Object Mentor Blog: Developer Certification WTF?

Developer Certification WTF?

Uncle Bob — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:16:43 -0600

Watch the following video. It will convince you that we have to do something about the horrible state of software engineering.

Bad Code from unclebob on Vimeo.

How could any team of disciplined professionals have produced a wretched mess like that? Clearly they were ignorant of good practices. Clearly they were inexperienced novices. Clearly their priorities and values were all wrong. If only they had been taught good coding practices, and good development skills. If only we could have gotten to them before they made such a horrible mess.

What we need to do is create a certification program that provides developers with the knowledge and skills that they need. This program will involve a course that teaches good development practice, and a certification that they are now knowledgeable developers. They can use that certification to prove to their employers and their fellow professionals that they are worthy of being considered true and clean software developers.

That’s what we need. Right?....

Eagle’s Entrails! Deer Droppings! and Elephant Phlatulence!

I’m sorry, am I being vague? Is my opinion not clear enough? All right then, allow me to elaborate.

What Problem does Certification solve?

Certainly there are certification organizations who have the problem of dwindling revenues. A new developer certification program would likely solve their problem.

And just as certainly there are tin-men who need hearts, lions who need courage, scarecrows who need brains, and developers who need self-esteem. A new developer certification program might just help those lackluster developers.

But who else is served by a developer certification program? Employers?

The Trials of Hercules.

Consider Doctors and Lawyers. When a medical student earns an M.D., or a law student passes the Bar, that’s an achievement. The certification, in those cases is deeply meaningful because the certification is not easily won. To get it you have to spend many years, and many tens of thousands of dollars. What’s more, you have to acquire in-depth knowledge and at least a modicum of provable skill. You have to do something significant.

If we had a developer certification like that, then employers might find it useful. But I know of no developer certification program (except for one that I’ll mention later) that offers proof that the developer has accomplished anything of significance. Most certification programs prove little more than that the “developer” paid to attend a 3-5 day course. As an employer, I’m not particularly interested in the ability of a developer to pay to attend a 3-5 day course. As an employer I want to know what the developer can do.

Michaelangelo’s Apprentice.

If you were hiring a guitarist for your band, you might be very impressed with someone who toured with Clapton. You don’t get to tour with Clapton unless you are talented. But more than just talented, you have to show up every day, you have to work well with others, you have to be willing to get the job done under pressure. Clapton doesn’t work with slouches!

A signed letter of recommendation from Clapton is a certification of significance! Not just anyone can get one of those. That letter will impress potential employers forever after.

As an employer, I want to hire people who have succeeded at working with others in the past. The more I trust those others, the better! No developer certification program that I know of (except for one that I’ll mention later) provides that kind of credible reference.

Over-promise and Under-deliver.

The certification programs that I know of (except for one that I’ll mention later) make implicit promises that they can’t hope to begin to deliver. The implied promise is that the certificant has been shown to have some significant skill, ability, or knowledge. The reality is that you have to look at the word “significant” through the wrong end of some very powerful binoculars before it matches the truth. Indeed, there are certification programs that show absolutely nothing about the certificant except that they bought a seat in a class.

Notice that I said that the promises were implicit. That’s the whole key to making lightweight certifications profitable. The goal is to imply that the benefits of certification are so huge that people will pay to get the certification. Often that implication can be as simple and subtle as the choice of words used to name the certification.

Consider, for example, the title of “Certified Development Chief” imprinted on the certificate of someone who just took a “Development Chief” course. Who wouldn’t want to be a Certified Development Chief? And if you aren’t a Certified Development Chief, then what kind of Development Chief are you?

A course, a card, and a Bridge to sell.

What significant accomplishment can a developer make by paying to attend (or even actually attending) an 3-5 day course? How credible a recommendation about any of the 20-odd students could an instructor of such a course make? I can answer both questions in two words, with apologies to SNL. “Jack” and “Cheese”. The accomplishment is miniscule, and the recommendation is meaningless.

So as an employer of developers I think you can take your course and card and show it to some other sucker. It don’t impress me much. Go away and come back later when you’ve accomplished the trials of Hercules and apprenticed under Michaelangelo. And make sure you bring letters of reference. NEXT!

The one I said I’d mention later.

I’ve got an idea for a certification program that just might work. Now, bear with me because this is a little complicated. It’s an idea so revolutionary, so different, so incredibly new that I’m getting giddy just thinking about it.

What if we asked young graduates to actually get jobs as “interns” for awhile. What if we gave out responsibility to them in small incremental measures. What if they gradually learned more and more things while working for us. What if we guided them to ever greater accomplishments. What if we slowly gave them trials of Hercules to follows, and had them work with Michaelangelos.

Of course some of our people might leave and go to greener pastures. We’ll need to replace them. Also, our company might succeed and grow, so we’ll need to hire more good developers. So what if we…

OK, now hold on to your hat because this is where it gets really tricky. You might want to get up and walk around a bit, get a diet coke, eat a twinkie, or something to get your brain working.

