PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE IN 17 MODULES & 3 AREAS OF COMPETENCE
The CPSA®-
Advanced Level
As a follow-on to the Foundation Level, the CPSA-Advanced Level (CPSA‑A®) is the next logical step in qualifying software architecture professionals. Developed according to the iSAQB’s specification, this training scheme follows a modular structure and requires successful participants to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and skills.
Advanced Level Program
Deepen your Knowledge
The CPSA® Advanced Level program
The Advanced Level training program deepens the knowledge in the competence areas of methodology, technology and communication. In various training courses for the Advanced Level modules, the necessary credit points for the Certified Professional for Software Architecture-Advanced Level (CPSA‑A®) exam can be collected. Certification at Advanced Level requires prior completion of the Foundation Level.
deepen your knowledge
Training objectives
A CPSA‑A® certification requires a great deal of time and effort, and places high demands on the expertise and experience of candidates. Software architects who have earned CPSA‑A® certification are able to:
The Three Areas of Competence at Advanced Level
Competence in
Methodology
A systematic approach to architectural tasks, regardless of the technologies used.
Competence in
Technology
Knowledge and implementation of technology solutions used in design tasks
Competence in
Communication
Communication, presentation, argumentation and moderation skills as well as the ability to cooperate productively with different stakeholders
Participants receive a defined number of credit points for successful participation in an Advanced Level training course. Participants who wish to register for the CPSA‑A® examination will need at least 70 credit points in total. All three areas of competence must be covered with at least 10 credit points each. Each day of training is worth 10 credit points. A maximum of 30 credit points is granted for a training for one module, even if it takes longer than 3 days in some cases.
The Advanced Level Modules
The Advanced Level program’s structure is modular with a curriculum consisting of individual modules, each focusing on a particular core topic pertaining to the skills required of a software architecture professional.
TECH: Technological Competence
MECH: Methodical Competence
COMM: Communicative Competence
MODULE ADOC
Architecture Documentation
How to document and communicate software architectures
Credit Points for ADOC Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
METHOD
20
Communicative Competence
COMM
0
ADOC
MODULE AGILA
Agile Software Architecture
How to accomplish effective architecture work in agile teams and projects
Credit Points for AGILA Training Courses
Technological Competence
Tech
0
Methodical Competence
METHOD
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
10
AGILA
MODULE ARCEVAL
Architecture Evaluation
How to determine whether architecture meets expectations
Credit Points for ARCEVAL Training Courses
Technological Competence
Tech
0
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
ARCEVAL
MODULE BLOCKCHAIN
Low-Trust Consensus in Decentralized Applications
How to leverage blockchain technologies to establish consensus in distributed, low-trust systems
Credit Points for BLOCKCHAIN Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
BLOCKCHAIN
MODULE CLOUDINFRA
Infrastructure, Container and Cloud Native
How to design and implement adjustable infrastructure for the Cloud
Credit Points for CLOUDINFRA Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
CLOUDINFRA
MODULE DDD
Domain Driven Design
How to design functional architecture in cooperation with experts and developers
Credit Points for DDD Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
10
DDD
MODULE EAM
Enterprise Architecture Management
How to maintain consistency within a large IT system and application landscape
Credit Points for EAM Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
Method
30
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
EAM
MODULE EMBEDDED
Embedded Systems
How to design embedded systems that have a direct impact on their environments
Credit Points for EMBEDDED Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
EMBEDDED
MODULE FLEX
Flexible Architectural Models
How to develop most flexible architectures? The curriculum includes modern architecture approaches such as microservices, continuous delivery and self-contained systems as well as current principles for the operation of such solutions.
Credit Points for FLEX Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
FLEX
MODULE FUNAR
Functional Software Architecture
How to design architecture with functions, immutable data, and combinators
Credit Points for FUNAR Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
FUNAR
MODULE IMPROVE
Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures
How to improve software systems systematically, focussed on economic and technical objectives
Credit Points for IMPROVE Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
10
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
IMPROVE
MODULE REQ4ARC
Requirements for Software Architects
How to equip architects and development teams with enough requirements engineering know-how, so that they can take educated architecture decisions, based on the real needs of stakeholders
Credit Points for REQ4ARC Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
10
REQ4ARC
MODULE SOA‑T
Service-oriented Architecture
How to design service-oriented architecture
Credit Points for SOA‑T Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
SOA‑T
MODULE SOFT
Soft Skills for Software Architects
How can software architects lead and moderate discussions on architecture determination and present their architecture in a comprehensible manner?
Credit Points for SOFT Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
METHOD
0
Communicative Competence
COMM
30
SOFT
MODULE SWAM
Mobile Architectures
How to design architecture for mobile end devices
Credit Points for SWAM Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
SWAM
MODULE WEB
Web Architecture
How to design effective and secure web-based systems
Credit Points for WEB Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
30
Methodical Competence
Method
0
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
WEB
MODULE WEBSEC
Web Security
What is “security”? How to integrate security into your Analysis and Development Lifecycle with a technical focus on web-based systems?
