Knowledge-Based Certification: A Gateway That Remained Locked

From the book: City, Data, Intelligence

In 2014, after repeated follow-ups and compiling extensive documentation, we succeeded in obtaining knowledge-based certification for our company and project. We assumed that this recognition would be a step forward—but in practice, it became an additional burden.

The requirement to have three full-time insured employees, even during the preliminary phase, imposed significant financial pressure. Moreover, the official evaluation structures often lacked a precise understanding of locally-driven innovation. In some cases, assessments were based not on technical capability or the strength of the model, but on academic degrees or the prestige of the applicant’s alma mater.

During one site visit, an expert, speaking in a condescending tone, referenced my university and implied that our inability to attract skilled personnel was its fault. I remained silent, but I did not forget.

The biggest challenge, however, was the gap between actual expertise and administrative expectations. I had often said that many hold degrees, but few possess true skills. That statement was repeatedly echoed in formal settings—earning both admiration and criticism.

During development, I also faced gender-based challenges. In a conversation with one official, I was told that if it became known that the project’s programmer was a woman, trust could not be established. I had to rely on a male specialist for technical interactions and conceal my own role. Yet, this workaround created new challenges. Individuals with academic credentials but no real skills—or conversely, skilled experts lacking professional commitment—made the path more difficult.

When it came time to renew the knowledge-based certification, we submitted complete documentation and executed code as evidence. Still, without consideration of the crises the project had endured, our request was denied.

The company’s precarious financial situation, bounced checks, and mounting pressure led to a stark reality: the certification, intended as support, had become a lock on our path—a lock that, despite its shiny appearance, constrained our creativity and freedom to innovate.

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