Inauguration Day 2009 & CPLP Work Product

Ah - Inauguration Day 2009.

A country - hopeful and eager to move forward.

What a truly truly amazing day!

Sitting here, watching this momentous event unfold on television, I'm busy answering questions from other hopeful candidates around the world who are eager to move forward with their CPLP certification.

To do that, they must submit - and successfully pass - the Work Product submission phase of the credentialing process.

CPLP candidates are only eligible to participate in the Work Product submission phase once they pass the 150 multiple choice, computerized CPLP Knowledge Exam.

Whereas the Knowledge Exam covers subject matter from across the nine (9) Areas of Expertise (AOEs) as outlined in the 2004 ASTD Competency Model, the CPLP Work Product submission phase has each candidate focus on one AOE.

Work sample requirements and scoring criteria vary by AOE.

Even so, there is a standard approach candidates can take to select an appropriate project for their work product submission, regardless of AOE.

Here are my suggested three (3) steps:

1. Review the CPLP Candidate Bulletin. Download and review a current copy of the CPLP Candidate Bulletin to ensure you're working from the most current information and requirements.
2. Consider your project - Ask yourself the following questions to assess whether or not the project you have in mind is an appropriate submission: - Does it meet the evidentiary requirements? Meaning, can you produce the sample material required for your AOE? In the format required for your AOE? - Can you easily write about it? Equally important to your sample materials is your ability to articulate what you did, with whom you did it, why you took the approach you took, and what the outputs and outcomes were (and what you did with them).
3. Locate your Challenge Questions in your email Inbox. You're going to need to spend some time with these to get your submission packet together. (While you're looking in your Inbox -you might as well make a copy of your official Exam Score Report, as you'll need to submit a copy of it as well.)

All in all, the Work Product submission phase centers on preparation in understanding the submission criteria, the packaging instructions, and assembling your final materials.

It is a rigorous process that 1 in 4 CPLP candidates fail!

If you're a CPLP candidate looking for help, Owl's Ledge is proud to offer a CPLP Work Product Coaching Program. Private and group coaching sessions are available.

Visit CPLP Work Product Coaching on CPLPCOACH.com for program details.

Change is in the air. Good things are ahead. Time to turn my attention back to the Inauguration celebration and candidate questions.

To hopeful CPLP candidates far & wide - best of luck in the coming weeks as you prepare for the Work Product or Knowledge Exam!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP

CEO, Owl's Ledge LLC
http://www.cplpcoach.com/

2009 ASTD International Conference & Exposition (ASTD ICE)

I've been on the road for the past couple of weeks, working hard but enjoying my travels immensely.

I've spent most of my time meeting and collaborating with learning & performance professionals from all over the world, including participating as a member of the planning committee for the 2009 ASTD International Conference & Exposition (ASTD ICE).

What a blast!

The committee's primary purpose is to construct the educational tracks for the conference. That means we spent quite a lot of time reviewing speaker proposals and discussing the types of educational opportunities that have worked (or not worked) at the conference in the past.

From there, we worked long hours in a training room to lay out the conference tracks and session formats.

We also spent quite a bit of time brainstorming ideas for keynote speakers and had a lot of conversation around our ideas for improving the ASTD ICE conference booklet - especially for folks visiting from outside the USA.

I am sworn to secrecy - can't say much! - but there are definite changes to some of the session delivery methods.

I'm really happy with the results - and am hoping (of course!) that ASTD ICE attendees are happy with them too!

Participation on the planning committee is a two (2) year run - which means my freshman year is this one - planning the 2009 ASTD ICE event for Washington D.C.

My senior year - graduation! - will be in planning the 2010 ASTD ICE event for home sweet home Chicago. :-)

So - please feel free to comment below - or send me an email - if you have something to share about your experiences at past ASTD ICE events or ideas for the future. I would love to hear from you!

Just a quick shout-out to my committee member peers - thanks, all, for sharing your insights, experiences, and for your continued support.

I really can't accurately articulate how much this community means to me - both professionally and personally.

Cheers!

~ Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP
Owl's Ledge LLC
http://www.cplpcoach.com/