Shainin Certification: How to Get There!

Certification Path Overview

All of our certification paths follow a similar pattern. We have found that our students learn most effectively through a combination of class work, onsite coaching, and documented project work. Typically, a candidate registers for a certification path and attends any required class(es). Then, under the supervision of a coach, the candidate completes one or more projects. Projects are documented to make sure that the candidate understands the work completed and to provide his or her company with a leverageable asset in the form of documented process knowledge. These write-ups are submitted for credit towards certification.

Coaching: An Essential
Part of Certification

Hands-on experience in a real work environment is a critical part of our certification program. This ensures that the student works on relevant examples and that the results of the project work bring value to the client organization. Students in the Shainin Certification Program must work directly under the guidance of a qualified coach, either a currently certified Master employed by the client organization or a Shainin consultant. Coaching is the key to the success of participants in meeting certification requirements. For this reason, Shainin will support only certification programs that include an adequate budget for coaching resources.

We encourage companies to cultivate Masters within their staffs. You will find that having your own Masters serving as coaches offers tremendous advantages. You save money by handling a large portion of the coaching internally, you save time by getting project submittals right the first time around, and you dramatically increase the technical problem solving and prevention skills within your company. However, certification interviews, review of required submittals, and the final decision on certification applications must be handled by Shainin, to make certain that your students have met Shainin standards.

Certification Time Limits

We limit the time allowed for students to complete their certification paths for two reasons. Learning occurs most efficiently when knowledge is put into practice as soon as possible. Also, our technology is evolving so quickly that a significant delay between taking a class and submitting the required work will cause the student to be out of date at the time of certification. The time limits provide students with reasonable time to reach their goals while keeping them on track so they do not miss upgrades in the technology. Please note that these are maximum time limits; students typically complete certification in less time.