Spring

･ The current Project Manager Examination is conducted in the fall but the new Project

Manager Examination is to be conducted in the spring. Also, the current Systems

Management Engineer Examination is conducted in spring but the Information Technology

Service Manager Examination is to be conducted in fall.

The reasons for this are as follows: 1) To increase the opportunity for successful candidates in

an Advanced Examination to attempt other Advanced Examinations. 2) To achieve smooth

implementation of examinations by equalizing the number of examinees in spring and fall as

much as possible.

5.3 Exemption System

(1) Introduction of Exemption System for a Part of the Morning Exam in the Advanced

Examination

The Morning Exam of the Advanced Examination employs the skill set methodology, and is

split into the Morning I Examination which tests knowledge required in common for the

Advanced Examination and the Morning II Examination which tests specialist knowledge of the

relevant examination category. If one of the conditions 1~3 below is satisfied, the candidate is to

be exempt from sitting the Morning I Examination for 2 years with the intention of improving

convenience for examinees and encouraging them to take the Advanced Examination (Figure 6).

Condition 1: Pass in the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination.

Condition 2: Pass in one of the Advanced Examinations.

Condition 3: Has gained a grade surpassing the pass points in one of the Advanced Morning I

Examinations.


Afternoon II

Afternoon I

Morning II (Specialist)

Morning I (Compulsory)

Advanced Exam A Advanced Exam B Advanced Exam C

...

Afternoon II

Afternoon I

Afternoon II

Afternoon I

Regular Candidates

･ Passed the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination

･ Passed Advanced Examination･ Gained a grade over the pass points in the Advanced Morning I Examination

Morning II Specialist


Morning II (Specialist)


Exempted Candidates

Figure 6 Exemption System for Part of the Morning Advanced Examination

(2) Exemption System Interim Measures for Successful Candidates in the Current Examinations

Interim measures are to be taken as a limited, temporary step at the time of the transition of the

examination system for all those eligible for the exemption system implemented for successful

candidates of the current examination system (Table 10 and Figure 7).

Table 10 Exemption System for Successful Candidates of Current Examinations Candidates

(Eligibility and Exemption)

Eligibility Exemption

a) A pass in the Software Design & Development

Engineer Examination (SW) The Morning Examination of one of the

following examination categories:

Systems Analyst Examination

Product Manager Examination

Application Systems Engineer Examination

b)

A pass in one of the following examination categories:

･ System Analyst Examination (AN)

･ Product Manager Examination (PM)

･ Application Systems Engineer Examination (AE)

Of these, a pass in (a) the Software Design & Development Engineer Examination is treated as

a pass in the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination, and a pass in (b) the

System Analyst Examination, Project Manager Examination, or Application Systems Engineer

Examination is treated as a pass in the Advanced Examination. After the start of the new

examination system in spring 2009, the exemption system is to be applied to all eligible

candidates.

These interim measures are intended for those who already have qualified for the exemption

system at the time of the start of the new examination system in spring 2009. The period of

validity of this exemption system is 2 years from the start of the year in which a pass is achieved.

Therefore those eligible for the interim measures are candidates who passed in the spring or fall

of 2008. Either is to be exempt from taking the Advanced Morning I Examination in spring and

fall 2009.


Figure 7 Exemption System Interim Measures for Successful Candidates in the Current Examinations

(3) Exemption System Interim Measures for Individuals that have Completed Authorized

Courses in the Current Examination System

Interim measures are to be taken for the exemption system (nationwide)7for those who have

completed an authorized course based on the Information Technology Engineer Examination

rules as a limited, temporary step at the time of transition of the examination system.

If certification of completion is to be granted after April 1, 2008 for the Fundamental

Information Technology Engineer Exam (FE) authorized courses that have already been

authorized, course plans and other matters regarding the difference in the course items in the

current and new examinations are to be submitted.

An examination equivalent to the Systems Administrator Examination (AD) is supposed to no

longer exist in the new examination system and therefore the exemption system for Systems

Administrator Examination authorized courses that have already been authorized is supposed to

cease as of spring 2009 (Figure 8).

7 From regulations Clause 2, Articles 5 and 6 in the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Rules

(Ministry Ordinance No. 59 issued in 1970 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry).


2007Dec Jan April June July Oct Dec Jan April Jun July Oct

CurrentExam

CurrentExam

NewExam

NewExam

Exempt Exempt

Exempt Exempt

Exempt Exempt

Exempt Exempt

ExemptEnd

20092008

Completion

Completion

AD

FE

Completion

Completion

Completion

Figure 8 Exemption System Interim Measures for Individuals that have Completed

Authorized Courses in the Current Examination System

Note that the exemption system8 interim measures for those who have completed authorized

courses based on the Structural Reform Special District System are to be discussed separately.

(4) Authorized Course Exemption System in the New Examination System

The authorization of certification courses for the Fundamental Information Technology

Engineers Examination under the new examination system is supposed to begin April 1, 2008

(Figure 9).

2007Dec Jan April Jun July Oct Dec Jan April June July Oct

CurrentExam

CurrentExam

NewExam

NewExam

Exempt Exempt

　New FE Exam Authorization

2008 2009

NewFE Completion

Figure 9 Authorized Course Exemption System in the New Examination System

5.4 Accommodating Physically Disabled Persons

As in the current examinations, accessibility has been fully considered and special measures

are implemented such as enlarged copies of the exam questions, braille, bringing in a word

processor, accompaniment by a carer, and extension of exam time.

8 In accordance with the stipulations set forth in Clause 24, Article 1 and Clause 25, Article 1 of the “Ordinance

specifying measures regarding exceptions to the ordinance stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of the Structural Reform Special District Law, and the applicable specific businesses” (Ministry Ordinance No. 39 issued in 2003 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).


6 Information Disclosure

(1) IT Passport Examination (discussions ongoing)

Disclosure of information relating to the IT Passport Examination is to be as shown in Table 11.

Table 11 IT Passport Examination (Paper-Based) Information Disclosure

Matter Content Matters Disclosed in Advance (Always)

Grading Method

･ Grading according to raw points (Points are initially given as raw points, but data are collected and analyzed as the examination is conducted and a statistical method is to be introduced at a later stage when preparations are in place)

Pass Points ･ Total points: 60% of full points. Points in each field: 30% of full points in each field. Matters Disclosed on Examination Day

Exam Questions

･ Question booklet can be taken home (also published on the Examination Center website)

Example Answers

･ Correct answers

Matters Disclosed After Examination Implementation Individuals’ Grades

･ Pass/fails, total points ･ Points in each field (Strategist, Management, and Technology)

Statistics ･ Population distribution of points, document of examination results statistics (aggregated results per industry, etc.)

(2) Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination, Applied Information

Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced Examination

Disclosure of information relating to the Fundamental Information Technology Engineers

Examination, Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced

Examination is to be as shown in Table 12.

Table 12 Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination, Applied Information

Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced Examination Information Disclosure

Matter Content Matters Disclosed in Advance (Always)

Grading Method

･ Grading according to raw points for all examination categories and all time slots ･ Multi-step selection implementation (Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination,

Advanced Examination) Pass Points ･ Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination and Applied Information

Technology Engineers Examination: 60% of full points for both the Morning and Afternoon Examinations

･ Advanced Examination: Morning I, Morning II, Afternoon I, and Afternoon II (short answer) 60% of full points, Afternoon II (essay): Rank A

Matters Disclosed on Examination Day Exam

Questions ･ Question booklet can be taken home (also published on the Examination Center

website) Point

Distribution ･ Distribution of points for each question in Morning I, Morning II, Afternoon,

Afternoon I, and Afternoon II (short answer) Examinations Example Answers

･ Correct answers and intention of the questions for the multi-step selection questions

Matters Disclosed After Examination Implementation Example ･ Example or essential points of the answers to the short answer questions, intention of


Matter Content Answers the questions of short answer and essay questions

Matters Disclosed When Results Announced Individuals’ Grades

･ Pass/fails ･ Morning (I and II), Afternoon (I and II [short answer]) points

(Reference: in the current examinations, scores based on a statistical method (Morning) and scores based on points (Afternoon), are disclosed (range of points: 200~800)

･ Points in each field (Strategist, Management, and Technology) in the Morning Examinations (Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination and Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination)

･ Afternoon II Examination (essay type) evaluation ranking Statistics ･ Population distribution of points in each time slot, and population distribution per

evaluation rank for the essay type ･ Document of examination results statistics (aggregated results per industry, per task

type, etc.) Matters Disclosed After Results Announced

Review of Grading

･ Discussions, etc. of the examiners based on the trends and state of examinees’ answers summarized in a simple document. For the Afternoon Examinations

Information disclosure schedule is to be roughly as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10 Guide to Information Disclosure Schedule


7 Matters for Consideration

7.1 In Consideration of Future Improvements and Enhancements of the Examination System

Aiming for goals such as further improvement in convenience for examinees and increased

incentive for successful candidates, the following matters are to be considered:

･ Outsourcing CBT method examination implementation to the private sector

･ Partial exemption of examinations such as for those who complete training programs that

satisfy certain requirements

･ Registration system for successful candidates of the Advanced Examinations

･ Issuance of a Pass Card (tentative name)


8 Scope of Questions

The scope of the examination questions is as follows.

8.1 IT Passport Examination

The IT Passport Examination is a newly established examination. It is described in the “Concept

of Examination Questions” column in detail compared to the other examination categories (see

Table 13).

The IT Passport Examination consists of 100 questions and the examination duration is 165

minutes (see Table 5). Since the IT Passport Examination lays weight on common basic knowledge

that is required in order to utilize information technology, around 60% of the questions are derived

from the strategy field and management field.

Table 13 Scope of Questions in the IT Passport Examination Common Career/Skill Framework

Scope of questions to be asked (Concept of exam questions) Field Major Category Middle Category

Stra

tegy

1 Corporate and legal affairs

1 Corporate activities

- Ask about the fundamental concepts about corporate activities and business management.

- Ask about the techniques for analyzing familiar business tasks and resolving issues, the concept of PDCA, and operational planning using techniques such as Pareto charts.

- Ask about the visual expressions used for understanding business tasks, such as workflow.

- Ask about the fundamental concepts of accounting and financial affairs, such as financial statements and break-even points.

2 Legal affairs - Ask about the familiar laws of workplaces, such as intellectual property rights (copyright, industrial property rights, etc.), Act on the Protection of Personal Information, Labor Standards Act, and Act for Securing the Proper Operation of Worker Dispatching Undertakings and Improved Working Conditions for Dispatched Workers.

- Ask about the concepts and characteristics of software license, such as license types and license management.

- Ask about the concepts of corporate rules and regulations, such as compliance and corporate governance.

- Ask about the significance of standardization. 2 Business

strategy 3 Business

strategy management

- Ask about the fundamental concepts about typical management information analysis techniques and business management systems, such as SWOT analysis, PPM (Product Portfolio Management), customer satisfaction, CRM, and SCM.

- Ask about the fundamental concepts relevant to marketing. - Ask about the typical information analysis techniques for planning business strategies.

- Ask about the understanding of the use of office tools (software packages) such as spreadsheet software, database software, etc.

4 Technological strategy management

- Ask about the understanding of the significance and purpose of technology development strategy.


Common Career/Skill Framework Scope of questions to be asked (Concept of exam questions)

Field Major Category Middle Category

5 Business industry

- Ask about the characteristics of typical systems in various business fields such as e-commerce, POS systems, IC cards, and RFID application systems.

