ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013

TECHNICAL ISO/IEC
REPORT TR
29154
First edition
2013-08-01
Software engineering — Guide
for the application of ISO/IEC
24773:2008 (Certification of
software engineering professionals
— Comparison framework)
Ingénierie du logiciel — Guide pour l’application de l’ISO/CEI
24773:2008 (Certification des professionnels de l’ingénierie du
logiciel — Cadre comparatif)
Reference number
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2013

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO/IEC 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Reference . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Concepts and interpretation guide . 2
4.1 Concepts and background regarding ISO/IEC 24773:2008 . 2
4.2 Relationship between ISO/IEC 24773:2008 and ISO/IEC 17024 . 2
4.3 SWEBOK Guide and software engineering bodies of knowledge . 2
4.4 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.1.1 - mapping of bodies of knowledge to SWEBOK Guide . 3
4.5 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.2 - cognitive levels . 3
4.6 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 6 - concepts relating to skills and competences . 3
5 Applying ISO/IEC 24773:2008 . 4
5.1 Overview . 4
5.2 Application cases / use cases for the IS . 4
6 Use of the International Standard . 6
7 Certification of software engineering specialists . 6
Annex A (informative) Case study details - application of ISO/IEC 24773 . 7
Bibliography .14
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(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.
In exceptional circumstances, when the joint technical committee has collected data of a different kind
from that which is normally published as an International Standard (“state of the art”, for example), it
may decide to publish a Technical Report. A Technical Report is entirely informative in nature and shall
be subject to review every five years in the same manner as an International Standard.
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 TR 29154 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 7, Systems and software engineering.
iv © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

Introduction
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Software engineering — Certification of software engineering professionals —
Comparison framework, establishes a framework for comparison of schemes certifying software
engineering professionals. ISO/IEC 24773:2008 (also referred to in this Technical Report as “The
International Standard” or “the IS”) will facilitate the portability of software engineering professional
certifications by facilitating comparison of such certification schemes.
Many individual qualification and certification schemes exist in the area of software engineering;
software development; or a related speciality. In order to evaluate and compare between software
engineering certifications for individual professionals, it is necessary to define a common framework
for comparison. For multi-national organizations that require software engineering professionals,
ISO/IEC 24773:2008 will facilitate the evaluation and comparison between various certifications.
The International Standard has a number of intended users, including:
— Educators;
— Examining bodies;
— Industry and professional bodies;
— Government bodies.
This Technical Report contains guidance and elaboration of several clauses of ISO/IEC 24773:2008. It
also contains a more extensive set of potential uses of the International Standard by various users.
Annex A to this Technical Report contains several detailed illustrations of sample uses of ISO/IEC 24773.
The IEEE Computer Society cooperated with ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 as a Category A liaison in the
production of this Technical Report and is the publisher of the Guide to the Software Engineering Body
of Knowledge (SWEBOK Guide). Any reference to SWEBOK or SWEBOK Guide in this Technical Report
can be interpreted as a reference to ISO/IEC TR 19759, the adoption of the SWEBOK Guide.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)
Software engineering — Guide for the application of ISO/
IEC 24773:2008 (Certification of software engineering
professionals — Comparison framework)
1 Scope
This Technical Report is a guide for the application of ISO/IEC 24773:2008. This guide addresses
terminology used in ISO/IEC 24773:2008. It also includes interpretive guidance on several clauses of
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, as well as a review of potential typical scenarios for use of ISO/IEC 24773:2008.
Annex A contains several more detailed examples of the application of ISO/IEC 24773:2008. They are
examples of the most significant use cases identified in Clause 5.
2 Reference
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Software engineering — Certification of software engineering professionals —
Comparison framework
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 24773:2008 and the
following apply.
3.1
certification process
all activities by which a certification body establishes that a person fulfils specified competence
requirements, including application, evaluation, decision on certification, surveillance and recertification,
use of certificates and logos/marks
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024]
3.2
certification scheme
specific certification requirements related to specified categories of persons to which the same
particular standards and rules, and the same procedures apply
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024]
3.3
competence
demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and/or skills, and where relevant, demonstrated personal
attributes, as defined in the certification scheme
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024]
3.4
continuing professional development
CPD
set of activities undertaken by an individual professional in order to maintain professional competence,
knowledge, and skills
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

