Requirements Engineering certification and training: your next career step

Why you should consider a requirements engineering certification

Good requirements engineering is the basis of every successful IT project. With clear requirements, you save time, costs and nerves - and ensure the success of the project. But why should you consider certification now? It's simple: it shows that you have internalized the best practices and standards of requirements engineering and are ready to apply them. Your competence becomes visible and you stand out from the crowd:

💡 Greater visibility in the job market: companies are looking for experts with experience and certification. The CPRE Foundation Level makes you more interesting for employers because you have mastered the tools of the trade of requirements engineering. An IREB CPRE certification sets you apart from others.

💡 Apply methodological expertise: A certification provides you with the basic knowledge in requirements engineering that you need to design requirements processes optimally. The content is hands-on and directly applicable – whether in small teams or large projects.

💡 Career booster: With the IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE), you are ideally equipped to take on more responsibility. The CPRE Foundation Level shows that you have mastered the basics of requirements management, which often makes the difference when it comes to management positions. The Advanced Level allows you to specialize further.

IREB CPRE: The leading requirements engineering certification

If you want to get into requirements engineering, the IREB CPRE-FL certification is a good way to get started. IREB stands for the International Requirements Engineering Board – and the CPRE certification is an internationally recognized program that accompanies you from beginner to expert. The certification model consists of different levels that adapt to your level of experience.

(H3) The path through the IREB certification: Foundation, Advanced, Expert

The IREB CPRE certification model offers a clear path through three successive levels: the Foundation Level, the Advanced Level and finally the Expert Level.

At Foundation Level, you will learn the basic concepts and techniques of requirements engineering. This level is particularly aimed at beginners and offers a comprehensive overview of requirements management and the basic methods that are needed in every project. In addition, the Foundation Level is offered both online and in person to meet the different needs of participants. 

Once you have mastered the Foundation Level, you can move on to the Advanced Level. The Advanced Level teaches you how to react flexibly to changes in the project and apply modern techniques. Here you will deepen your knowledge and can develop further in specific areas: There are currently four different training courses:

• Requirements elicitation to elicit requirements even more efficiently
• Requirements management, about suitable methods and techniques for effective requirements management throughout the entire product development process
• Requirements modeling to use graphical models that better represent functional requirements
• A RE@Agile module for agile requirements engineering is also offered, which focuses more strongly on the position of requirements engineering in agile projects. Here, the handling of existing or new requirements in an agile or scaled agile environment is taught.

For those who want to go even further, there is the Expert Level. This level is aimed at professionals who want to design and manage requirements engineering processes for complex projects. The Expert Level is about mastering the entire breadth of requirements management and making a significant contribution to the successful implementation of projects.

Advantages of the IREB CPRE certification

The IREB's Requirements Engineering Certification CPRE is a globally recognized certification in the industry. Like the Cambridge Certificate in English as a Foreign Language, IREB CPRE certification has a number of benefits that can have a positive impact on your job opportunities and career:

✅ Internationally recognized certification: The IREB CPRE certification is valued by companies in the IT industry worldwide. It shows that you have the necessary skills to successfully manage requirements.

✅ Practical content: The training courses and certifications are practice-oriented and help you to implement what you have learned directly in your day-to-day project work.

✅ Flexible learning structure: The modular certification model in three levels allows you to progress at your own pace and select the topics that are important to you.

✅ Improved career opportunities: With an IREB CPRE certification, you stand out from the competition and qualify for more responsible tasks in IT projects.

✅ Solid basis for further learning: The different levels – Foundation, Advanced, Expert – offer you a continuous learning and further development opportunity in the field of requirements engineering.

Alternative certifications in requirements engineering

In addition to the IREB CPRE certification, there are other recognized requirements engineering certificates that may be of interest depending on your personal focus. Let's take a look at some alternatives.

What options are there in addition to the IREB?

In addition to the IREB CPRE certification, there are other certifications that can help you gain a foothold in requirements engineering or related fields. These alternatives offer you different specializations and complementary skills, depending on your professional focus and interests.

Many of these certifications also offer the option of attending seminars and training courses online in a virtual classroom, which increases the flexibility and accessibility of the courses.

The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), for example, is a good choice if you are interested in business analysis or are studying or specializing in this field. It helps you to take your first steps in this direction and learn important basics. The IIBA also offers the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) as a comprehensive framework with best practices in business analysis. The BCS Certificate in Business Analysis also provides you with a solid foundation in business analysis and shows how requirements can be linked to the strategic goals of the organization. It provides a structured approach to analyzing and implementing requirements from both a technical and operational perspective.

For those who want to focus more on modeling, the Object Management Group offers the Certified UML2 Professional (OCUP2) certification. UML (= "Unified Modeling Language") is a popular modeling language in system development, which is also used in requirements engineering. If your interest lies in the area of business processes, the OMG Certified Expert in BPM2 (OCEB2) certification could also be a good addition. This certification focuses on business process modeling and helps you to better integrate requirements into existing business processes.

All of these certifications offer a complementary perspective to IREB CPRE and can significantly expand your skills as a requirements engineer. Choosing the right certification depends on whether you want to specialize or expand your knowledge to related topics.

Comparison: IREB vs. other certifications

While the IREB CPRE certification focuses strongly on the practical methods of requirements engineering, the other certificates often offer a more comprehensive view of related topics. 

The IIBA ECBA is ideal for anyone new to business analysis, while the BABOK is a comprehensive reference book that focuses on processes and standards. OMG certifications such as OCUP2 and OCEB2 offer you additional skills in the areas of modeling and process management. The BCS Certificate, on the other hand, is aimed at people who would rather learn about the strategic aspects of business analysis.

Choosing the right certification ultimately depends on your professional goals. Do you want to gain a deep understanding of requirements engineering and the best techniques? Then IREB is the right choice. However, if you prefer a broader focus on business analysis, modeling or process management, then the other certificates are suitable alternatives.

Conclusion: The next step in your requirements engineering career

The IREB CPRE certification is more than just proof of your skills - it is the key to exciting career opportunities and a successful future in requirements engineering. With a globally recognized certificate, you will set yourself apart from others, increase your visibility on the job market and show that you not only know the requirements of modern IT projects, but that you can master them. Our practical training courses offer you the perfect preparation to pass the CPRE exam with confidence and apply your newly acquired knowledge directly.

The Requirements Engineering Foundation Level is an important milestone to learn the basics, techniques and methods in requirements engineering and to optimally prepare for the IREB CPRE certification.

Don't miss out on this opportunity: Sign up for one of our training courses today and take the next big step in your career as a requirements engineer. We look forward to supporting you on your way!

Frequently asked questions: Requirements Engineering Certification