- Ask about the characteristics of typical systems in the engineering filed and e-business.

- Ask about the characteristics and trends of intelligent home appliances and embedded systems.

3 System strategy

6 System strategy

- Ask about the significance and purpose of information system strategies and the concepts of strategic goals, business improvement, and problem solving.

- Ask about the concepts of typical modeling in business models. - Ask about the effective use of groupware for communication and of office tools.

- Ask about the purpose and concepts of increasing operational efficiency by using computers and networks.

- Ask about the concepts of solutions through typical services. - Ask about the significance and purpose of the promotion and evaluation activities of system utilization.

7 System planning

- Ask about the purpose of computerization planning. - Ask about the purpose of the operational requirements definition based on the analysis of current state.

- Ask about the fundamental flow of procurement, such as estimates, RFPs, and proposals.

4 Development technology

8 System development technology

- Ask about the fundamental flow of the process of software development such as requirements definition, system design, programming , testing, and software maintenance.

- Ask about the concepts of the estimate in software development. 9 Software

development management techniques

- Ask about the significance and purpose of typical development methods.

5 Project management

10 Project management

- Ask about the significance, purpose, concepts, processes, and methods of project management.

6 Service management


- Ask about the significance, purpose, and concepts of IT service management.

- Ask about the understanding of related matters such as help desks. - Ask about the concepts about system environment maintenance, such as computers and networks.

12 System audit - Ask about the significance, purpose, concepts, and target of system audit.

- Ask about the flow of system audit, such as planning, investigating, and reporting.

- Ask about the significance, purpose, and concepts of internal control and IT governance.

Tec

hnol

ogy

7 Basic theory 13 Basic theory - Ask about the fundamental concepts about radix including the characteristics and operations of binary numbers.

- Ask about the fundamental concepts about sets, such as Venn diagrams, probability, and statistics.

- Ask about the fundamental concepts of how to express information content, such as bits and bytes, and of digitization.

14 Algorithm and programming

- Ask about the fundamental concepts of algorithms and data structures, and how to draw flow charts.

- Ask about the roles of programming. - Ask about the types and fundamental usage of markup languages, such as HTML and XML.

Man

agem

ent



Field Major Category Middle Category 8 Computer

system 15 Computer

component - Ask about the fundamental configuration and roles of computers. - Ask about the performance and fundamental mechanism of processors, and the types and characteristics of memory.

- Ask about the types and characteristics of storage media. - Ask about the types and characteristics of input/output interfaces, device drivers, etc.

16 System component

- Ask about the characteristics of system configurations, of the types of processing, and of the types of usage.

- Ask about the characteristics of client/server systems. - Ask about the characteristics of Web systems. - Ask about the concepts of system performance, reliability, and economic efficiency.

17 Software - Ask about the necessity, functions, types, and characteristics of OSs. - Ask about the concepts and use of basic functions of file management, such as access methods and search methods, and the fundamental concepts of backups.

- Ask about the characteristics and fundamental operations of software packages, such as office tools.

- Ask about the characteristics of OSS (Open Source Software). 18 Hardware - Ask about the types and characteristics of computers.

- Ask about the types and characteristics of input/output devices. 9 Technical

element 19 Human

interface - Ask about the concept and characteristics of interface design, such as GUI and menus.

- Ask about the concepts of Web design. - Ask about the concepts of universal design.

20 Multimedia - Ask about the types and characteristics of encodings such as JPEG, MPEG, and MP3.

- Ask about the purpose and characteristics of application of multimedia technology, such as VR (Virtual Reality) and CG (Computer Graphics).

- Ask about the characteristics of media, and compression and decompression of information data.

21 Database - Ask about the significance, purpose, and concepts of database management systems (DBMS).

- Ask about the concepts of data analysis and design, and the characteristics of database models.

- Ask about the manipulation methods such as data extraction. - Ask about database processing methods such as exclusive control and recovery processing.

22 Network - Ask about the types and configurations of LAN and WAN regarding networks, and the roles of Internet and LAN connection devices.

- Ask about the necessity of communication protocols, and the roles of typical protocols.

- Ask about the characteristics and fundamental mechanism of the Internet.

- Ask about the characteristics of e-mail and Internet services. - Ask about the understanding of the types and characteristics, accounting, and transmission rates of communication services, such as mobile communication and IP phones.

23 Security - Ask about the fundamentals of information security from the viewpoint of safe and secure activities in a network society.

- Ask about the information assets, the purpose of risk management, and the concepts of information security policy.

- Ask about the concepts, types, and characteristics of technological security measures, such as measures against computer viruses.



Field Major Category Middle Category - Ask about the concepts, types, and characteristics of physical and human security measures, such as entrance/exit control and access control.

- Ask about the types and characteristics of authentication technologies such as ID, password, callback, digital signature, and biometric authentication.

- Ask about the mechanisms and characteristics of encryption technology such as public keys and private keys.


8.2 Fundamental Information Technology Engineers Examination, Applied Information

Technology Engineers Examination, and Advanced Examination

(1) Morning Examination

a) Morning Examination Question Fields

In the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination and Applied Information

Technology Engineers Examination, 80 questions cover a broad field of technology, management,

and strategy in line with Table 14 “List of Question Fields by Examination Category”. There

are questions from Technology Level 2 in the Fundamental Information Technology Engineers

Examination, and from Technology Level 3 in the Applied Information Technology Engineers

Examination.

The Advanced Examination is composed of the Morning I Examination and the Morning II

Examination. In the Morning I Examination, 30 questions of Technology Level 3, required for all

examination categories, cover a broad field of technology, management, and strategy. In the

Morning II Examination, there are 25 questions of Technology Level 3 or 4 specialized for each

examination category, according to the marks ○ and ● shown in Table 14. For example, in the

Information Technology Strategist Examination, questions are taken from the middle categories

marked with a ○ or ● in the major categories “System Strategy”, “Management Strategy”, and

“Corporate and Legal Affairs” of the Strategist field. This is the same for other examination

categories as well.

Table 15 shows the minor categories and examples of knowledge items included in each

middle category of Table 14 “List of Question Fields by Examination Category”.

b) Technology Level and Question Types of Morning Questions

･ The Technology Levels of the Morning Examination questions shown in “List of Question

Fields by Examination Category” have been set at 4 relative difficulty levels for each field – 1,

2, 3, and 4 – from the standpoint of depth and breadth of knowledge, getting wider and deeper

from 1 to 4.

･ The Morning Examination question are roughly composed of the following 4 types:

(1) “Basic Knowledge Level” questions that examine whether the individual knows the

significance, concepts, and characteristics of the target knowledge items.

(2) “Fundamental Knowledge Level” questions that examine whether the individual understands

the detailed content and methods relating to the target knowledge items.

(3) “Applied Knowledge Level” questions that examine whether or not the individual can apply

the target knowledge item.

(4) “Advanced Knowledge Level” questions that examine whether or not the individual can

apply the target knowledge items sophisticatedly.

･ There are mainly “Basic Knowledge Level” questions at Technology Level 1, “Fundamental

Knowledge Level” questions at Technology Level 2, “Applied Technology Level” questions


at Technology Level 3, and “Advanced Technology Level” questions at Technology Level 4.


Table 14 List of Question Fields by Examination Category

(Note 1) ○ means that it is within the scope of questions, and ● means that it is a priority field within the scope of questions.

(Note 2) 1, 2, 3, and 4 indicate the Technology Level. 4 is the highest and the upper levels include the lower levels.

(Note 3) To pursue consistency between the Information Technology Engineers Examination and each of ITSS, ETSS, and

UISS human resource skill standards, a detailed discussion has been held to refine the Common Career/Skill

Framework, and under the direction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, necessary changes have been

made to the major and middle categories as shown in the “HRD-WG Report” (Appendix 1).

Field

1 Basic Theory

2 Algorithms and Programming

3 Computer Components ○3 ○3 ○3 ●4 ○3

4 System Components ○3 ○3 ○3 ○3 ○3

5 Software ●4

6 Hardware ●4

7 Human Interfaces

8 Multimedia

9 Databases ○3 ●4 ○3 ○3 ○3

10 Networks ○3 ●4 ○3 ●4 ○3 ○3

11 Security ○3 ●4 ○3 ○3 ●4 ○3 ○3

12System DevelopmentTechniques

●4 ○3 ○3 ○3 ●4 ○3 ○3

13Software DevelopmentManagement Techniques

○3 ○3 ○3 ○3 ○3 ○3

5ProjectManagement

14 Project Management ●4 ●4

15 Service Management ○3 ○3 ●4 ○3

16 System Auditing ○3 ○3 ●4

17 System Strategy ●4 ○3

18 System Planning ●4 ●4 ○3

19 Management Strategy ●4 ○3

20Technology StrategyManagement

○3

21 Business Industry ●4

22 Corporate Activities ●4 ○3

23 Legal Affairs ○3 ○3 ○3 ●4

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○1

Basic Theory


Table 15 Scope of Morning Questions Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 1 Basic theory 1 Basic theory 1 Discrete

mathematics binary number, radix, numeric representation, arithmetic precision, set, Venn diagram, logical operation, proposition, etc.

2 Applied mathematics

probability, statistics, numerical analysis, formula manipulation, graph theory, queueing theory, etc.

3 Theory about information

coding theory, predicate logic, automaton, formal language, computational complexity, artificial intelligence, knowledge engineering, learning theory, compiler theory, programming language theory and semantics, etc.

4 Theory of communications

transmission theory (transmission channel, modulation and demodulation technique, multiplexing, error detection and correction, signal synchronization technique) etc.

5 Theories of measurement and control

signal processing, feedback control, feed-forward control, response characteristics, control stability, various controls, types of sensors and actuators and their operating characteristics, etc.

2 Algorithm and programming

1 Data structure stack and queue, list, array, tree structure, binary tree, etc.

2 Algorithm Understanding of sorting, merging, search, recursion, character string processing, flowchart, etc.

3 Programming programming by using existing programming languages (coding convention, program structure, data type, grammar notation, etc.)

4 Programming languages

types and characteristics of programming languages (assembler language, C, C++, COBOL, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, etc.)

5 Other languages types and characteristics of markup languages (HTML, XML, etc), SDL (Specification and Description Language), ADL (Architecture Description Language), etc.

2 Computer system

3 Computer components

1 Processor types of computers and processors, and their configurations and operating principles, interrupts, performance and characteristics, structure and architecture, RISC and CISC, instructions and addressing, etc.

2 Memory types and characteristics of memory, memory system structure and storage hierarchy (cache, main memory, auxiliary storage), access method, RAM file, memory capacity and performance, types and characteristics of storage media, etc.

3 Bus Types and characteristics of bus, bus system structure, bus control method, bus access mode, bus capacity and performance, etc.

4 Input /output interface

types and characteristics of input/output devices, input/output interface, device driver, synchronization with device, analog-digital conversion, etc.

5 Input /output device

input device, output device, display device, auxiliary storage device and storage media, communication control unit, drive unit, imaging device, etc.

Tech

nolo

gy


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 4 System

components 1 System

configuration system processing mode, types of systems, system application area, client/server system, Web systems thin client system, fault tolerant system, NAS, SAN, P2P, High Performance Computing (HPC), clusters, etc.

2 System evaluation indexes

system performance index, system performance characteristics and evaluation, significance and purpose of system reliability and economy, reliability calculation, reliability index, reliability characteristics and evaluation, cost efficiency evaluation, capacity planning, etc.

