ISO/IEC 24773-1:2019
(Main)Software and systems engineering — Certification of software and systems engineering professionals — Part 1: General requirements
Software and systems engineering — Certification of software and systems engineering professionals — Part 1: General requirements
This document is part one of the ISO/IEC 24773 series. It contains the requirements which will be common to all other parts of the ISO/IEC 24773 series, for certifications (schemes and bodies) in the domain of software and systems engineering.
Ingénierie du logiciel et des systèmes — Certification des professionnels de l'ingénierie du logiciel et des systèmes — Partie 1: Exigences·générales
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INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 24773-1
First edition
2019-03
Software and systems engineering —
Certification of software and systems
engineering professionals —
Part 1:
General requirements
Ingénierie du logiciel — Certification des professionnels de
l'ingénierie du logiciel —
Partie 1: Exigences·générales
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2019
© ISO/IEC 2019
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ii © ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conformance . 3
5 Concepts relating to certification and qualification . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Certification and qualification . 4
5.3 Knowledge, BOK and cognitive level . 4
5.4 Skill and performance level . 5
5.5 Competence and proficiency level . 5
5.6 Assessment methods . 6
6 General requirements . 7
6.1 General . 7
6.2 Conformance to ISO/IEC 17024 . 7
6.3 Fundamental components . 7
6.4 Knowledge and skill . 8
6.4.1 General. 8
6.4.2 Identification of a BOK . 8
6.4.3 Cognitive level . 8
6.4.4 Skill . 9
6.5 Competence . 9
6.6 Code of ethics and professional practices . 9
6.7 Maintenance of certification.10
6.7.1 General.10
6.7.2 Renewal of certification .10
6.7.3 Continuing professional development .10
Bibliography .11
© ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved iii
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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
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. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents) or the IEC
list of patent declarations received (see http: //patents .iec .ch).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html. This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1,
Information technology, Subcommittee SC 07, Software and systems engineering.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO/IEC 24773:2008 which has been technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— normative reference has been made to ISO/IEC 17024, for general requirements related to
certifications and the certification of persons;
— a statement of general requirements or recommendations applicable to both software and systems
engineering has been added;
— a separation of software-engineering-specific requirements from the generic requirements has
been made;
— additional requirements for certifications in systems engineering have been included;
— additional recommendations concerning bodies of knowledge which form one element of a
certification scheme have been added; and
— additional guidance concerning the description of skills and competencies has been added.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 24773 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved
Introduction
Over 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 systems and 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
[5]
to the definition of an internationally-recognized body of knowledge for software engineering and
[8]
systems engineering .
The increasing globalization of the industry implies that a systems engineering or software engineering
professional is likely to work in different countries over the course of a career. Currently individuals
around the world are working in these domains and they possess varying levels of knowledge and
skill. However, there is no single certification which is recognized for these domains – there are many
certifications and they differ in several respects.
It is therefore important to develop certifications for these domains which are more meaningful,
more readily comparable, and which are recognized internationally. An International Standard which
contains minimum requirements for the scope and content of certifications for professionals in these
domains can increase confidence in those certifications which conform to that International Standard.
Because conforming certifications meet the requirements contained in this document, the standard can
improve the recognition and acceptance of those certifications in countries and jurisdictions around the
world. This increased acceptance and recognition in turn can enhance the mobility of the professionals
holding a conforming certification.
This document responds to the needs of organizations that require software or systems engineers
whose skills and competence are attested by a certification that conforms to an International Standard.
At present, different countries have adopted different approaches regarding the required skills and
knowledge for professionals working in these domains – these may be implemented by means of
regulations and laws. The establishment of certifications for professionals in these domains, and the
definition for minimum requirements for such schemes are not intended to interfere with or override
such national regulations and laws. A certification for professionals in these domains, as described in
this document is not a licence to practice in any jurisdiction. However, licensing bodies and regulators
may consider various certifications of individual persons. The intention of this document 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 document is part one of ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts), a multi-part standard that revises and replaces
ISO/IEC 24773:2008. The existing version of ISO/IEC 24773:2008 was intended to be used as a
framework for the comparison of certifications for software engineering professionals.
Many qualifications and some certifications exist for systems and software engineering. There is
currently no International Standard that defines the minimum requirements for such schemes. This
new revision of ISO/IEC 24773 addresses the certification of professionals in software engineering and
systems engineering.
ISO/IEC 17024 is a base standard containing general requirements for bodies performing certification
of persons. The revised ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) contains requirements specifically related to
certifications for software and systems engineering professionals. ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) also
contains guidance to certification bodies regarding the definition of knowledge, skill and competence
that are to be incorporated into a certification for such professionals. ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is
intended to be used in combination with ISO/IEC 17024.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is useful to industry organizations seeking to compare various certifications
for professionals in systems and/or software engineering; to individual professionals seeking to obtain
certification; and to employers who may choose or recognize such certifications. Such comparison is
important for the society and for various types of stakeholders, since many disparate certification
© ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved v
schemes currently exist in this domain and since each scheme defines its own competence scheme.
A comparison framework facilitates the comparison between certifications and thus encourages
certification providers to engage in continuous improvement of a certification. An engineer or an
organization can also benefit from a comparison framework, because they can choose a certification
which is appropriate for their skill/career development needs and their current level of achievement.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is useful to certification bodies offering schemes in the domain of systems/
software engineering, as it contains minimum requirements for the certification, and conformance to
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) can help the conforming certification to be globally accepted and recognized.
