Core Body of Knowledge - 2231-19

Author Profile

This is my RPL application; at the time of writing it I had 11 years experience as a Software Developer / Engineer in Telecommunications. My career has consisted of Software Engineer, Senior Developer and Team Leader roles in five different companies varying from small start-ups to multi-national corporations.

ASCO 2231-19 CBOK Example

Complete RPL application form including Project Reports

This includes all the CBOK sections detailed below and both Project Reports for this RPL.

1. Computer Organisation and Architecture

Not available

2. Conceptual Modelling

Not available

3. Database Management

Not available

4. Data Communications and Networks

"Throughout my career and training I have been working in the telecommunications field, from fixed telephony, through mobile telephony and network management, and although always on the software side, I have gained extensive knowledge of the underlying networks and protocols at various layers of the ISO (International Standards Organisation) reference..."

5. Data Structures and Algorithms

"Throughout my career I have encountered several different types of data structures and methods of data persistence, used in a variety of different products and applications. My introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms came during two Software Design modules at college..."

6. Discrete Mathematics

"At college, I studied a Discrete Mathematics and Formal Notations module, which covered, amongst others; representation of simple data types; definitions of partial functions and signatures in the formal definition of a procedure; predicate logic; recursive definitions; graph theory and finite state machines..."

7. Ethics / Social Implications / Professional Practice

"Being perfectly honest, ethics and professional practice wasn't something I actively considered whilst studying at college and my first appointment with Company A, however as I have matured both personally and in a professional sense, I guess I have formed my own set of ethics by which I operate..."

8. Interpersonal Communications

"My first position at Company A was a good learning ground for all aspects of interpersonal communications, there was a well matured software development process, and due to the fact that email was not widely used within the company at the time, telephone conversations and face to face meetings..."

9. Program Design and Implementation

"At college, during the two Software Design modules, I studied the theory behind program design and implementation, and the importance of producing working documentation at all stages of the development procedure. The modules also covered the practical application of formal notation..."

10. Project Management and Quality Assurance

"My first real appreciation of quality assurance came whilst at Company D. Whilst at Company A, I was part of an organisation that was quality certified to BS5750, one of the predecessors to ISO9001. At that time I wasn't particularly aware of the quality procedures in place, however I now understand..."

11. Security

"I have had limited exposure to security requirements in the systems I have worked on. However I have experienced security from two different view points, the first being from the viewpoint of national security when I worked on a H.323 interception product feasibility study at Company D..."

12. Software Engineering and Methodologies

"Whilst at college I studied the fundamentals of Software Engineering and Methodologies in the two Software Design modules, however it wasn't until my first position at Company A that I could see how these fundamentals were practically used. Company A's software lifecycle had been developed over several years..."

13. Systems Analysis and Design

"Whilst at college, I studied the classic Waterfall lifecycle of system development; which primarily consists of several discontinuous phases, the names of which seem to differ depending on the reference material, but the overall functions remain extensively the same..."

14. Systems Software

"Whilst at college, studying the Microprocessors A module, I learnt about the MS-DOS operating system and the main features; File creation and manipulation; Directory structures and System tools. Since then, most of my other knowledge of operating systems..."

Brief Summary of Conclusions

"When I first read the RPL application I thought that I would be able to tick possibly 7 or 8 Areas of Knowledge, but as I've been working through my career experiences, I have been able to draw on some knowledge of most of the CBOK sections which has surprised me, and as I have been writing about my experiences ..."