5 Software 1 Operating system types and characteristics of OSs, functions of OS, multiprogramming, virtual storage, job management, process/task management, data management, input /output management, storage management, interrupt, etc.

2 Middleware role and functions of various middleware (API for OS, various libraries, componentware, and shells), selection and use of middleware, etc

3 File system types and characteristics of file systems, access method, search method, directory management, backup, file organization, etc.

4 Development tools

design tool, building tools, test tool, language processing tools (compiler, interpreter, linker, loader), CASE, emulator, simulator, in-circuit emulator (ICE), tools chain, integrated development environment, etc.

5 Open source software

types and characteristics of OSS, Unix-family OSs, open source community, LAMP/LAPP, considerations in the use and utilization of OSS (safety, defect, etc), trends, etc.

6 Hardware 1 Hardware electric and electronic circuit, machine and control, logical design, components/elements and implementation, semiconductor device, system LSI, SoC (System On a Chip), power consumption, etc.

3 Technical element

7 Human interface

1 Human interface technology

information architecture, GUI, voice recognition, image recognition, moving image recognition, feature extraction, learning function, interactive system, usability, etc.

2 Interface design form design, screen design, code design, Web design, human centered design, universal design, etc.

8 Multimedia 1 Multimedia technology

Authoring environment, sound processing, still image processing, moving image processing, media integration, compression, decompression, MPEG, etc.

2 Application of multimedia

AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), CG (Computer Graphics), media application, etc.

9 Database 1 Database system types and characteristics of databases, database model, DBMS, etc.

2 Database design data analysis, logical design of database, data normalization, performance design of database, physical design of database, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 3 Data

manipulation database manipulation, languages used to manipulate databases (SQL, etc.), relational algebra, etc.

4 Transaction processing

exclusive control, recovery processing, transaction management, database performance enhancement, data control, etc.

5 Database application

data warehouse, data mining, distributed database, repository, metadata, etc.

10 Networks 1 Network architecture

types and characteristics of networks, (WAN/LAN, wired/wireless, etc.) internet technology, calculation associated with line, packet exchange network, etc.

2 Data transmission and control

transmission method and line, internetworking device, digital service unit, OSI model, media access control (MAC), data link control, routing control, flow control, etc.

3 Communication protocols

protocols and interfaces, TCP/IP, HDLC, CORBA, HTTP, DNS, SOAP, IPv6, etc.

4 Network management

network operations management (SNMP), fault control, performance management, traffic monitoring, etc.

5 Network application

Internet, intranet, extranet, mobile communication, network OS, communication service, etc.

11 Security 1 Information security

cryptography (public key, private key, DES, RSA, etc.), authentication technology (digital signature, message authentication, time authentication, etc.), user verification (callback, ID, password, etc.), biometric authentication technology, public key infrastructure (PKI), government public key infrastructure (GPKI, Bridge Certification Authority, and so on), etc.

2 Information security management

overview of information assets and risks, types of risks, risk analysis and evaluation, risk countermeasures, information security policy, ISMS, development of security regulations for corporate activities, etc.

3 Security technology evaluation

evaluation method, assurance level, ISO/IEC 15408, etc.

4 Information security measures

human security measures, technical security measures (measures against cracking, measures against computer viruses, etc), physical security measures, etc.

5 Security implementation technology

secure OS, application security, secure programming, etc.

4 Development technology

12 System development technology

1 System requirements definition

system requirements definition (functions; performance; requirements from tasks, organizations, and users; design conditions; qualification requirements; etc), evaluation of system requirements, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 2 Systems

architecture design

establishing the architecture at the top level of the system (functional decomposition of hardware, software, and manual work; hardware architecture; software architecture; application architecture; database architecture; etc.), evaluation of systems architecture, etc.

3 Software requirements definition

establishment of software requirements (function, performance, interface, etc), evaluation of software requirements, hearing, use case, prototype, DFD, E-R diagram, UML, etc.

4 Software architecture design and software detailed design

software structure and component design, interface design, software unit test design, software integration test design, software quality, review, walk-through, software design evaluation, process-oriented design, data-oriented design, structured design, object-oriented design, module design, design pattern, etc.

5 Software coding and testing

software coding, coding conventions, code review, debugging, test method, test preparation (test environment, test data, etc.), test execution, test result evaluation, etc.

6 Software integration and software qualification tests

test planning, test preparation (test environment, test data, etc.), test execution, test result evaluation, etc.

7 System integration and system qualification tests

test planning, test preparation (test environment, test data, etc.), test execution, test result evaluation, tuning, etc.

8 Software installation

creation of software installation plan, execution of software installation, etc.

9 Software acceptance

acceptance review and acceptance test, delivery and acceptance of software products, user manual, education and training, etc.

10 Software maintenance

Styles of software maintenance, significance of software maintenance, etc.

13 Software development management techniques

1 Development process and methods

software development method, process maturity level, software life cycle process (SLCP), reuse of software, structured method, formal method, reverse engineering, mashup, etc.

2 Intellectual property application management

copyright management, patent management, inventory management, etc.

3 Development environment management

development environment operation status management, development environment construction, design data management, tool management, license management, etc.

4 Configuration management andchange control

establishment of configuration identification system, change control, configuration status recording, assurance of the integrity of items, release management and shipment, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items M

anag

emen

t 5 Project

management 14 Project

management 1 Project

integration management

project charter preparation, preparation of a preliminary project scope description document, preparation of a project management plan, direct and management of project implementation, controlling of project activities, integrated change control, project termination

2 Project scope management

scope planning, scope definition, WBS creation, scope verification, scope control

3 Project time management

activity definition, activity sequencing, activity resource estimating, activity duration estimating, schedule development, schedule control

4 Project cost management

cost estimation, cost budgeting, cost control

5 Project quality management

quality planning, quality assurance, quality management

6 Project human resources management

human resources planning, project team organization, project team development, project team management

7 Project communications management

communications planning, information distribution, performance reporting, stakeholder management

8 Project risk management

risk management planning, risk identification, qualitative risk analysis, quantitative risk analysis, risk response planning, risk monitoring and control

9 Project procurement management

plan purchasing and acquisition, plan contract, request seller responses, select sellers, contract administration, contract closure




significance and purpose of service management, ITIL, role of system operations manager, SLA (Service Level Agreement), evaluation and verification of operations assessment indicators, handing over of operations, etc.

2 Operations design and tools

schedule design, system installation, system migration, operations support tools, monitoring tools, diagnostic tools, etc.

3 Service support service desk (helpdesk), incident management (fault control), problem management, configuration management, change management, release management, risk management, computer operations and management etc.

4 Service delivery system operation, SLM (Service Level Management), capacity management, availability management, IT service continuity management, user management, system resource management, IT service finance management, information asset management ,etc.

5 Service management foundation

gap analysis, risk assessment, requirements establishment, etc.

6 Facility management

facility management including equipment such as power supply and air conditioning, maintenance and protection of facilities, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 16 System audit 1 System audit significance and purpose of system audits,

targeted business operations of system audits, system auditability, system audit planning, system audit implementation (preliminary audit, main audit, evaluation, conclusions), system audit reporting, system audit evaluation ,system audit standards, system audit techniques, audit evidence, audit work paper, etc.

2 Internal control Internal control, IT governance, evaluation and improvement of compliance, etc.

Str

ateg

y 7 System

strategy 17 System

strategy 1 Information

system strategy significance and purpose of information system strategy, total optimization policy, total optimization planning, computerization promotion system, computerization investment planning, business model, business operations model, information systems model, EA (Enterprise Architecture) (business architecture, data architecture, application architecture, technology architecture), program management, system owner , data owner, process framework, quality control (quality control framework), information systems strategy evaluation information systems strategy implementation management etc.

2 Business process BPR, analysis of business operations, business improvement, design of business operations, BPM (Business Process Management), BPO, SFA, etc.

3 Solution business business system proposal, business package, problem solving support, ASP, SOA, SaaS, etc.

4 System utilization promotion and evaluation

information literacy, data utilization, popularization and awareness raising, evaluation and verification of information system utilization, information system disposal etc.

18 System planning

1 Computerization planning

computerization initiative, basic computerization policy, total development schedule, development project framework, staff training planning, development return on development investment, system life cycle, information system installation risk analysis, etc.

2 Requirements definition

requirements analysis, user needs study, current state analysis, operational requirements definition, functional requirements definition, non-functional requirements definition, verification of stakeholder requirements, verification of the consistency with the system strategy , etc.

3 Procurement planning and implementation

procurement targets, procurement requirements, procurement conditions, RFP (Request For Proposal), proposal evaluation criteria, estimates, proposals, vendor selection, procurement risk analysis, internal & external manufacturing criteria, software asset management, software supply chain management, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 8 Business

strategy 19 Business

strategy management

1 Business strategy techniques

competition strategy, differentiation strategy, core competence, M&A, alliance, group management, corporate philosophy, SWOT analysis, PPM (Product Portfolio Management), value chain analysis, growth matrix, outsourcing, etc.

2 Marketing marketing theory, marketing techniques, marketing analysis, LTV (Life Time Value), etc.

3 Business strategy and goal/evaluation

business strategy planning, business environment analysis, needs/wants analysis, competitive analysis, strategic targets, CSF (Critical Success Factor), KPI (Key Performance Indicator), KGI (Key Goal Indicator), balance score card, etc.

4 Business management system

CRM, SCM, ERP, decision support, knowledge management, etc.

20 Technological strategy management

1 Planning of technology development strategy

product trend, technology trend, core technology, technology research, technology acquisition, technology licensing, technological tie-up, MOT (Management Of Technology), industry-academia-government collaboration, standardization strategy, etc.

2 Technology development plan

technical development investment planning, technology development site planning, human resources planning, technology roadmap, product application roadmap, patent acquisition roadmap, etc.

21 Business industry

1 Business system distribution information system, logistics information system, public information system, medical information system, financial information system, e-Government, POS system, XBRL, etc.

2 Engineering system

significance and purpose of engineering system, production management system, MRP, PDM, CAE, etc.

3 e-business EC (electronic commerce such as BtoB and BtoC), electronic payment system, EDI, IC card and RFID application system, etc.

4 Consumer appliances

audio and video equipment, household electrical appliances, personal information appliances, educational and entertainment equipment, computer peripherals/OA equipment, industrial terminal equipment, consumer communications terminals, etc.

5 Industrial devices communication devices, transport/construction equipment, industrial equipment/ FA equipment/ industrial robots, facility equipment, medical devices, analytical/measurement instruments, etc.

9 Corporate and legal affairs

22 Corporate activities

1 Management and organization theory

business management, PDCA, management organization (divisional system, company system, CIO, CEO, etc), corporate governance, CSR, IR, human resources (OJT, management by objectives, case studies, discretionary labor system, etc), behavioral science (leadership, communication, technical writing, presentation, negotiation, motivation), TQM, risk management, BCP, computer literacy, etc.


Field Major Category Middle Category Minor Category Examples of Knowledge Items 2 OR/IE LP (Linear Programming), inventory problem,

PERT/CPM, game theory, analysis techniques (work analysis, PTS, work sampling, etc), inspection techniques (OC curve, sampling, simulation, etc), quality control techniques (seven QC tools, new seven QC tools, and so on), etc.

3 Accounting and financial affairs

financial accounting, management accounting, accounting standards, financial statements, consolidation accounting, depreciation, break-even point, financial indicators, initial cost, lease and rental, cash planning and cash management, asset management, etc.

