Guild of Project Controls Examination Philosophy... (Oct 2013)

Dear PP Members,

We are writing to you all to give an update on The Guild.  Career Path role descriptors and Standards of Practice have taken a while to get into place but finally we are in a position to say the launch of your Guild is imminent.  We have included below a description of Guild levels from a "knowledge and capability validation perspective" and the criteria required to meet those levels.  Much of our PP membership are in the areas of 'advanced' and 'expert' and for this reason we are seeking personnel at the top of the profession who would like to be considered as Assessors for these Guild levels.

GUILD MEMBERSHIP EXAMINATION PHILOSOPHY - for knowledge and capability verification

FELLOW LEVEL CONCEPT - by invitation only and certification awarded for one or more disciplines

1. Expert Level applications are monitored to determine if Fellowship Interview is to be initiated. Suitably influential and experienced persons will also be approached when / if they become identified (or nominated).
2. THREE assessors validate info and carry out an interview, which includes a discussion around the experience and value the Fellowship will bring to the Guild / industry / profession.

EXPERT LEVEL CONCEPT – focusing on case study and a peer review assessment of capability, experience and competence

1. Completed Online Profile & Expert Application Form (includes statement of competence by THREE contactable referees who give permission to be quoted).
2. Online Application to include a Presentation-based Case Study.
3. TWO assessors validate info and carry out an interview, which includes presentation on project / initiative that has made a significant difference to applicants career / industry / profession. The presentation will be entered into the Guild Knowledgebase for the benefit of Guild Members.

ADVANCED LEVEL CONCEPT – focusing on a peer review assessment of experience and competence

1. Completed Online Profile & Advanced Application Form (includes statement of competence by TWO contactable referees who give permission to be quoted).
2. ONE assessor validates the info and interviews the applicant. During the interview the Candidate and Assessor will agree upon the subject for a ‘white paper’ which will need to be prepared by the Candidate for subsequent review and acceptance into the Guild Knowledgebase. Membership will be awarded at the assessor’s discretion but renewal will be predicated upon the ‘white paper’ being prepared and accepted into the Guild Knowledgebase for the benefit of Guild Members.

COMPETENT LEVEL CONCEPT – exams align with specific practice guides in each career path. Professionals are starting to demonstrate explicit knowledge and should be able to answers questions in depth

1. Completed Online Profile & Competent Application Form (includes statement of competence by TWO contactable referees who give permission to be quoted).
2. Candidate undertakes Objective Testing style paper (different for each career path) Can be validated online via multiple choice or written classroom based.  Multiple choice option to require candidate to think and work out correct answer in fixed time interval.  Verified by Examiner.

OPENING DAY (Pre-Examiner-on-Board) OPTION...

1. Completed Online Profile & Competent Application Form (includes statement of competence by THREE contactable referees and current line manager and head of department who give permission to be quoted).
2. Online Application to include a 'report' outlining relevant experienced to date that demonstrates extent of exposure to and successes / failures with respect to Standard of Practice (SOP) Sections A, B, C etc.
3. ONE or MORE assessors to face-to-face or telephone-interview candidate in order to ascertain their level of understanding with respect to the Matrix Position / Role Description.
4. ONE assessor (at discretion based on applicant) to discuss candidate with current line manager and department head and / or one or more of the referees.  Examiner-route verification to be carried out within 1 year.

FOUNDATION LEVEL CONCEPT – to have been assessed against a common set of terminology and concepts

1. Completed Online Profile & Foundation Application Form.
2. Candidate undertakes Foundation Assessment i.e. 72 questions / 1 hour, can be validated online multiple choice or written classroom based.  Multiple choice to be with one stem, three detractors & 1 correct answer (online, invigilated by work supervisor or Examiner).  Verified by Examiner.

OPENING DAY (Pre-Examiner-on-Board) OPTION...

1. Completed Online Profile & Foundation Application Form (includes statement of capability by TWO contactable referees and also by supervising line manager who gives permission to be quoted).
2. Online Application to include 'report' describing extent of exposure with respect to SOP Sections A, B, C etc. (includes statement of competence by supervising line manager who gives permission to be quoted).
3. ONE assessor to face-to-face or telephone-interview candidate to ascertain their level of understanding with respect to the Matrix Position / Role Description. 
4. ONE assessor (at discretion based on applicant) to discuss candidate with current line manager and department head and / or one or more of the referees.  Examiner-route verification to be carried out within 1 year.

That's all from us.  

We look forward (as is usual) to your thoughts, ideas, help and suggestions so we can baseline this philosophy ready for Guild Opening Day.  We have several more documents to share so keep in touch, but don't all email us at once as we will likely crash the email server again :)