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SOA - TOGAF certification

 
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All,

While i was going through some online white paper on SOA initiatives by IBM and SAP one thing i saw in common was that they refered TOGAF framework. Somehow seemed like they wanted to convey industry that they following industry standard TOGAF framework.

So i was tempted to find out about this certification and to my surprise certification has only 1 step ... multichoice questions and instant result (unlike SCEA where you need to take 3 steps with wait time for results). Here are details
# Exam Number/Name: OG0-081 TOGAF 8 Certification for Practitioners
# Qualification upon passing: TOGAF 8 Certified
# Delivered at: Authorized Prometric Testing Centers
# Prerequisites: None
# Other exams/assignments required for this certification: None
# Exam type: Multiple choice
# Number of questions: 101
# Pass score: 70% (71 of 101 questions)
# Time limit: 120 minutes
# Fee: USD 400 (or local equivalent) plus applicable taxes

They even have a pdf study guide ( which they claim is all you need to study).

I know there any many architects in this forum and i wanted to know your thought on this.

Do you guys feel i am missing some fine prints?
How valuable is it to have TOGAF compared to IBM SOA and SAP certification?

Thanks

Pravin Kumar
 
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First of all the Togaf certification you are referring to merely certifies you as a practitioner of the TOGAF methodology and not as an architect. The fact that TOGAF is an architectural framework and that you know how to use it , does not automatically imply you are an architect. Hence Togaf has two separate architect certifications

The architect certifications from The open group are two levels - Master Architect and Architect . The process involves an interview and in the case of the master certification , traveling to meet the board for a face to face. the cost is more than a thousand dollars if I remember right.

Having said that , I think the SCEA + the TOGAF practitioner should be equally good as the more expensive Master architect exam .

And the reason I think so is because most people confuse the TOGAF practitioner certification with the TOGAF architect certification. And guess what , as interviewee , I am not about to clarify the difference

As for the other certifications like the SAP and the SOA , they are technology specific, so the laws of demand and supply of the players in those narrow markets will define their usefulness.

Architecture on the other hand is technology neutral and hence the usefulness of any related certification is much longer.
 
Pravin Kumar
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K.P.T

That was really good observation and i appreciate your views.

Thanks

Pravin
 
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I have been taking a look at the TOGAF certification myself. It appears the study guide is all you need and it seems to be equipped with some test yourself questions too. It seems quite expensive for a 300 page book and it appears that they dont have other wide spread publishers so you are going to have to purchase the PDF.

I think I might give it a go after a while. Are you planning on taking this exam ?
 
Pravin Kumar
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John,

Only thing i am not sure is how much value this certification has. Reason being that you get "automatically" certified without exam if you attend there training course.

At this time i am more inclined to take IBM - Test 667: Architectural Design of SOA Solutions. Looking at the syllabus i got a feeling that it will be helpful in long run(coz SOA has just started heating up) and also it will helpful immediately with all SOA projects i am involved. Only problem is that they have mentioned lotsss of redbook as required study material and also there training is expensive. So it will take a little time to prepare but i will it will be worth it.

Do you know any other good certifications?

Other people in this forum and thoughts?

Regards

Pravin Kumar
 
Deepak Bala
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Only thing i am not sure is how much value this certification has. Reason being that you get "automatically" certified without exam if you attend there training course.



Good catch there. I dont understand how you can be certified if you were to only attend training either. I think the training does conduct tests but I dont think they are as challenging as the real thing. That seems unfair

667 looks interesting but all the training seems to be limited to class room or instructor led online courses. Nothing that you can purchase as a book. The learning content also looks hefty.

As for other certs you could have a look at the BEA architecture certification. There is one offered by IBM also.
 
Pravin Kumar
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John,

Do you have any details about IBM Architect certification? i tried but couldn't find it. Can you paste the link.
Also do you think the study material for IBM architecture exam is available? Do you think it is different from SCEA and will be value addition?

Thanks

Pravin
 
Deepak Bala
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Here it is

http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/isa_step.shtml

You have to complete a range of certifications including TOFGAF but I am not very impressed by it. Completing so much in 10 months is a really big commitment. It is unfair that you have to recertify in 2 years. bah !

The BEA certification training was quite expensive the last time I checked

http://www.bea.com/framework.jsp?CNT=architect.jsp&FP=/content/services/education/certification/paths

I have not heard of any other. A cert from sun, IBM, bea or oracle would be good. If you know of anything else let me know
 
k.p thottam
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I haven't heard any rave reviews about either the IBM or the BEA certifications you have mentioned. However to become an IBM partner I am sure it would help.

Have you heard differently ?
 
Deepak Bala
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Its not that they are greatly hyped but a cert from either vendors would be recognized. Not that their exams are recognized but their brand names are. Sun however is in a different category. People recognize both the SCEA and the Sun brand name. That is just my opinion though
 
k.p thottam
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I agree and in fact that has always been my thinking
 
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I recently completed the following certifications. I am already an SCEA.

IBM 664: 95%
IBM 667: 88%
TOGAF certified practitioner (waiting for certificate)

Thanks to my employer who sponsored all these programs!
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