4 Concepts and interpretation guide
4.1 Concepts and background regarding ISO/IEC 24773:2008
The purpose of ISO/IEC 24773:2008 is to establish a framework which makes the comparison of software
engineering professional certification schemes possible. ISO/IEC 24773:2008 specifies the items that
a conformant certification scheme for software engineering professionals is required to contain.
Figure 1 is adapted from Clause 4 of ISO/IEC 24773:2008, which summarizes what shall be included in a
conformant certification scheme for software engineering professionals.
Items that shall be included in a conformant certification scheme include:
a) Title of software engineering professionals certified under that scheme;
b) List of tasks performed by software engineering professionals certified under that scheme;
c) Description of level of accountability, responsibility, autonomy, authority and complexity of the work associated with the title;
d) Description of competence including body of knowledge, cognitive levels, skills and performance levels;
e) Description of the minimum educational qualification or experience requirement for certification under that scheme;
f) Description of the competence evaluation method;
g) Description of code of ethics and professional practices;
h) Description of requirements under the scheme related to maintenance and renewal of certification;
i) Accreditation and/or quality control processes (if evaluation of competence is delegated to a qualification body).

Figure 1 — ISO/IEC 24773:2008 Extract – framework of certification scheme
The distinction between a certification body and a qualification body is discussed in ISO/IEC 24773:2008.
Certification bodies shall address items a) to i) (shown in Figure 1) for a conformant certification
scheme. On the other hand, qualification bodies will use items a) to f) (shown in Figure 1) to construct a
qualification scheme. The category of qualification schemes includes examination schemes. A certification
body may only delegate its evaluation of competence to a qualification body if that qualification body
employs a scheme which conforms with items a) to f).
Please note that ISO/IEC 24773:2008 specifies the items required to be defined by a conformant scheme,
but does not specify the content for or criteria to be used in writing the content for these items.
4.2 Relationship between ISO/IEC 24773:2008 and ISO/IEC 17024
Since ISO/IEC 24773:2008 uses the terminology that is defined in ISO/IEC 17024, it is recommended
that new users read ISO/IEC 17024 first, in order to understand this terminology before reading
ISO/IEC 24773:2008.
Those users seeking accreditation can begin by understanding the basic requirements for any
certification body imposed by ISO/IEC 17024.
ISO/IEC 24773:2008 can be used widely with or without ISO/IEC 17024.
4.3 SWEBOK Guide and software engineering bodies of knowledge
ISO/IEC TR 19759:2005 (Guide to Software Engineering Body of Knowledge) is a guide to a set of software
engineering sources that are generally accepted as authoritative and covering the scope of software
engineering to a certain level of depth (reference SWEBOK Guide Preface). Topics are covered to a level
of depth consistent with the knowledge of a professional with an undergraduate degree and four years
2 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