The document is useful to many stakeholder groups since it can help to promote clear consistent
standards for knowledge, skill and competence that are applicable to professionals in these domains.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is also useful to bodies offering qualifications in the domain of systems/
software engineering. Qualifications, as defined in ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts), cannot claim conformance
to ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) because they do not address one or more of the minimum requirements
defined for certification. However, the various requirements defined in ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) can
be used as a comparison framework for certification and qualification schemes. Thus, it becomes
possible for a user of ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) to examine and clarify the differences between various
certification and qualification schemes. Such comparison is important from the viewpoint of society
in general and from the viewpoint of various types of stakeholders, since many certification and
qualification schemes exist in this domain. In addition, such a comparison framework can facilitate
comparisons by both certification bodies and their customers. So, the existence of a comparison
framework can encourage competition and continuous improvement of a qualification scheme. Using
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) as a comparison framework, an engineer or an organization can more readily
select certifications or qualifications that are appropriate to their needs.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) consists of the following parts:
— ISO/IEC 24773-1, Software and Systems Engineering — Certification of Software and Systems
Engineering Professionals — Part I: General Requirements
— ISO/IEC 24773-1 serves as the basis for the revised multipart 24773 standard. It contains
terminology, concepts and requirements that are common to the remaining parts.
— ISO/IEC 24773-2, Software and Systems Engineering — Certification of Software and Systems
Engineering Professionals — Part II: Guidance Regarding Description of Knowledge, Skill and
Competence in Certification and Qualification Schemes.
— ISO/IEC 24773-2 (under preparation) provides guidance and recommendations that may be
used by certification or qualification bodies regarding the description of knowledge, skill and
competence within their particular schemes.
— ISO/IEC 24773-3, Software and Systems Engineering — Certification of Software and Systems
Engineering Professionals — Part III: Systems Engineering
— ISO/IEC 24773-3 (under preparation) provides specific requirements for certification schemes
and certification bodies in systems engineering.
— ISO/IEC 24773-4, Software and Systems Engineering — Certification of Software and Systems
Engineering Professionals — Part IV: Software Engineering
— ISO/IEC 24773-4 (under preparation) provides specific requirements for certification schemes
and certification bodies in software engineering.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is applicable across all organizations and is useful to certification or
qualification bodies and consumers (potential certificants, employers and IT service users) who are
comparing or evaluating various certification or qualification schemes.
ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) references and uses as a normative base the general concepts and basic
requirements related to the certification and qualification of persons. ISO/IEC 17024 is used and
referenced by ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) with respect to the general requirements of establishing
vi © ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved
and managing a certification or a qualification scheme. ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) is intended to
provide additional requirements and guidance that are specific to schemes in the domains of systems
engineering and software engineering.
When published, ISO/IEC 24773-3 and ISO/IEC 24773-4 will incorporate by reference the requirements
defined in ISO/IEC 24773-1. This relationship is depicted in Figure 1.
NOTE When published, conformance of a certification scheme in systems engineering will be claimed with
respect to the requirements contained in ISO/IEC 24773-3, and by reference, the general requirements contained
in ISO/IEC 24773-1. Similarly, when published, conformance of a certification scheme in software engineering will
be claimed with respect to the requirements contained in ISO/IEC 24773-4 and ISO/IEC 24773-1. A certification
scheme can only claim conformance to ISO/IEC 24773 (all parts) if it satisfies all requirements contained in ISO/
IEC 24773-1 and either of ISO/IEC 24773-3 or ISO/IEC 24773-4.
Figure 1 — ISO/IEC 24773 Structure and normative references
© ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved vii
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 24773-1:2019(E)
Software and systems engineering — Certification of
software and systems engineering professionals —
Part 1:
General requirements
1 Scope
This document is part one of the ISO/IEC 24773 series. It contains the requirements which will be
common to all other parts of the ISO/IEC 24773 series, for certifications (schemes and bodies) in the
domain of software and systems engineering.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 17024, Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons
ISO/IEC TS 17027, Conformity assessment — Vocabulary related to competence of persons used for
certification of persons
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 17024, ISO/IEC TS 17027
and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
applicant
person who has submitted an application to be admitted into the certification process (3.6)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.13]
3.2
assessment
process that evaluates a person's fulfilment of the requirements of the certification scheme (3.8)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.8]
3.3
candidate
applicant (3.1) who has fulfilled specified prerequisites and has been admitted to the certification
process (3.6)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.14]
© ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved 1
3.4
certificant
recipient or holder of a certification
3.5
certificate
document issued by a certification body under the provisions of this document, indicating that the
named person has fulfilled the certification requirements (3.7)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.5, modified — The NOTE has been removed.]
3.6
certification process
activities by which a certification body determines that a person fulfils certification requirements (3.7),
including application, assessment, decision on certification, recertification and use of certificates (3.5)
and logos/marks
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.1]
3.7
certification requirements
set of specified requirements, including requirements of the scheme to be fulfilled in order to establish
or maintain certification
Note 1 to entry: This definition refers to requirements which apply to the candidate.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.3, modified — Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.8
certification scheme
competence (3.9) and other requirements related to specific occupational or skilled categories of persons
Note 1 to entry: A certification scheme addresses a candidate’s knowledge, skill, competence or proficiency,
but it also includes requirements for certified person’s ongoing maintenance of proficiency. A specific scheme
also contains declarations concerning scope and title; the criteria for assessment of the certified person; and
declarations regarding validation of the scheme. The scheme is documented.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 3.2, modified — The original NOTE has been removed; Note 1 to entry
has been added.]
3.9
c
...
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