Sue, no professional credentials have the international standing of a
Ph.D. What you said about those outside the profession not knowing what
a CRM is; that goes for other professional certifications too. The only
possible exception is the CPA; and that is only here in the U.S.A.
My job required a CRM; period. The ICRM requires a certain number of
years of professional experience in four of eight functional RIM
categories before allowing applicants to sit for the exam. The ICRM
measures RIM professionals; the ICRM does not train them; the ICRM is
not in the education business. The ICRM measures knowledge and
capabilities; period, end of story. There are a number of CRMs who are
also Ph.Ds, and who were a Ph.D. before taking the CRM examinations. A
number of them had to test for the same parts numerous times before
passing; including Part VI, the written case studies.
The CRM is a professional level certification credential; technicians
do not qualify to sit for the exams. CRMs operate in the strategic
mode; but must also understand and be able to manage tactical projects,
as well as managing their RIM organizations that provide ongoing
services and RIM tools.
You should make the effort to learn and understand the CRM
certification and professional credential before you talk about it.
Best regards, Steve
Steven D. Whitaker, CRM
Records Systems Manager; City of Reno
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/18/05 03:00PM >>>
Dear Ginny, Bob and Steve
In spite of what you say - and I must say I am greatly heartened by
the
interest shown in the CRM by the countries that you mention - the CRM
does not enjoy the same level of automatic international status that a
Master's or PhD degree does. In particular, those outside of RM - in
fact, those whom we wish to convert - have no idea at all what it is,
and I suspect that this is even the case within the US. Are there any
jobs for records managers that state "CRM required for this position"?
I have to say that I had never even heard of the CRM before I joined
ARMA (admittedly, some time ago). I therefore think I am safe in
saying
that few outside the field would be familiar with it, and how it is
achieved. An just look at how my view of this qualification and
Ginny's
(who is much more familiar with it) differ!!
The central problem with the CRM, I believe, will continue to be that
it
is not offered by an accredited University, and, as such, will remain
being understood as a technician level qualification in the eyes of
those 'out there'. We really can't go on preaching to the converted
any
more...
All the best
Sue
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Steven Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, 19 October 2005 1:20 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Competencies for Records and Information Professionals -
Link s
<snip>I also understand that the role of the CRM, as it is based on
practical
experience, is a useful complement to the first task, even though it
is
really only recognized in the US and Canada.
<snip>
Sue, that is not true. The ICRM has members from 13 countries, and a
major initiative with Japan and testing in non-English languages is in
the works. Other countries and languages to follow. The ICRM's
requirements are based upon more than practical experience. CRMs have
been measured, accredited and recognized according to criteria of
education, specific documented professional experience, and knowledge
and capabilities proven by testing.
Best regards, Steve
Steven D. Whitaker, CRM
Records Systems Manager; City of Reno
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/17/05 05:35PM >>>
Sue Myburgh said:
>It would seem to me to be a duplication of work if ARMA were to
develop
>an entirely separate set of competencies: I would be extremely
surprised
>if this would differ substantially between the two countries, in my
>experience, with the exception of laws that affect RM.
Overall, some great observations. First, since I was not part of the
initial competency group (Job Task Analysis Panel) I can't say what
they
actually accomplished. Based on the write-up on ARMA's website, I
suspect
there wouldn't be significant differences between what Australia
developed
and what the Panel ultimately publishes, especially for core
competencies.
But I have been wrong before, one reason why I don't bet on football -
American rules, of course. :>)
>I also understand that the role of the CRM, as it is based on
practical
>experience, is a useful complement to the first task, even though it
is
>really only recognized in the US and Canada.
The ICRM Board, which I am a member of, is attempting to change this
view.
The members of the committee that develop tests questions are very
mindful
to write questions that focus on core competencies and, at the same
time,
are "country neutral." We are also establishing partnerships with
records
managers in Japan and other countries with the idea of offering tests
in
other languages. In line with this, we'll be offering candidates the
ability to test through a vendor that has 4000 sites throughout the
world.
>With all due respect, the majority of articles in our core journals -
>Informaa, Records Management Quarterly and our own Information
>Management Journal - are largely based on practice and opinion.
You are right on target with this observation. Many of the articles
in
the
IMJ are informative; I've gained much from many authors' insights.
But
the
IMJ is also chock full of advertising, which to me can be distracting.
>There are several things that ARMA could do in order to encourage the
>development of a theoretical base: (a) have a session/stream at
conference
>which addresses theoretical/educational issues; (b) publish a 'recent
>research' column in IMJ;
>From what I understand, someone (who is highly respected in the RM
community) suggested the IMJ become a research journal. This idea was
shot
down because it wasn't a revenue generating endeavor.
The project management community (through the Project Management
Institute),
on the other hand, publishes both a monthly magazine (that is similar
to
IMJ) and a quarterly Project Management Journal (PMJ) The PMJ
publishes
peer reviewed research articles written by scholars who teach at
recognized
project management programs throughout the world.
My hope is that one day ARMA will understand the need for a research
journal
much as PMI has. This is especially important if we, as an RM
community,
ever want to be looked at as a viable profession in the eyes of the
education establishment. Until then, we'll have a difficult time
gaining
traction within the halls of universities and colleges.
My opinions my own...
Bruce L. White, MBA, CRM, PMP
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Best regards, Ste for assistance
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