ABOUT THE iSAQB®
The Association
The International Software Architecture Qualification Board (iSAQB®) brings together professional software architecture experts from industry, consulting, training, academia, and other organizations.
About the iSAQB®
The iSAQB® promotes international standards in software architecture
The International Software Architecture Qualification Board (iSAQB) is an association comprised of leading industry experts, consulting firms, and educational thought leaders. As a non-profit organization, the iSAQB develops technological standards and certifications in the field of software architecture. The main goal of the iSAQB is the standardization and continuous improvement and growth of the knowledge of software architects on a global scale.
CPSA® – Internationally recognized education and training program
of the iSAQB®
As holder of the international certification system Certified Professional for Software Architecture (CPSA®), the iSAQB itself does not conduct any training courses or examinations. It does, however, establish training and examination regulations, accredits training organizations as well as independent certification bodies and defines the necessary processes.
The iSAQB follows the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024 standard and therefore does not perform CPSA® certifications itself. The responsibility for this lies solely with the licensed certification partners that conduct and evaluate tests as well as the issuing of certificates for successful participants. This ensures that all CPSA® certifications are always performed neutrally and independently.
The CPSA® program is aimed at all those who work on solution structures in IT projects: primarily software architects, developers, and quality assurance specialists, but also systems analysts who would like to improve the communication with their developers.
The iSAQB® in Numbers
Ever since the iSAQB was founded, more than 30,000 CPSA® certified professionals worldwide have successfully completed at least one of the two CPSA® levels – the Foundation Level (CPSA‑F®) and the Advanced Level (CPSA‑A®). An Expert Level (CPSA‑E®) will soon be added as a further and highest certification level. Over 150 members and member companies are part of the iSAQB. They promote the work of the board or actively participate in the working groups of the association.
Past & Present
History of the iSAQB®
The predecessor organization of the iSAQB was founded in 2001 as the German Software Architecture Board. The first CPSA® training took place the following year. In 2008 the organization was renamed, and thus the International Software Architecture Qualification Board e. V. (iSAQB e. V.) was founded. In the meantime, the iSAQB has developed into a globally recognized expert association for the personal certification of software architecture professionals.
Organization of the iSAQB®
The iSAQB e. V. is the central organization and origin of the iSAQB. The association’s area of responsibility lies primarily in the definition and maintenance of the examination regulations as well as the new and further development of the content of all CPSA® curricula. The strategic direction of the entire certification and training program is determined primarily by the Strategy Council.
The iSAQB GmbH was founded in 2018 as operating company of the iSAQB e. V. It is a reliable service partner for all CPSA® certified and interested parties, training providers, certification bodies, universities, and cooperating organizations. The tasks of the iSAQB GmbH include a large part of the economic and administrative activities as well as marketing activities of the iSAQB. Like the association, the GmbH also works without the intention of making a profit. The management of the GmbH reports to the advisory board of the association.
Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you become a member of the iSAQB?
You can apply for membership or sponsorship at any time (a corresponding application form is available here). As an active member, you should spend approximately ten days a year working for the iSAQB — in one or more working groups of your choice. Preference will be given to new members who have experience in training software architects.
Which different types of membership are there at the iSAQB?
All iSAQB members work on a voluntary basis. There are different types of membership at the International Software Architecture Qualification Board:
Active Board Members
Active members are elected by the general meeting and have a right to vote on all important decisions within the association. An active member can be an individual or a representative of a sponsoring company. In order to receive the status of an active member, one has to have worked actively and productively in one or more iSAQB working groups for a longer period of time.
Supporting Board Members
Supporting members are usually individuals. They can have the status of an active or passive member. Supporting members do not pay a membership fee.
Sponsoring Board Members
Sponsoring members are usually companies that wish to support the iSAQB and its goals with their membership fees. These can be training providers, but also end users or software development and consulting companies.
Who are the people behind the association, and what are its aims?
The association was founded in 2008 by about 20 volunteers. The iSAQB e. V. brings together various software architecture experts. Its members include professionals from industry, consulting, training, academia, and other organizations or associations. The purpose of the association is to standardize the training of software architects internationally.
Why become a financially supporting (sponsoring) member of the iSAQB?
We take care of the development and administration of standard curricula for software architects (CPSA Certified Professional for Software Architecture®). This includes the definition of exams for certification based on the CPSA curricula as well as guaranteeing the professional quality of further training for software architects. The iSAQB e. V. (registered non-profit association) itself does not provide trainings or exams, but determines examination rules and regulations, grants licenses to training course providers and certification bodies, and defines and supervises the necessary processes. All activities of the iSAQB e. V. are based on voluntary work – the active members do not receive any earnings or fees for their contribution.
As financially supporting member you become part of a broad network of experienced software architects. You benefit from the know-how of the members, who are often also training course providers. Make new contacts with industry experts and maybe even find new employees over the network.
Financially supporting members are presented on the iSAQB website. You can be presented with your company’s logo there, and show your membership of our well-respected association!
Financially supporting members are allowed to dispatch a member, who can contribute to the association’s working groups. Thus, own demands on the curricula can be introduced.
Downloads
Application for iSAQB e. V. Associate Membership
Industry Excellence
All CPSA® training courses are conducted by iSAQB® Accredited Trainers and Training Providers. Profit from these excellent iSAQB partners!
