• Learning
• CMMI Registered Interpreter

Become a CMMI Registered Interpreter

ISACA is piloting the CMMI Registered Interpreter role in China to support non-Chinese speaking Lead Appraisers delivering appraisals where the primary spoken language is Mandarin. The Registered Interpreter must work between these languages to clearly and accurately interpret appraisal participants’ spoken word.

---

When Is an Interpreter Required?

When a non-Chinese speaking Lead Appraiser is delivering appraisals where the primary spoken language is Chinese, they must include a CMMI Registered Interpreter as an appraisal participant. The Lead Appraiser must ensure the individual is appropriately reflected as an appraisal participant (not an Appraisal Team Member) in the appraisal records, e.g., appraisal plan, appraisal system, and final findings presentation. 

Tasks

Interpreters will summarize statements made during an appraisal delivery and condense them in a clear, accurate, and concise manner without omitting any of the speaker’s key points or distorting the argument.  Interpreters may work from notes or use audio recordings of meetings to verify notes if requested by the Lead Appraiser. All appraisal artifacts must be managed in accordance with the Method Definition Document.  Artifacts may be reviewed by ISACA if the appraisal is selected for audit.

Document Review

The interpreter’s job is to clearly and accurately translate the content of original texts. Interpreters are required to read and write in both English and Chinese; they may need to translate from Chinese to English or from English to Chinese. Interpreters handle many types of documents from business processes, process improvement through statistical management, human resource documentation, safety and security documentation, software and hardware development, manufacturing and services. Multilingual documentation may be provided by the appraised organization’s appraisal sponsor, organization employees, CMMI Certified Lead Appraisers, or CMMI consultancies.

Precis Writing

Chinese and English translators may be asked to carry out services to either document proceedings of an appraisal delivery or take notes during interviews. Precis writing is the process of listening attentively to the conversations and interviews to write down all the essential points so that anyone reading their translation will be able to understand the ideas expressed during the appraisal delivery.

Schedule and Assignments

CMMI Certified Lead Appraisers are solely responsible for building their schedules directly with the organization being appraised. Only CMMI Certified Lead Appraisers are authorized to prepare appraisal schedules and coordinate the appraisal delivery with the organization acquiring the appraisal. Lead Appraisers are also solely responsible for identifying the scope of work for CMMI Registered Interpreters. Interpreters may not have dual roles on an appraisal; they may not participate as both an ATM and interpreter, nor as both a sponsor and an interpreter.  Interpreters must be under written agreement directly with Lead Appraisers.

Process for Becoming a Registered Interpreter

1. Demonstrate Mastery of the English Language

   Provide evidence of a passing score on the Test of the English Language.

   When submitting an application to ISACA, Candidate Interpreters must include exam results showing that they have satisfied specific criteria.

   If the Candidate majored in English, they are required to pass the Test of English Major (TEM) Band 8, and one of the following professional qualifications:

   • China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI), or
   • National Accreditation Examinations for Translators and Interpreters (NAETI), or
   • Shanghai Foreign Language Spoken Translator Certification Exam

   If the Candidate has not majored in English, they are required to pass the College English Test (CET) Band 6, and one of the following professional qualifications:

   • China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI), or
   • National Accreditation Examinations for Translators and Interpreters (NAETI), or
   • Shanghai Foreign Language Spoken Translator Certification Exam

   Interpreters must master the specific vocabulary (or jargon) of the CMMI appraisal method and the model(s) being appraised. CMMI’s global adoption poses a special challenge to interpreters because they must be able to comprehend various regional accents in addition to coping with issues of speed and style. 

2. Achieve CMMI Associate Certification

   Interpreters are required to have wide-range knowledge of CMMI. Knowledge of terminology related to organizational processes, process improvement, organizational structure, organizational service delivery, and software and hardware development are necessary to fully understand the context of CMMI Model adoption and appraisal delivery.

   Appraisals require a CMMI Associate Certification. For information on how to achieve a CMMI Associate Certification, submit your request here.

3. Interview and Terminology Assessment

   • To ensure that interpreters have the requisite skill and a strong command of standard CMMI-related terms, their capabilities must be verified and approved in consultation with in-house subject matter experts. A terminology assessment will be conducted through an interview process that may include elements of a simulated appraisal delivery. Capabilities will be verified and approved through the CMMI Center of Excellence in Beijing, China.
   • Terms subject to verification will be stored in CMMI Authorized Chinese Translation documents. Each interpreter must download a personal copy of translated documents.

   Interviews will not be scheduled until a complete application is received from the Registered Interpreter Candidate.

4. Role Maintenance

   To maintain the role of Registered Interpreter, interpreters must:

   • Participate on at least one appraisal each year
   • Folllow the renewal requirements for the Certified CMMI Associate role
   • Successfully complete CMMI product upgrade trainings as required to keep CMMI roles current
   • Adhere to all applicable CMMI policies

5. Submit a Registered Interpreter Application Package

   Code of Professional Conduct (CoPC)

   All interpreters registered with ISACA must adhere to the rules of confidentiality and non-attribution and will be required to sign confidentiality and non-attribution agreeemtns, as well as appraisal plans, and final findings reports. Additionally, interpreters are required to commit to and abide by ISACA's Code of Professional Conduct. Registered Interpreters found in violation of the terms of the Code of Professional Conduct will have their registration revoked.

   *Note - Sponsorship

   The registered Interpreter role is not a Partner-sponsored role and is recognized as independent of CMMI Licensed Partners or consultancies. Lead Appraisers are encouraged to contract directly with Registered Interpreters.