23 Legal affairs 1 Intellectual property rights

Copyright Act, Industrial Property Law, Unfair Competition Prevention Act, license agreements , OSS license (GPL and BSD licenses), etc.

2 Laws on security Act on the Prohibition of Unauthorized Computer Access, Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers and the Right to Demand Disclosure of Identification Information of the Senders, etc.

3 Laws on labor and transaction

Labor Standards Act, laws on labor, outsourcing contract, software agreement, NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, Etc. to Subcontractors, Act for Securing the Proper Operation of Worker Dispatching Undertakings and Improved Working Conditions for Dispatched Workers, civil law, commercial law, etc.

4 Other laws, guidelines, and engineer ethics

compliance, information disclosure, Telecommunication Business Law, network related laws and regulations, Companies Act, Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, tax laws, export-related laws and regulations, Act on the Protection of Personal Information, System Management Standards, Standards for Measures against Unauthorized Access to Computers, Standards for Measures against Computer Viruses, Software Management Guidelines, information ethics, engineer ethics, professionalism, etc.

5 Standardization roles of JIS, ISO, IEEE, and other associated bodies, standardization organizations, international certification framework (accreditation/certification/inspection bodies), various codes, JIS Q 15001, ISO 9000, ISO 14000, etc.

Note: The minor categories and knowledge items in the “Project Management” middle category are quoted from “Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK Guide) Version 3” (Project Management Institute [PMI]).


(2) Afternoon Examinations

The Afternoon Examinations test skills based on the following scope of questions for each

examination category (refer to Table 5 on for the examination time, type, and number of

questions and answers).

a) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (Multiple-Choice)

1 Computer Systems

a) Hardware

Expression in numbers, characters, graphics, and sound, processing apparatus, storage

devices and media, input/output devices, instruction execution methods, addressing methods,

system configuration, etc.

b) Software

OSs, middleware, application software, descriptive language, modeling, etc.

c) Databases

Database types and characteristics, data models, normalization, DBMS, database languages

(SQL), etc.

d) Networks

Network configuration, internet and intranet, protocols, data transmission, transmission

control, etc.

2 Information Security

Information security policy, database security, network security, application security,

physical security, access control, encryption and authorization, anti-virus measures, etc.

3 Data Structure and Algorithms

Arrays, list structure, tree structure, graphs, sorting, search, numeric calculation, character

string processing, graphics processing, file processing, computational complexity, error, etc.

4 Software Design

Software requirements analysis, software formula design, software detailed design,

structured design, module design, object-oriented design, web application design, test

planning, human interfaces, etc.

5 Software Development

Programming (C, COBOL, Java, assembly, spreadsheets), testing, debugging, etc.

6 Management

a) Project Management

Estimation methods, quality control, process control, cost control, risk control, etc.

b) IT Service Management

Service support (service desk, problem management, change control), service delivery

(service level management, capacity management, system performance, system reliability),

system operational management, etc.

7 Strategy

a) System Strategy

Information system strategy, marketing, business models, etc.

b) Management/Related Laws and Regulations

Business management, task processes, organizational operation, corporate accounting,


related laws and regulations, standardization, etc.

b) Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination (Short Answer)

1 Business Strategy

Marketing, business analysis, business and corporate strategy, corporate finance, business

value evaluation, accounting, leadership theory, etc.

2 Information Strategy

Business models, product strategy, organizational operation, outsourcing policy, information

industry trends, information technology trends, international standardization trends, etc.

3 Strategy Planning and Consulting Techniques

Logical thinking, presentation techniques, balance score card and SWOT analysis, etc.

4 System Architecture

Formula design and functional decomposition, request for proposals (RFP), requirements

analysis, reliability and performance, web technology, (including web services and SOAs),

knowledge of tasks in major industries, application of package software and open source

programs, other trends in new technologies, etc.

5 IT Service Management

Service support (service desk, incident control, problem management, configuration

management, change control, release management), service delivery (service level

management, availability management, capacity management, IT service financial

management, IT service continuity management), system operational management, etc.

6 Project Management

Project planning and management (scope, process, quality, budget, personnel, procurement,

risks, communication), etc.

7 Networks

Network architecture, protocols, Internet, intranet and VPN, communication traffic, wired

and wireless communication, etc.

8 Databases

Data models, normalization, DBMS, database languages (SQL), database system operation

and maintenance, etc.

9 Embedded Systems Development

Realtime OS and MPU architecture, energy saving, high reliability design and memory

management, sensors and actuators, embedded system design, individual applications

(mobile phone, car, household appliances, etc.) etc.

10 Information Systems Development

External design, internal design, test planning and testing, standardization and

componentialization, development environment, object-oriented analysis (UML), software

lifecycle process (SLCP), individual applications (ERP, SCM, CRM, and so on), etc.

11 Programming

Algorithms, data structure, program creation technology (programming languages, markup

languages), web programming, etc.

12 Information Security

Information security policy, risk analysis, database security, network security, application


security, physical security, access control, encryption and authorization, anti-virus measures,

etc.

13 System Audit

IT governance, auditing of information system and embedded system planning, development,

operation, and maintenance, information security auditing, privacy protection auditing,

collaboration and adjustment with other audits (accounts audits, task audits), system audit

planning, implementation, and reporting, system audit related laws and regulations, etc.

c) Information Technology Strategist Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon

II: Essay)

1 Formulation or support of business strategy utilizing information technology, reflecting the

business characteristics of each industry

Formulation of business strategy utilizing information technology based on a management

strategy, business model development proposals using information technology, business

reform planning, proposals to increase the added value of new products and services,

selection of system solutions, formulation of outsourcing strategy, etc.

2 Formulation of information system strategy and overall systemization plans, reflecting the

business characteristics of each industry

Definition of task models, definition of overall information systems, analysis and

prioritization of information system development issues, formulation of information system

infrastructure configuration policy and standard, formulation of system solution application

policy (ERP packages, etc), formulation of mid to long-term information systemization plans,

formulation of information system section operation policy, formulation of overall IT control

preparation policy, formulation and implementation of business continuity plan, analysis of

system risks, formulation of disaster response plan, formulation of information systemization

annual plans, etc.

3 Formulation of individual systemization concepts and plans, reflecting the business

characteristics of each industry

Formulation of systemization concepts, definition of system problems of tasks, task system

analysis, task model creation, task process design, organization of systemized functions and

formulation of system methods, formulation of system selection policy (application of

system solutions, etc), creation of overall development schedule, formulation of project

execution structure, preparation of request for proposals (RFP), proposal evaluation and

selection of suppliers, estimation of costs and system return on investment, etc.

4 Execution control and evaluation of information system strategy considering the assumptions

and restrictions of each business

Progress management of overall reform program for products, services, work, organization,

and information systems; standardization promotion of information system infrastructure

standard and system-related quality management standard; risk control and handling of

reform execution; promoting the application of system solutions; promotion of system

utilization; analysis, evaluation, and improvement of reform program effects, costs, and

risks; performance evaluation of business strategy, information system strategy, overall


systemization plan, and individual systemization plans; etc.

5 Planning, formulation and promotion of development plans for embedded systems

Technical trends analysis of communications, information, architecture, user interface,

storage, semiconductors, measurement, control, and platforms; organization of

considerations for intellectual property, regulations, and laws; risk analysis; formulation of

procurement policy; evaluation of consistency with management strategy; verification and

adjustment of requirements; etc.

d) Systems Architect Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II: Essay)


1 Contracts and Agreements

Request for Proposals (RFP) and proposals preparations, project planning support, etc.

2 Planning

Verification of target task content, analysis of target task systems, investigation of applicable

information technology, creation of task models, organization of systemized functions and

formulation of system methods, clarification of basic policy for service levels and quality,

consideration of feasibility, formulation of system selection policy, estimation of cost and

system return on investment, etc.

3 Requirements Definition

Identification of needs and definition of constraints, definition of task requirements,

materialization of requirements for the new organization and task environment, definition of

functional requirements, definition of non-functional requirements, definition of schedule-

related requirements, etc.

4 Development

System requirements definition, system formula design, software requirements definition,

software formula design, software detailed design, system integration, system qualification

verification testing, software installation, software acceptance support, etc.

5 Operation and Maintenance

Operational testing, task and systems migration, system operation evaluation, task operation

evaluation, evaluation of return on investment and task effects, understanding and correction

analysis of maintenance-related problems, etc.

6 Related Knowledge

Configuration management, quality assurance, auditing, related legislation, etc.

[Embedded Systems]

1 Functional Requirements Analysis, Determination of Functional Specifications, etc.

Functional requirements analysis for development systems, quality requirements analysis,

development process design, cost design, performance design, compilation of functional

specifications, related technology, etc.

2 Determination of Hardware and Software Requirements Specifications that Satisfy Functional

Specifications

Hardware and software trade-off, functional decomposition analysis, functional

decomposition into system components, determination of interface specifications between


devices, creation of software and hardware requirements specification documents, system

architecture design, reliability design, realtime operating systems, etc.

3 Use of Generic Modules

Module design, reuse, configuration management, etc.

e) Project Manager Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II: Essay)

1 Establishment of Project Plans

Project scope and prerequisites, and formulation of operation policy, planning of personnel,

manpower, and resources, etc., budget formulation and execution planning, process planning,

quality planning, procurement planning, risk analysis and risk response planning, request for

proposals (RFP), project decision making procedures, related legislation and standards, etc.

2 Project Management and Operation

Project management technique and applicable technologies, requirements and estimates,

management of organization and personnel, budget management, process management,

quality management, procurement management, risk control, confidentiality and contract

management, change control, communications management, leadership, staff training and

other human aspects, project internal control, etc.

3 Project Evaluation

Project evaluation techniques and applicable technologies, analysis and evaluation of

acquired data, compilation of project completion reports, evaluation and analysis of project

results, evaluation of acceptance results, evaluation of contract compliance status, project

completion records, etc.

f) Network Specialist Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II: Short Answer)

1 Network System Planning, Requirements Definition and Development

Network system requirements analysis, logical design, physical design, reliability design,

performance design, security design, address design, operation design, implementation,

testing, transition, evaluation (performance, reliability, quality, economy, etc), improvement

proposals, etc.

2 Network System Operation and Maintenance

Network system operation and maintenance, security management and structure, etc.

3 Network Technology and Related Legislation and Standards

Network system configuration technology, technology elements, queuing theory, traffic

technology, security technology, network related laws and ethics, network related domestic

and international standards, etc.

4 Networks Service Utilization

Use techniques and evaluation techniques of different kinds of network services that have

been brought or are being brought to the market, etc.

g) Database Specialist Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II: Short Answer)

1 Database System Planning, Requirements Definition, and Development

Database system planning, requirements definition, creation of concept data models, code


design, physical database design and construction, data operation design, performance

estimation, etc.

2 Database System Operation and Maintenance

Database operation and maintenance, management structure (database administrator, data

administrator), performance management, capacity management, reorganization,

reconfiguration, backing up, recovery, data transition, security management, etc.

3 Database Technology

Repositories, relationship models, relational algebra, normalization, database management

systems, SQL, etc.

h) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II:

Short Answer)

1 Embedded Systems Design and Construction

Functional requirements analysis of development systems, quality requirements analysis,

hardware-software trade-off that satisfies functional requirements, creation of software and

hardware specification documents, system architecture design, realtime design, functional

safety design, high reliability design, security design, overall performance projection,

electricity saving design, consideration of testing methods, development environment design,

etc.