Credit Points for WEBSEC Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
WEBSEC
Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Are credit points awarded for participation in online training courses at Advanced Level?
For online training courses at Advanced Level you will receive an official iSAQB participation certificate with the respective credit points.
Are participation certificates for Advanced Level training courses also issued if a training course has to be cancelled through no fault of one’s own, or if the participation is delayed?
For Advanced Level training courses, participation certificates with the designated credit points can only be issued if a participant has attended at least 75% of the training. If less than 75% have been completed, the intended credit points may not be awarded. It is necessary to repeat the entire training or to make up for the missing part in order to earn the credit points. In any case, this regulation also applies to reasons that are not the fault of the participant (e.g. illness, accidents, traffic jams, etc.).
How does iSAQB compliment TOGAF?
Alongside the TOGAF training, the CPSA program rates highly in companies internationally. Compared to the TOGAF training, the CPSA program generally places more emphasis on the practical implementation of IT systems.
I have lost my certificate. Can it be reissued?
If your certificate has been lost, you can contact the certification body that took your exam or the iSAQB. Generally, you can request a copy of your certificate within 10 years after the date of the exam.
Is it possible to take part in the Advanced Level training without existing certification?
Even software architects who do not yet have Foundation Level certification and/or do not wish to obtain Advanced Level certification can participate in the Advanced Level training courses, it is of great value for their daily work.
May I call myself “Software Architect” after passing the exam?
The CPSA certification is not a vocational qualification, but a proof of knowledge in the field of software architecture. The iSAQB is not entitled to award vocational qualifications, so we propose you call yourself “Certified Professional for Software Architecture by iSAQB” after passing the exam.
In Germany it is unclear if it is legally allowed to call oneself “Software Architect”. We recommend you inform yourself about the laws regarding the vocational qualifications in your country.
What does the Advanced Level curriculum include?
For the purpose of CPSA‑A training, the iSAQB has defined the three following skills areas:
- Methodical skills: a systematic approach to architectural tasks, regardless of the technologies used
- Technological skills: knowledge and implementation of technology solutions used in design tasks
- Communicative skills: communication, presentation, argumentation and moderation skills as well as the ability to cooperate productively with different stakeholders
What should I consider regarding credit points?
The credit points can be revaluated by the iSAQB every 12 months. If you plan your training measures over some years you should consider this, in case you focus mostly on the number of points for the individual seminars. This revaluation can apply to the number of points as well as to the distribution to the skill areas. It is possible, that credit points are no longer given for one of the three skill areas, so that you would have to cover this skill area with another seminar. However, there were only very few changes so far.
Which requirements must I fulfil to access Advanced Level certification?
- Successful training and certification at CPSA‑F level (Certified Professional for Software Architecture, Foundation Level).
- A minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the IT industry, including the involvement in the design and development of at least two different IT systems. Exceptions can be granted upon application (for instance involvement in open source projects).
- Training and further education within the scope of iSAQB Advanced Level trainings of at least 70 credit points. All three areas of competence must be covered with at least 10 credit points each. Existing certifications can be credited to these credit points upon application.
- Successful completion of the CPSA‑A certification task, including an interview with two independent examiners appointed by the iSAQB.
Who may offer and conduct CPSA Advanced Level training?
Trainings at CPSA Advanced Level may only be offered and conducted by training providers accredited by the iSAQB. Accredited training providers have proven the high quality of their CPSA training offers and are committed to the iSAQB accreditation conditions.
Downloads
Advanced Level – Examination Rules
Advanced Level Info Brochure
Curriculum Module ADOC – Architecture Documentation
Curriculum Module AGILA – Agile Software Architecture
Curriculum Module ARCEVAL – Architecture Evaluation
Curriculum Module BLOCKCHAIN – Low-Trust Consensus in Decentralized Applications
Curriculum Module CLOUDINFRA – Infrastructure, Container and Cloud Native
Curriculum Module DDD – Domain Driven Design
Curriculum Module EAM – Enterprise Architecture Management
Curriculum Module FLEX – Flexible Architectural Models
Curriculum Module FUNAR – Functional Software Architecture
Curriculum Module IMPROVE – Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures
Curriculum Module REQ4ARC – Requirements for Software Architects
Curriculum Module SOA‑T – Service-oriented Architecture
Curriculum Module SOFT – Soft Skills for Software Architects
Curriculum Module SWAM – Mobile Architectures
Curriculum Module WEB – Web Architecture
Curriculum Module WEBSEC – Web Security
General Info Brochure
Glossary of Software Architecture Terminology
This document provides translations of terms between English and the respective language. The English version also contains explanations for the single terms.
Industry Excellence
All CPSA® training courses are conducted by iSAQB® Accredited Trainers and Training Providers. Profit from these excellent iSAQB partners!
