Salesforce Data Architect Exam Guide

The Salesforce Certified Data Architect exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's knowledge and expertise in architecting data solutions on the Salesforce Customer 360 platform. This certification program is targeted towards data architects who have a deep understanding of data modeling, database design, master data management, data governance, data migration, and other relevant data management concepts. By obtaining this certification, candidates demonstrate their ability to design robust, scalable, and performant data solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses and stakeholders.

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The exam covers a range of topics related to data architecture, including data modeling principles, best practices for database design, strategies for managing master data, Salesforce data management techniques, considerations for large data volumes, and data migration methodologies. Candidates are expected to have hands-on experience and practical knowledge in these areas to successfully pass the exam. The Salesforce Certified Data Architect program offers an opportunity for professionals to validate their skills and expertise in architecting data solutions on the Salesforce platform, thereby enhancing their credibility and opening up new career opportunities in the field of data architecture.

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To prepare for the exam, candidates are encouraged to engage in a combination of hands-on experience, training courses, and self-study. Salesforce provides online documentation, resources, and training courses specifically tailored for the Data Architect certification. Additionally, candidates can leverage their knowledge from related certifications and classes, as well as explore real-world scenarios to gain practical insights. The program aims to equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to design and implement efficient, scalable, and secure data solutions on the Salesforce Customer 360 platform, ultimately contributing to the success of organizations leveraging Salesforce for their data management needs.

 

Who is it for

The Salesforce Certified Data Architect credential is intended for architects who specialize in assessing architecture environments, understanding requirements, and designing scalable and high-performing solutions on the Customer 360 platform. This certification is suitable for professionals who have experience working with various aspects of data management and architecture, including data modeling, database design, master data management, Salesforce data management, data governance, large data volume considerations, and data migration.

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The Data Architect should have a deep understanding of data-related concepts and practices and be able to apply them effectively within the Salesforce ecosystem. They should also possess strong communication skills to effectively convey solutions and design trade-offs to both business and IT stakeholders. The certification is ideal for individuals who work in roles such as data architects, solution architects, technical architects, or any other position that involves designing and implementing data solutions on the Salesforce platform.

 

Key capabilities expected from the candidate include:

1. Architecture Assessment and Solution Design: The candidate should be able to assess the architecture environment and requirements, and design sound, scalable, and performant solutions on the Customer 360 Platform. They should have a deep understanding of information architecture frameworks, including data sourcing, integration/movement, persistence, master data management, metadata management, data governance, security, and delivery. The candidate should be able to translate customer requirements into effective data solutions, considering data quality needs, proper data stewardship, and organizational changes.

2. Data Modeling and Database Design: The candidate should possess strong data modeling and database design skills. They should be knowledgeable about custom fields, master-detail and lookup relationships, standard object structures for sales and service cloud, and making the best use of Salesforce standard and big objects. Understanding the association between standard objects and Salesforce license types is also important. The candidate should be able to map client requirements to database requirements and ensure efficient data storage and retrieval.

3. Data Quality and Data Stewardship: The candidate should have expertise in data quality skills and ensuring clean data. They should be able to assess customers' data quality needs, recommend and implement solutions to ensure high-quality data with no duplicates and correct information. The candidate should understand data stewardship principles and be able to communicate data quality requirements to business stakeholders.

4. Salesforce Platform Knowledge: The candidate should have a solid understanding of Salesforce platform declarative and programming concepts. They should be familiar with scripting tools such as Data Loader and ETL platforms for data migration and integration. While Lightning development experience is not required, having knowledge of the Salesforce Lightning framework can be beneficial.

5. Experience and Background: The candidate should have 2 to 3 years of Salesforce experience and a minimum of 5 years of experience supporting or implementing data-centric solutions. They may have job roles such as Advanced Administrator, Data Architect, Technical/Solution Architect, or Advanced Platform Developer. Holding additional Salesforce certifications such as Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder, Platform Developer I, and Platform Developer II is recommended but not required.

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Overall, a Salesforce Certified Data Architect candidate is expected to possess a strong technical background, hands-on experience with Salesforce, and expertise in architecting data solutions on the Customer 360 Platform. They should have excellent communication skills to effectively communicate solutions and design trade-offs to business stakeholders.

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Purpose of this Exam Guide

The purpose of this Exam Guide is to assist individuals in assessing their readiness to pass the Salesforce Certified Data Architect certification exam. It serves as a comprehensive resource that provides important information about the exam, including the target audience, recommended training and documentation, and a detailed list of exam objectives. The primary goal of this guide is to help candidates achieve a passing score on the certification exam.

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By providing insights into the content and structure of the exam, the guide enables candidates to evaluate their level of preparedness and identify any knowledge gaps they may have. It serves as a roadmap for individuals who are seeking to obtain the Salesforce Certified Data Architect certification, outlining the necessary skills and expertise required to succeed in the exam.

