On Looking for BI Specialists in Australia

B(iQ) is currently looking for BI technology specialists in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide who are keen to:

• learn and build solutions with PerformancePoint Server 2007
• work a 4-day client-facing week
• grow professionally and become a Partner in the business

We are looking for team-oriented people with compelling communication skills and the desire to grow. Industry experience with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 BI technologies (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS) is required.

Additional skills and experience with any of the following technologies are desirable:

• Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (or higher)
• SharePoint Products and Technologies (WSS 3.0 / MOSS 2007)

Exposure to PerformancePoint Server 2007 in a professional setting will be highly regarded. A tertiary education and relevant Microsoft certifications (MCTS: SQL Server 2005, MCITP: BI Developer, MCTS: PerformancePoint) will help to set you apart.

Interested parties, who are either Australian citizens or permanent residents, should send their CVs to careers@b-iq.org. All communications will be held in strict confidence.

- Adrian Downes

On the MCTS Exam for PerformancePoint Server 2007

The single Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist exam (70-556) for PerformancePoint Server 2007 is now available at Prometric. Microsoft Learning luminary Trika Harms zum Spreckel provided a preview of the exam requirements for the then-beta version of the exam here.

Just be certain to leave Tim Kent and Sacha Tomey alone.... they won't divulge any secrets.... :-)

Update (25 - JAN - 2008):

The Microsoft official preparation guide for exam 70-556 can be found here.

Update (29 - JAN - 2008):

I just sat and passed this exam today. Without giving anything away, I can confirm that pretty much all of the measurement areas shown in the prep guide appear in the exam. Good hunting!

- Adrian Downes

On the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative Certifications for Practitioners

While this may be old news for some, there appears to be an emerging certification program for those who help companies to craft performance management initiatives with the Balanced Scorecard methodology.

The Balanced Scorecard Collaborative (a division of The Palladium Group founded by Dr. David P. Norton) is already active in certifying software that conforms to the Balanced Scorecard method. Now, the Collaborative is promoting two levels of certification for individuals as follows:

Balanced Scorecard Collaborative Certified™

• awarded after completion of four Balanced Scorecard Collaborative How-To Training Seminars as well as an on-line multiple choice exam


• reflects an "understanding and command" of the Balanced Scorecard body of knowledge

Balanced Scorecard Collaborative Certified Practitioner™

• requires that a candidate is already Balanced Scorecard Collaborative Certified™


• requires additional documented industry experience in implementing the Balanced Scorecard method

Both designations warrant "on going education and renewal requirements".

In my opinion, I believe the Practitioner level may be the most appealing and credible since it is awarded based on both certified knowledge and documented experience; this is quite similar to the approach taken by the Project Management Institute to qualify Project Management Professional (PMP) certification candidates.

To my mind, there will always be as many detractors as there are supporters of individual certification. Nevertheless, if you feel that certification is helpful in demonstrating knowledge and communicating differentiation among your peers, then this may well be the single best way to achieve these aims in the performance management space.

For more information on these designations click here.

What do you think? Is pursuing a Balanced Scorecard certification a worthwhile endeavour?

- Adrian Downes

On Preparing for the MCITP: BI Developer Certification

Kudos to world-reknowned consultant, trainer and blogger Teo Lachev, founder of Prologika and author of Applied Microsoft Analysis Services 2005, on his latest efforts. A new training guide, MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-445): Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence—Implementation and Maintenance is designed to help you prepare for the first of two Microsoft certification exams towards the MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer designation. The guide is now available from Microsoft Press and can be ordered on Amazon.

Although a book like this is certainly long overdue, I expect it to be a huge success-- I happen to know more than a few BI developers and consultants out there eager to pick up this new title. Congratulations to Teo (who provided the SSAS 2005 content) and his co-authors Erik Veerman, Dejan Sarka, and Javier Loria.

- Adrian Downes

On an MCITP in Performance Management

A couple of weeks ago, Microsoft announced a new Microsoft Certified IT Professional stream, MCITP: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007. What is interesting about this certification is the balance of content between Project 2007 / Project Server 2007 subject matter (exams 70-632 and 70-633 respectively, each leading to separate MCTS designations), as well as more advanced Project Server topics (exam 70-634) blended with The Project Management Institute's PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide. What is more interesting is the increased emphasis on the business discipline of project management within what initially appears to be a technical certification.

Reading about this new MCITP brought me to wonder about the validity of a PerformancePoint-centric MCITP. Personally, I think it would be a great idea to promote an MCITP stream, dedicated to performance management (business performance management, corporate performance management, etc.). Such a designation would present a worthy challenge for BI versatilists to better appreciate the business discipline of establishing performance measurements, as well as the key role PerformancePoint Server 2007 would play in executing a performance management initiative. In my opinion, if both Microsoft and the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative put their heads together then an MCITP could emerge, addressing the growing demand for increased knowledge among BI practitioners as performance management and business intelligence draw ever closer.

In my imagination, such a certification (perhaps an MCITP: Performance Management with Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007 title) could include the following subject matter:

1. A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) exam covering PerformancePoint Monitor and Analyze features


2. Another MCTS exam geared towards PerformancePoint Planning


3. A third PRO-level design exam (reminiscent of MCITP exam 70-446), focusing on solution architecture, cross-over knowledge on SQL Server 2005 "BI Services", ideal business models to implement for budgeting needs, as well as determining ideal objectives/metrics for a given problem domain.

What do you think? Is Microsoft on the right track with the MCITP: in EPM? Do you believe a full MCITP in performance management would be worthwhile for Microsoft to promote, or, for us to pursue?

- Adrian Downes

On the MCA Program for Database Architects

Amidst the inaugural Microsoft Business Intelligence conference and news-bytes about SQL Server 'Katmai', the Microsoft Certified Architect Program recently announced the Microsoft Certified Architect: Database designation.

Similar to the MCA: Messaging depth-architect certification, the MCA: Database path appears to be highly focused in the area of database architecture and SQL Server, with a rigorous 4 week program in Redmond, WA costing $25,000USD. According to the link, the program will only be open to those working for Microsoft Certified Gold Partner organisations, as well as Microsoft employees.

Although a closer look at the curriculum reveals coverage on Integration Services, one cannot help but wonder whether a comprehensive "MCA: Business Intelligence" certification is in development.

What do you think about the MCA Program? Too pricey? Worth the trip to Washington?

- Adrian Downes