ASTD Certification - Submitting an Old vs New Project - ASK Trish CPLP Work Product Q&A

REAL QUESTIONS FROM REAL CPLP CANDIDATES

Q:  I have an existing project I think I can use for work samples, but I finished it a while ago. How do I know if I have enough evidence?

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A:  One major challenge of work done in the past is - candidates often have the "performance related" deliverables, but don't have the necessary "project related" deliverables - most notably communications.
 

Reason being, depending on how old the project is, sometimes candidates don't have access to email communications, meeting requests / agendas / notes, etc. because the materials have been archived.
 

In other cases, candidates didn't document key communications as part of the original project. 

This is often because we don't use formal project communications in our workplaces - much of the communication occurs informally (e.g. in passing in the hallway; running into someone in the dining hall; during a meeting or phone call; but no one took notes, etc).
 

So definitely make sure you have both - the "performance related" and the "project related" deliverables when determining if your project meets requirements.

If you are currently working on the project you intend to use for your submission, make sure you collect evidence (work samples) as you go.

For now, grab EVERYTHING! You can refine what you do / don't include in your submission later.
 

To your success!

~ trish

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP

Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) since April 2006!

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Get your complimentary copy of the Owl's Ledge Getting Started Planning CPLP Work Product Worksheet and more CPLP Work Product insider tips! 

Sign up at:

http://ykz6groe.megaph.com/

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ASTD Certification - How to Select an Area of Expertise (AOE) and a Project - ASK Trish CPLP Work Product Q&A

ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM CPLP WORK PRODUCT CANDIDATES

Q: My problem is choosing the AOE because I feel I have almost equal exposure to 3 areas - Instructional Design, Training Delivery, and Managing Learning Programs. How do I decide?  

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A:  You've asked a good question - which many candidates who have similar options face.

The answer is straightforward:

1. Submit under the AOE where you can produce work that OBVIOUSLY meets the CPLP Work Product requirements.

See the Appendices for each in the CPLP Certification Handbook Part 3 for each - and also check out the Key Actions (Appendix P: Work Product AOE Key Action List) and Scoring Rubric (Appendix Q: Scoring Rubrics) for each AOE.

I've also created a Getting Started Planning CPLP Work Product Worksheet that walks candidates through a process to compare (if necessary) and select an AOE and project:

http://ykz6groe.megaph.com/

2. Submit under the AOE that you have time for.

For example, Instructional Design projects typically require a much longer time horizon than, say, Training Delivery. If you don't have an existing Instructional Design project that meets requirements and is already far enough along (you have to take the materials at least through Pilot) then getting started with an ID project now would probably not give you enough time to submit in August if you had to "start from scratch."

As for Managing Learning Programs (MLP), a critical component of MLP requires candidates to OBVIOUSLY DEMONSTRATE how they develop other learning professionals. This is often easy for those who have staff; and challenging for those who manage project teams, but don't have direct reports.

Last thought - submitting under Instructional Design means you MUST be the person with "fingers on keyboard" who conducted the analysis, design, and development of the course and training materials. (Candidates who conducted the analysis and design, but delegated the development to other resources do NOT meet Instructional Design requirements.)

MLP, on the other hand (in addition to developing others), is about overseeing the work; rather than being the person with "fingers on keyboard" producing it.

Thanks for posting your question!

I'm sure there are other candidates out there with the same concerns!

~ trish 

Get your complimentary copy of the Owl's Ledge Getting Started Planning CPLP Work Product Worksheet:

http://ykz6groe.megaph.com/

Don't make this CPLP Work Product mistake!

Don't make the same mistake that many candidates have made before you - and that is missing the link between your narrative responses and evidence.

Read the CPLP Certification Handbook, Part 3, Introduction: Work Product.

Need additional help?

Get your complimentary copy of the Owl's Ledge CPLP® Work Product 'Getting Started' Planning Worksheet by following this link -http://ykz6groe.megaph.com/

~ The Owl's Ledge Team

How Not to Fail CPLP Work Product: Getting Started - CPLP Certification Handbook, Part 1

The key to getting started with your CPLP® Work Product is to make sure you thoroughly read, understand, and can meet all of the ASTD Certification Institute's requirements. 

How do you do that?

Start by reading:

• CPLP® Certification Handbook, Part 1, Program Overview
• CPLP® Certification Handbook, Part 1, Appendix A - Program Agreements, Policies, and Fees 

These documents give a high-level overview of the Work Product submission phase and provide context for how this phase fits in the overall CPLP® certification process. 

Why should you read them again if you think you've read them already?

Reason being -- you are accountable to the current policies and procedures, which ASTD CI may have changed since you first read the documents (especially if you're a candidate who started with the Candidate Bulletin, and not the brand new Handbook).

CPLP® Work Product is also now your focus, so you'll want to make sure that you understand the requirements you MUST meet - beyond just a cursory level - so you can apply them to your submission.

No reason to fail this phase of CPLP® certification simply because you did not follow protocol.

Need additional help?

Get your complimentary copy of the Owl's Ledge CPLP® Work Product 'Getting Started' Planning Worksheet by clicking on the image below!

Or CLICK HERE for your free copy of our 'Getting Started' Planning Worksheet!

To your success!

~ trish 

4 Shortcuts to Getting Started with #CPLP Work Product

Hello everyone! 

Use these four (4) shortcuts to give your CPLP Work Product the right start by spending the time upfront that saves you time later – when you’re ready to submit!

1.    Read the CPLP Certification Handbook – understand what the specific requirements for your Area of Expertise (AOE) are, according to ASTD, for your Work Product.

2.    Create a timeline and task list (or project plan) – count backwards from the submission deadline (August 22) to determine what tasks need to be completed (and how long it will take) to put your submission together. Set realistic timeframes for assembling, compiling, and completing your submission so it is received on or before the deadline.

3.    Collect work samples (“evidence”) now – so you can identify gaps and refine submission materials later. Don’t worry about what’s “in or out” at this point – collect everything! You’ll sort through it as you go.

4.    Check out ‘CPLP Candidate Group’ on LinkedIn– for tips & tricks from past CPLP candidates and for helpful advice from current CPLP designees!

Visit the 'CPLP Candidate Group' on LinkedIn here: http://bit.ly/CPLP_LinkedIn

~The Owl's Ledge Team