of experience. The SWEBOK Guide (2005 revision) is broken down into 10 Knowledge Areas (KAs), with
each KA broken down further into sub-areas, topics and sub-topics. The source materials referenced by
the SWEBOK Guide contain software engineering theory as well as professional standards and practices.
The SWEBOK Guide itself does not contain an actual body of knowledge for software engineering,
but collectively the materials referenced by the SWEBOK Guide contain (or represent) such a body of
knowledge. That body of knowledge is one particular body of knowledge termed the SWEBOK. Other
bodies of knowledge with respect to software engineering may be constructed.
It is strongly recommended that users of ISO/IEC 24773:2008 who are constructing a certification
scheme consider the significance of a body of knowledge (BOK) in general with respect to their
specific certification scheme. While no standard is defined for a BOK by ISO/IEC 24773:2008, users
of ISO/IEC 24773:2008 who are constructing a certification scheme are encouraged to construct (or
reference) a BOK which is comprehensive with respect to knowledge areas covered:
— Containing both theory and practical knowledge such as standards;
— Containing topics and sub-topics in depth, beyond what the SWEBOK Guide terms the “Introductory”
level of definition (e.g. that contained in the Introduction section of each Knowledge Area of the Guide).
Please see additional comments on mapping of a BOK to the SWEBOK Guide in Clause 4.4 below.
4.4 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.1.1 - mapping of bodies of knowledge to SWEBOK Guide
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.1.1 requires that any certification scheme claiming conformance to the
International Standard be based on a body of knowledge; and that the software engineering component
of that body of knowledge be mapped to the SWEBOK Guide. This clause does not impose a requirement
that a given certification scheme covers every topic in the SWEBOK Guide; however it is required that
whatever topics are covered by that certification scheme be mapped to the appropriate chapter in the
SWEBOK Guide.
Mapping the software engineering component of the body of knowledge to chapters 2-11 in the SWEBOK
Guide is a requirement of ISO/IEC 24773:2008. It is encouraged that users of ISO/IEC 24773:2008
document the mapping of the body of knowledge to a level of detail below the SWEBOK Guide KA. For
example a mapping for one body of knowledge could describe that with respect to Software Quality,
that body of knowledge maps to and covers the “Software Quality Fundamentals” sub-area within the
SWEBOK Guide KA on Software Quality.
If the body of knowledge does not fully cover or is inconsistent with that SWEBOK Guide chapter, it is
recommended that the reason be explained.
4.5 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.2 - cognitive levels
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5.2 requires that for every knowledge component, a cognitive level be
[1]
defined. The certification body can utilize existing models such as Bloom’s Taxonomy, or define their
own model for cognitive levels. The certification body may choose to use its own unique model for
representing cognitive levels, or it may chose to reference an existing well known model. Regardless, it
is recommended that the model used be well defined. The use of a well defined model of cognitive levels
will allow other organizations to more easily compare their own certification scheme (and their own
model of cognitive levels incorporated therein).
4.6 ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 6 - concepts relating to skills and competences
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 6 requires that the certification body consolidate the description
of the software engineering professional’s skills and knowledge as required by their scheme.
ISO/IEC 24773:2008, Clause 5 identifies several kinds of knowledge and skills for the software
engineering professional, but it does not impose specific minimum requirements for any of these. The
certification body must enumerate the specific kinds and levels of knowledge and skills pursuant to
Clause 5, and then pursuant to Clause 6, indicate how the cited skills and competence are evaluated.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TR 29154:2013(E)

5 Applying ISO/IEC 24773:2008
5.1 Overview
The clause contains usage scenarios and most typical use cases for the International Standard.
5.2 Application cases / use cases for the IS
5.2.1 Professional societies
A professional society may be a certification body. If this is the case, the professional society may
use ISO/IEC 24773:2008 in order to construct its own certification scheme to be applied to some or
all of its members. The professional society may also use ISO/IEC 24773:2008 to compare their own
certification scheme to that of other bodies, perhaps in order to offer some recognition of the other
certifications. The professional society may use ISO/IEC 24773:2008 as a checklist for ensuring that key
factors related to certification are considered in planning a scheme. The professional societies may use
ISO/IEC 24773:2008 in order to assist in determining and describing the intended characteristics and
attributes of their certified members.
5.2.2 Training course providers and examination bodies
A training course provider or an examination body may be a qualification body as defined in
ISO/IEC 24773:2008. Note that a qualification body is not identical to a certification body, as discussed
in Clause 4.1 above and in ISO/IEC 24773:2008. A qualification body operates a qualification scheme
which may address some portion of the scheme requirements defined in ISO/IEC 24773:2008.
A training course developer will have an interest in designing a course which meets certain needs
or covers certain topics. A training course developer can make use of the framework defined in
ISO/IEC 24773:2008 when designing such a course.
Further, both training course providers and examination bodies can make use of ISO/IEC 24773:2008
framework when constructing examinations or assessments.
Certification bodies may delegate evaluation of competencies to examination bodies. In this circumstance
the certification body and the delegated examination body can make use of the ISO/IEC 24773:2008
framework to clearly document and map a examination or qualification scheme to the certification scheme.
5.2.3 Universities and academic programs
University faculties plan programs in software engineering which must produce graduates with certain
skills and capabilities. The programs also may be designed in order to meet accreditation requirements
established by regulators. University faculties may use ISO/IEC 24773:2008 to assist in organizing and
documenting the required attributes and competencies of their graduates. University faculties may also
use ISO/IEC 24773:2008 to assist in planning; using the framework of ISO/IEC 24773:2008 to compare
curriculum and program outcomes against those of other university programs.
Universities may also use the framework defined in ISO/IEC 24773:2008 to describe and document their
respective education programs in software engineering.
Individuals who are considering several possible university programs will also benefit if various
universities utilize the framework structure to describe their respective examinations. The individual
may compare the various university programs more easily if the descriptions are based on the framework
defined in ISO/IEC 247
...