2 Embedded Systems Software Design

Application of realtime OS, realtime kernel design, device driver design, task design, shared

resources design, investigation of software requirements specifications for software

implementation and the process for carrying it out, software formula design, software detail

design, software code creation and testing, software integration testing, system verification

testing, configuration management, change control, etc.

3 Embedded Systems Hardware Design

Hardware requirements specifications, MPU selection, investigation of system LSI, use of

high level hardware design language, hardware architecture design, memory level design,

consideration of peripheral devices, hardware component performance evaluation,

communication interface design, high reliability design, failure analysis, consideration of

human interfaces, system verification testing, development and testing environment

construction, consideration of problems relating to electricity and machinery, etc.

i) Information Security Specialist Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II:

Short Answer)

1 Information Security System Planning, Requirements Definition, Development, Operation, and

Maintenance

Information system planning, requirements definition, and development; physical security

measures; application security measures including Web applications; secure programming;

database security measures; network security measures; system security measures; etc.

2 Information Security Operation

Information security policy, risk analysis, task continuity planning, information security

operation and management, vulnerability analysis, misuse analysis, unauthorized access


countermeasures, incident response, user security management, fault recovery planning,

information security education, system auditing (security aspects), etc.

3 Information Security Technology

Access management techniques, anti-virus technology, encryption technology, authorization

technology, security application systems (signatures, intrusion detection systems, firewalls,

secure communication technology [VPN, etc], key management technology, PKI, etc.

Peripheral devices are also included as target), methods of attack, log administration

techniques for audit trails, etc.

4 Development Management

Development lifecycle management, system document configuration management,

distribution and operation, human management methods (structure to prevent violations

within the team), information security management for the development environment, etc.

5 Information Security Related Legal Requirements

Information security related legislation, domestic and international standards, guidelines,

copyright law, privacy protection, information ethics, etc.

j) Information Technology Service Manager Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer,

Afternoon II: Essay)

1 Service Support and Service Delivery

Service desk for regular system operation management, incident control, problem

management, configuration management, change control, service level management

concerning the planning and improvement of release management and systems operation

management, availability management, capacity management, IT service financial

management, IT service continuity management, etc.

2 System Operation Management

Application system acceptance concerning application deployment, operation and

optimization; library management; operation management; failure operation methods;

system monitoring; operation status management; fault management; system tuning and

performance management; management and maintenance of batch processing schedules;

backing up and restoring; alternate processing and recovery at the time of service failure or

disaster; storage management; etc.

3 Continual Improvement of IT Services and IT Service Management Reporting

Establishment of IT service management deployment plans, IT service management

implementation, formation and implementation of IT service continuity plan, identification

and control of risks to IT services, measurement and analysis of IT service management such

as customer satisfaction and resource availability, formulation and management of

improvement plans, service reports, etc.

4 Information Security Operation and Management

Information security policy, risk evaluation, access control, physical security, privacy

protection, firewalls, anti-virus measures, data security, high availability systems,

information asset management, information security related standards and laws, etc.

5 Customer Service

Basic hardware and software technology related to customer services, system maintenance


management, data center facility management, equipment management, etc.

k) Systems Auditor Examination (Afternoon I: Short Answer, Afternoon II: Essay)

1 Information Systems, Embedded Systems and Communication Networks

Management in general, information strategy, information systems, embedded systems,

communication networks, file systems and databases, software lifecycle models, project

management, IT service management, risk management, quality management, information

security technology, information security policy, business continuity management, etc.

2 General System Audit

IT governance, IT control, auditing of information system and embedded system planning,

development, operation, and maintenance, business continuity management audit, system

development project audit, information security audit, privacy protection audit, collaboration

and adjustment with other audits (accounts audits, task audits), etc.

3 Planning, Implementation and Reporting of System Audits

Audit planning, risk approach, audit implementation, computer supported auditing

techniques, digital forensics, audit reporting, follow up implementation, system audit tasks

and management (including quality management of audit tasks), etc.

4 System Audit Related Legislation

Information security related laws and regulations, privacy protection laws, intellectual

property laws, labor related legislation, statutory audit legislation, standards, guidelines and

measures related to system auditing and information security auditing, standards, guidelines

and measures for internal auditing and internal control, etc.


Annex 1 Transition of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System


Annex 2 Comparison of Scope of Current and New Examinations

------------------------- (Note 1) For the Morning Examination, ○ indicates that it is within the scope of questions, and ● indicates that it is a priority field within the

scope of questions. (○) indicates that it is within the scope of questions of the Morning I Examination (common knowledge).

(Note 2) Red shading indicates fields with additions, expansions or enhancements.

(Note 3) A solid line arrow in the Afternoon Examinations indicates a corresponding field, and a dashed line arrow indicates correspondence

to part of a field.

a) Information Technology Passport Examination (Level 1)

FieldAD

(Morning)IT PassportExamination

1 Corporate Activities

2 Legal Affairs

3Business StrategyManagement

4Technical StrategyManagement


6 System Strategy

7 System Planning

8System DevelopmentTechniques

9Software DevelopmentManagement Techniques

5Project

Management10 Project Management ○ ○

11 Service Management

12 System Audit

13 Basic Theory

14 Algorithms & Programming

15 Computer Components

16 System Components

17 Software

18 Hardware

19 Human Interfaces

20 Multimedia

21 Databases

22 Networks

23 Security

80 compulsoryquestions


AD: Systems Administrator Examination

4

Management

6

TechnicalElements

ServiceManagement

○

○

9

DevelopmentTechniques

○

○

Technology

7 Basic Theory X ○

8ComputerSystems

○ ○

○ ○

○ ○

○ ○

○ ○

Major Category Middle Category

Strategy

1Corporate &Legal Affairs

3SystemStrategy

2BusinessStrategy


b) Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (Level 2)

■Morning Examination ■Afternoon Examinations

Field FE

FundamentalInformationTechnologyEngineer

Examination

FE ->

FundamentalInformation TechnologyEngineer Examination

1 Basic Theory ○ ○ Hardware Hardware

2ComputerSystems ○ ○ Software Software

3TechnicalElements ○ ○ Databases Databases

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○ Networks Networks

5Project

Management ○ ○

Information Technology (Security,System Performance, DevelopmentProcesses, etc)

Security

6Service

Management ○ ○ Algorithms Algorithms

7SystemStrategy ○ ○ Program Design Software Design

8Management

Strategy ○ ○Program Development (ProgrammingLanguages)

Program Development(Programming Languages)

Change: answer 1question from 2

9Corporate &Legal Affairs ○ ○ Project Management Added



IT Service Management Added

FE: Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (Current)System Strategy Added

Management and RelatedLegislation

Added

c) Applied Information Technology Engineers Examination (Level 3)


Field SW

AppliedInformationTechnology

EngineerExamination

SW ->

AppliedInformation TechnologyEngineer Examination

1 Basic Theory ○ ○ System Configuration Technology System Architecture

2ComputerSystems ○ ○ Networks Networks

3TechnicalElements ○ ○ Databases Databases

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○ Security Security Technology

5Project

Management ○ ○ Algorithms Programming (Algorithms)

6Service

Management ○ ○ Software EngineeringEmbedded SystemsDevelopment

Added

7SystemStrategy

X ○ Added System DevelopmentInformation SystemsDevelopment

8Management

StrategyX ○ Added System Evaluation IT Service Management Added


X ○ Added Project Management Added



System Audit Added

SW: Software Design and Development Engineer Examination Management Strategy, ITStrategy Planning, ConsultingMethods

Added

Select 6 questions from 12. Allmultiple choice questions.

Major Category

Strategy

Technology

Management

Technology

　　Management

Strategy

Technology

Management

Major Category

　　Strategy

Afternoon I: 6 compulsory questions,Morning II: 1 compulsory question.Questions only from Technology

Management

　　Strategy

Select 7 questions from 13. ForProgramming Languages selection ofquestions is compulsory. For all othersquestions are compulsory.

Select 7 questions from 13. For Algorithms questions arecompulsory. For Programming Languages a selection of questions iscompulsory (spreadsheets added). For all others a selection ofquestions is compulsory.

------------------------------------ (Note 1) For the Morning Examination, ○ indicates that it is within the scope of questions, and ● indicates that it is a priority field within the




to part of a field.


d) Information Technology Strategist Examination (Level 4)


Field AN SDIT StrategistExamination AN -> 　IT Strategist Examination

1 Basic Theory X X (○)IT strategy formulation, and ITsystems construction planning

Business Strategy Formulationor Support

AddedCorresponds toBusiness Strategist

2ComputerSystems ○ ○ (○)

Making and advancing overall ITsystem plan

IT System Strategy and OverallSystemization Plan Formulation

3TechnicalElements ○ ○ (○)

Making and advancing individualsystem development plans

Individual Systemization Conceptand Plan Formulation

4DevelopmentTechniques ● ● (○)

Execution Management andEvaluation of Information SystemStrategies

ExtendedCorresponds toProgram Manager

5Project

Management ● ○ (○)[Embedded Systems] ProductPlanning, Development PlanFormulation and Advancement

AddedCorresponds toProduct Manager

6Service

Management ○ ○ (○)Preparation of task systemimprovement plans

7SystemStrategy ● ● ● IT system construction management

8Management

Strategy ● ● ● Information system use management

SD -> IT Strategist Examination



55 compulsoryquestions*

Afternoon I: select 3 from 4Afternoon II: select 1 from 3


e) Systems Architect Examination (Level 4)


Field AESystemsArchitect

ExaminationAE ->

　Systems ArchitectExamination

1 Basic Theory X (○)System Analysis/RequirementsDefinition

Contracts/Agreements

2ComputerSystems ○ ○

System Design/Development -External Design

Planning/Requirements Definition ExtendedOverall OptimizationDesign for SystemStructure Added

3TechnicalElements ○ ○

System Design/Development -Internal Design

Development

4DevelopmentTechniques ● ●

System Design/Development -System Formula Design

Operation/Maintenance

4Project

Management ● (○) Testing

[Embedded Systems] FunctionalRequirements Analysis,Functional RequirementsDetermination

Added

5Service

Management ○ (○)DevelopmentManagement/Environment

[Embedded Systems] FunctionalSpecifications Determination

AddedEmbeddedSystems

6SystemStrategy ● ●

[Embedded System] VersatileModule Use

Added

7Management

Strategy ● (○)Afternoon I: select 3 from 4Afternoon II: select 1 from 3


8Corporate &Legal Affairs ● (○)



AE: Application Systems Engineer Examination

Technology

Management

AN: Systems Analyst Examination SD: Senior Systems Administrator Examination

●

Management

9

Technology

● ●

Strategy

Strategy

Major Category

Major Category

Corporate &Legal Affairs

*Total of Morning I (common knowledge: 30 compulsory questions) and Morning II (specialist knowledge: 25compulsory questions). Same for (e) - (l) below.

