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Examination Subject Outlines

• Core IT Skills Examination (retired, 2007)
• Core - Information Systems (replaces CORE IT; released 2007)
• Business Information Systems
• Business Intelligence & Analytics (released 2007)
• Data Communications and Internetworking (revised 2008)
• Data Base Administration
• Data and Information Quality (doc file) (Beta 2008)
• Data Management
• Data Warehousing
• Information Systems Analyst (CCER) (released 2007)
• IT Management
• IT Consultant (released 2007)
• IT Compliance (doc file) (released 2007) (to order study materials link to SOX Institute enter Code: ICCPROD)
• Integrated Project Management
• Microcomputing and Networks
• Object Oriented Analysis and Design
• Office Information Systems
• Procedural (Advanced) Programming
• Software Engineering
• Systems Development
• Systems Programming
• Systems Security
• Web Development
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• C Language
• C++ Language
• COBOL Language
• Visual Basic
• Java
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• ISA - Information Systems Analyst Examination - model curriculum outcome examination for 2 year and 4 year college/university programs (Center for Computing Education Research)
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• New Examinations Under Consideration/Development

• IT Governance (Beta - release planned for 3rd Qtr, 2008)
• Business Process Management (beta release planned 2nd Qtr, 2008)
• Zachman Framework Architecture (beta release planned 3rd Qtr, 2008)

The Core examination covers a range of topics considered to be knowledge required of every information systems and information technology professional today.

1.  Human and Organization Framework
     1.1  Business Environment
     1.2  Management
     1.3  Technology Transfer
     1.4  Interpersonal Communication
     1.5  Professional Issues

2.  Systems Concepts
     2.1  Types of Systems
     2.2  Application Strategies

3.  Data and Information
     3.1  Data Architectures
     3.2  Data Management

4.  Systems Development
     4.1  Systems Development Cycle
     4.2  Systems Integration
     4.3  Tools and Techniques

5.  Technology
     5.1  Hardware
     5.2  Software

6.  Associated Disciplines
     6.1  Financial Management and Analysis
     6.2  Management Science
     6.3  Systems Auditing
     6.4  Mathematics
     6.5  Statistics

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The Business Information Systems exam is intended to help define the body of knowledge and professional practices associated with the development and management of Business Information Systems. The BIS exam is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of the usage of Information Systems theory and practice at a level of competency appropriate to senior IS professionals.

1.  Business Information Systems Applications
     1.1  Financial Planning/Decision Support
     1.2  Accounting
     1.3  Organizational Performance
     1.4  Marketing and Sales
     1.5  Materials Management
     1.6  Production and Distribution Management

2.  The Business Information Systems Environment
     2.1  System Analysis/Design Function
     2.2  Data Base Design Function
     2.3  Application Programming Function
     2.4  Computer Operations Function
     2.5  Systems Programming Function
     2.6  Quality Control Function
     2.7  Information Center Function
 
3.  Business Information System Considerations
     3.1   User/IS Relations
     3.2   Business Economics
     3.3   IS Resource Management
     3.4   EDP Equipment Use
     3.5   Software Development Environment

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Business Intelligence & Analytics


1.0 Business Intelligence Concepts & Roles (10)
     1.1 Definitions and Business Drivers (5)
     1.2 Business Intelligence in Organizational Roles (5)

2.0 Business Management Perspectives (15)
     2.1 Business concepts principles and guidelines (4)
     2.2 Performance Management (5)
     2.3 Ongoing monitoring and controlling execution (6)

3.0 Analytics Techniques and Usage (65)
     3.1 Modeling (10)
     3.2 Business and Data Analysis (14)
     3.3 Data Visualization Techniques (4)
     3.4 Statistics (14)
     3.5 Assessments (4)
     3.6 Measurements and monitoring (5)
     3.7 Decision making (14)

4.0 Business Intelligence / Decision Support Systems (10)
     4.1 Front end business intelligence technologies (6)
     4.2 Back end tools, applications and technologies (4) 
            
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1. Data Communications Concepts (12) D4
The candidate is expected to understand the underlying theories and issues in computer data transfer. Familiarity with formal results and their practical ramifications are expected. Although no formal derivations will be required, the candidate should be able to apply appropriate formulae in test situations.

1.1 Concepts
1.2 Protocols
1.3 Layering
1.4 Interfaces
1.5 Wireless, LANs, WANs, MANs
1.6 Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony

2. Networking Concepts (15) D5
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge and skills in designing, installing and maintaining networks and an ability to deal with associated issues.

