Six Questions to Ask Before Embarking on a Certification Program A certification program can be a very powerful tool for your organization, stakeholders, or profession. Certification provides evidence that an individual possesses a required level of knowledge or skills related to a job or occupation. Organizations develop certification programs for a variety of reasons to include establishing standards for job positions and improving the quality of products or services provided by certified persons.
But how do organizations – including for-profit companies, non-profits, government agencies and others – determine if a certification program is right for them? With more than ten years experience helping organizations of all types develop and maintain successful programs, Kryterion is well positioned to help your organization with this decision. The following questions are important for an organization to ask before embarking on a certification program.
Questions to Ask What are the goals of the certification program? Whether the goals of your certification are to establish standards for the profession, protect the health and safety of the public, enable employers to identify qualified candidates, or other reasons, it is important that they be clearly defined and consistent with your organization’s mission and strategic goals. Part of this step is identifying the expected outcomes of the program.
What is the demand for the certification program? It is critical to identify if there is a sufficiently large audience that would find value in your certification. If it is to be offered externally to your organization, others must find value in the certification program for it to succeed. Common audiences are those working in the occupation and their employers, customers, partners, and resellers. It is also important to determine if you have access or can easily obtain access to this audience to market the certification.
If offered externally, how will the program be priced? Depending on your audience and the perceived value of your planned certification program, you can estimate the price individuals or their employers will invest to obtain the certification.
What is the scope of the certification program? Certifications can be broad or narrow in focus, target an entry-level position, or advanced level of knowledge and skills. The goal of the certification program and the results of a market analysis can help create the scope of the certification.
Does your organization have the resources to develop a certification program? Developing a certification program often requires a combination of internal professional and clerical staff, and external consultants and volunteers (e.g., subject matter experts). There are many steps in planning and developing a certification program. Kryterion can help in identifying these for you.
How will the certification assessment be administered? A myriad of options exists for assessment administration. On the basic level, a paper and pencil, multiple-choice examination offers a low cost solution but includes many drawbacks such as: security, administration, and data consolidation. Use of web-based technology brings benefits of automation, easier access, and the option of secure, online proctoring. Of course, there are other decisions that must be addressed in developing a certification program. These questions are intended to assist you with the initial discussions and preparations.
Next Steps For more information on creating a certification program for your organization, feel free to contact us.
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