MCA

© September 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Part No. X17-94940

Microsoft Certified ArchitectReach for the pinnacle of IT certification

Program and Certification Overview

You’re an accomplished IT architect who designs robust Microsoft® solutionsfor enterprises. Your technical acumen and leadership skills are exceptional.And now you’re just one certification away from achieving the highest level of certification that Microsoft offers—Microsoft Certified Architect.

Join the ranks of the world’s top architects The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program helps enable the highest-achieving professionals in IT architecture to distinguish their expertise. Earning the MCA Certification validates your advanced proficiency as you become a member of an exclusive, world-class community of experts.Reach for the highest level of certification and demonstrate your ability to solve complex architectural business problems—become a Microsoft Certified Architect.

Choose your MCA certification path Each MCA certification validates the ability to architect large-scale, complex solutions for a specific Microsoft server platform. The certification process requires candidates to submit evidence of their expertise and then defend that submission before an MCA Review Board of Microsoft Certified Architects. MCAs are recognized as individuals who hold the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.

Microsoft currently offers four MCA certifications:

> MCA: Microsoft Exchange Server > MCA: Microsoft SQL Server

> MCA: Microsoft SharePoint Server > MCA: Windows Server: Directory

Steps to becoming a Microsoft Certified ArchitectSuccessful candidates generally have ten or more years of IT experience, and five or more years of specific architectural experience. Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification is a prerequisite for all four MCA certifications. The process of becoming an MCA includes these steps:

Step 1: Earn a current MCM certification. Learn more about the MCM Program at www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

Step 2: Register for the Microsoft Certified Architect program. Register at www.microsoft.com/learning/architect Note: The application fee for the MCA program is a non-refundable US$125. If you are accepted into the program, the fee to appear before the MCA Review Board is US$7,500. The Review Board fee is non-refundable unless canceled

at least 60 days prior to the date of the scheduled review.

Step 3: Review the program resources. After you register for the MCA program, you will be granted access to resources to help you prepare for your MCA Review Board.

Step 4: Prepare the required program documentation. Prepare a portfolio that includes your work history, a project case study, and a project

presentation, all of which should show how your skills and work experience directly apply to each of the six MCA competencies.

Step 5: Submit your documentation and schedule your interview.

Once your portfolio is complete, submit the documentation for review by the program manager for your technology track. If your portfolio addresses the objective content requirements for an effective Review Board session, the program manager will approve you to schedule a Review Board. Once the portfolio documentation is approved, you then pay the program fee and schedule your appearance before the Review Board.

For more information on the MCA Program visit: www.microsoft.com/learning/architect

“The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) for SharePoint 2010 is the first certification to truly address the industry need for validation of enterprise architecture practices for SharePoint in an ever broadening field of both technical approach and business strategy.”

Spencer Harbar / Enterprise Architect / Harbar.net

MCA BENEFITS

MCA REVIEW BOARD AGENDA

1. Discover and refine requirements

• Discover business landscape project goals, business environment, culture, industry, business requirements, stakeholders

• Discover technical landscape technical dependencies, technical requirements, maturity model, delivery methodology/framework(s)

• Discover/refine requirements clarifications, refinements, changes, engagement terms

2. Analyze and prioritize requirements

• Analyze and prioritize project requirementsacceptance criteria, risks, design goals

• Analyze and prioritize external factors project constraints, risks

• Analyze business value; prioritize conflicts and interdependencies project impact, alternatives and consequences

3. Design a solution that meets requirements

• Design for business requirements project scoping and planning, cost-benefit analysis, roadmap planning, attainment of goals

• Design for technical requirements durability, innovation, service delivery method selection, test regimen, roadmap planning

• Design for operations requirements effectiveness, process integration, support planning

4. Govern solution delivery, operation, and maintenance

• Select and apply delivery methodology standard delivery methodology usage, suitability

• Build stabilize/Testing and validation completeness, test validation, use of acceptance criteria

• Deployment pilot planning and execution, milestone management

• Operate and maintain the solution governance process, roles and responsibilities, service monitoring

• Adoption and solution lifecycle management documentation, training, process/solution improvement

5. Demonstrate effective leadership skills

• Project delivery project scale, solution complexity, prioritization

• Project leadership leadership as it relates to specific project teams

• External leadership leadership as it relates to those external to the project team

• Thought leadership and mentoring community impact, thought leadership

6. Demonstrate effective communication skills

• Documentation skills structure, content, persuasiveness, mechanics, use of visual aids

• Presentation and facilitation skills structure, delivery, clarity, use of visual aids

• Situational awareness; extemporaneous communication skills cultural/behavioral awareness, communication tool selection

• Listening and feedback skills active listening, feedback solicitation

• Conflict resolution and composure composure, focus, conflict recognition and resolution

Microsoft Certified ArchitectProgram and Certification Overview

MCA

The many benefits of earning your MCA certification In addition to its opportunity to bring about career advancement and higher earning potential, becoming a Microsoft Certified Architect offers these benefits:

• Recognition for achieving the capstone certification from Microsoft, proving your ability to architect large-scale complex solutions with Microsoft technologies.