2.1 Topology
2.2 Connectivity
2.3 Queuing theory
2.4 Flow and capacity

3. The ISO Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) Reference Model (13) D4
The concepts and techniques of data communication and networking can be organized in terms of the International Standards Organization’s communications model. This area tests the theoretical and practical knowledge of the candidate at all levels of that model.

3.1 Physical layer
3.2 Data link layer
3.3 Network Layer
3.4 Transport Layer
3.5 Session Layer
3.6 Presentation Layer
3.7 Application Layer

4. TCP/IP or Internet Reference Model (20) D5

4.1 Physical Layer
4.2 Data Link Layer
4.3 Network / Internet Layer
4.4 Transport Layer
4.5 Application Layer

5. Established Communications Systems (15) D5
This section tests that the candidate is familiar with the major communications systems and conventions currently in use. Since communications are often required between dissimilar systems, the candidate is required to demonstrate familiarity at a level from which he could master the interface detail of any standard system. The candidate is also expected to demonstrate familiarity with the roles of the various governmental and standards organizations dealing in the communications field.

5.1 Standards organizations and standards
5.2 Telecommunications
5.3 Data Communications
5.4 Computer Communications and Networks
5.5 Wireless Technologies

6. Hardware (15) D4
The candidate must be aware of equipment available supporting communications including important characteristics and areas of application.

6.1 Data Switches
6.2 Modems/Codecs
6.3 Multiplexors/Concentrators
6.4 Communications controllers
6.5 Front-end processors
6.6 Buses and channels
6.7 Fiber optical devices
6.8 Connectors and cables
6.9 Telephone systems
6.10 Computer workstations
6.11 Installation of equipment
6.12 Diagnostic equipment
6.13 Wireless equipment
6.14 Broadband and baseband

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Database Administration

1. Database Administration Function (12)
1.1 Planning (6) D4
1.2. Organization (2) D3
1.3. Roles & Responsibilities (4) D3

2. Database Management Systems (DBMS) Environment (16)
2.1. Planning for the DBMS Environment (6) D4
2.2 Tools and Technology Types (10) D3

3. Database Design (34)
3.1. Data Modeling (24) D5
3.2. Data Access Methods (3) D4
3.3. File Organization Methods (2) D4
3.4. Distribution Design Considerations (2) D4
3.5. Performance Modeling (3) D4

4. Database Operation (30)
4.1. Database Standards (6) D3
4.2. Distributed Data Management (4) D4
4.3. Performance Tuning (8) D4
4.4. Backup and Recovery (5) D4
4.5. Database Processing Logic (2) D4
4.6. Data Storage Management (5) D4

5. SQL Considerations (8)
5.1. DDL - Data Definition Language (2) D5
5.2. DML - Data Manipulation Language (2) D5
5.3. DCL - Data Control Language (2) D5
5.4. Data Dictionary (Systables) (2) D5

Data and Information Quality

1.0 Data & Information Quality Concepts, Process & Roles 20%

1.1 Concepts and Business Drivers (14)
1.2 Data & Information Quality Organizational Roles (6)

2.0 Data & Information Quality Audit Process 30%

2.1 Data & Information Quality Assessment (15)
2.2 Data Profiling Analysis (15)

3.0. Data & Information Quality Remediation 30%

3.1 Cleanup Methods (15)
3.2 Process Improvement (15)

4.0 Ongoing Data & Information Quality Activities 20%

4.1 Data Certification Process (15)
4.2 Data Governance Framework (5)

Data Management

1. Data Management Function 18%
   1.1 Planning 8
   1.2 Organization 2
   1.3 Roles and Responsibilities 8
2. Data & Metadata Infrastructure Creation / Maintenance 15%
   2.1 Planning for Data & Metadata 6
   2.2 Tools and Technology Types 9
3. Data Analysis and Design 37%
   3.1 Data / Metadata Analysis & Design 6
   3.2 Data Model Components 21
   3.3 Data / Metadata Model Management 10
4. Data / Metadata Infrastructure Management 12%
   4.1 Standards, Policies, Procedures, Guidelines 7
   4.2 Data Security and Privacy 5
5. Information Quality Management 18%
   5.1 Information Quality Principles 6
   5.2 Information Quality Assessment / Audit 4
   5.3 Information Quality Improvement 8

Data Warehousing

The Data Warehousing specialty examination is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of the theory and practice of data warehousing from the warehouse infrastructure creation / maintenance, analysis / design, data acquisition /cleansing to implementation / operation. It also tests the knowledge of theory and practice of the data warehousing function, organizational skills required, and roles and responsibilities of the data warehousing professional within the enterprise.

