ISO/IEC 24773:2008

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 24773
First edition
2008-09-01

Software engineering — Certification of
software engineering professionals —
Comparison framework
Ingénierie du logiciel — Certification des professionnels de l'ingénierie
du logiciel — Cadre comparatif




Reference number
ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2008

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ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)
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ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)
Contents Page

Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
1.1 Purpose.1
1.2 Field of application.1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions.1
4 Requirements for a Certification Scheme.2
5 Knowledge and skills.3
5.1 Body of knowledge .3
5.1.1 Software engineering body of knowledge .3
5.1.2 Other technical knowledge requirements.3
5.1.3 Knowledge of appropriate standards .3
5.1.4 Domain knowledge.3
5.2 Cognitive levels .3
5.3 Skills .3
5.3.1 Software engineering skills .3
5.3.2 Generic professional skills.3
5.4 Performance levels .4
6 Evaluation of competence .4
7 Delegation.4
8 Code of ethics and professional practice.4
9 Maintenance of certification .5
9.1 Renewal of certification.5
9.2 Continuing professional development .5
Bibliography.7

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ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees
established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC
technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information
technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as
an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 24773 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 7, Software and systems engineering.
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ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)

Introduction
O ver the past several decades, software systems have become critical components of most aspects of life. At
the same time, these systems have become increasingly complex. One response to this situation has been
the recognition and codification of effective practices for software development processes and products. This
effort has led to the development of systems and software engineering standards by ISO and IEC, by
professional societies, and by national standards bodies. It has also led to the definition of an internationally
recognized body of knowledge for software engineering [1].
At the same time, there has been a broad-based effort to increase the professionalism of developers of
software systems. This effort has included the extension of professional engineering qualifications (e.g.
licensed or chartered status) to software engineers and the creation of certification schemes for software
engineering professionals. All certifications assess candidates’ competencies, either by examination or by
review of a candidate’s competencies, including education, experience, and mastery of specific skills.
The increasing globalization of the software industry implies that a software engineering professional is likely
to work in different countries over the course of a career. It is therefore important to develop ways to increase
the portability of professional certifications in this domain. This International Standard will respond to the
needs of multi-national organizations or suppliers for developing software for a foreign customer (including
offshoring) that requires software engineering professional certifications.
This International Standard will facilitate the portability of software engineering professional certifications
between different countries. At present, different countries have adopted different approaches on the topic that
are implemented by means of regulations and bylaws. The intention of this International Standard is to be
open to these national approaches by providing a framework for expressing them in a common scheme that
can lead to understanding between different countries.
This International Standard refines and supplements the processes for certification of individuals included in
ISO/IEC 17024:2003, Conformity Assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of
persons. The management and implementation of the Scheme developed under this International Standard
can also take into account the processes and definitions of ISO/IEC 17024.
A certification body for software engineering professionals seeking accreditation as such will be required to
demonstrate conformance to ISO/IEC 17024 and to this International Standard. This does not preclude a
certification body for software engineering professionals from using this International Standard alone to
compare its Scheme with other certification bodies as a basis for a mutual recognition agreement.
In some countries, governments and other bodies assess the qualifications of software engineering
professionals by evaluating candidates’ knowledge, skills and job experience and issuing certificates of
qualification to those demonstrating competence as defined by an assessing organization. Such an
organization is defined as qualification body in this International Standard. A qualification body can use
appropriate components of Clauses 4.1 to 4.6, 5 and 6 of this standard for comparison with other such
schemes or as a delegated qualification body under Clause 7 of this International Standard. Educational
organisations can also use a Scheme developed under this International Standard for comparison purposes.
The Guide to the body of knowledge, ISO/IEC TR 19759:2005, Software Engineering – Guide to the Software
Engineering Body of Knowledge [1] is utilized in this International Standard for comparison of software
engineering bodies of knowledge. Education bodies, qualification or examination bodies and certification
bodies are not required to use, or comply with, SWEBOK, but are required to map a software engineering
body of knowledge to SWEBOK. This will enable comparisons between the software engineering component
(Clause 5.1.1) of the body of knowledge in the Scheme.
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ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)
This International Standard is not intended to discourage or diminish the role of universities and other
educational bodies in developing and offering diverse and innovative software engineering programs. Rather,
it encourages universities and other educational bodies to participate in the initial and continuing development
of software engineering professionals. At the same time, certification bodies are encouraged to consult with
and work with universities and other educational bodies in establishing schemes under this International
Standard.

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FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/IEC 24773:2008(E)

Software engineering — Certification of software engineering
professionals — Comparison framework
1 Scope
1.1 Purpose
Thi
...