Core Body of Knowledge - 2231-79 NEC-1

Author Profile

I have 24 years of IT experience. All of this has been systems management related, working on large systems. 20 years in the software industry and 4 years banking. I have extensive experience of IBM mainframe systems and a wide range of PC and mainframe software products.

Currently work as a product specialist working backline support for a number of Mainframe automation, storage and scheduling products.

Before emigrating, I lead a mainframe technical support team as Support Delivery Manager ensuring support objectives and service levels were met.

I have strong MVS assembler language skills and spend a lot of my time using IBM's IPCS debugging tool to analyse client's system dumps.

Worked for many years at the same international software company in a number of Roles including front line technical support, backline specialist support and pre sales consultant for MVS mainframe products.

Left university and trained as a MVS systems programmers at a large financial institution just outside London.

Graduated from university with a BSC honour in Civil Engineering, but never entered that career path

ASCO 2231-79 NEC-1 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

"Although every year of my degree course in Civil Engineering contained core modules on computing and programming, it was not until I left university that I began to get an appreciation for computer organisation and architecture..."

2. Conceptual Modelling

Not available

3. Database Management

Not available

4. Data Communications and Networks

Not available

5. Data Structures and Algorithms

"My first real introduction to data structures and algorithms occurred when attending my initial mainframe training courses ("MVS overview" and "MVS/JES2 JCL") in June 1985 at Will Denn Resources in Horsham. This was whilst I was working as a systems programmer at COMPANY A..."

6. Discrete Mathematics

"My exposure to Discrete Mathematics first started when I studied Pure and Applied Mathematics to A and S level standard. In these courses, I learnt about linear algebra, geometry, proof, permutations and combinations along with the basic areas of logic including probability..."

7. Ethics / Social Implications / Professional Practice

"My experience acquired from working at COMPANY B for many years has made me realise how important ethics are in an IT role. Unfortunately one of the clearest examples of unethical behaviour was shown in the illegal accounting practices endorsed by the former CEO of COMPANY B..."

8. Interpersonal Communications

"It's only when I think about it that I realise how much interpersonal communications in IT have changed in the workplace over the last two decades. The office at COMPANY B is a lot quieter place nowadays since technicians tend to communicate with customers using email conversations..."

9. Program Design and Implementation

Not available

10. Project Management and Quality Assurance

"Having worked at the same company for over 19 years, I really have only been exposed to one way of providing quality assurance. Thinking back nearly 15 years ago, I remember COMPANY B internal processes being set up and tested so that Research and Development..."

11. Security

"For many of the early years that I worked in technical support for a mainframe software company, the word security meant a COMPANY B product called TOP SECRET. I provided first level customer support on this product for many years to many customers spread across EMEA..."

12. Software Engineering and Methodologies

"At COMPANY B, the methodology to control the steps in building software is very tightly controlled by an inhouse system called Project 360 (P360). The total product life cycle is managed to ensure strategic product selection decisions are made..."

13. Systems Analysis and Design

Not available

14. Systems Software

"Although I first became familiar with MS-DOS systems software at university, it was not until I started working at COMPANY A that I really understood the difference between systems software and application software. My first three months working there were spent in a training classroom learning the basics of application programming..."

Brief Summary of Conclusions

"As I have worked through the CBOK sections of this RPL application, I have realised how much things have changed in my 23 years in IT. It also made me recognise the skills I have acquired through my professional career..."