Moreover, the guide emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded approach to exam preparation, combining practical on-the-job experience with self-study. It encourages candidates to engage in hands-on practice and explore relevant training materials and documentation to enhance their understanding of data architecture principles and concepts.

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Overall, the purpose of this Exam Guide is to empower candidates with the necessary information and resources to effectively prepare for and pass the Salesforce Certified Data Architect certification exam.

 

About the Exam

The Salesforce Data Architect exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals in the field of data architecture on the Salesforce platform. Here are some key details about the exam:

• Content: The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions. These questions are designed to evaluate the candidate's understanding of data architecture concepts, principles, and best practices.

• Time Allotted: Candidates are given a total of 105 minutes to complete the exam. It is important for candidates to manage their time effectively to ensure they can answer all the questions within the given timeframe.

• Passing Score: To pass the exam and earn the Salesforce Data Architect certification, candidates need to achieve a minimum passing score of 58%. This score reflects their ability to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter covered in the exam.

• Registration Fee: There is a registration fee of USD 400, plus applicable taxes as required per local law. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the exam registration process.

• Retake Fee: If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on their first attempt, they have the option to retake the exam. However, there is a retake fee of USD 200, plus applicable taxes as required per local law, for subsequent attempts.

• Delivery Options: The exam can be taken in either of two delivery options. The first option is a proctored exam delivered onsite at a designated testing center. The second option is an online proctored environment, allowing candidates to take the exam remotely. Both options ensure a secure and reliable testing experience.

• References: During the exam, candidates are not allowed to reference any hard-copy or online materials. They are expected to rely solely on their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

• Prerequisite: There are no specific prerequisites for taking the Salesforce Data Architect exam. Individuals who have a strong understanding of data architecture principles and experience working with Salesforce can directly pursue this certification.

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Overall, the Salesforce Data Architect exam is a comprehensive assessment of a candidate's knowledge and skills in data architecture on the Salesforce platform.

 

Recommended Training and References

Recommended Training and References for the Salesforce Data Architect exam include:

1. Hands-on Experience: Having practical experience in data architecture, particularly on the Salesforce platform, is highly beneficial. Working on real-world projects and gaining hands-on experience will provide valuable insights and enhance your understanding of data architecture concepts.

2. Training Courses: Salesforce offers training courses specifically designed to prepare individuals for the Data Architect exam. These courses provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills related to data architecture on the Salesforce platform. It is recommended to complete these training courses to strengthen your understanding of the exam topics.

3. Trailhead Trails: Trailhead is Salesforce's free online learning platform that offers a variety of trails and modules related to data architecture. The "Architect Journey: Data Architect" trailmix is recommended for exam preparation. This trailmix provides a curated collection of learning modules and resources that cover the key concepts and skills required for the Data Architect exam.

4. Self-Study: Apart from formal training and Trailhead trails, self-study is also crucial for exam preparation. Utilize the Salesforce online documentation and resources available for data architecture. Self-study allows you to explore specific topics in more detail, reinforce your understanding, and fill any knowledge gaps.

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By combining hands-on experience, completing training courses, exploring Trailhead trails, and engaging in self-study, you can effectively prepare for the Salesforce Data Architect exam. These resources provide a comprehensive approach to enhance your knowledge, skills, and readiness for the exam.

 

Exam Outline

The Salesforce Certified Data Architect exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-select questions that assess a candidate's knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Data modeling/Database Design (25%):

• Comparing and contrasting techniques for designing a data model on the Customer 360 platform

• Recommending approaches for designing a scalable data model considering security and sharing

• Managing business and technical metadata and understanding data classification

• Understanding the implementation and pros/cons of Big Objects in a Salesforce data model

• Recommending techniques to avoid data skew in customer scenarios

Master Data Management (5%):

• Comparing and contrasting techniques for implementing Master Data Management Solutions

• Establishing a "golden record" or "system of truth" for the customer domain

• Consolidating data attributes from multiple sources and determining winning attributes

• Capturing and maintaining customer reference and metadata

Salesforce Data Management (25%):

• Recommending Salesforce license types to leverage standard and custom objects effectively

• Ensuring consistent data persistence

• Representing a single view of the customer across multiple systems of interaction

• Designing data consolidation and leveraging from multiple Salesforce instances

Data Governance (10%):

• Designing a GDPR compliant data model and protecting personal and sensitive information

• Designing and implementing an enterprise data governance program

Large Data Volume considerations (20%):

• Designing a data model that scales for large data volumes and solution performance

• Creating data archiving and purging plans for data storage management

• Using virtualized data and understanding virtualized data options

Data Migration (15%):

• Ensuring high data quality during data load

• Improving performance when migrating large data volumes into Salesforce

• Exporting data from Salesforce using different techniques

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The exam is designed to evaluate a candidate's understanding and proficiency in these key areas of data architecture and management.