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...Home ... Editorial ... Columns ..Column Story Saturday: April 5, 2014


 Certification Advisor  
Greg Neilson
Greg Neilson


 The Mystery of Developer Certifications
Why haven't certs like the MCSD caught on?
by Greg Neilson  
11/15/2000 -- One of the great mysteries in the certification world is why developer certification has never really caught on. I have a few theories on why that may be, and I would welcome your comments as well.

If we look at Microsoft's MCSE program, there are almost 400,000 IT professionals who currently hold it, with many thousands more in the pipeline. In fact, with this many MCSEs, you could argue that the MCSE is entirely too popular.

Yet compare this number with the number of MCSDs out there (those certified as developers on the Microsoft platforms). In just the last few months, the number of current MCSDs has dropped from 30,000 to only around 10,000 now that the previous version of this program has expired. Surely this isn't representative of the number of developers on the Microsoft platform (the number of VB programmers in industry is much higher). So why aren't developers going for this certification?

'Microsoft elected to force MCSDs to retake the core exams as well.'
One factor may be the inept manner in which Microsoft has managed it. There have been a number of major changes in the format of the program, which I'll call versions 1, 2 and 3. Version 1 of the MCSD consisted of two core WOSA exams plus two electives. Version 2 consisted of two core Windows Architecture exams plus two electives. Version 3, the current version, consists of a core Analyzing Requirements exam, two exams in your language of choice (VB or VC++) plus an elective. I don't think anyone would dispute the fact that those already certified with an MCSD need to keep up to date with the latest versions of their development tool of choice, but, when introducing these subsequent program formats, Microsoft elected to force MCSDs to retake the core exams as well. For example, I completed my MCSD in 1996 with version 1 and held it until the version 2 format expired. Having already re-done three exams from a four-exam program to re-certify for that version, Microsoft announced the latest version, which would mean passing yet another three exams.

Interestingly, in the Lotus Notes/Domino arena there are twice as many developer CLPs (Certified Lotus Professionals) as those holding system administration CLPs for both R4 and R5 -- a real contrast to the Microsoft programs. I can only surmise that the prevalence of these CLP developer certifications may be related to the certification requirements for becoming a Lotus Business Partner. Many of these BPs make much of their money writing and modifying custom applications for the Notes/Domino platform.

Another major developer program, Sun's Java certification, doesn't appear to release numbers, so I can't comment on its success or otherwise. But I do like the concept of the program's developer exam, which builds on the theory of the programmer exam by adding a practical assignment that must be handed in and marked.

Even with some successes, developer certifications overall tend to be less popular than their networking counterpart. In my opinion, there are two major reasons for this:

  • To be a successful developer, there are a great many more professional skills required than just coding with a specific development tool. Therefore, holding a certification is not much of a guide in what the holder is able to do for clients/employers.
  • Many of the later MCSEs are career-changers, who are using their certification to help them enter the IT arena. This is fine for network administrators, who can come up through the ranks with the technical knowledge from the program and learn the rest as they go. But for developers, there are many formal techniques (modelling, testing, software engineering, normalisation etc) they need to know before they can become a productive application developer. Of course, you can learn these without completing a degree, but it's an uphill task.

Even so, programmers who are cross-training from another platform to Windows have a compelling reason to get an MCSD. In this case, they already have hard-won application development experience and then can show that they have a grasp of the basic elements of Windows development. Sure, they still need some professional experience in programming these products to become a full-fledged Windows developer, but they have already proven their interest and should prove a low-risk prospect for the future.

What do you think? I'm interested in your take on developer certifications. Post your comments below. Also, in my next column, I'll be answering some of your certification questions directly. If you need certification advice, e-mail me directly at .


Greg Neilson, MCSE+Internet, MCNE, PCLP, is a Contributing Editor for Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine and a manager at a large IT services firm in Australia. He's the author of Lotus Domino Administration in a Nutshell (O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN 1-56592-717-6). You can reach him at Attn: Greg.

 


More articles by Greg Neilson:

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There are 32 CertCities.com user Comments for “The Mystery of Developer Certifications”
Page 1 of 4
11/16/00: Darren says: if microsoft wants more MCSD people out there, reward them for having the designation. Eliminating the free MSDN Library seriously impacted a lot of developers that were thinking of pursuing this certification. Microsoft should fix this before the MCSD disappears entirely.
11/16/00: Ed says: I'm currently a MCT who mainly teaches MCSD career changers that are interested in programming. I've noticed a significant difference between the MCSE & MCSD tracks. For one, the NT 4 tests were a lot easier than the new SD tests. This appeals to career changers. Also, most of my students have high paying jobs just after 1 or 2 tests because of the high demand and never get around to completing the track. This is a lot different than the MCSE career changer who still has to fight for an entry-level job in the field. I would also like to agree that eliminating the MSDN library is a big deal. Mine just ran out!
11/17/00: Steve says: Eliminating the MSDN library is one point, but the bigger issue may be that programmers in general simply don't have the time to study for a specific test on specific issues. Most developers are too busy learning new concepts and technologies for a task we have at work, so devoting even more of our precious spare time to try and study for a test doesn't factor very high in our lives. Also, the more places you go, the more you see that techincal managers do not really care about certification. What they care about is your ability to write effective code, not whether you have memorized the exact syntax of a command. And, unless a test can force an applicant to write a program and/or improve one, the tests will not be worth much. Microsoft's lack of effort to stop the MCSE flood, and lack of effort to improve the MCSD ranks is legendary. The MCSD is not very important anymore, and the MCSE is too common to be worth much either.... I am a former MCSD, and I see no reason to continue with retesting to get my certification back.
11/17/00: Tim says: I disagree with your statement: "To be a successful developer, there are a great many professional skills required than just coding with a specific development tool. Therefore, holding a certification is not much of a guide in what the holder is able to do for clients/employers." The MCSD track contains exams such as SQL Design 70-029 and (of course) the core Analyzing Requirments 70-100. These exams are not testing coding skills with a specific tool as much as they are testing the developer's skill in analytical thinking, logical and physical design, and normalization. They present case studies similar to real-world scenarios and ask how to solve the problem using these skills, not programming. I've just completed my MCSD and am in the process of keeping it current before my elective expires in December. I've obtained some good non-programming knowledge from the 100 and the 029 that I think does tell my client I can analyze his situation, develop a normalized solution, and throw in custom code if I need to. I think most developers are so busy developing, they feel no need to pursue the certification. The demand for developers is so high, it also is unnecessary to obtain a job. It has to be pushed by the developer's employer or by themselves to provide the low risk factor to their potential clients/employers.
11/17/00: Tom says: I think that the latest iteration of the MCSD track has some real value. Solely for the analytical thinking and design conceptualization that it promotes. However, constantly changing the program and stripping benefits from it (MSDN Library) leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths. People don't want to constantly manage their certs and have to re-prove themselves on the same concepts. I believe that is driving people to let their certs lapse. Also, the popularity and notorious "paper" MCSEs has really tarnished the concept of Microsoft Certification. On one hand you have people that will get extra Microsoft Certs like MCDBA and, currently, MCSE+Internet to prove that they are somehow different than those "paper" and "bootcamp" MCSEs and on the other people that just say "forget it" and let it go. Either way, real experienced developers and administrators are taking the "paper" MCSE as a slap in the face and are likely not to bother getting mixed up in an expensive and conceivably worthless process of getting certified.
11/17/00: Anonymous says: Another reason that the MCSD hasn't taken off is that the majority of developers aren't using or don't want to learn the technologies that MS is testing! Why do I want to spend any of my time studying VB6??? I'm a web developer doing mostly .asp and SQL Server stored procs. VB and C++ don't do a thing for me. Microsoft needs to come out with a revised MCSD to cover today's web developers. When ASP+ comes out, they should add that as a third track for MCSD. My proposed Requirements: 1. ASP+, 2. Scripting (test would cover both VB and JavaScript), 3. SQL Server Design (how can you call yourself a developer if you don't know SQL? SQL Server should be a REQUIREMENT.) 4. The current solution requirement and then a fifth test could be an elective. I have my MCSE (1997), and am working on the final test for MCDBA (70-028). I've actually taken the VB6 desktop test but just don't see the point in spending my time studying for VB distributed when I NEVER use VB. It'd also be nice if Microsoft would actually provide information on their MCSD direction. Why hasn't anything been said about how the new version of studio is going to affect MCSD (i.e. new tracks? new designations?)
11/17/00: Sam says: I have been in the industry for 20 years. Pursued the MCSE to prove to the "kids" I work with that I knew my stuff. Never took a class, primary source of training was OJT. I am primarily a SD, was going to go on and do MCSD, but now my MCSE is about to be a piece of paper next year. Like being on a treadmill - not much forward progress. By B.S. is still a B.S., but my MCSE will be worthless - go figure. I too bemoan the loss of MSDN as it is a primary tool these days. I do system setup, program in VB,VC++, ASP, SQL, work as programmer, sys admin, and DBA. The certs offer me a way to be beleivable that I have the talents I say I do. But why can't they establish a baseline. Gee if I knew how to put together a doamin yesterday, trust me, I am still doing it today. AD just made it a little different, principles did not change!
11/17/00: Thane says: I too, am a former MCSD. I have precious little time to continue studying and continue the exam battle to justify the effort on my part. I don't really care for the fact that by the time you have experience with the latest version of the tools, and have waited for useful exam prep materials to become available that about the same time Microsoft has announces the retirement of the exams that you are trying to study for? What's the point?
11/17/00: Bruce says: Less people get the MCSD for two simple reasons: 1. There is less market for developers than for engineers. Almost every company needs one or more engineers, if for nothing more than net admin work. Fewer companies hire in-house programmers. 2. Even with the lower demand, there is still a market shortage. Thus, companies that ARE wanting to hire programmers are willing to take anyone who has experience, whether or not they have a cert. In short, programming certs like MCSD have not become the "gate keepers" that certs are in the engineer world. Bruce Maples MCT, almost-MCSD, trainer and programmer
11/17/00: JP says: I qualified for my MCSD (version 2), and had one (very old) elective roll off which effectively cancelled my certification even though my SQL Certs were current. Since I'm now working as a DBA (modeling, design, performance tuning, maintenance, etc.) I don't see much point in getting my MCSD current again. I've also considered the MCDBA, but the "easy" NT 4 MCSE process has diluted the other (in my opinion) harder certifications. Maybe Win2K will change that, maybe not... Frankly, my Bachelor's degree and my (in progress) Master's degree garners more respect than any certification ever will. Just my two cents.
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