Ready? OK, here we go…

So what if we… interviewed ... candidate developers? What if we asked them what accomplishments they’d achieved in previous employment. What if we asked them who they used to work with. And… ok, this is even wilder ... what if we called those references and checked them out?

Are you still with me?

What if we….

Naaaaahhhhh. Dumb idea.

Honestly, I think I’ve wasted your time. It’s a stupid idea. Never mind. We should all just go get certified instead.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by sms lån 5000 kr

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:50:31 -0600

Your article was great help! Thank you very much!

"Developer Certification WTF?" by ScotWetherington

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:37:53 -0600

Very informative and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by Lån

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:32:16 -0600

Oh my god, so funny!

"Developer Certification WTF?" by Self Help Sexuality

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:40:11 -0600

These codes are out of control.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by yaoi

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:21:32 -0600

hoping to see more videos and tutorials on your site.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by online docs

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:21:59 -0600

nice video….a helpful one…thnks….....

"Developer Certification WTF?" by hauling

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:45:48 -0600

It seems to be absolutely right that you have said in your points,, and i think these all are absolutely useful!!!.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by El Paso Real Estate

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:08:22 -0600

thank for the articles about Developer Certification WTF but a certificate is not a substitute for a degree. El Paso Real Estate

"Developer Certification WTF?" by El Paso Real Estate

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:05:31 -0600

thank for the articles about Developer Certification WTF but a certificate is not a substitute for a degree. El Paso Real Estate

"Developer Certification WTF?" by Love Barbados

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:09:12 -0600

Certification helps but show proper application and success and that will beat any certificate in my mind. Anyone can learn to pass a course, but can anyone apply that knowledge to real life situations? No, that takes a different person altogether, certification is only part of the battle…

"Developer Certification WTF?" by nikewomenheels

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:33:02 -0600

One of the most famous and widely-practiced dance women jordan heels form is ballet. Almost everyone around the globe knows what ballet is, regardless of whether you are into the art, know someone women jordan heels practicing ballet, have seen it on television or movies, in musical plays or stage presentations. Ballet is the predominant dance art that has enjoyed global appeal.Of all the dance arts Jordan Heels For Women or forms that are being practiced, aside from the territorial or regional ethnic dance forms- ballet enjoys a reputation a notch above the rest since it is associated with prestige and sophistication.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by GI metoden med recept

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:33:18 -0600

It is marvelous. I am fond of your blog. It really helped me a lot, will be referring a lot of friends about this. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep posting.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by GI metoden med recept

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:31:49 -0600

Oh, I must say that’s a real big W-T-F.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by directory

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:30:55 -0600

I know its quit technical issues that need to be solve and apparently with your information I found it very helpful with people having the same issues. Thank you.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by fertibella success

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:04:58 -0600

It is marvelous. I am fond of your blog. It really helped me a lot, will be referring a lot of friends about this. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep posting.

"Developer Certification WTF?" by fertibella reviews

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:43:52 -0600

Your blog is well done and I enjoyed reading this post. fertibella reviews

"Developer Certification WTF?" by Karis

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:44:55 -0600

It really is so happy to go through your blog; it is stuffed with valuable message. I wish both of us can do much better in the forthcoming. It great praise if you can certainly visit our web site, and present us some idea. best dissertation writing service best dissertation help

"Developer Certification WTF?" by medium length hair styles

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:14:17 -0600

Always follow your news and I love all animals. It is normal for a bear attack, especially if she has children. I have never condemned animals defend their territory and especially children. It is natural. This is a very good article and I will return to reading and other new items. Good day

"Developer Certification WTF?" by Template Design

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:05:26 -0600

Thank you for sharing.. I really appreciate this post…I think I can post my topics here next time… Website Maintenance

"Developer Certification WTF?" by security services uk

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:07:10 -0600

It’s well known that developer quality is critical to successful implementation of Agile software development. Unfortunately, the Scrum Alliance has paid little attention to this concern, not because they think it isn’t important, but because Scrum is designed to be a sort of container for the development process. manned guarding services | body guarding |

"Developer Certification WTF?" by payday loans no brokers

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:06:10 -0600

Thank for your writing. I think this give more information which is very popular nowadays

"Developer Certification WTF?" by ??? ???

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:38:15 -0600

e topic. I really liked

"Developer Certification WTF?" by kerindallish

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:15:27 -0600

I appreciated your work. And thanks for sharing a nice information over here. From some day I am searching jobs and it will help me more to get my choice of jobs. automotive parts schools

"Developer Certification WTF?" by macys promo code

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:27:54 -0600

I really liked your blog quite informative and interesting facts and figures you have discussed on your blog even the comments are very fruitful and helpful in enhancing the knowledge regarding the topic. I really liked your blog quite informative and interesting facts and figures you have given.macys promo code

"Developer Certification WTF?" by free cell phone spy

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:29:23 -0600

ery nicely written post it contains useful information for me. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post.