1. Data Warehousing Function 19%
   1.1 Planning 8
   1.2 Organization 3
   1.3 Roles and Responsibilities 8
2. Data Warehouse Infrastructure Creation / Maintenance 21%
   2.1 Data Warehouse Architectures 5
   2.2 Data Warehouse Informational Database Architectures Types 6
   2.3 Tools and Technology Types 10
3. Data Warehousing Analysis and Design 27%
   3.1 Requirements Analysis 9
   3.2 Data Warehouse Model Types and Components 9
   3.3 Data Modeling for the Data Warehouse 9
4. Data Acquisition and Cleansing 10%
   4.1 Source Data Acquisition 5
   4.2 Source Data Cleansing 5
5. Data Warehouse Implementation and Operation 23%
   5.1 Development 13
   5.2 Deployment 5
   5.3 Ongoing Support and Maintenance 5
   

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I.T. Management

The Management exam is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of the theory and practice of management. Its emphasis is on the practices and standards required of senior IS professionals engaged in the management and administration of systems-related activities.

1.  General Management and Organizational Concepts
     1.1  Business Functions
     1.2  Business Economics
     1.3  Management Systems
     1.4  Management Functions
     1.5  External Stakeholders
     1.6  Business Ethics and Organizational Values

2.  Project Management
     2.1  Project Staffing and Roles
     2.2  Defining Project Objectives
     2.3  Determining Project Activities
     2.4  Estimating
     2.5  Planning and Scheduling
     2.6  Monitoring and Control
     2.7  Project Evaluation
     2.8  Tools for Project Management
     2.9  Consultants

3.  Information Systems Management
     3.1  The Information Systems Organization
     3.2  Technical and Client Services
     3.3  System Performance Criteria
     3.4  Capacity Planning and Procurement
     3.5  Security, Protection and Controls
     3.6  Contingency Planning
     3.7  IS Human Resource Management
     3.8  Strategic Role of Information Systems

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IT Consulting Exam (Beta)

1.0 Consulting Function (25%)
1.1 Planning (5)
1.2 Business Operations (10)
1.3 Consulting Skills (10)

2.0 Consulting Work Acquisition (15%)
2.1 Marketing (5)
2.2 Sales (4)
2.3 Proposals (3)
2.4 Contracts (3)

3.0 Consulting work management (15%)
3.1 Project management (7)
3.2 Time management (6)
3.3 Client Roles (2)

4.0 Client Management (20%)
4.1 Organizational awareness (6)
4.2 Maintaining client relationships (6)
4.3 Client’s Business Environment (5)
4.4 Client Education (3)

5.0 Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards (25%)
5.1 Ethical Issues (20)
5.2 Guidelines and Standards (5)

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Integrated Project Management

The IPM-IT is designed to test the candidates' knowledge of Integrated IT Project Management theory and practices at a level of competency appropriate to senior IT project management professional. This examination contains questions that are specific to the Integrated IT Project Management (IPM-IT) methodology, based on PMI-PMBOK standards, and Rational Unified Process (RUP) software development methodology.

1. Integrated IT Project Management (IPM-IT) FRAMEWORK
   1.1 Business Management
   1.2 Project Management
   1.3 Information Technology (IT) Management
2. Business Management Model
   2.1 Program Business Systems Architecture
   2.2 Project value Justification
   2.3 Project Funding Allocations
   2.4 Project Deliverables/Funding Approvals
   2.5 Program Steering and Working Committee
   2.6 Business Initiatives Support
3. Project Management Model
   3.1 IT Project Delivery Life Cycle
   3.2 IT Project Management Delivery Processes
   3.3 IT Project Management Office (PMO) Processes
4. Information Technology (IT) Management Model
   4.1 Cost Estimating
   4.2 Resource Allocations
   4.3 Data Architecture
   4.4 Applications Architecture
   4.5 Technology Architecture
   4.6 Applications Support Services
5. Integrated IT Project Delivery Life Cycle Model
   5.1 Definition Phase
   5.2 Requirements Analysis Phase
   5.3 Architecture Phase
   5.4 Iterative Development Phases
6. Aligning PMBOK Processes with RUP
   6.1 Inception Phase
   6.2 Elaboration Phase
   6.3 Construction Phase
   6.4 Transition Phase

