The Digital Practitioner Foundation Study Guide

Chapter 1. Introduction

This chapter provides an introduction to this document.

1.1. Key Learning Points

This document is a Study Guide for students studying for the DPBoK Foundation certification. This edition is aligned to the DPBoK Standard, Version 1.0. It will familiarize you with all the topics that you need to know in order to pass the DPBoK Part 1 Examination.

It gives an overview of every learning objective included in the syllabus and in-depth coverage on preparing and taking the examination. It is specifically designed to help individuals prepare for the examination.

(Syllabus Reference: Unit 13, Learning Outcome LO-DPBoK-Certification: You should be able to explain the DPBoK Certification Program)

This first chapter will provide you with important information on the DPBoK Certification Program, and the structure of the DPBoK Part 1 Examination.

1.2. The Open Group Certification for People Program

Certification is available to individuals who wish to demonstrate they have attained the required knowledge and understanding of the DPBoK Standard. At the time of writing there is a single level defined for DPBoK Certification for People Program, denoted Level 1, which leads to certification at DPBoK Foundation. This Study Guide covers DPBoK Foundation.

Why become certified?

Becoming certified demonstrates clearly to employers and peers your commitment to being a Digital Practitioner. In particular, it demonstrates that you possess a body of core knowledge about the DPBoK Standard as an open, industry standard framework. The Open Group publishes the definitive directory of DPBoK certified individuals, and issues certificates and Open Badges.

1.3. The DPBoK Foundation Certification

The purpose of certification for DPBoK Foundation is to provide validation that the individual has gained knowledge of the foundational set of concepts for the Digital Practitioner.

The certification can help:

•Those who require an introduction and basic understanding of the DPBoK Standard

•Individuals who wish to create and manage product offerings with an increasing digital component, or lead their organization through Digital Transformation

•IT professionals working within any size organization, from a startup through to a large enterprise, that has adopted digital approaches

The learning objectives at this level focus on knowledge and comprehension.

1.4. The DPBoK Level 1 Syllabus

Individuals certified to DPBoK Foundation will have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of:

•The key concepts of Digital Transformation, digital-first, and the structure of the DPBoK Standard

•The basic concepts (the Digital Fundamentals) employed by the Digital Practitioner

•The capabilities of digital infrastructure

•The fundamental objectives and activities of application development

•The need for formalized product management as a company or team grows

•The key concerns and practices of work management as a team increases in size

•The basic concepts and practices of operations management in a digital/IT context

•How to coordinate as an organization grows into multiple teams and multiple organizations

•IT investment and portfolio management, including finance, sourcing, portfolio management, Service Catalogs, and project management

•Organizational structure, human resources, and cultural factors, as an organization goes through the team of teams transition

•Governance, risk, security, and compliance, as an organization operates at enterprise scale

•Information and data management on a large scale, including the establishment of formal governance, control, and management techniques for information

•Practices and methods for managing complexity using Enterprise Architecture

Examination

Certification for DPBoK Foundation is achieved by passing the DPBoK Part 1 Examination. This is a multiple-choice examination with 40 questions.

The topic areas covered by the examination together with the number of questions per area in the examination follow:

1. An Introduction to the DPBoK Standard (3 questions)

2. Digital Value (3 questions)

3. Digital Infrastructure (4 questions)

4. Application Delivery (4 questions)

5. Product Management (3 questions)

6. Work Management (4 questions)

7. Operations Management (3 questions)

8. Coordination and Process (3 questions)

9. Investment and Portfolio (3 questions)

10. Organization and Culture (2 questions)

11. Governance, Risk, Security, and Compliance (3 questions)

12. Information Management (2 questions)

13. Architecture (3 questions)

1.4.1. Format of the Examination Questions

The examination questions are multiple-choice questions. These are very similar in format to the Test Yourself questions included in each chapter. Note that the exact format for display is test center-specific and will be made clear on the display monitor when taking the examination.

