5 Benefits of Certification
Quality, Consequences and the Construction Industrial Complex (part 309).
I am fascinated by the American obsession with specialist certifications compared to the British approach based on evidentiary experience (references from past projects) plus proven competence (history of working with the client). Project management and building commissioning are good examples of this phenomena.
There are pros and cons to both approaches but I am starting to think a combination of both is required to qualify to work on a project.
In economic downturns the typical construction industry response is to lower costs and quality. This opens a lane for unqualified, low experience firms and people to bid projects.
Design teams and clients with mission critical buildings e.g. data centers, respond to this by specifying certified firms and professionals to promote competence in project delivery. I think they are onto something!
Project management, commissioning management and building commissioning are highly skilled, technical roles that require deep expertise plus training plus experience for proficiency. Because project management is considered a generalism and commissioning a niche they are not well understood or valued IMHO.
However, to meet owners, project specifications and deadlines competence is what really matters, but how do you verify it? The easy way is to appoint a certified firm and/or practitioner.
There are two types of firms and practitioners;
- Certified i.e. attested technical and process competence.
- Non technical, low experience spreadsheet shufflers.
Certification provides a base level proof of competency and professionalism via verified structured training and examination to established industry standards.
Benefits of appointing certified firms and people are:
- Attested minimum level of competence and ability
- Attested minimum level of experience
- Knowledge and application of industry standards
- Accountability in order to maintain certification.
- Recourse to certifying body.
To certify is to officially recognize a firm or person as possessing certain qualifications plus meeting set standards and levels of experience. The certifying organisation attest to a firm or person meeting a required standard for certification.
In effect, the certifying organisation are pre-qualifying and undertaking due diligence free of charge to the client.
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