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IS CORE (outcome assessment) Examination
The ICCP and twenty universities and colleges and research professors have developed the new IS-Core examination based on analysis of job advertisements (most common skills that employers seek). It can also be used as a quality check and thus outcome assessment examination for 2 and 4 year college programs. This is especially useful for those colleges which follow the Model Curriculum as published by ACM, AIS and AITP. For more details on the model curriculum please visit: www.is2002.org or http://192.245.222.212:8009/IS2002Doc/Main_Frame.htm and link to the Center for Computing Education Research by contacting the ICCP office.

The CORE-IS covers:

1.0 Information Technology Skills

1.1Software Development

1.1.1 Programming Principles
1.1.2 Application Development Requirements
1.1.3 Algorithms And File Structures
1.1.4 Problem Solving
1.1.5 Client Server Software Development

1.2.0 Web Development

1.2.1 Web Page Development
1.2.2 Web Programming

1.3.0 Database

1.3.1 Modeling And Design
1.3.2 Stored Procedures And Audit Controls
1.3.3 Administration

1.4.0 Systems Integration

1.4.1 Computer Systems Hardware
1.4.2 Networking And Telecommunications
1.4.3 Operating Systems Management, Platforms & Protocols
1.4.4 Computer Systems Software
1.4.5 Lan/Wan Design And Management
1.4.6 Systems Configuration, Operation & Administration

2.0 Organizational And Professional Skills

2.1.0 Interpersonal Skills
2.1.1 Learning To Learn
2.1.2 Self-Directed, Leadership & Time Management
2.1.3 Personal Skills
2.1.4 Committing To And Completing Work
2.1.5 Team Building, Mission & Synergy
2.1.6 Communications
2.1.7 Ethics

2.2.0 Business Fundamentals
2.2.1 Business Process & Environment
2.2.2 Accounting, Distribution, Finance, Hr, Mktg & Production
2.2.3 Business Problems And Technical Solutions

3.0 Strategic Organizational Systems Development

3.1.0 Organizational Systems Development
3.1.1 Strategic Utilization Of Information Technology
3.1.2 Is Planning
3.1.3 It And Organizational Systems
3.1.4 Information Systems Analysis And Design
3.1.5 Decision Making
3.1.6 Systems Concepts, Use Of It & Customer Service
3.1.7 Systems Theory And Quality Concepts

3.2.0 Project Management
3.2.1 Team Leading, Project Goal Setting
3.2.2 Monitoring And Directing Resources & Activities
3.2.3 Life Cycle Scheduling And Planning
3.2.4 Continuous Improvement
3.2.5 Project Scheduling & Tracking

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1.1.0 TQM - Total Quality Management (2%)
1.2.0 ISO9000 - Quality Management Systems (6%)
1.3.0 TickIT - Software Quality Management (6%)
1.4.0 ISO27001/BS1799 - Information Security (9%)
1.5.0 ISO/IEC 20000 - ITSM Standard (9%)

2.1.0 ITS-CMM - IT Service Capability Maturity Model (2%)
2.2.0 Six Sigma (4%)
2.3.0 eSCM-SP - eSourcing Capability Model for Service Providers, V2 (2%)
2.4.0 IT Balanced Scorecard (7%)

3.1.0 AS 8015 - Australian Standard for Corporate Governance of IT (2%)
3.2.0 COBiT - Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (12%)
3.3.0 M_o_R - Management of Risk (3%)

4.1.0 Generic Framework for Information Management (2%)
4.2.0 BiSL - Business Information Services Library (2%)
4.3.0 ISPL - the Information Services Procurement Library (4%)
4.4.0 ITIL - the IT Infrastructure Library (12%)
4.5.0 eTOM - the Enhanced Telecom Operations Map (2%)
4.6.0 ASL - Application Services Library (3%)

5.1.0 MSP - Managing Successful Programmes (2%)
5.2.0 PRINCE2 - PRojects IN Controlled Environments (2%)
5.3.0 PMBoK - the Project Management Body of Knowledge (5%)
5.4.0 ICB-IPMA Competence Baseline (2%)