Exam Tip

Please read each question carefully before reading the answer options. Be aware that some questions may seem to have more than one right answer, but you are to look for the one that makes the most sense and is the most correct.

1.4.2. What ID do I need to present to take the examination?

You should consult with the examination provider regarding the forms of picture ID you are required to present to verify your identity.

1.4.3. Can I refer to materials while I take the examination?

No, it is a closed-book examination.

1.4.4. If I fail, how soon can I retake the examination?

You should check the current policy on The Open Group website. At the time of writing, the policy states that individuals who have failed the examination are not allowed to retake the examination within one (1) month of the first sitting.

1.5. Preparing for the Examination

You can prepare for the examination by working through this Study Guide section-by-section. After completing each section, you should answer the Test Yourself questions, and read the referenced sections from the DPBoK documentation. Once you have completed all the sections in this Study Guide, you can then attempt the Test Yourself examination paper in Appendix B. It is designed to give a thorough test of your knowledge. If you have completed all the prescribed preparation and can attain a pass mark for the Test Yourself examination paper as described in Appendix C, then it is likely you are ready to sit the examination.

1.6. Summary

The Open Group Certification for People: DPBoK Certification Program is a knowledge-based certification program. At the time of writing it has a single level, which leads to certification for DPBoK Foundation.

The topic for this Study Guide is preparation for taking the DPBoK Part 1 Examination that leads to the DPBoK Foundation certification. The examination comprises 40 simple multiple-choice questions to be completed in one hour.

Preparing for the examination includes the following steps:

•You should work through this Study Guide step-by-step

•At the end of each chapter, you should complete the Test Yourself questions and read the sections of the DPBoK documentation listed under Recommended Reading

•Once you have completed all the chapters in this Study Guide, you should attempt the Test Yourself examination paper provided in Appendix B

•If you can attain the target score in Appendix C , then you have completed your preparation

1.7. Test Yourself Questions

Q1: Which of the following describes the DPBoK Part 1 Examination?

A. It is an open-book examination

B. It has 40 simple multiple-choice questions

C. The exam policy requires you to wait 60 days before a retake

D. It contains at least four (4) questions related to product management

Q2: Which of the following is the prerequisite for taking this certification?

A. AEA membership

B. ITIL Foundation

C. TOGAF 9 Foundation

D. None required

Q3: Which of the following is a learning unit topic included in the DPBoK Level 1 Syllabus?

A. Architecture Governance

B. Digital Infrastructure

C. Interoperability Requirements

D. Value Streams

Q4: Which of the following describes the retake policy for the DPBoK Part 1 Examination?

A. You must wait seven (7) days before a retake

B. You can retake the exam immediately

C. You must wait one (1) month before a retake

D. You must wait three (3) weeks before a retake

1.8. Recommended Reading

•DPBoK Foundation Data Sheet

•The Open Group Certification for People: Certification Policy for Examination-Based Programs

•The Open Group Certification for People: DPBoK Conformance Requirements

•The Open Group DPBoK Certification website: www.opengroup.org/certifications/dpbok

Chapter 2. An Introduction to the DPBoK Standard

2.1. Key Learning Points

This chapter will help you to understand key terminology, key concepts such as digital-first, Digital Transformation, and also the structure of the Body of Knowledge.

Key Points Explained

This chapter will help you to answer the following questions:

•What are the key terms related to digital?

•What is a digital-first culture?

•What is Digital Transformation?

•What are the seven levers of change?

•How is the Body of Knowledge structured?

2.2. Key Terminology

(Syllabus Reference: Unit 0, Learning Outcome LO-key-terminology: You should be able to define the terms Digital Enterprise, Digital Technology, Digital Transformation, Digitalization, Digitization)

The following are key terms used in the Body of Knowledge:

Digital Enterprise

An enterprise characterized by: 1. the creation of digitalized products or services that are either delivered fully digitally (e.g., digital media or online banking), or 2. where physical products and services are obtained by the customer by digital means (e.g., online car-sharing