• Membership on the MCA distribution list in your specific solution area.

• Promotion of your name and technical services on Microsoft’s website.

• Potential to participate on future MCA board review panels and in beta exam development.

Benefits for hiring managers and Microsoft Partners: • Reward and retain top talent by investing in their achievement of this top certification.

• Deliver top notch architectural services to your customers.

• Distinguish your organization from others with the top Microsoft certification available.

• Increase project scope and revenue, and improve customer retention.

Meet the MCA Review BoardThe Review Board interview is the cornerstone of MCA certification. It provides experienced consultants the opportunity to demonstrate their technical expertise and business acumen to an appointed committee of industry experts. The process is both challenging and rewarding, giving candidates the unique opportunity to showcase their work as an architect, and the impact they’ve made on the project they’ve chosen to present.

The portfolio submission, case study, presentation and Q&A sessions are focused on solutions for the Microsoft server technology associated with the respective MCA technology track. The board members—each of whom is a leading expert in the respective server technology—will focus on evaluating candidates across the various solution workload(s) served by that technology.

MCA candidates who successfully demonstrate their mastery of six select competencies to the Review Board earn their MCA certification and entrance into the exclusive MCA community. These competencies are covered in detail on the following page.

More than

60% of respondents In a 2010 survey of Microsoft Certified Masters and Architects reported that their advanced certifications increased their requests for participation in active projects.

• Portfolio Presentation

• Portfolio Q & A

• Case Study Preparation

• Case Study Presentation

• Case Study Q&A

• Deliberation and Conclusion

Six select competencies required to achieve MCA certificationKey considerations are presented in italics

MCA BENEFITS

MCA REVIEW BOARD AGENDA

1. Discover and refine requirements

• Discover business landscape project goals, business environment, culture, industry, business requirements, stakeholders

• Discover technical landscape technical dependencies, technical requirements, maturity model, delivery methodology/framework(s)

• Discover/refine requirements clarifications, refinements, changes, engagement terms

2. Analyze and prioritize requirements

• Analyze and prioritize project requirementsacceptance criteria, risks, design goals

• Analyze and prioritize external factors project constraints, risks

• Analyze business value; prioritize conflicts and interdependencies project impact, alternatives and consequences

3. Design a solution that meets requirements

• Design for business requirements project scoping and planning, cost-benefit analysis, roadmap planning, attainment of goals

• Design for technical requirements durability, innovation, service delivery method selection, test regimen, roadmap planning

• Design for operations requirements effectiveness, process integration, support planning

4. Govern solution delivery, operation, and maintenance

• Select and apply delivery methodology standard delivery methodology usage, suitability

• Build stabilize/Testing and validation completeness, test validation, use of acceptance criteria

• Deployment pilot planning and execution, milestone management

• Operate and maintain the solution governance process, roles and responsibilities, service monitoring

• Adoption and solution lifecycle management documentation, training, process/solution improvement

5. Demonstrate effective leadership skills

• Project delivery project scale, solution complexity, prioritization

• Project leadership leadership as it relates to specific project teams

• External leadership leadership as it relates to those external to the project team

• Thought leadership and mentoring community impact, thought leadership

6. Demonstrate effective communication skills

• Documentation skills structure, content, persuasiveness, mechanics, use of visual aids

• Presentation and facilitation skills structure, delivery, clarity, use of visual aids

• Situational awareness; extemporaneous communication skills cultural/behavioral awareness, communication tool selection

• Listening and feedback skills active listening, feedback solicitation

• Conflict resolution and composure composure, focus, conflict recognition and resolution

Microsoft Certified ArchitectProgram and Certification Overview

MCA

The many benefits of earning your MCA certification In addition to its opportunity to bring about career advancement and higher earning potential, becoming a Microsoft Certified Architect offers these benefits:

• Recognition for achieving the capstone certification from Microsoft, proving your ability to architect large-scale complex solutions with Microsoft technologies.