Integrated





to part of a field.


f) Project Manager Examination (Level 4)


Field PMProject

ManagerExamination

PM -> 　Project Manager Examination

1 Basic Theory X (○) Project Planning Project Planning

2ComputerSystems ○ (○) Project Management/Operation Project Management/Operation

Embedded SystemsAdded

3TechnicalElements ○ (○) Project Evaluation Project Evaluation

4DevelopmentTechniques ● ○



5Project

Management ● ●

6Service

Management ○ ○

7SystemStrategy ● ○

8Management

Strategy ● (○)

9Corporate &Legal Affairs ● ○



PM: Project Manager Examination (Current)

g) Network Specialist Examination (Level 4)


Field NWNetwork

SpecialistExamination

NW -> Network Specialist Examination

1 Basic Theory X (○)Network SystemDesign/Construction

Network SystemPlanning/RequirementsDefinition/ Development

2ComputerSystems ● ○

Network SystemOperation/Maintenance

Network SystemOperation/Maintenance

3TechnicalElements ● ●

Network Technology, RelatedLegislation/Standardization

Network Technology, RelatedLegislation/Standardization

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○ Network Service Utilization Network Service Utilization

5Project

Management ○ (○)Afternoon I: select 3 from 4Afternoon II: select 1 from 2

Afternoon I: 2 from 3Afternoon II: 1 from 2

6Service

Management ○ (○)

7SystemStrategy

× （○）

8Management

Strategy× （○）


× （○）



NW: Network Systems Engineer Examination

Management

Strategy

Technology

Strategy

Major Category

Major Category

Technology

Management





to part of a field.


h) Database Specialist Examination (Level 4)


Field DBDatabaseSpecialist

ExaminationDB ->

Database SpecialistExamination

1 Basic Theory X (○)Database SystemDesign/Construction

Database System Planning,RequirementsDefinition/Development

2ComputerSystems ○ ○

Database SystemOperation/Maintenance

Database SystemOperation/Maintenance

3TechnicalElements ● ● Database Technology Database Technology

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○



5Project


6Service


7SystemStrategy

X (○)

8Management

StrategyX (○)


X (○)



DB: Database Systems Engineer Examination

i) Embedded Systems Specialist Examination


Field ES

EmbeddedSystemsSpecialist

Examination

ES ->　Embedded Systems Specialist

Examination

1 Basic Theory X (○)Embedded SystemsDesign/Construction

Embedded Systems Design/Construction

2ComputerSystems ● ●

Embedded Systems SoftwareDesign

Embedded Systems SoftwareDesign

3TechnicalElements ○ ○

Embedded Systems HardwareDesign

Embedded Systems HardwareDesign

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ●



5Project


6Service


7SystemStrategy

X (○)

8Management

StrategyX (○)


X (○)



ES: Embedded Systems Development Engineer Examination

Management

Strategy

Technology

Technology

Management

Strategy

Major Category

Major Category

----------------------------------- (Note 1) For the Morning Examination, ○ indicates that it is within the scope of questions, and ● indicates that it is a priority field within the




to part of a field.


j) Information Security Specialist Examination (Level 4)


Field SV SU

InformationSecurity

SpecialistExamination

SV ->Information Security Specialist

Examination

1 Basic Theory X X (○)Information Security SystemsPlanning/Design/Construction

Information Security SystemsPlanning/Development/Operation/Maintenance

2ComputerSystems ○ ○ (○)

Information SecurityOperation/Management

Information Security Operation

3TechnicalElements ● ● ●

Information SecurityTechnology/Related Legislation

Information Security Technology

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○ ○ Development Management Development Management

5Project

Management ○ ○ (○)Information Security RelatedLegal Requirements

6Service

Management ○ ○ ○

7SystemStrategy

X ○ (○)Information Security SystemsPlanning/Design/Construction

8Management

StrategyX ○ (○)



X ○ (○)Information Security Technology/Related Legislation


55 compulsoryquestions SU ->

Information Security SpecialistExamination



k) Information Technology Service Manager Examination (Level 4)


Field SMIT ServiceManager

ExaminationSM -> IT Service Manager Examination

1 Basic Theory X (○)

IT System InfrastructurePlanning/Construction- Resource Management- Security Management- Performance Management

Service Support & ServiceDelivery

2ComputerSystems ● ○

IT System Infrastructure Operation- Operation Management- System Evaluation- New SystemAcceptance/Transition

System Operation ManagementReorganized questionfields in line with JIS Q20000 & ITIL.

3TechnicalElements ○ ○ System Management Technology

Continuous Improvement of ITService, Reporting of IT ServiceManagement

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ (○)


5Project

Management ○ ● Customer Service

6Service

Management ● ●Afternoon I: select 3 from 4Afternoon II: select 1 from 3


7SystemStrategy

X (○)

8Management

StrategyX (○)


X ○



SM: Systems Management Engineer Examination

Management

Strategy

Technology

Management

　SV: Information Security Engineer Examination

　SU: Information Systems Security Administrator Examination


Technology

Major Category

Major Category

Strategy

Integrated





to part of a field.


l) Systems Auditor Examination (Level 4)


Field AUSystemsAuditor

ExaminationAU -> 　Systems Auditor Examination

1 Basic Theory X (○)IT Systems/CommunicationNetworks/General System Audit

IT Systems/EmbeddedSystems/CommunicationNetworks

Enhanced

2ComputerSystems ○ (○) System Audit Planning General System Audit

3TechnicalElements ○ ○ System Audit Implementation

System Audit Planning/Implementation/Reporting

4DevelopmentTechniques ○ ○ System Audit Reporting

System Audit RelatedLegislation

5Project

Management ○ (○) System Audit Related Legislation

6Service

Management ● ●Afternoon I: select 3 from 4Afternoon II: select 1 from 3


7SystemStrategy ○ (○)

8Management

Strategy ● ○

9Corporate &Legal Affairs ● ●



AU: Systems Auditor Examination (Current Examination)

Management

Strategy

Major Category

Technology

Separated SystemRelated Technology,Enhanced TechnicalAspects

Collection of Items forAudit Procedures & Steps

AddedEmbedded Systems





to part of a field.


Annex 3 Breakdown of Number of Questions per Field in the Fundamental

Information Technology Engineer Examination and Applied Information Technology

Engineer Afternoon Examination

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (13 questions

of which 7 are to be answered)

Field Questions

1~7 Question 8 Questions 9~13

Hardware

○ x 4

Software

Databases

Networks

Information Security

Data Structure & Algorithms ●

Software Design ○

Software Development ● x 5 (Note)

Project Management ○

IT Service Management

System Strategy ○

Management/Related Legislation

Number of Questions 7 1 5

Required Number of Answers 5 1 1

● = compulsory questions ○= elective questions

(Note) In the Software Development field, there is 1 question on each of C, COBOL, Java, assembly

language, and spreadsheets. 1 question out of these must be selected and answered.

Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination (12 questions of which 6 are to be answered)

Field Questions 1~2 Questions 3~12

Management Strategy ○ ○ Information Strategy

Strategy Planning/Consulting Techniques System Architecture ○

Networks ○ Databases ○ Embedded System Development ○ Information System Development ○ Programming (Algorithms) ○

Information Security ○ Project Management ○ IT Service Management ○ System Audit ○

Number of Questions 2 10

Required Number of Answers 1 5

○= elective questions


Appendix 1 Abstract of “Aiming towards the Development of Advanced IT Human Resources”

(Industrial Structure Council, Information Economy Committee, Information Service and Software

Subcommittee, HRD-WG Report)

5-4 Creation of an Objective Human Resource Evaluation Mechanism by Integrating the Information

Technology Engineers Examination and Skill Standards (D)

- An objective human resource evaluation mechanism should be created and fixed by constructing a

Common Career/Skill Framework, which can be a reference model of the current Information

Technology Engineers Examination and skill standards for the various human resources.

a) Creation of the Common Career/Skill Framework

b) Level Judgment Based on the Common Career/Skill Framework

c) Basic Configuration of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

d) Content of Questions in the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

e) Implementation Methods of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

● Creation of the Common Career/Skill Framework

･ In order to create an objective human resource mechanism, the target advanced IT human resources

is organized into the 7 types as indicated in section 4-1 and a Common Career/Skill Framework

indicating the skills required for the career of each type is constructed.

･ The Skill Standards for IT Professionals (ITSS), the Embedded Technology Skill Standards (ETSS),

and the User’s Information System Skill Standards (UISS) are reorganized under this framework,

and the Information Technology Engineers Examination is positioned as a judging measure for

entry, middle, and (some) high level human resources.

･ In reorganizing the skill standards based on the Common Career/Skill Framework, work categories,

level categories, level evaluation methods, and terminology are standardized. Furthermore, task

skills (knowledge and experience in user tasks) and knowledge regarding global standards are

positioned more clearly as skills required for advanced IT human resources.

･ Skills required for each work type are basically grouped into the following three: (a) Knowledge

acquired mainly from lectures (including PBL [Project Based Learning]), (b) Skills acquired mainly

through OJT (On-the-Job Training), and (c) qualities broadly developed through social experience.

Furthermore, the skill items that advanced IT human resources should obtain are organized into

skill items that are common to the 3 skill standards, referring to skill items such as in the IT

education curriculum standards.

･ The Common Career/Skill Framework, which integrates the Information Technology Engineers

Examination and the Human Resource Skill Standards, is promoted for international standardization.


BasicStrategy

1.

Str

ateg

ist

2.

Sys

tem

s A

rchi

tect

3.

Ser

vice

Man

ager

4.

Pro

ject

Man

age

r

5.

Te

chni

cal S

peci

alis

t

1 Information TheoryInformation theory, Discrete mathematics, Probability andstatistics, Queueing, Numeric/Data representation, etc.

2Algorithm andProgramming

Algorithm and data structure, Programming fundamentals,Object-orientation, Programming language, Markuplanguage, etc.

3 Computer Component CPU, Memory, Transaction processing system, device, etc.

4 System ComponentSystem configuration method, System performance, Systemreliability and economical efficiency, etc.

5 SoftwareOS, Middleware, Open source software, File system,Language processing, etc.

6 HardwareElectric/electronic circuit, Mechanics and control, Logiccircuit, etc.

7 Human Interface Usability, Universal design, Virtual reality, 3D graphics, etc.

8 MultimediaSound processing, Image Processing, Video processing,Compression and decompression, Media integration, etc.

9 DatabaseDatabase design, Database operation, Transactionprocessing, etc.

10 NetworkWired and wireless communications, Network architecture,Server, Router, LAN/WAN, Ethernet, IP, etc.

11 SecurityCryptography, Security infrastructure and management,Technology evaluation, Measures, Implementation, Digitalsignature, etc.

12 Software DevelopmentSoftware requirement definition, Software developmentmethod, Software development process, Coding, Integration,Testing, Quality, Development environment, etc.

13 Project Management

Integration management, Scope management, Qualitymanagement, Cost management, Time management,Human resource management, Communicationsmanagement, Risk management, etc.

14ProcurementManagement

Request for proposal, Estimate, Proposal, Selection criterion,EVM, Installation, Acceptance, Inspection, Migration, etc.

15 Service Management

Service level management, Incident management,Configuration management, Change management, Resourcemanagement, Capacity management, Information assetmanagement, Security management, etc.

16 System AuditSystem audit, Information security audit, Audit technique, ITgovernance, Internal control, Business continuity, etc.

17 System DesignModeling, System design, Requirement definition,Architecture design, etc.

18 System StrategyIT strategy, Return on investment, Enterprise architecture,Business architecture, SOA, etc.

19Business Industry,Embedded ProductDomain

Business field (Financial sector, Distribution sector, Publicsector, etc.), Embedded product (Mobile, Automobile, HomeElectronics, etc.), etc.


Business management theory, SCM, CRM, BPR, etc.

