The Certified Technical Architect review board is the top of the Salesforce credential path. Unlike other certifications, it is not a multiple-choice exam: you design a solution to a complex business scenario and defend it in front of a panel of experienced architects.
How the board works
In broad terms, you receive a detailed scenario, have limited time to design a solution, present it, and then answer the judges' questions. Salesforce sets the prerequisites, timings and format and updates them from time to time, so read the current details on Trailhead before you plan.
The architecture domains
A board scenario touches every area an architect owns:
- System architecture: the overall landscape, which products and licences fit, and what runs where.
- Security: identity, sharing and field access for internal and external users.
- Data: the data model, large data volumes and migration.
- Solution architecture: choosing configuration, code or AppExchange for each requirement.
- Integration: patterns, APIs and error handling.
- Development lifecycle and deployment: environments, testing and release governance.
- Communication: presenting clearly, handling challenge and justifying trade-offs.
The designer certifications cover most of these domains, which is why they come before the board.
How to prepare
- Practise full scenarios under time pressure. Timing is one of the hardest parts; build a repeatable way to read, design and draw.
- Draw a standard set of diagrams. A system landscape, a data model, a role and sharing view, an integration view and a deployment view cover most boards.
- Justify every choice. Say what you considered and why you rejected it; judges probe trade-offs.
- Present to other architects. Mock boards with honest questions are the closest thing to the real experience.
How Arkton helps
The CTA board preparation course covers the board format, the architecture domains, scenario practice and presentation in 18 lessons. For the path that leads here, see The Salesforce career path: from admin to architect.