Architect training to industry
certificates: options for 2023
Our course
to TOGAF version 9.2 will be updated to version 10.
Since
the many changes are almost all small and cosmetic, there is no need to explain
more here.
Our 4 day course (onsite only) covers all the learning outcomes for the
TOGAF examinations.
TOGAF
will surely remain the most popular management
framework for programs/projects that involve architects.
Our
BCS architect certification courses are compatible with TOGAF, and overlap a
little, but have different aims.
They
will remain the “best all round courses” for architects on architecting itself.
The
BCS have replaced the former Intermediate (ICESA) certificate by a new more
basic Foundation certificate.
You now have three ways to study for the two BCS certificates for architects.
·
On-line:
3 day Foundation certificate course, then 3 day Practitioner certificate
course.
·
On-line:
4 day Foundation ++ course, then the last day of a Practitioner course.
·
Classroom:
5 day Combined F & P course (book early to avoid
disappointment).
All our courses add value beyond the examination syllabus
For those wanting even more added value, our popular ICESA course lives!
It has been updated and refreshed inside the new Foundation ++ course.
TOGAF is not a training course
in architecting. It is a management framework for programs/projects that
involve architects.
TOGAF is not TOGEAF. It is
intended to support architecture work at any level from enterprise, through
segment, to solution.
TOGAF is not prescriptive. You
are expected to tailor it. It is a menu of processes and products you select
from to help complete a substantial change to some business activity system(s).
TOGAF does not finish with the
completion of an architecture definition, it goes on to address the role
architects may play in planning and governance of system development and
steering subsequent change requests.
TOGAF is not written by The
Open Group. And since it is crowd-sourced from members of The Open Group, you
will find inconsistencies and incoherencies.
Having a TOGAF certificate
does not get you a job. It might help you to get an interview for one, since
recruiters often use it as a very crude filter to weed out time wasters.
The exam tests what you know
of TOGAF, not your experience.
Our course runs smoothly,
people get something out of it and pass the exams. Still, our BCS courses are
better for teaching architecture!
For a management framework - a
transformation process that promotes the role of architects – choose TOGAF.
For more concrete guidance on
architecture principles, processes, products and patterns – choose BCS.
Feedback from a customer who attended training courses in TOGAF, the
Zachman Framework - and then our BCS training.
·
“The BCS
course covers the key length and breadth of solution and enterprise
architecture concepts from foundation to advanced.
·
It
elaborates progressively, making it easier to comprehend architecture
frameworks and methods.
·
It suits
both novices wanting progress their career and experienced professionals
wanting to strengthen their skills and apply their knowledge across the
architecture domains.”
For dates and prices, go to the Training Calendar at http://avancier.website.
For other advice, call Graham Berrisford on 020 8949 8077, or mobile
07711 884412.
TOGAF® and ArchiMate® are registered trademarks of The Open Group.
Avancier’s
TOGAF training TOGAF is
primarily a management framework For those working
to design and plan changes to business systems. Avancier’s TOGAF course covers all the
“learning outcomes” examiners can test. TOGAF being more abstract
than BCS, it is better suited to a non-technical audience. Avancier’s 2 day TOGAF course is an
optional extra in the self-study programme below. Avancier’s 4 day TOGAF course
is available on request as a private course. |
Avancier’s
training to BCS certificates The Foundation
course provides a basic grounding in architecture terms and concepts This broader and
deeper course Foundation ++ teaches you about architecture itself. It teaches you
principles, processes, products and patterns that architects use. The Practitioner
course applies some of the knowledge acquired to a case study The course fees
and days include exams for the professional certificates. The material
being more concrete, it is better suited to software and IT architects. See
the Training Calendar for more about BCS course variations. |
Focus of training TOGAF
training focuses on the Architecture Development Method (ADM). This
is a management framework for planning a substantial transformational
change to business systems. Our 4 day course includes case study work featuring TOGAF artefacts. |
Focus of training BCS
training focuses on enterprise and solution architect knowledge and skills. It
introduces the broad sweep of architecture terms and concepts. It
outlines architecture frameworks and includes practical exercises. |
Examinations for TOGAF certificates TOGAF
certification training courses prepare you for two multiple choice
examinations; 1.
40 questions about TOGAF terms and concepts 2.
8 questions applying TOGAF concepts to short practical
scenarios. You can re-attend a training course with no
additional training fee. You
book and pay for the examination after the course in a Pearson Vue centre.
See guidance below. |
Examinations for BCS certificates BCS
certification training courses lead to and include two multiple choice
examinations; Foundation:
40 questions about architecture terms and concepts. Practitioner:
40 questions applying those concepts to a case study. You can re-attend a training course with no
additional training fee. The
BCS examination fees are included in the course price. |
The
following guidance is distilled and adapted from that offered by Markus Freimuth here How to Pass the TOGAF Exams
– Level 1 and Level 2
If you can allocate 1 or 2 hours per day, you might need to study for some weeks before the exam.
Here
are five websites and documents that help.
·
A large amount of good test
questions
·
A set of test exams for both levels
·
Official test question pack from TOGAF website (0.99$)
·
TOGAF Study Guide (59.99$)
Step 1 – Read the TOGAF study guide as thoroughly as you can.
The study guide is half the length of the full
standard.
It includes some test questions for both exam levels.
Step 2 - Attend Avancier’s Foundation
course
This will give you a better feel for what TOGAF is talking
about.
Step3 - Go through test questions you can find on the
Internet.
Try to assess whether the questions are realistic or
not.
Some websites purport to provide real test questions, but their questions are too obscure.
Do one or two test exams, for example on this website to
get a feeling for the level of detail that is required.
Step 4 - Do all the well-formed test exams that you
can find
You can get practice exams from sources such as:
· Test Questions purchased from TOGAF
website (the
packs cost 0.99$ - worth the price)
Write down the topic and look up the chapter in the full TOGAF standard.
The Study Guide answers 80-90% of all questions, but some questions
cannot be answered without looking at the full standard.
Step 5 - Book and sit the exam at a Pearson Vue centre
If you feel confident with 90% of the questions behind the links in this
article, you are more than prepared for passing the exam.
Check procedures at http://www.pearsonvue.com/theopengroup/
Check prices http://certification.opengroup.org/examinations/exam-fees.
About the
TOGAF exams.
There
are two levels: Level 1 “foundation” and level 2 “certified”.
They can be either taken separately or as “combined”
exam, which is recommended.
The passing grade is 55%, which translates to 22
correct answers.
Questions require you to know the specific terms and
concepts in the TOGAF standard.
You need to learn these by heart and do many realistic
test questions upfront.
·
the best answer gives
you 5 points,
·
the second best gives
you 3 points,
·
the third best answer
gives you 1 point, and
·
the worst answer
gives 0 points.
You need at least 60% to pass, which are 24 out of 40
points.
The questions are very different from level 1
questions.
A question is usually about one page - half the page is
a scenario – the other half is a question and four possible answer.
Apply common sense - and choose the answer that fits what you know of
what TOGAF recommends.