21 Corporate ActivitiesOrganizational theory, Decision-making theory, Corporateaccounting, Business finance, etc.

22 Legal AffairsIntellectual property right, Contract, Law, Engineer ethics,Standardization, etc.

9 23 Soft SkillsCommunication, Presentation, Negotiation, Leadership,Mentoring, etc. A B B A C

10 24Skills Gained fromRepeated Experience

Problem-finding ability, Abstraction ability, Problem-solvingability, etc. B B B B B

–

C

B

A

Minor Category(Examples)

Solution

Not absolutely necessary

Should be somewhat aware of it as a point ofknowledge

B B B

A

B

–

Major Category

5

Ser

vice

Man

agem

ent

7

Bus

ines

sS

trat

egy

6

Sys

tem

Str

ateg

yIn

form

atio

nS

cien

ce

2

4

A

C

Skills Per

sona

l

Qualities

B

B

Kn

owle

dge

1 –

C

A

B

C

–

B

A

C

A

C

–

C

C

B

A

B

C

Com

pute

rS

yste

m

B

A

C

B

B

A

C B B

Cor

pora

te a

ndLe

gal A

ffairs

Pro

ject

Man

agem

ent

A C

A certain level of understanding is required

C

Indispensable core knowledge item, thoroughknowledge essential (matter tested in the AdvancedExamination Afternoon questions)

Note: Detailed discussions will continue in the future based on the orientation below on matters including qualities and skills.<Common Career/Skill Framework> (Draft)

* Creator knowledge items cannot be organized indiscriminately and so are not described in this table.

Middle Category

Str

ateg

yM

ana

gem

ent

Te

chno

log

y

Tec

hnic

al C

ompo

nent

3

8


● Level Judgment Based on the Common Career/Skill Framework

･ There are seven levels in the Common Career/Skill Framework from 1 to 7, classified into level 1

as entry level, levels 2 and 3 as middle level, levels 4 and 5 as high level, and levels 6 and 7 as

super high level. Of these, “Advanced Human Resources” are level 4 or above. The following

describes the image of levels 5 to 7 in more detail.

► Level 5: High end player on a corporate level

► Level 6: High end player on a domestic level

► Level 7: Domestic High-End Players Accepted Internationally

･ The evaluation for levels 1 ~ 3 is conducted on a capability basis of knowledge and skills, and is

basically certified as that level by a pass in the Information Technology Engineers Examination. On

the other hand, evaluation for level 4 and above is conducted on an achievement basis of knowledge,

skills, and qualities, and in addition to the Information Technology Engineers Examination, task

experience verification and an interview are also used in combination.

･ Level 4 is judged according to the Information Technology Engineers Examination and verification

of task experience. Furthermore, the judgment of level 5 is basically entrusted to voluntary efforts

within the private sector on a guideline basis.

･ Meanwhile, from the standpoint of ensuring consistency domestically, with regard to levels 6 and 7,

a scheme for judging through mutual peer reviews of equivalent level high end players is

constructed.

･ From the standpoint of utilization of private sector dynamism, a scheme (application method,

assessment criteria, assessment structure, assessment fee, etc.) is constructed to position private

sector examinations and other human resource evaluation techniques under each skill standard.

● Basic Configuration of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

･ While pursuing consistency with the Common Career/Skill Framework, the Information

Technology Engineers Examination is intended to be implemented from the fall 2008 session with

the following basic configuration.

(The examination names below are tentative)

► Entry Examination:

･ Examines the minimum basic knowledge required for business workers involved in information

technology, and examines fundamental knowledge common to business workers in their first year

Pro

fess

iona

lC

omm

ittee

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Entry

Middle

High

Super- High

Entry Exam

Basic Exam

Middle Exam

Advanced Exam

Adv

ance

d IT

Hu

man

Res

ourc

es

The new examcorresponds upto level 4.

Level 1

Level 2

Advanced Knowledge and Skills

Applicable Knowledge and Skills

Basic Knowledge and Skills

Minimum Required Basic Knowledge

High-End Players on a Domestic Level

High-End Players on a Corporate Level

Performance

(Achievement) Basis

Work Experience,

Interview, etc.

Exam Result andWork Experience

Skill (Ability)

Basis

Exam Result Eva

luat

ed b

y E

ach

Cor

pora

tion

Domestic High-End Players Accepted

Internationally


including not only those that have taken information engineering course curriculums but also

those have taken other science and humanities courses.

･ Successful candidates correspond to level 1 of the Common Career/Skill Framework.

･ The examination is promoted to those who are still students, so that it may function as a passport

in finding a job.

･ The subtitle of the examination is “IT Passport Examination (tentative)”.

･ The current Systems Administrator Examination is dissolved in order that a better examination

system may be formed. The examination is implemented with CBT.

･ In addition to the current pass/fail system, introduction of a scoring point system is considered.

► Fundamental Examination:

･ Examines fundamental knowledge and skills required for the development of individuals aiming

to become an advanced human resource. Those who have already studied information engineering

and acquired practical knowledge pass.


･ The subtitle of the examination is “Information Technology Entry Professional Examination

(tentative)”.

･ This is reorganized from the current Fundamental Information Technology Engineers

Examination.

► Middle Examination:

･ Examines applicative knowledge and skills required to become an advanced IT human resource,

and targets individuals who have established their own direction as an advanced IT human

resource.


･ The subtitle of the examination i “Information Technology Middle Professional Examination

(tentative)”.

･ This is reorganized from the current Software Design & Development Engineer Examination.

･ The categories are revised if required in cases such as when the scope becomes too broad for the

same examination categories.

► Advanced Examination:

･ Examines advanced and specialist knowledge and skills related to information technology and

tasks required to be an advanced IT human resource.

･ Successful candidates are eligible to obtain level 4 of the Common Career/Skill Framework. In

addition to the examination result, the judging of level 4 includes verification of achievements in

practical experience.

･ The subtitle of the examination is “Information Technology High Professional Examination

(tentative)”.

･ The current Advanced Examination is reorganized, and examination categories are created based

on the 7 human resource types below.

◊ Strategist

･ Formulates and proposes basic strategies that utilize IT to reform, sophisticate, and optimize

corporate business strategies (business models) or particular processes in corporate activities.

Also, for embedded system products, formulates and proposes basic strategies to realize new

values through utilization of software in the target product.

◊ System Architect

･ In response to IT basic strategy proposals from strategists, organizes systemization


requirements to construct solutions, and designs the required systems and applications. Also,

defines requirements needed for the development of embedded system products, and designs

the architecture to realize them.

◊ Project Manager

･ As the person in charge of a system development project, creates project plans, secures the

required personnel and resources, and takes responsibility for budget, delivery dates, and

quality requirements.

◊ Technical Specialist (Network, Database, Embedded Systems)

･ For the required system, utilizes specific techniques for (a) Networks, (b) Databases, or (c)

Embedded Systems in order to construct optimal system infrastructure and support the design,

construction, and production of applications and embedded systems.

◊ IT Service Manager

･ For the constructed systems and products, ensures stable operations and acts to minimize

damage in the event of an incident as well as provides continuous quality management, etc. to

provide highly safe and reliable services.

◊ Security

･ For the planning, design, construction, and operation of information systems that require

particularly high-level security, supports security functions, or prepares a secure development

project environment.

◊ System Auditing

･ Comprehensively checks and evaluates information system and embedded system products

from a position independent of auditees, reports audit results to the top management and others,

and recommends points for improvement.


<Direction of the Restructuring of the Current Skill Standards and Information Technology

Engineers Examination>

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7

Assessed by Exam Result,Work Experience, etc.

1 Business Strategist UI2 IS Strategist UI3 Program Manager UI4 IS Analyst UI5 Marketing ＩＴ

6 Sales ＩＴ

7 Consultant ＩＴ

8 Product Manager ET9 IS Architect UI10 IT Architect ＩＴ

11 Systems Architect ET12 IS Operation UI13 IS Administrator UI14 Security Administrator UI15 IS Staff UI16 IS Auditor UI17 IT Service Management ＩＴ

18 Customer Service ＩＴ

19 Project Manager UI20 Project Management ＩＴ

21 Project Manager ET22 Bridge SE ET

23 Development ProcessImprovement Specialist

ET

24 System Designer UI

25 Application Designer UI *226 Application Specialist ＩＴ

27 IT Specialist ＩＴ

28 Software Development ＩＴ

29 Domain Specialist ET30 Software Engineer ET31 QA Specialist ET32 Test Engineer ET33 Development Environment Engineer ET

34 Education ＩＴ 7. Other

* 1: Although the “Information Security Engineer Examination” and “Systems Auditor Examination” are designed to examine the human resource models of Service Manager or Technical Specialist, these examinations remain unchanged.

* 2: In the new human resource models application design is part of the Systems Architect category, while application implementation is part of the Technical Specialist category. In the examination, topics from application design to implementation is included in the “Systems Architect Examination.”

Creation 6. Creator Creators are ineligible for assessment by the ITEE.

Correspond to education category in ITSS

HumanResources

Type

HumanResourceCategory

Current Skill Standards (34 Job Titles) IT: Skill Standards for IT Professionals (11) ET: Embedded Technology Skill Standards (10) UI: Users' Information Systems Skill Standards (13)

SkillStandards

BasicStrategy

Solution

Assessed by Exam ResultAssessed by Work Experience,Evaluation of Professionals, etc.

1. Strategist

5. Technical Specialist

2. Systems Architect

3. Service Manager

4. Project Manager

Ent

ry E

xam

inat

ion ( T

ent

ativ

e N

ame )

Bas

ic E

xam

inat

ion ( T

ent

ativ

e N

ame )

Str

ategi

st E

xam

Work

Exp

erie

nce

Ver

ific

atio

n

Mid

dle E

xam

inat

ion

( Ten

tative

Nam

e ) S

yste

ms

Arc

hitec

t

Exa

m

Ser

vice

Man

ager

Pro

ject

Tech

nic

al S

pecia

list

Exa

m

Work

Exp

erien

ce V

erificat

ion

& E

valu

atio

n of

Pro

fess

ional

s an

d Exp

erts

etc

.

Work

Exp

erie

nce

Ver

ific

atio

n & E

valu

atio

n o

f P

rofe

ssio

nal

s an

d E

xpert

s etc

.

Work

Exp

erien

ce V

erificat

ion

& E

valu

atio

n of

Pro

fess

ional

s an

d Exp

erts

etc

.

Sys

tem

s

Arc

hitect

Exa

m

● Content of Questions in the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

･ In part of the Advanced Examinations multiple-choice questions type, a skill set method is

introduced where possible, such as a selection system where questions are selected according to

skills. The question type is multiple-choice for the Entry Examination, and for the others multiple-

choice, short answer, and essay format are used in combination.

･ Since IT has spread as a competitive resource in all dimensions of corporate activity and thorough

knowledge of users’ tasks is required for the development and diffusion of module products,

questions are task biased on prerequisite common understanding of tasks in various industries such

as finance, manufacturing, distribution, and public sector (particularly in examination categories

such as strategist, system architect, and system audit). However, from the standpoint of maintaining

fairness, there are still also task neutral questions as before.

･ Also, the importance of providing solutions utilizing IT in all task areas is increasing, therefore

there are more questions on new industries such as medical and transportation.

･ Moreover, from the user’s point of view, there are also questions on fields of how to write request

for proposals (RFPs), estimation methods, knowledge of contracts, and management of outsourcing,

etc.

● Implementation Methods etc. of the New Information Technology Engineers Examination

･ In the new Information Technology Engineers Examination system, exemption of part of the

examination is considered for those who have completed a training program, etc. that satisfies the


necessary conditions. Along with this, if the dynamism of private enterprises etc. is realized based

on opinions from relevant parties, dissolution and evolvement of the Information Technology

Engineers Examination exceptional measures provided under the Structural Reform Special District

System, etc. into the above exemption system is be considered.

