BCS EXIN ITAMOrg Software Asset Management Specialist Syllabus Version 1.1 December 2016

Transcription

1 BCS EXIN ITAMOrg Software Asset Management Specialist Syllabus Version 1.1 December 2016 This professional certification is not regulated by the following United Kingdom Regulators - Ofqual, Qualification in Wales, CCEA or SQA

2 Contents Introduction... 3 Objectives... 3 Course Format and Duration... 4 Eligibility for the Examination... 4 Duration and Format of the Examination... 4 Additional time for candidates requiring Reasonable Adjustments due to a disability... 4 Additional time for candidates whose language is not the language of the examination... 4 Guidelines for Accredited Training Organisations 5 Syllabus... 6 Levels of Knowledge / SFIA Levels... 9 Question Weighting... 9 Format of Examination Trainer Criteria Classroom Size List of Basic Terms Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 1 of 13

3 Change History Any changes made to the syllabus shall be clearly documented with a change history log. This shall include the latest version number, date of the amendment and changes made. The purpose is to identify quickly what changes have been made. Version Number Version 1.0 May 2016 Changes Made Syllabus Created Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 2 of 13

4 Introduction Software Asset Management Specialist is a certification that validates specialist knowledge on Software Asset Management as a practice. Managing software assets is an important part of an organization s strategy, compliance and risk management. The purpose of the certification is to demonstrate knowledge on best practice and use of Software Asset Management in the challenges and variables that Software Asset Managers face on an everyday basis. Transparent licensing is important for every organization. It is about aligning IT Service Management best practices together with Software Asset Management best practices, implementing Software Asset Management lifecycle processes and showing how IT Service Management can support SAM lifecycle to create transparent licensing. Software Asset Management Specialist certifies a candidate s understanding of how ISO and IT Service Management best practice relates to everyday use of software asset management, software tags, software piracy, control of the licenses and the legislation and organizational issues that saturates many businesses. Objectives Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of IT Software Asset Management (SAM) principles and techniques. Key areas are: SAM Business case SAM as practice tier processes Tier 1 to Tier 4 Target Audience Software Asset Management Specialist is intended for professionals with an understanding of IT Asset Management. Specific roles/responsibilities could include (but are not limited to): Procurement Manager SAM Program Manager Contract Manager Software Asset Manager IT Asset Manager License Manager Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 3 of 13

5 Course Format and Duration Candidates can study for this certificate in two ways: by attending an accredited training course provided by Accredited Training Organisation or by self-study. An accredited training course will require a minimum of 24 hours of study run over a minimum of 4 days. Eligibility for the Examination The specific pre-requisites for entry to the examination: ITAMOrg IT Asset Management Foundation Certificate Recommended is at least three months of experience in all phases of Software Asset Management, an understanding of IT Service Management best practice, and a general understanding of IT and processes. Duration and Format of the Examination The format for the examination is a 90-minute multiple-choice examination consisting of 40 questions. The examination is closed book (no materials can be taken into the examination room). The pass mark is 26/40 (65%). Additional time for candidates requiring Reasonable Adjustments due to a disability Candidates may request additional time if they require reasonable adjustments. Please refer to the reasonable adjustments policy for detailed information on how and when to apply. Additional time for candidates whose language is not the language of the examination If the examination is taken in a language that is not the candidate s native/official language, then they are entitled to 25% extra time. If the examination is taken in a language that is not the candidate s native/official language, then they are entitled to use their own paper language dictionary (whose purpose is translation between the examination language and another national language) during the examination. Electronic versions of dictionaries will not be allowed into the examination room. Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 4 of 13

6 Guidelines for Accredited Training Organisations Each major subject heading in this syllabus is assigned an allocated time. The purpose of this is two-fold: first, to give both guidance on the relative proportion of time to be allocated to each section of an accredited course and an approximate minimum time for the teaching of each section; second, to guide the proportion of questions in the exam. Accredited Training Organisations may spend more time than is indicated and candidates may spend more time again in reading and research. Courses do not have to follow the same order as the syllabus. Courses may be run as a single module or broken down into two or three smaller modules. This syllabus is structured into sections relating to major subject headings and numbered with a single digit section number. Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 5 of 13

7 Syllabus For each top-level area of the syllabus a percentage identifies the exam coverage of that area. 1. Introduction to Software Asset Management (SAM) (20%) 1.1. The organization of SAM Clarify how SAM is organized Outline the prioritization of SAM Licenses, legal and audits Explain the purpose of Licensing compliance Describe different types of licenses in given situations Explain the challenges of administering licenses Outline the consequences of an audit in a specific situation Processes, roles and responsibilities Indicate what the responsibilities are within SAM in a specific situation Describe how the processes within SAM operate. 2. SAM Business case (5%) 2.1. Purpose and definition: business case Identify the steps, and their order, in the business case Explain the activities, and their order, as part of a business case. 3. Introduction to SAM as practice tier processes (15%) 3.1. ISO Tier levels Explain SAM maturity ITIL and ISO (ITAMOrg Framework) Describe ITIL and ISO 19770: ITAMOrg SAM Best Practice Process Framework Implementation Describe the initiation of a SAM project Choose the most important functionalities for a SAM tool in a specific situation. Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 6 of 13

