Everything You Need To Know About Salesforce CTA
Becoming a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect is a huge milestone in itself since its inception and even today Architect-related talents, expertise, and credentials are in higher demand than ever. The question is what is CTA and why it is one of the most highly regarded and sought-after designation in the tech industry?
In this blog, we are going to cover all the CTA-related questions, the whys, hows, and the prerequisites to becoming a CTA.
What is a CTA?
CTA is an abbreviation for Certified Salesforce Architect. The CTA handles difficult, large-scale client challenges by developing secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions that leverage the Salesforce Platform to its maximum potential. They are the ecosystem's most credible consultants and renowned team leaders. They're significant thinkers and deep change makers who take delight in creating systems that can withstand any challenge. Salesforce Architect credentials include a number of certification pathways that recognize specialist knowledge and skills, as well as your expanding Salesforce platform competence.
What is the journey to becoming a Salesforce CTA?
Salesforce Technical Architects are supervisory strategic advisers with unique domain experience in the functional, platform, and integration architecture who focus on business transformation. They successfully convey technical solutions and tradeoffs to business stakeholders, as well as provide a delivery structure that provides performance and effectiveness.
How many certifications are required before appearing for a CTA?
Before you are qualified to attend the CTA review board, which is run by Salesforce specialists through a presentation (solution design based on the scenario presented on the day) + QA setup, you must first complete 7 necessary certifications (4 on each side, with 1 in common). System architect and Application Architect both are mandatory to clear before appearing for CTA.
How to prepare for the certification?
Trailhead Academy offers excellent preparation workshops. It is strongly advised that all applicants accept as much assistance as possible and do not turn down any offers of assistance like finding a certified coach within the community, interacting with individuals who have cleared the exam and at the end, practicing as much as possible, giving mock tests, interviews, etc.
What are the best resources?
Trailmix for the Trailhead
The Architect Journey Trailmix is a collection of Architect domain-specific trailmixes designed to assist you in developing, honing, and practicing your skills. We strongly advise you to use these trailmixes to study for the Architect Designer credential tests as well as the CTA Review Panel Exam.
Preparation Workshop for Certified Technical Architects
This interactive, online course will help you comprehend exam objectives while also strengthening your understanding of crucial concepts. The Certified Technical Architect Preparation Workshop is for experienced Salesforce Architects who plan to take the Certified Technical Architect Exam.
Trailblazer Community Architect
Please join and leverage the Architect Trailblazer Community for further information and community collaboration on your #JourneytoCTA. You'll find the following in the neighborhood:
Scenarios Examples
Links to relevant content
Other communities that are similar
What is the Assessment process like?
The assessment process is divided into two parts, the Architect Review Board Evaluation, and the Architect Review Board Exam. You must pass both the Architect Review Board Evaluation (step 1) and the Architect Review Board Exam to earn the Salesforce CTA credential (step 2).
Architect Review Board Evaluation — Only available in an online format.
Exam for the Technical Architect Review Board is offered in both online and in-person versions.
Assessment by the Architect Review Board
Read, solve, create, and justify a complex architectural solution in 60 minutes.
They have 30 minutes to offer their ideas.
30 minutes for discussion and Q&A
45 minutes to get further input and have a discussion
Review Board Exam
To read, solve, design, and justify a complete architectural solution, you'll need 180 minutes.
They get 45 minutes to pitch their ideas.
40 minutes for discussion and Q&A
What is the cost of certification?
The cost of certification is $6,000 plus taxes (Architect Review Board Evaluation- $1,500 & Architect Review Board Exam- $4,500).
However, there are far too many variables at play to precisely forecast the investment you will make. Review board fees, preparation seminars, further coaching, and more (unpaid) time off from work may all be included in your overall cost. Most CTA can get financial support from the current company they are associated with though that is not always the case with everyone and some individuals decide to fund on their own. The total investment can range from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the candidate.
Is there any kind of experience required?
5+ years of implementation experience across the whole software development lifecycle, including development
3+ years experience working as an architect
2+ years of Lightning Platform expertise, at least one of which was spent as a lead architect implementing Salesforce apps and technologies
Has worked as a technical architect on many complicated deployments, OR has earned similar experience through participating in and being exposed to these projects.
Experience advising a development team on how to leverage platform technologies effectively
Identify and address technological hazards throughout the architecture.
On a project, exposure to globalization considerations
Object-oriented design patterns knowledge
Platform-specific design patterns and limitations are recognized.
Experience writing code for the Force.com platform is a plus.
Ability to recognize platform development-related risks, concerns, and limitations
Multiple programming languages (e.g., .net, java, or ruby) and design frameworks are required.
Familiarity with typical integration patterns; familiarity with the Lightning Platform's integration
Understanding of the Lightning Platform's security complexities, methods, and capabilities, as well as the capacity to construct a solution to meet them as part of a functional security model
Data migration considerations, design trade-offs, and standard ETL technologies are all things to be aware of.
Considerations, dangers, and mitigation measures for huge data volumes
Understanding of on-platform mobile solutions and considerations, as well as general mobile solutions and architecture
Knowledge of project and development lifecycle techniques is a plus.
These are some of the frequently asked Salesforce CTA-related questions. If you have any more questions, please visit trailheads Architect Program FAQs. If you would like to know more and dig a little deeper into the subject, we have the most awaited LinkedIn Live session for this year coming up on Friday, 19th November 2021. Joining us will be the very talented and exceptional individual, Lilith Van Biesen who recently became a Salesforce CTA and we are going to ask her about her personal experiences with a live Q&A session for all our audiences at the end.
This is not a session you would want to miss. RSVP for the session here and come well prepared with your questions to get them answered by the expert herself. For more information, visit our website or get in touch with us.