OMG Announces Program to Certify Practitioners of Model-Based Systems Engineering Using SysML
Founding Sponsors IBM, Lockheed Martin and Sparx Systems
Underwrite Examination Preparation

Needham, MA, USA - November 4, 2009 - OMG™ announces the latest set of examinations to certify practitioners of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using the OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML™). The program's founding sponsors IBM®, Lockheed Martin and Sparx Systems have made construction and validation of the exams possible. For more information, please visit www.omg.org/ocsmp/index.htm.

Through this program, OMG will award the OMG Certified Systems Modeling Professional™ (OCSMP™) certification at four levels. The first level, OCSMP-Certified Model User, covers a wide range of essential MBSE and SysML knowledge and skills and will enhance the résumé of those who contribute to a model-based systems engineering project. Building on this foundation (since all lower levels will be prerequisites for the higher levels) are three levels targeted at model builders and advanced model users. These levels, termed OCSMP-Certified Model Builder - Fundamental, Intermediate, and Advanced, cover advanced topics with an emphasis on higher level applications of SysML and the interconnectedness among the different model views that gives MBSE its advantage over conventional engineering methods.

Before publishing these examinations, they will be validated through beta testing, starting in the second quarter of 2010. Currently, a limited number of candidates are being accepted into the free or half-price OCSMP beta program; for information on becoming a beta candidate, please visit www.omg.org/ocsmp/beta/info.htm. The examinations will be published in their final forms during the second half of 2010.

"Our sponsors make the OCSMP program possible," said Jon Siegel, Ph.D., OMG Vice President of Technology Transfer and Director of Certification. "Their support will help bring the benefits of certification to the field of MBSE, allowing practitioners to benchmark their skills and knowledge, and employers to identify and benefit from the work of these certified systems engineers."

"IBM is a long time supporter of MBSE and SysML," said Greg Sikes, Director of Modeling and Architecture for IBM Rational ® Software. "The increased demand for intelligent, instrumented and interconnected products and services make these technologies and best practices critical to the design and development of innovative products. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the OMG and the other sponsors to develop a formal certification program that provides System Engineers appropriate recognition of their skills within the community."

"A model-based approach is a key element in advancing the practice for complex systems development. We are proud to work with OMG in sponsoring this important certification effort," said Jeff Wilcox, Lockheed Martin's Corporate Vice President of Engineering.

"Sparx Systems is proud to be working with the OMG and our esteemed colleagues to launch the OCSMP certification program," said Sam Mancarella, Chief Technology Officer of Sparx Systems. "This program will usher MBSE into the new frontier. It's the first program to certify SE professionals in the application of SysML with industry-standard SE practices and as a result - it'll advance this field by cultivating a new wave of innovative and exciting industry opportunities."

"We have had great success in working with OMG on the three current OMG Certification Programs and look forward to the opportunity to participate in the OCSMP examination and to continuing this partnership in the future," said Mr. Teruo Yoshino, President, UML Technology Institute Co., Ltd.

Another important supporter of OCSMP is the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), whose Systems Engineering (SE) certification CSEP complements OCSMP. By design, these two programs will cover the SE domain including both conventional and model-based approaches. For information about the partnership between OMG and INCOSE, see the May 2009 press release at www.omg.org/news/releases/pr2009/05-15-09.htm.

Following the successful pattern established by OMG's three current certification programs developed in partnership with the UML Technology Institute (UTI) - OCUP™ for UML® Modelers, OCEB™ for BPM Practitioners, and OCRES™ for Real-time and Embedded Systems Developers - examinations will be computer-based and administered by Pearson VUE through their network of secure testing centers.

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About OMG
OMG is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry consortium that in 2009 is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies, including: Real-time, Embedded and Specialized Systems, Analysis & Design, Architecture-Driven Modernization and Middleware and an even wider range of industries, including: Business Modeling and Integration, C4I, Finance, Government, Green Computing, Healthcare, Insurance, Legal Compliance, Life Sciences Research, Manufacturing Technology, Robotics, Software-Based Communications and Space.

OMG’s modeling standards, including the Unified Modeling Language™ (UML^®) and Model Driven Architecture^® (MDA^®), enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes, including IT Systems Modeling and Business Process Management. OMG’s middleware standards and profiles are based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA^®) and support a wide variety of industries.

More information about OMG can be found at www.omg.org.  OMG is headquartered in Needham, MA, USA.

Note to editors: MDA, Model Driven Architecture, OMG Logo, XMI, UML, UML logo and CORBA are registered trademarks, and OMG, Object Management Group, Business Ecology, Actionable Architecture, SOA Consortium, SysML, SoaML, MOF, MDA Logos, BPMN, IMM, MDMI, OCRES, OCUP, OCEB, Green Computing Maturity Model, GCMM, “We Set the Standard” tagline and Unified Modeling Language are trademarks of Object Management Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Edited by Stephanie