8 4. SAM as practice Tier 1 processes (15%) 4.1. Tier 1 introduction Give a definition of Tier Categorize the different types of data needed for the SAM manager Tier 1 processes Evaluate inventory management Demonstrate the scope of inventory management Illustrate the scope of Software Asset Management Recommend types of reporting in a specific situation. 5. SAM as practice Tier 2 processes (15%) 5.1. Tier 2 introduction Give a definition of Tier Demonstrate the scope of Tier Categorize the benefits of Tier Tier 2 processes Explain and interpret the content of a policy Illustrate the benefits on the Competence in SAM Implement Planning for SAM. 6. SAM as practice Tier 3 processes (15%) 6.1. Tier 3 introduction Give a definition of Tier Tier 3 processes Explain the purpose of Software Asset Security Compliance Summarise benefits of Relationship and Contract Management for SAM Evaluate Financial Management Manage the Retirement process Apply the Software deployment processes. Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 7 of 13

9 7. SAM as practice Tier 4 processes (15%) 7.1. Tier 4 introduction Give a definition of Tier Tier 5 processes Illustrate the improvement of Software Asset Identification in a given situation Describe Security Management for SAM Assess Software Release Management Assess the Change Management process Categorise Tier 4 policies. Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 8 of 13

10 Levels of Knowledge / SFIA Levels This course will provide candidates with the levels of difficulty / knowledge skill highlighted within the following table, enabling them to develop the skills to operate at the levels of responsibility indicated. The levels of knowledge and SFIA levels are explained in on the website The levels of knowledge will enable candidates to develop the following levels of skill to be able to operate at the following levels of responsibility (as defined within the SFIA framework) within their workplace: Level Levels of Knowledge Levels of Skill and Responsibility (SFIA) K7 Set strategy, inspire and mobilise K6 Evaluate Initiate and influence K5 Synthesise Ensure and advise K4 Analyse Enable K3 Apply Apply K2 Understand Assist K1 Remember Follow Question Weighting Syllabus Area Target number of questions 1. Introduction to Software Asset Management (SAM) 8 2. SAM business case 2 3. Introduction to SAM as practice tier processes 6 4. SAM as practice tier 1 processes 6 5. SAM as practice tier 2 processes 6 6. SAM as practice tier 3 processes 6 7. SAM as practice tier 4 processes 6 Total 40 Questions Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 9 of 13

11 Format of Examination Type Duration Pre-requisites 40 Question Multiple Choice 90 minutes. An additional 23 minutes will be allowed for candidates sitting the examination in a language that is not their native /mother tongue. ITAMOrg IT Asset Management Foundation Certificate. Supervised Open Book Recommended is at least three months of experience in all phases of Software Asset Management, an understanding of IT Service Management best practice, and a general understanding of IT and processes. Yes No Pass Mark 26/40 (65%) Calculators Learning Hours Delivery Calculators cannot be used during this examination 24 Hours Paper based examination and on-line Trainer Criteria Criteria Hold the ITAMOrg Software Asset Management Specialist Certificate Have 10 days training experience or have a train the trainer qualification Have a minimum of 3 years practical experience in the subject area Classroom Size Trainer to candidate ratio 1:16 Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 10 of 13

12 List of Basic Terms This list contains the terms and abbreviations with which candidates should be familiar. Agreement Assessment Asset Asset lifecycle Asset Management Audit Baseline Best practices Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Change management Cloud Compliance Configuration-management database (CMDB) Contract management Corporate governance Definitive media library (DML) Definitive software library (DSL) Disposal End user license agreement (EULA) Entitlements Gap Analysis Governance Hardware Asset Management (HAM) Hardware asset management tool Hardware inventory Hardware tracking Hosted applications Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL ) Inventory Management ISO ISO ITAMOrg SAM Best Practice Process Framework IT asset Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 11 of 13

13 IT Asset Management (ITAM) IT Governance IT infrastructure Licensing Life-cycle processes Life-cycle management Legalization rules Managing risk Mobile devices Policies and procedures Problem management Procurement Retirement process Risk assessment Risk reduction Role & Responsibilities Service Desk Service provider Services and Cloud (outsourcing) Shadow IT Software-as-a-service (SaaS) Software Asset Management (SAM) Software asset management tool Software asset lifecycle Software audit Software compliance Software licenses Stakeholder Supplier management Terms and conditions Copyright BCS 2016 Copyright EXIN 2016 Page 12 of 13