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Trainer perspective on the SEP Certification: René King, ASEP

Sep 02, 2022
Mrunmayi Joshi
Here is an interview with René King of Certification Training International (CTI) which talks about her experience and perspective as a trainer on the SEP Certification. Happy SEPtember!

Rene King

 This interview was done in 2022.

Q1. What is your current role/position?

» I am the Managing Director of Certification Training International (CTI).

Q2. What is one of your proudest professional achievements?

» My proudest achievement is working with Robert Halligan (PPI), John Nallon (INCOSE), and Stephane Lacrampe (Obeo) on the INCOSE-PPI Systems Engineering Tools Database since 2018 and bringing the SETDB to an initial operational capability in 2021.

Q3. What skills do you think a systems engineer best learns through training?
» Context analysis, transforming needs into requirements, writing low-risk requirements, effective decision-making based on stakeholder-valued outcomes, engineering specialty integration, and modeling techniques in the problem definition and solution space are the skills a systems engineer best learns through training. 

Q4. What guidance/training do you provide students regarding systems engineering and SEP certification?
» CTI is a subsidiary of PPI - a leader in SE training and consulting for 30 years. Leveraging on PPI's experience with training, CTI uses established adult-learning principles and techniques to help students place their practical experience in the context of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook. We aim to support our clients in acquiring and maximizing the value of their SE certification. We offer an intensive Five-Day INCOSE SEP Exam Prep training that not focuses on how to pass the INCOSE Knowledge Exam, how to prepare a CSEP application, and how to maintain SEP certification status over time.

Q5. What motivated you to provide these trainings?
» We wanted to encourage our clients to develop a healthy appetite for continuous improvement and found the SEP certification program an excellent tool to achieve this. CTI also recognized that memorizing a 300-page handbook is not easy, so we leveraged the 30 years of SE and consulting experience within PPI to develop a course that would make learning and understanding the INCOSE SE Handbook and its value as simple and effective as possible within five days. CTI also realized the importance of our clients placing their practical experience in the context of the language of the INCOSE SEH for maximum learning and retention for the INCOSE Knowledge Exam and beyond. We developed our INCOSE SEP Exam Prep course with this in mind.

Q6. What methods do you use to provide these trainings effectively?

» Following are the method used by us to provide these trainings:
1) Extensive practice in writing and answering questions akin to the INCOSE Knowledge Exam
2) Frequent Q&A segments throughout the training
3) Many practical workshops to fuse practical experience and case studies with the vocabulary and concepts described in the INCOSE SEH
4) A strong focus on capturing and reviewing client-valued learning outcomes
5) Daily reflections and feedback to improve on the training throughout the week to maximize achievement of the client-valued learning outcomes
6) Other adult learning techniques including pattern finding, case-study analysis, use of aide-memoirs, and role-playing 

Q7. How do you continue to learn about Systems engineering? What developmental activities do you do?
» I attend systems engineering conferences, read articles, and attend webinars related to SE frequently. I am continuously discussing how to make SE more accessible with my colleagues. l also work with my colleague John Fitch on the monthly PPI Systems Engineering News journal to bring fresh SE-related articles, news, and resources to the engineering community.

Q8. How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach me at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-king/

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