1. Object Theory (10%)
   1.1 Definition of objects
   1.2 Objects in the data world
   1.3 Methods
2. Models and Modeling (10%)
   2.1 Designing the Model
   2.2 Assigning Object Responsibilities
   2.3 Designing The Classes
   2.4 Building Applications
   2.5 Extending the System
3. 3. Objects and Classes (25%)
   3.1 Abstraction & encapsulation
   3.2 Composition
   3.3 Inheritance
   3.4 Classification
   3.5 Polymorphism
   3.6 Overloading
4. Object Models (25%)
   4.1 Definition and background
   4.2 Essential Elements
   4.3 Design Considerations
   4.4 Advantages and disadvantages of using object models
5. Development Methodologies - historical perspective (5%)
6. OODLC (25%)
   6.1 Analysis
   6.2 Design
   6.4 Testing
   6.5. Maintenance
   6.6 Security & disaster planning
   

1. General Page Design Concepts
   1.1 Wireframes
   1.2. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
   1.3. Color Theory
   1.4 Aspect ratio for screens
   1.5 Display resolution
   1.6 Bgcolor
   1.7. Background image
   1.8. Accessibility
   
2. General Server Concepts
   2.1. Clustering
   2.2 HTTP Server Software
   2.3. Front Page Server Extensions
   2.4 Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
   2.5 Content Management System
   2.6 Application Service Provider (ASP)
3. Development Tools/Environments
   3.1. Browser
   3.2 Development Environments/Tools
4. Programming Languages
   4.1 HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
   4.2 Dynamic HTML (DHTML)
   4.3 Extensible Markup Language (XML)
   4.4 Extensible Style Sheet Language (XSL)
   4.5 Languages: server-side, client-side
   4.6. Web Service Description Language (WSDL)
   4.7 PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
   4.8 Cold Fusion Markup Language (CFML) / .CFM files
5. Programming Concepts
   5.1. Server-side script
   5.2 Client-side script
   5.3 Round-trips
   5.4 Form validation
   5.5 Query strings
   5.6 Object-oriented programming (OOP)
   5.7 Coupling
   5.8 Cohesion
   5.9 Parameters, Arguments
   5.10. Modular design
   5.11 Information hiding
   5.12 Three-tiered/layered model
   5.13 Web Services
   5.14 Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
   5.15 Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE)
   5.16 Active Server Pages (ASP)
   5.17 Distributed Object Models
6. Project Management
   6.1 Life cycle approaches
   6.2 Versioning
   6.3 Source Code Control System
   6.4 Software Quality Assurance
7. Site Management and Security
   7.1 Demilitarized zone
   7.2 Firewall
   7.3 Proxy Server
   7.4 Authentication
   7.5 Copyright
   7.8 Statistics and reporting
8. Database and Data Access
   8.1. Common Packages
   8.2 Relational Model
   8.3 Normalization
   8.4 Data access technologies
   8.5 SQL
   8.6 Stored Procedures
9. Internet and Communications Concepts
   9.1 TCP/IP
   9.2 Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
   9.3 World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
   9.4 Request For Comments (RFC)
   9.5 Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI)
   9.6 HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
   9.7 HTTP Secure (HTTPS)
   9.8 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
   9.9 File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
   9.10 Certificate Authority
   9.11 Registrar
   9.12 Domain Name System
   9.13 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
   9.14 Intranet
   9.15 Internet Service Provider (ISP)
   9.16 Wide Area Network (WAN)
   9.17 Local Area Network (LAN)
   9.18 Bandwidth and connection speed
10. File Formats Related to Web Development
    10.1 Streaming media
    10.2 Non-streaming media
    10.3 Additional formats
    

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1. Visual Basic Model
   1.1Components
   1.2 Event-Driven Programming
2. General Programming
   2.1. Architecture
   2.2. Practices
   2.3. Iteration
   2.4. SQL
   2.5. Scope
3. Visual Basic Language
   3.1. Data Types
   3.2. Variables & Constants
   3.3. Comments
   3.4. Operators
   3.5. Concatenation
   3.6. Inherent Functions
   3.7. User-Defined Functions and Sub Procedures
   3.8. Statements
   3.9. Debugging
4. Visual Basic GUI
   4.1. Forms
   4.2. Controls
   4.3. Properties
   4.4. Methods
   4.5. Events
5. Advanced Topics
   5.1. ODBC
   5.2. COM
   5.3. ADO
   5.4. ActiveX
   5.5. Classes

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