Preparing Your Competency Document video goes briefly about the documents the you should submit as a candidate for Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program. Below are the notes I have take while watching the video.

• Technical depth has least weight
• MCA is technology  agnostic program.
• Architect needs to have technical depth in some area of his choice.
• Architect needs to have the broad knowledge of the existing technologies on the market.
• Architect must be able to answer the question “Are you able to invest the budget smart?”
• The documents should reflect you are familiar with organization dynamics – crisis, politics, dealing with tension, etc.
• Reflect on your role as a leader – what was the impact of your work? How many followed you?
• Reflect on how you build your succession.
• Reflect on your mentoring strategies and how many you mentored.
• Reflect on your communication skills – you are tested for it during the presentation, when reading your docs, and during open question part.
• Reflect on  how you communicate with peers and people inside you projects.
• Reflect on methodologies you used to organize the project.
• Show you are able to communicate in common language – do not reinvent the toolbox to each project.
• Reflect on your strategy skills– strategic decision making, strategic thinking, being able make decision, shape decision, suggest decision to leadership based on trends in industry.

Resources

• Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) - Preparing For The Review Board Interview Video Distilled
• MCA Review Board Interview Video Distilled
• MCA Program – Certification Process Overview
• MCA Review Board Process
• Solution Architect Competencies - Part I
• Solutions Architecture Foundations Hub
• What Do Solution Architect And Enterprise Architect Do?
• Training Resources For Aspiring Enterprise Architect

    Review  board interview is the critical part of the MCA certification program. It is discussed in the Preparing for the Review Board Interview video. Below are the notes I have taken when I watched the video.

• Key to success is no different of any other interview.
• Before interview you should make yourself very familiar with the documents you submitted (resume, case study, presentation, skills template, etc).
• You should be well prepared for  presentation.
• Ensure presentation compliments the submitted materials/documents.
• Practice the presentation.
• Familiarize with competencies – show you mastered it.
• The interview conducted by 7 people – practice and rehearse with friend, instruct them to make it hard for you, not harsh but be a tough crowd.
• Ask to provide feedback.
• When you asked a question you  do not know the answer – say you do not know it, do not try to make up the answer, chances one of the board members knows it well and you might only make it worse.
• Ask clarifying questions.
• Do not ramble – time is precious.
• Relax – watch the videos, should not be anything new to you.

Resources

• MCA Review Board Interview Video Distilled
• MCA Program – Certification Process Overview
• MCA Review Board Process
• Solution Architect Competencies - Part I
• Solutions Architecture Foundations Hub
• What Do Solution Architect And Enterprise Architect Do?
• Training Resources For Aspiring Enterprise Architect

• Review process conducted quarterly.
• The board of 7 members reviews 13 candidates during a week.
• 3 hours per candidate
• The process:
  • 10 minutes for set up.
  • Introductions.
  • 30 minutes presentation to the board.
  • Candidate shows the 7 skills throughout the presentation.
  • During 30 minutes of the presentation it is candidate’s prime time, only interrupted for clarifying. Generally no interruptions.
  • Show 7 competencies.
  • 10 minutes for each member of the board to ask questions.
  • Precision technique questions methods – expect to be cut off.
  • 5 minutes break – candidate leave the room – the board discusses what they saw and what they did not.
  • 10 minutes Q&A – wide open questions.
  • 5 minutes for closing remarks – candidate may say thanks or add whatever he likes.
  • Done
• Members go through process of determining whether the candidate deserves MCA – thumbs up/down, giving each competencies “does not meet”, “meets” or “exceeds�� mark.
• The board shares general impressions and notes taken during 2 hours review process.
• The board makes recommendations – provide feedback to the candidate where he can improve.
• Final vote, thumbs up/down.
• 3 members must give thumbs up to achieve the MCA certification.
• The candidate should expect an email after two weeks with the decision on his performance during the review.

Resources

• MCA Program – Certification Process Overview
• MCA Review Board Process
• Solution Architect Competencies - Part I
• Solutions Architecture Foundations Hub
• What Do Solution Architect And Enterprise Architect Do?
• Training Resources For Aspiring Enterprise Architect