Keeping Certification Programs Current with DACUM

When professions evolve, training needs to evolve with them.

That's why Phius partnered with WIDS® to conduct a DACUM job analysis for the Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC®) occupation. While DACUM is often used to develop new programs, this project demonstrates another valuable application: helping organizations revisit and strengthen an established certification program.

During a two-day workshop, WIDS Associate Director Terri Johnson facilitated a DACUM with a panel of experienced Phius Certified Consultants from across the United States. Selected for their expertise and broad representation of the industry, the participants worked together to identify the duties, tasks, knowledge, skills, and trends that define the role of today's CPHC.

The resulting DACUM chart provides a foundation for updating Phius' Certified Consultant training so it continues to reflect current industry practice.

"This DACUM is being used to revise a certification program," Terri Johnson said. "It's a great use of the DACUM process."

One of the strengths of DACUM is that it draws on the experience of people who do the work every day. Rather than relying on assumptions about a role, the process brings together recognized professionals to build a shared understanding of what successful performance looks like today. That collaborative approach helps organizations keep curriculum, training, and certification aligned with the realities of the profession.

Projects like this demonstrate the value of bringing experienced professionals together to define what success in an occupation looks like today. Those conversations help ensure training and certification reflect the realities of the profession and prepare the next generation of practitioners.

To learn more about the project, including the workshop, the participant selection process, and how Phius is engaging its Phius Certified Consultants in the validation process, read the article on the Phius website.