Microsoft Certifications – How They Know You Know

Microsoft Certified MasterJuly 30, 2008

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Agenda

• Microsoft Certified Master– History of the program– The program today

• Details– Requirements– Pricing – Timing and Registration

• Questions and answers

• Per Farny• Director, Advanced

Training and Certification

• Microsoft, Redmond, Wash. USA

Welcome!

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Poll

• Do you currently hold any Microsoft Certifications? – MCSA, MCSE, or MCITP– MCAD, MCSD, or MCPD– MCTS– Other– None

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Technical Certification Roadmap

Master Series

Professional Series

Technology Series

Master

• Different series highlight technology expertise by job function.

• Clear, concise way to highlight your specific skill set and validate your abilities at every stage of your professional development.

Architect Series

Microsoft Certified MasterDesign | Build | Troubleshoot

Provide the highest level of technical certification on the Microsoft platform

that recognizes the ability of an IT Professional to meet complex business requirements using Microsoft products

and technologies.

“If there is a need for a complex implementation or upgrade, or for assessing

existing solutions and resolving issues, the call to

action is clear: get a Microsoft Certified Master on

the job”.

Master - Tracks

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History – Ranger v1.0From the depths of Building 34…

• September 2002 – Started in Exchange CXP – “Reactive”– Grass roots effort based on customer problems with Exchange

2000

– Built for consultants, i.e. design and architecture, yet deep knowledge in components

– Lack of ability to identify experts: needed trusted experts that had "been there, done that" in both technical and consulting capacity

– Format: 1-2 core instructors, PM roundtables, lab time, 4 weeks

– Certification requirements• Written test

• Qualification Lab Exam (‘Qual Lab’)

• Start of trusted community for the product group

History – Ranger v2.0…to the ‘glory’ of Building 11

• 2004 – 2006: “Formalized in IT”– Exchange Center of Excellence

• Looking at customer problems holistically

– Substantial curriculum and delivery rework: MSIT injection of knowledge, more instructors

– Review Board introduced to formally assess ‘soft’ skills

– November 2005 – Microsoft Certified Architect | Messaging

• 2007: We have other products, right?– MCA: Database

– Directory efforts started

Keys to Success We noticed something along the way

• Top subject matter experts deliver content acquired via real world technology deployments

• Go very deep technically, then come back up for air

• Core instructional sessions, PM roundtables, goal based labs

• Real world scenarios

Functional ComponentConcepts

Architecture: Planning and Design

Dependencies

Validation

Hands- on

Experiences

Real world examples and scenarios

Documented with 400 level gaps

ChallengesSome things didn’t work so well

• 4-5 weeks is a long time!• Not everyone should be / wants to be

an MCA• The globe actually has more cities on

it than just Redmond, WA ;-)

• Microsoft Certified Master– 3 weeks of mandatory training via top subject

matter experts and 5-10 different instructors

– 3 ‘Written’ exams

– One Qualification Lab Test

• Microsoft Certified Architect (Technology Programs)– Messaging, Database, Directory

– Pre-requisite = Certified Master (does not apply to Infrastructure and Solutions tracks)

Master – Life of a candidateWhat’s it like at training?

Mentally and physically exhausting!

• Microsoft IT overview of global Exchange deployment from lead MSFT engineer (4 hours)

• Week 1 lab assignment: build Front-end / Back-end architecture.

• Includes 10 virtual machines: 2 mailbox servers, 2 Client Access servers, 2 ISA servers, 2 domain controllers, 1 external SMTP host, 1 client machine…

• A simple Visio is your guide

• Configure Unified Messaging with gateways and phones for each candidate

• Team exercise: examine a set of requirements regarding a highly available environment and present findings to class (2-3 hours total)

• Deep dive into Exchange transport with member of Microsoft’s Exchange Center of Excellence (2 days).

• Long days of instruction• Information fire hose• Study every night• Group study with other candidates• Activities such as…

Master - BenefitsExtension of Microsoft

• Direct access to Microsoft product management and engineers

• Information you can not get anywhere else

• Membership in the community of elite peers

• Continued Education opportunities

Master - RequirementsDo you have what it takes?

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

Master – Pricing

• Package: $18,500– 3 weeks of training– 3 written tests– 1 Qualification Lab

• Retakes– Written tests: $250 each– Lab Test: $1,500

Master – Roll out and Availability

• This next year is ‘Build Year’ – Make sure we have it right– Training in Redmond– Total number trained = 250 (40% internal,

60% external)– Increase instructor pool

• Starting July 2009, begin worldwide rollout– 7 locations: 3 United States. 2 EMEA, 2

APAC– Total number trained = 500

Master - Timelines• August 4, 2008: pilot for registration

application• September 1, 2008: public registration

open• Training calendar:

* SharePoint and Office Communications Server dates TBD. First alpha rotations end of 2008 or early 2009.

MCM: Exchange 2007

MCM: SQL 2008MCM: Windows Server

2008 - Directory

October 6-25, 2008October 13 – November 1,

2008 November 3-22, 2008

January 5-24, 2009 January 12 – 31, 2009January 19 – February 7,

2009March 15 - April 4,

2009 March 16 – April 4, 2009 May 4-23, 2009

Master - Application Process

• Bookmark http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master and watch for exact date of open registration

• Ensure you have pre-requisites covered• Apply

– Pay $125 application fee– Receive credentials for our portal where you

upload resume– Await acceptance notice (within 5 days)

• Upon acceptance: – Provide payment– Confirm choice of training rotation

• Come to training!

Poll

• Do you see the Master certification fitting in to your career plan?– Yes– No– I am not sure yet.

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Questions?

• Master programs home: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

• MCA: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.mspx

• Recording and PPT from today: http://blogs.msdn.com/trika

Links and resources

Technical Certification Roadmap

Master Series – The Microsoft Certified Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technology skills on the Microsoft Platform.

Professional Series – Professional credentials validate a comprehensive and current set of skills required to be successful on the job.

Technology Series – Targeted certifications let you gain in-depth skills on specific Microsoft technologies.

Master

•Microsoft Certifications feature succinct paths to help you become Microsoft Certified.

•Different series highlight technology expertise by job function.

•Provides a clear, concise way to highlight your specific skill set and validates your abilities at every stage of your professional development.

Architect Series – The Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process.