Become an SEI-Certified TSP Coach

The Team Software Process (TSP) is a disciplined and structured approach to product development that can be applied to many different types of projects. As a TSP Coach, you will have the knowledge, software skills, and team facilitation abilities to lead software-based product development teams. Leadership of a development team requires dedication, commitment, and energy to continually keep the team motivated, management informed, and tasking on track. TSP Coaches work with team leaders to monitor a team's progress using effective communication techniques.

Prerequisites

• Complete the PSP for Engineers I and II courses from the SEI or from an SEI-Authorized PSP Instructor.
  
  Note: You must complete the actual course. Use of the self-study PSP for Engineers course materials available at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/tsp does not satisfy requirements for successful completion of the SEI course PSP for Engineers.
  
  
• Be recommended by at least one of the SEI-Authorized PSP Instructors who taught your PSP for Engineers course.
• Submit PSP for Engineers I and II data to the SEI for screening and pass the screening.
• Become an SEI-Certified PSP Developer.
• Sign the Code of Professional Conduct for SEI Services.
• Be proficient in both spoken and written English.
• Be sponsored by an SEI Partner for the TSP Product Suite.

Before you apply to become a TSP Coach, you are expected to have

• a basic understanding of software engineering processes
• a basic awareness of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) levels and Key Process Areas (KPAs)
• a working knowledge of project management
• a working knowledge of software quality management
• the ability to work effectively on a team
• participation in a TSP launch (a TSP Product Suite Service) recommended

Step 1: Training

Attend the SEI’s TSP Coach Training course.

Step 2: Observation

You must coach a TSP team launch under the observation of a qualified TSP Coach observer provided by the SEI at your sponsoring Partner’s expense within 12 months of attending the TSP Coach Training course. Only one coach Candidate can be observed at a time. Coordinate your observation dates with your sponsor and the SEI. Candidates whose observation is delayed beyond 12 months must coordinate with the SEI on mitigation requirements. The SEI will develop a remediation plan for Candidates who do not receive satisfactory observation reports. Candidates who do not receive satisfactory observation reports must be re-observed.

Step 3: Examination

After receiving a satisfactory observation report and recommendation from your qualified TSP observer, you can register for the SEI-Certified TSP Coach qualification exam at https://www.webassessor.com/wa.do?page=publicHome&branding=SEI

The exam is offered at hundreds of testing locations throughout the world for a fee of $250.  Additional information about the exam is available at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/certification/tspcoachexamdevelopment.html

Exam Retake Policy
If you do not pass the examination, you may retake it once at no additional charge. Permission to retake the exam a second time must be approved and scheduled by the SEI.

Step 4: Certification

Upon successful completion of the process, the SEI will grant you a two-year certification to deliver TSP Product Suite Services and will provide access to the services and materials listed at www.sei.cmu.edu/partners/tsp/materials. You will also receive a diploma and welcome kit recognizing your accomplishment.