PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE IN 18 MODULES & 3 AREAS OF COMPETENCE
The CPSA®
Advanced Level – iSAQB® Advanced Training in Software Architecture
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 |
| DSL | Domain-Specific Languages | 10 | 20 | 0 |
| EAM | Enterprise Architecture Management | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| EMBEDDED | Embedded Systems | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| FLEX | Flexible Architecture Models | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| FUNAR | Functional Software Architecture | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| GREEN | Green Software – Development of Resource-Efficient Applications | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| IMPROVE | Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures | 10 | 20 | 0 |
| REQ4ARC | Requirements for Software Architects | 0 | 20 | 10 |
| SOFT | Soft Skills for Software Architects | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| SWARC4AI | Software Architecture for AI Systems | 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 do you accomplish effective architecture work in agile teams and projects? What changes in the architecture discipline through the influence of agile principles, agile process models, and agile values?
Credit Points for AGILA Training Courses
Technological Competence
Tech
0
Methodical Competence
METHOD
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
10
AGILA
MODULE ARCEVAL
Architecture Evaluation
What are contemporary means to review the architecture of a software solution? And how can you condense findings, set impulses, and use lean designs in agile environments?
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 do you leverage blockchain technologies to establish consensus in distributed, low-trust systems? Learn how to design decentralized architectures.
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 do you design a domain-related architecture in cooperation with domain experts and developers? The curriculum includes modeling techniques and architecture tools to use domain expertise as a basis for dividing the system into domain-specific modules (strategic design) and for constructing inside the modules (tactical design).
Credit Points for DDD Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
10
DDD
MODULE DSL
Domain-Specific Languages
Enhance configurability, empower users, and guarantee critical properties with domain-specific languages!
Credit Points for DSL Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
10
Methodical Competence
Method
20
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
DSL
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 Architecture Models
How do you develop flexible architectures? The curriculum includes modern architecture approaches such as microservices, continuous delivery, and self-contained systems as well as up-to-date principles for the operation of such systems.
Credit Points for FLEX Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
FLEX
MODULE FUNAR
Functional Software Architecture
What’s the most effective way to decouple the components of your architecture, and build powerful and flexible models at the same time? Functional Architecture does all of that and more with the help of immutable data, combinators, and powerful math-based abstractions.
Credit Points for FUNAR Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
FUNAR
MODULE GREEN
Green Software – Development of Resource-Efficient Applications
How do you design software architectures for sustainable and energy-efficient IT systems?
Credit Points for GREEN Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
10
Methodical Competence
Method
10
Communicative Competence
Comm
0
GREEN
MODULE IMPROVE
Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures
How do you systematically improve existing software systems (“legacy”), aligned with technical and economic goals?
The curriculum addresses the systematic search for problems and technical debt as well as the prioritization of these problems from an organizational, technical, and business perspective. It also addresses typical strategic and tactical approaches to improve existing systems.
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 SOFT
Soft Skills for Software Architects
What skills do software architects need in practice in addition to technical know-how and hard skills? This module teaches practical, recipient-oriented communication skills, moderation of challenging groups, and conflict resolution skills for communicating with the various stakeholders involved in IT projects.
Credit Points for SOFT Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
0
Methodical Competence
METHOD
0
Communicative Competence
COMM
30
SOFT
MODULE SWARC4AI
Software Architecture for AI Systems
What essential knowledge do software architects need for developing modern software architectures for AI systems?
Credit Points for SWARC4AI Training Courses
Technological Competence
TECH
20
Methodical Competence
METHOD
10
Communicative Competence
COMM
0
SWARC4AI
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.
- 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 – Advanced Level Task Developer Kit
This folder contains three documents (German only):
“cpsa-a-aufgabe-Template.docx”
Template for a task (incl. hints on what a task developer has to fill in)
“cpsa-a-pruefkriterien-Template.docx”
Template for an examination guideline (incl. hints on what a task developer has to fill in)
“cpsa-a-leitfaden_aufgabenstellung.docx”
Guide for task creators
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 DSL – Domain-Specific Languages
Curriculum Module EAM – Enterprise Architecture Management for Software Architects
Curriculum Module FLEX – Flexible Architectural Models
Curriculum Module FUNAR – Functional Software Architecture
Curriculum Module GREEN – Green Software – Development of Resource-Efficient Applications
Curriculum Module IMPROVE – Evolution and Improvement of Software Architectures
Curriculum Module REQ4ARC – Requirements for Software Architects
Curriculum Module SOFT – Soft Skills for Software Architects
Curriculum Module SWARC4AI – Software Architecture for AI Systems
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 and German versions contain 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!