･ A high quality examination is implemented efficiently by acquisition of examination sites and the

implementation of the examinations in the 2 areas where the project is supposed to be carried out in

the fiscal year of 2008 by the successful bidders under the basic policies of the “Act Regarding the

Reform of Public Services by the Introduction of Competition” (the “Public Services Reform Act”).

Also, based on evaluation of the overall tasks implemented by successful bidders, if there is no fear

of causing obstruction to the stable implementation of examinations, based on results of review of

the Information Technology Engineers Examination system, utilization of private sector competitive

bidding is considered for fiscal year 2008 and later, in collaboration with the public-private

competitive bidding administrative committee.

･ Furthermore, from the standpoint of utilizing private sector dynamism, opening up implementation

of CBT method based examinations to the private sector is considered when establishing the Entry

Examination.

･ Note that with regard to CBT method examinations, possibility of utilization of the method in the

other examinations in future is considered based on the implementation status with the Entry

Examination.

･ With regard to some of the examinations which relate to security and system reliability, having in

mind the possibility of evolving them into qualification examinations in the future, actual

evolvement into qualifications is pursued by means such as stipulating the relevant jobs as

recommended job types in the different guidelines for government procurement.

･ Especially with regard to successful candidates in the Advanced Examinations, along with clearly

indicating the existence of advanced IT human resources to the society, and in parallel with

guaranteeing the capability of successful candidates in line with the skill standard evaluation cycle,

the construction of a registration system to provide incentives to increase skills further is considered.

Together with this, issuance of an IC card recorded with examination grades, etc. to successful

candidates who request so is considered.


Appendix 2 Structure of Skill Standards

<Skill Standards for IT Professionals (ITSS) Career Framework (V2 2006)>

Mar

ketin

g m

anag

emen

t

Sal

es c

hann

el s

trat

egy

Mar

ket

com

mun

icat

ion

Con

sulti

ng s

ales

by

visi

ting

cust

omer

s

Pro

duct

sal

es b

y vi

sitin

g cu

stom

ers

Sal

es b

y m

edia

BT

(B

usin

ess

Tra

nsfo

rmat

ion)

IT App

licat

ion

of p

acka

ge

App

licat

ion

arch

itect

ure

Int

egra

tion

arch

itect

ure

Inf

rast

ruct

ure

arch

itect

ure

Sys

tem

dev

elop

men

t

IT

out

sour

cing

N

etw

ork

serv

ice

Sof

twar

e pr

oduc

t de

velo

pmen

t

Pla

tfor

m

Sys

tem

s m

anag

emen

t

Dat

abas

e

Net

wor

k

Dis

trib

uted

com

putin

g

Sec

urity

Bus

ines

s ap

plic

atio

n sy

stem

Bus

ines

s ap

plic

atio

n pa

ckag

e

Ope

ratin

g sy

stem

Mid

dlew

are

App

licat

ion

soft

war

e

Har

dwar

e

Sof

twar

e

Fac

ility

man

agem

ent

Ope

ratio

nal m

anag

emen

t

Sys

tem

s m

anag

emen

t

Ope

ratio

n

Ser

vice

des

k

Pla

nnin

g of

tra

inin

g pr

ogra

ms

Ins

truc

tions

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

ConsultantIT

ArchitectType of Job

SpecializedField

Marketing SalesCustomerService

EducationProject

ManagementIT Specialist

IT ServiceManagement

ApplicationSpecialist

SoftwareDevelopment

Highlevel

Middlelevel

Entrylevel

► Levels 5 through 7 (High Level): In these levels, the lead is taken in creating technologies, methodology, and business in and outside the company. At level 7, in particular, it is necessary to take the lead in the development and commercialization of advanced services even in view of the entire market. Contribution to the formulation and execution of internal strategy is also required for skill development.

► Levels 3 and 4 (Middle Level): In these levels, skill specialism is well established as a professional, and the lead is taken in the discovery and solution of problems of tasks independently utilizing one’s own skills. Continuous enhancement of one’s own skills is required for skill development. Also, active contribution to training subordinates is also required for level 4.

► Levels 1 and 2 (Entry Level): In these levels, skill specialism as a professional is yet to be established, and discovery and solution of task problems can be conducted under the guidance of superiors for the relevant job type. Proactive enhancement of skills for the realization of one’s career path is required for skill development.


<Embedded Technology Skill Standards (ETSS) Career Framework (Career Criteria

Version 1.1)>

Job Type Product Manager

Project Manager

Domain Specialist

Systems Architect Software EngineerBridge

SE

DevelopmentEnvironmentEngineer

Development Process Improvement Specialist

QA Specialist

Test Engineer

Sp

eci

alis

m

Em

bedd

ed S

yste

m

Em

bedd

ed S

oftw

are

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed R

elat

ed

Tech

nolo

gy

Em

bedd

ed A

pplic

atio

n

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed P

latfo

rm

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed A

pplic

atio

n

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed P

latfo

rm

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed S

oftw

are

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed S

oftw

are

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed S

oftw

are

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed S

oftw

are

Dev

elop

men

t

Em

bedd

ed S

yste

m

Dev

elop

men

t

Hig

h L

eve

l

Level 7

Level 6

Level 5

Mid

dle

Leve

l

Level 4

Level 3

Entry

Lev

el

Level 2

Level 1

► Levels 5 trough 7 (High Level): In these levels, the lead is taken in technology, methodology, and business

relating to the relevant job type/specialism in and outside the company. Also, significant contribution to the formulation and execution of internal human resource investment strategy is also required. At level 7, in particular, it is necessary to take the lead in and outside the company in the development and standardization of new technology.

► Level 3 and 4 (Middle Level): In these levels, the lead is taken in the discovery and solution of task problems. Also, active contribution to training of lower level individuals is also required.

► Levels 1 and 2 (Entry Level): In these levels, discovery and solution of task problems can be conducted under the guidance of superiors in the relevant job type.


<Users’ Information System Skill Standards (UISS) Career Framework (Ver. 1.1)>

Bus

ines

s S

trat

egis

t

IS S

trat

egis

t

Pro

gram

Ma

nage

r

Pro

ject

Man

ager

IS A

naly

st

App

licat

ion

De

sign

er

Sys

tem

Des

igne

r

IS O

pera

tion

IS A

dmin

istr

ator

IS A

rchi

tect

Sec

urity

Adm

inis

trat

or

IS S

taff

IS A

udito

r

Hig

h

7

6

5

Mid

dle

4

3

Ent

ry 2

1

The career levels are set in 7 stages from the following 3 standpoints.

Extent of contribution of tasks, level of recognition in and outside the company, and achievement of required work (overall degree of exhibition of capabilities)

The “extent of contribution of tasks” is a central concept to the Career Framework, and is a measure of contribution of the tasks to the realization of business strategies, in other words, to what extent the relevant task will contribute to business.

･ To the line of business, company, company group (levels 3 through 7) ･ To the project (levels 2 through 6) ･ To the tasks in charge (levels 1 through 5)

Furthermore, the “level of recognition” as an indicator to provide a career target model to aim for, supplements the “extent of contribution of tasks,” and is set on the following 3 levels in line with concept of the Skill Standards for IT Professionals.

► Level 7: Recognized as a target in and outside the company ► Level 6: Recognized within and outside the company ► Level 5: Recognized within the company

Unlike the “IS Skill Level” of skill evaluations, the “level of achievement of required work” is achieved using overall capabilities including common skills and other specialist skills, and is set on the following 4 levels in line with the Skill Standards for IT Professionals.

► Level 4: Ability to supervise ► Level 3: Ability to work independently ► Level 2: Ability to work independently to a certain extent ► Level 1: Ability to work under supervision

Human

Resource

Model

Car

eer

Lev

el


New Examination System Deliberation Committee Members List

<Chairperson>

Yoshiaki IWAMARU Deputy Chief Information Officer(CIO), Financial Service Agency(FSA),

Government of JAPAN

＜Members＞

Yuichi AIDA Managing Executive Officer, Engineering Dev., TIS Inc.

Yukari AOKI Senior Consultant, Research & Consulting Division, The Japan Research

Institute, Limited

Masahiko ENDO Senior Executive Officer, Technical Planning Department, Mizuho

Information & Research Institute, Inc.

Takao FUTAGAMI Chief Engineer, Software Research Division, TOYO Corporation

Hisato HAMA Senior HRD consultant, Corporate Technology Training Center, HRD

Company, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Yasuhisa ITOH Division Manager, Integrated Technology Delivery, Service Management #1,

System Service, IBM Japan Services Company Ltd.

Katsuhiko KAKEHI Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University

Chairperson, Committee of Information Processing Education, Information

Processing Society of Japan

Toshikuni KOGA Principal, Japan Electronics College

Yoshihiro MATSUDA Manager, Education Planning Group, Education Center Department, Human

Resources Development Division, Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd.,

Kazuhiko SATO (occupation not publicized)

Takashi SUGINO Professor, Center for Information Science, Kokushikan University

Yasuo TOKUTAKE (occupation not publicized)

Chiharu TSUNODA General Manager, Business Planning & Promotion, Japan Users Association of

Information Systems

Hiroki TSUSHIMA Sales Consulting Director, Oracle Corporation Japan

Tetsuya USHIO Deputy General Manager, Corporate Planning Division, Hitachi Systems &

Services, Inc.

Yoshikazu YAMAMOTO Professor, Department of Information and Computer Science, Faculty of

Science & Technology, Keio University

Koki YODOGAWA General Manager, Business Process & IT Management Research Dept.,

Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

（listed in alphabetical order）

＜Observers＞

Toshihide YAHIRO Director, Information Services Industry Division, Commerce and Information

Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Toshikazu OKUYA Deputy Director, Information Services Industry Division, Commerce and

Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Daiki NAKAMURA Deputy Director, Information Services Industry Division, Commerce and



Yuichi NAGAMI Assistant Chief, Information Services Industry Division, Commerce and


Tomoya ISOGAI Assistant Chief, Information Services Industry Division, Commerce and


Sachio TAHARA Senior Vice President, Japan Information Technology Services Industry

Association,


New Examination System Deliberation Committee Deliberation History

April 27, 2007 Session 1 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) Direction of the Information Technology Engineers Examination

reform

(2) Proposed matters for discussion, future procedure

May 18, 2007 Session 2 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) Common Career/Skill Framework

(2) Human resource models for each examination category

June 22, 2007 Session 3 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) Status of discussion of the Common Career/Skill Framework

(2) Human resource models for each examination category (contd)

(3) Configuration design of the new examination system

August 1, 2007 Session 4 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) Human Resources Development Working Group Final Report

(2) Level 1 Examination interim report

(3) Proposed examination category names

(4) Configuration design of the new examination system (contd)

(5) Grading method, pass criteria, information disclosure

August 29, 2007 Session 5 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) Interim collation of discussion regarding the new examination

system

(Sep. 7 ~ 27, 2007) “Information Technology Engineers Examination Guide to the New Examination

System” - A Guidepost to Advanced IT Human Resources

Public comment invited on the New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Interim Report (draft)

November 21, 2007 Session 6 New Examination System Deliberation Committee

Agenda: (1) “Information Technology Engineers Examination Guide to the

New Examination System” (Final Draft Report)

information technology engineers · pdf file · 2017-09-271.2 approach of the...

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