Salesforce Development Lifecycle & Deployment Architect Exam Guide

The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of professionals in applying DevOps, Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), and governance principles to Salesforce projects. This exam measures a candidate's proficiency in understanding and implementing best practices for the development, deployment, and management of Salesforce applications.

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The exam evaluates the candidate's ability to effectively communicate technical solutions and design trade-offs to both business and IT stakeholders. It covers various topics, including DevOps practices, ALM methodologies, release management, version control, testing and quality assurance, governance frameworks, and deployment strategies.

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To succeed in the exam, candidates are encouraged to have hands-on experience in Salesforce development and deployment, as well as a solid understanding of industry best practices in software development and IT operations. Additionally, candidates should be familiar with the Salesforce platform, its features, and its capabilities for implementing efficient and scalable development processes.

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The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect program provides professionals with the opportunity to showcase their expertise in applying DevOps and ALM principles to Salesforce projects. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates earn the certification, demonstrating their proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing the development lifecycle and deployment processes within Salesforce environments. This certification serves as a validation of the candidate's skills and can enhance their professional credibility in Salesforce development and deployment roles.

 

Who is it for

The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect credential is designed for professionals who have the necessary skills and experience in applying DevOps, Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), and governance topics specifically to the Salesforce platform. This certification is targeted towards individuals who work with clients and have a deep understanding of their requirements. These professionals are also adept at effectively communicating technical solutions and design trade-offs to both business and IT stakeholders.

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The credential is suitable for individuals who have a strong background in development, deployment, and lifecycle management of applications on the Salesforce platform. They possess expertise in implementing DevOps practices and strategies to streamline development processes, ensure efficient deployments, and maintain high-quality solutions. These professionals are knowledgeable about ALM methodologies, governance principles, and industry best practices relevant to Salesforce.

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The Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification is ideal for architects, consultants, developers, and IT professionals who are involved in designing, implementing, and managing the development lifecycle and deployment processes within Salesforce projects. It is particularly beneficial for those who are responsible for aligning client requirements with Salesforce capabilities, optimizing development processes, and ensuring successful deployment and governance of Salesforce solutions.

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Key capabilities expected from the candidate include:

1. Governance Framework Design: The candidate should have the ability to analyze the environment and requirements to design an appropriate governance framework for Salesforce projects. This involves understanding the organizational structure, compliance requirements, and security considerations to establish governance processes and guidelines.

2. Development and Deployment Strategy: The candidate should be proficient in designing and implementing complex development and deployment strategies on the Lightning Platform. This includes determining the most suitable development methodologies, release management approaches, and version control systems to ensure efficient and reliable application delivery.

3. Communication and Stakeholder Management: Effective communication is crucial for a Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect. The candidate should be able to articulate the proposed solution, design trade-offs, and technical concepts to both business and technical stakeholders at various levels of the organization. They should possess strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with different teams and drive consensus on development and deployment practices.

4. Application Lifecycle Management: The candidate should be well-versed in application lifecycle management best practices. This involves understanding the entire lifecycle of Salesforce applications, including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. They should be able to apply ALM methodologies to ensure efficient operation, quality assurance, and reporting throughout the application lifecycle.

5. Environment Strategy and Management: The candidate should have the knowledge and ability to design and manage the development and test environment strategy for Salesforce releases. This includes considerations for data management, security, and scalability to create a robust and reliable environment for application development and testing.

6. DevOps Tools and Technologies: The candidate should be familiar with the capabilities and constraints of tools and technologies supporting the development lifecycle, such as Metadata API, Tooling API, and AppExchange solutions. They should have knowledge of source control, branching strategies, continuous integration practices, and test automation methodologies to enable efficient and collaborative development processes.

7. Governance Participation: Understanding the governance landscape and actively participating in governance entities is a key capability for a Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect. They should be aware of the governance requirements, compliance standards, and decision-making processes within the organization to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory guidelines.

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Overall, the Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect should possess a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and effective communication abilities to successfully design, implement, and manage the development and deployment lifecycle of Salesforce applications.

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Purpose of this Exam Guide

The purpose of this Exam Guide for the Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification is to assist candidates in assessing their readiness to successfully complete the certification exam. The guide aims to provide valuable information about the exam's target audience, recommended training and documentation, and a comprehensive list of exam objectives. Its ultimate goal is to help candidates achieve a passing score on the exam.

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By offering insights into the target audience, the guide helps candidates determine if they possess the necessary skills and experience to pursue the certification. It also provides recommendations for training and documentation, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded preparation approach that includes on-the-job experience, attending courses, and engaging in self-study. This approach aims to maximize the chances of success in the certification exam.

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Furthermore, the guide outlines the exam objectives, providing a clear understanding of the knowledge and skills expected from candidates. By familiarizing themselves with the exam objectives, candidates can focus their study efforts on the specific areas covered in the exam, increasing their preparedness and confidence.