• Membership on the MCA distribution list in your specific solution area.

• Promotion of your name and technical services on Microsoft’s website.

• Potential to participate on future MCA board review panels and in beta exam development.

Benefits for hiring managers and Microsoft Partners: • Reward and retain top talent by investing in their achievement of this top certification.

• Deliver top notch architectural services to your customers.

• Distinguish your organization from others with the top Microsoft certification available.

• Increase project scope and revenue, and improve customer retention.

Meet the MCA Review BoardThe Review Board interview is the cornerstone of MCA certification. It provides experienced consultants the opportunity to demonstrate their technical expertise and business acumen to an appointed committee of industry experts. The process is both challenging and rewarding, giving candidates the unique opportunity to showcase their work as an architect, and the impact they’ve made on the project they’ve chosen to present.

The portfolio submission, case study, presentation and Q&A sessions are focused on solutions for the Microsoft server technology associated with the respective MCA technology track. The board members—each of whom is a leading expert in the respective server technology—will focus on evaluating candidates across the various solution workload(s) served by that technology.

MCA candidates who successfully demonstrate their mastery of six select competencies to the Review Board earn their MCA certification and entrance into the exclusive MCA community. These competencies are covered in detail on the following page.

More than

60% of respondents In a 2010 survey of Microsoft Certified Masters and Architects reported that their advanced certifications increased their requests for participation in active projects.

• Portfolio Presentation

• Portfolio Q & A

• Case Study Preparation

• Case Study Presentation

• Case Study Q&A

• Deliberation and Conclusion

Six select competencies required to achieve MCA certificationKey considerations are presented in italics

MCA

© September 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Part No. X17-94940

Microsoft Certified ArchitectReach for the pinnacle of IT certification

Program and Certification Overview

You’re an accomplished IT architect who designs robust Microsoft® solutionsfor enterprises. Your technical acumen and leadership skills are exceptional.And now you’re just one certification away from achieving the highest level of certification that Microsoft offers—Microsoft Certified Architect.

Join the ranks of the world’s top architects The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program helps enable the highest-achieving professionals in IT architecture to distinguish their expertise. Earning the MCA Certification validates your advanced proficiency as you become a member of an exclusive, world-class community of experts.Reach for the highest level of certification and demonstrate your ability to solve complex architectural business problems—become a Microsoft Certified Architect.

Choose your MCA certification path Each MCA certification validates the ability to architect large-scale, complex solutions for a specific Microsoft server platform. The certification process requires candidates to submit evidence of their expertise and then defend that submission before an MCA Review Board of Microsoft Certified Architects. MCAs are recognized as individuals who hold the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.

Microsoft currently offers four MCA certifications:

> MCA: Microsoft Exchange Server > MCA: Microsoft SQL Server

> MCA: Microsoft SharePoint Server > MCA: Windows Server: Directory

Steps to becoming a Microsoft Certified ArchitectSuccessful candidates generally have ten or more years of IT experience, and five or more years of specific architectural experience. Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification is a prerequisite for all four MCA certifications. The process of becoming an MCA includes these steps:

Step 1: Earn a current MCM certification. Learn more about the MCM Program at www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

Step 2: Register for the Microsoft Certified Architect program. Register at www.microsoft.com/learning/architect Note: The application fee for the MCA program is a non-refundable US$125. If you are accepted into the program, the fee to appear before the MCA Review Board is US$7,500. The Review Board fee is non-refundable unless canceled

at least 60 days prior to the date of the scheduled review.

Step 3: Review the program resources. After you register for the MCA program, you will be granted access to resources to help you prepare for your MCA Review Board.

Step 4: Prepare the required program documentation. Prepare a portfolio that includes your work history, a project case study, and a project

presentation, all of which should show how your skills and work experience directly apply to each of the six MCA competencies.

Step 5: Submit your documentation and schedule your interview.

Once your portfolio is complete, submit the documentation for review by the program manager for your technology track. If your portfolio addresses the objective content requirements for an effective Review Board session, the program manager will approve you to schedule a Review Board. Once the portfolio documentation is approved, you then pay the program fee and schedule your appearance before the Review Board.

For more information on the MCA Program visit: www.microsoft.com/learning/architect

“The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) for SharePoint 2010 is the first certification to truly address the industry need for validation of enterprise architecture practices for SharePoint in an ever broadening field of both technical approach and business strategy.”

Spencer Harbar / Enterprise Architect / Harbar.net