atw: FW: ASTC

Forwarded for Geoff

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Sent: Wednesday, 22 October 2008 12:51 PM


<CK>
Has a professional association of project managers improved the standard of
project management and the outcome for projects?  I say no.

<GP>
I sort of agree with this one.  I work with a lot of PMs and they can be
broken down into three categories:

1. Members of an organisation (there are several) who are good PMs
2. Members of an organisation who are bad PMs
3. Non-members of an organisation who are bad PMs

While I'm sure there are some, I've never actually met a PM who is a
non-member and is also good.


<CK>
Has the Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training, improved the
quality of training and the outcomes for students.  I say no.

<GP>
I agree.  I did my Cert IV a few years ago and when I finished I realised
that it gave me a piece of paper but not the ability to be a good trainer
(I can do it, but there are better trainers out there).

<CK>
The longer we stay outside the system, the better.  At the moment we don't
have to have a meaningless qualification or membership of an association,
both of which are so fixated on the process they have forgotten the goal.

<GP>
Probably.  I don't see the need for an accreditation system, but I've got
15 years under my belt, a wide range of experiences on my resume, and a
large portfolio.  The *good* PMs I've worked with don't give a rats about
my qualifications - they're only concerned with my experience.  The bad
PMs have always commented on my qualifications (draw your own
conclusions).

What I think it comes down to is scenarios.

1. Worst case of accreditation = no change (there are good writers and bad
writers)

2. Best case of accreditation = *some* of the worst tech writers will be
forced to leave the industry because they can't get much work.  And don't
forget, the organisation needs the budget to have liason officers with
other professional organisations and governments, marketing department,
examinations officers, etc.  Expensive.


I doubt I'd be prepared to pay the high fees associated with such an
organisation - especially if it wasn't fully recognised as the sole
organisation for TWs on a national level.  QLD Tech Writers have an
informal group, NSW seems to very active in many arenas (but what
percentage of NSW working TWs are members?), and Vic is still going - what
about other areas.  It is very important that this push comes from a broad
base of TWs in different industries and different locations, otherwise it
will fail to address all the necessary issues.

Well, I hope that raises points for discussion.

Geoff


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