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. 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.
Overview of the Awarding of Credit Points for Participation in Modules of the Advanced Level
Overview of how credit points are awarded for participation in curriculum modules.
| technological | methodical | communicative | ||
| ADOC | Architecture Documentation | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| AGILA | Agile Software Architecture | 0 | 20 | 10 |
| ARCEVAL | Architecture Evaluation | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| BLOCKCHAIN | Low-Trust Consensus in Decentralized Applications | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| CLOUDINFRA | Infrastructure, Container and Cloud Native | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| DDD | Domain Driven Design | 0 | 20 | 10 |
| EAM | Enterprise Architecture Management | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| EMBEDDED | Embedded Systems | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| FLEX | Flexible Architectural Models | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| FUNAR | Functional Software Architecture | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| IMPROVE | Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures | 10 | 20 | 0 |
| REQ4ARC | Requirements for Software Architects | 0 | 20 | 10 |
| SOA‑T | Service-oriented Architecture | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| SOFT | Soft Skills for Software Architects | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| SWAM | Mobile Architectures | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| WEB | Web Architecture | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| WEBSEC | Web Security | 20 | 10 | 0 |
The Advanced Level Modules
In the following you will find the modular program of the CPSA-Advanced Level with information about the credit points awarded for attending each module training.
TECH: Technological Competence
METHOD: Methodical Competence
COMM: Communicative Competence
MODULE ADOC
Architecture Documentation
How to document and communicate software architecture? The curriculum includes contents, methods and tools for a target-group-oriented recording of solution approaches at various points in the life of a software system.
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 do you develop safety-relevant embedded systems? With hard real-time and functional safety, the curriculum covers central topics for the development of embedded systems in a regulated environment and also addresses interactions between software and system architecture.
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 can software systems be systematically improved in line with economical and technical goals? The curriculum includes the systematic identification of problems (as-is analysis) including their business and technical prioritization as well as the design, planning and implementation of appropriate improvement measures, both tactical and strategic.
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 do you develop service-oriented architectures (SOAs)?
The curriculum includes the systematic development of service-oriented architectures (SOAs), with introductory SOA terminology, technical concepts and example technologies, as well as procedures for the design, testing and operation of SOAs. Case studies and an outlook on current developments in service-based systems complete the content.
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 is CPSA program different from TOGAF certification?
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 attend Advanced Level training courses without an existing CPSA Foundation Level certification and earn credit points for it?
Software architects who do not yet have a Foundation Level certification can also participate in the Advanced Level training courses. Successful participation in the Advanced Level courses earns credit points, which are required for a possible Advanced Level exam. However, a prerequisite for applying for an Advanced Level exam is always a successfully passed Foundation Level exam.
Is the iSAQB responsible for the quality of its training providers’ CPSA trainings?
The iSAQB operates an elaborate quality assurance system with regard to its training providers, CPSA trainings, and trainers. Our aim is to ensure a consistently high training standard for all CPSA training courses worldwide. However, despite extensive accreditation processes, the iSAQB assumes no liability for the quality of trainings provided by its accredited training partners. Furthermore, the iSAQB assumes no liability for the results of CPSA examinations.
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 areas of competence:
- Methodical competence: a systematic approach to architectural tasks, regardless of the technologies used
- Technological competence: knowledge and implementation of technology solutions used in design tasks
- Communicative competence: 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 areas of competence. It is possible that credit points are no longer rewarded for one of the three competence areas, so you would have to cover this competence area with another seminar. However, there have only been 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 of the Advanced Level Module ADOC with all learning goals and terms for the individual chapters.
Please note: A new German version of the curriculum has been released in 2021 — there have been structural changes that don’t affect the content. However, the updated English version will follow soon. Current versions that are available here:
English version: Version 1.5 ( February 2015)
Deutsche Version: 2021.1‑DE-20210122
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
The iSAQB Glossary covers the basic terminology of software architecture. The glossary is available in English, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Additional languages are in preparation. Please note that only the English version contains a detailed explanation of all terms.
Industry Excellence
All CPSA® training courses are conducted by iSAQB® Accredited Trainers and Training Providers. Profit from these excellent iSAQB partners!
