EDP certification: is it necessary?

• Authors: David R. Skeen
• Venue: AFIPS '74 Proceedings of the May 6-10, 1974, national computer conference and exposition
• Year: 1974

There is a movement afoot within the computer industry which will have a great impact on EDP personnel. Much literature has been published which concerns itself with EDP personnel certification. The formation of the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) in August, 1973, has certainly triggered a large amount of discussion within the EDP community. In reality, everyone seems to be for certification and the prestigious distinction of being called "Professional." So it's everyone to the bandwagon! At a glance, it appears that our EDP certification bandwagon is charging ahead---the certification movement is straining at the harness, the bandwagon is creating dust clouds and recklessly moving forward and the computer passengers are frantically waving for forward motion. In essence, everything is moving forward except for one thing, the wheels---and they are going backwards, thus indicating that the certification base has not been firmly established. Is this the true posture of the EDP profession and its certification movement? Before proceeding with a grand and glorious certification program, it might be well at this time to ask a few important questions. One of which might be "Is EDP certification necessary?"