Software Architecture Certificate/Certification Programs

The SEI's software architecture certificate and certifications programs are based on decades of experience with software-intensive systems and supported by four widely acclaimed practitioner books in the SEI Addison-Wesley Series. Software professionals can complete one or more of three software architecture certificate programs. These programs are based on completion of specified sequences in the software architecture curriculum as depicted below.

There is a two-year allowable time period for completing any of the SEI Software Architecture Certificate Programs, starting on the date of completing the first course in the certificate sequence. All SEI software architecture certificates require that candidates achieve a score of 75% or higher on the Software Architecture: Principles and Practices examination. This examination is based on information found in the SEI Software Architecture: Principles and Practices course materials and in the course textbook, Software Architecture in Practice (2nd edition), by Len Bass, Paul Clements, and Rick Kazman.

Software professionals can take individual courses based on specific needs or interests or complete one or more of the following certificate or certification programs:

• Software Architecture Professional Certificate
• Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) Evaluator Certificate
• ATAM Leader Certification

SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

A software professional earns the SEI Software Architecture Professional Certificate by completing these courses:

• Software Architecture: Principles and Practices
• Documenting Software Architectures
• Software Architecture Design and Analysis
• Software Product Lines

This four-course sequence provides both the needed breadth and depth in software architecture concepts and practices. Beginning with an introduction to software architecture fundamentals, participants gain experience in effective architecture documentation, design, and analysis techniques, and then learn how these techniques can be put to advantage in adopting a product line approach to software.

ATAM EVALUATOR CERTIFICATE

A software professional earns the SEI Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM) Evaluator Certificate by completing these courses:

• Software Architecture: Principles and Practices
• ATAM Evaluator Training

This two-course sequence prepares a qualified software professional to perform SEI-authorized ATAM architecture evaluations.

ATAM LEADER CERTIFICATION

A software professional can become a SEI-certified ATAM Leader by completing the following courses:

• Software Architecture: Principles and Practices
• Documenting Software Architectures
• Software Architecture Design and Analysis
• ATAM Evaluator Training
• ATAM Leader Training

and by successfully leading an ATAM architecture evaluation observed by an SEI ATAM expert. Additional requirements include at least a bachelor's degree and

• at least 5 years of professional work experience beyond the receipt of the Bachelor's degree
• at least 2 years experience in the construction of software intensive systems as a designer, architect, or related senior technical role
• at least 2 years experience implementing software
• experience as a team member on at least one ATAM evaluation

Additional recommended knowledge and skills include:

• superior oral and written communication skills
• ability to interact with domain and technical experts
• demonstrated experience in using best practices in software architecture
• facilitation skills and experience

This five-course sequence and field exercise provide a qualified software professional with the technical depth and social techniques needed to lead an SEI-authorized ATAM evaluation of a software architecture.

An SEI-authorized ATAM evaluation is one that is led by an SEI-certified ATAM Leader and whose team is made up of individuals who have received the SEI ATAM Evaluator certificate.

SEI-certified ATAM Leaders must attend yearly ATAM Update Workshops to maintain their skills and status. A list of current SEI-certified ATAM Leaders is published on the SEI's website.

To make arrangements for the required field observation, complete and submit the application form. There is a separate cost for the field observation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Customer Relations
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Phone: 412-268-5800
FAX: 412-268-5758
Email: credentials-info@sei.cmu.edu