Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? -- Juvenal (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quis_custodiet_ipsos_custodes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quis_custodiet_ipsos_

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? -- Juvenal (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quis_custodiet_ipsos_custodes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quis_custodiet_ipsos_custodes) This is a lovely idea, but suffers from a severe bootstrapping problem. How should the firm choose the technical person to hire? Or which consultants to use to recommend a technical person? I have seen plenty of situations where the technical person onboard is second-rate -- or worse. I have also seen plenty of over-priced second-rate consultants. IMHO part of the solution will be the eventual emergence of meaningful certifications of technical competence. Although problematic in a number of ways, the IEEE CSDP is probably a good first effort. Other professions are licensed, and have continuing education requirements.