--ASTD - American Society for Training and Development - Certified Professional in Learning & Performance - CPLP - SCAM--

ASTD has entered the market of selling certifications. Good for them. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has been in the business of certification offering their PMP (Project Management Professional). Recently the PMI lowered the passing score of their test (so that they can grant more certifications?). However ASTD has taken a different approach - the secret pass/fail procedure.

I was part of the first pilot testing of the CPLP program. I realized it was the first run of such a program, and gave frequent and detailed feedback. The entire process felt like everyone involved as "winging it." I passed the standardized test with flying colors and then submitted what I thought was acceptable for my "work product." I passed in all areas except "project management." Ironic, because I am certified in project management, a professor in project management, and the submitted work product was a one-day overview of project management.

When I asked for feedback about why or how did I fail that single category, I did not receive any response. I posted in the pilot-run online forum and asked for feedback from other people, but apparently everyone else gave up in disgust from this farce. Wait, I did receive a message early on (before submitting the work product) that "if you were a real professional, you would know this." There you go, free insults while keeping the system secret!

So just to spell it out for you: ASTD sells a certification that you either pass or fail based on secret criteria that they do not explain. Maybe if I paid an extra amount of money I would have passed? I don't know. Usually when people expect bribes they communicate that expectation in some way.

It is very sad that another professional organization has turned to "certifications" as a revenue stream.