Technical Mastery Meets Program Design
Jim Henderson
For over 20 years, I have bridged the gap between complex engineering and technical education and certification. I help small- to medium-sized IT vendors transform their technical intellectual property into world-class professional certification programs.
I built my career on mastery of technologies ranging from network infrastructure to identity management. This practical background ensures that the certification programs I design aren’t just based on theory; they reflect the real-world skills candidates need to succeed.
Why You Can Trust My Process
Vendors often face a “translation gap” between their technical teams and their certification goals. I close that gap in two specific ways:
- Rapid Technical Onboarding: My approach to new technology is rooted in recognizing architectural patterns. By identifying what new innovations “borrow” from established systems, I can quickly come up to speed on your specific stack and contribute at a high level from day one.
- The SME Bridge: I speak the language of your technical teams, earning immediate trust from your SMEs. This allows me to translate complex development concepts and uncover the hidden foundational skills that experts often overlook, but are critical for candidate success.
A Proven Track Record
I led the development of the Ping Identity certification program from the ground up. This involved leading cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple vendors to deliver a robust, secure exam ecosystem for partners and customers worldwide.
My journey began at Novell, a pioneer in the IT certification space. There, I managed the Practicum, a groundbreaking performance-based exam system. Beyond working with exam design and development, I was responsible for managing the candidate tracking system, which gave me a deep understanding of the complex business rules required to manage global candidate pools fairly, securely, and effectively.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
I am a frequent speaker and advocate for the evolution of IT certification. I am an active member of the IT Certification Council, the Association for Test Publishers, and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
- Industry Recognition: In 2024, I was honored with the “Outstanding Contributor” award by the ITCC for contributions across multiple task forces and workgroups. Notably, I demonstrated to the membership how to approach presenting the value of IT certification to their executive leadership.
- Current Research: I am currently investigating ways AI can be responsibly leveraged to assist in content development while maintaining the security and integrity of foundational IT skills.
Selected Presentations & Contributions
- AI-Assisted Skills: Some Thoughts about Practical Assessment – Performance Testing Council Summit, April 2025
- Family Feud: Psychometricians vs. Exam Owners – ATP Innovations in Testing Global Conference, March 2023
- Get Real: Non-Traditional Item Development in Practice – ATP Innovations in Testing Global Conference, March 2023
- When Beta Forms AND Beta Samples Differ: Hitting the Unlucky Lottery? – ATP Innovations in Testing Global Conference, April 2021
- Linux Foundation Certification Advisory Board – Served as vice-chair, providing operational guidance for the LFCS and LFCE exams, 2015-2019
- Novell Practicum Exams: Lessons Learned in a Decade of Delivery – Performance Testing Council Summit, October 2010
Since May 2023, I have actively contributed to initiatives at the IT Certification Council. I am an active member in the SPARC (Speed, Agility, and Rapid Change), Securing Certifications, and Innovation Award task forces, and have participated in conducting research on the future of certification.