News
Building a New Certification
Microsoft officially kicked off its new Microsoft Certified Architect
Program during the annual TechEd Conference in Boston in June. The elite
new designation uses a peer-review process "to certify individuals who
can successfully produce an architecture that solves business problems
by employing Microsoft products."
Following are some facts and figures about the MCA Program:
Certification level: Advanced
Areas of certification: Solutions/Software Architect, Infrastructure
Architect or Messaging Architect
Target audience: Practicing solutions and infrastructure architects
with strong track records in successful, large-scale IT architectural
projects
Available certifications: Maximum of 3,000 worldwide over the
next five to seven years
Certifications issued to date: 66
Certification prerequisites: None
Experience prerequisite: At least 10 years of applicable experience
Cost: Application, $200 (nonrefundable); admission to program,
$10,000
Process: Detailed written application and supporting materials;
intensive two-hour interview with four-person review board
Competencies measured: Leadership, Communications, Organizational
dynamics, Technology depth, Technology breadth, Strategy, Tactical/process
Estimated prep time: 80 to 120 hours over three to six months
For more detail, go to www.microsoft.com/learning/mca
About the Author
Anne Stuart, the former executive editor of Redmond Channel Partner, is a business technology freelance writer based in Boston, Mass.