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In summary, the purpose of this Exam Guide is to serve as a comprehensive resource that assists candidates in evaluating their readiness, guiding their preparation, and enabling them to pass the Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification exam.

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About the Exam

The Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam is a certification assessment that evaluates a candidate's knowledge and skills in the field of development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform. Here are the key details about the exam:

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• Content: The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions. These questions are designed to test the candidate's understanding of various concepts and practices related to development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform.

• Time Allotted: Candidates have a total of 105 minutes to complete the exam. Managing time effectively is crucial to ensure that all questions are carefully read and answered within the given timeframe. It is advisable to allocate sufficient time for reviewing and double-checking answers before submitting the exam.

• Passing Score: To obtain the Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification, candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 65%. This passing score reflects the candidate's proficiency in the subject matter and their ability to apply the knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios.

• Registration Fee: The registration fee for the exam is USD 400, plus applicable taxes as required per local law. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the exam registration process. Candidates are required to make the necessary payment arrangements before registering for the exam.

• Retake Fee: In the event that a candidate does not pass the exam on their first attempt, a retake fee of USD 200, plus applicable taxes as required per local law, will be applicable for subsequent attempts. It is recommended to thoroughly prepare and utilize available resources to minimize the need for retakes and increase the chances of passing the exam.

• Delivery Options: The exam can be taken either in a proctored setting at a designated testing center or in an online proctored environment. The online proctored option allows candidates to take the exam remotely, providing flexibility and convenience. Both delivery options ensure a secure and reliable testing experience.

• References: During the exam, no hard-copy or online materials may be referenced. Candidates are expected to rely solely on their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter to answer the exam questions.

• Prerequisite: There are no specific prerequisites for taking the Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam. However, it is recommended that candidates have the necessary experience and knowledge in the field of development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform.

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By familiarizing themselves with these details about the exam, candidates can better prepare themselves for success in the Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification exam. It is important to study the relevant exam topics, gain hands-on experience, complete recommended training courses, and leverage additional resources to enhance knowledge and skills in development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform.

 

Recommended Training and References

To effectively prepare for the Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam, it is recommended to engage in a combination of hands-on experience, training courses, Trailhead trails, and self-study. Here are some recommended resources to enhance your preparation:

• Trailmix: Architect Journey: Development Lifecycle and Architect: This trailmix is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive learning path for aspiring Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architects. It includes a curated collection of Trailhead modules and projects that cover the exam objectives and help you build the necessary knowledge and skills.

• Training Courses: Explore the training courses offered by Salesforce to deepen your understanding of development lifecycle and deployment topics. Look for courses that focus on DevOps, application lifecycle management, and governance on the Salesforce Platform. These courses provide in-depth knowledge and practical insights to support your exam preparation.

• Trailhead Trails: Trailhead, Salesforce's online learning platform, offers various trails that cover different aspects of development lifecycle and deployment. Explore trails related to DevOps, release management, application lifecycle management, and governance. Completing these trails will help reinforce your understanding of key concepts.

• Online Documentation and User Guides: Utilize the extensive online documentation and user guides provided by Salesforce. These resources cover a wide range of topics related to development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform. Search for specific topics listed in the exam outline to access relevant information and deepen your knowledge.

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By combining hands-on experience with the recommended training and references, you can strengthen your understanding and proficiency in development lifecycle and deployment on the Salesforce Platform. Continuous learning, practice, and exploration of available resources will contribute to your success in the Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam.

 

Exam Outline

The Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam is designed to assess a candidate's knowledge and skills in various areas related to application lifecycle management, planning, system design, building, deploying, testing, releasing, and operating on the Salesforce platform. The exam objectives and their respective weightings are as follows:

Application Lifecycle Management (8%)

• Assessing benefits and risks of different development methodologies

• Recommending appropriate governance strategies based on customer maturity

Planning (13%)

• Assessing Application Lifecycle Management maturity and identifying required resources

• Understanding and mitigating customer environment risks

• Analyzing and recommending the appropriate governance framework

• Recommending strategies to mitigate risks related to new Salesforce releases

System Design (15%)

• Advantages of using agile tools in the development process

• Evaluating business, technical, and architectural considerations for the defined org strategy

• Defining an environment (sandbox) strategy using the correct sandbox types

• Comparing, contrasting, and recommending components and tools for a successful deployment strategy

Building (14%)

• Using source control branching/versioning/merging and recommending appropriate strategies

• Approaches to building test data strategy and ensuring successful code

• Selecting the appropriate development model and environment

• Methods to deliver quality code, such as coding standards, pull requests, code review, and static code analysis

Deploying (14%)

• Using Metadata and Tooling APIs for deployment and considering capabilities and limitations

• Handling pre and post deployment steps, including items not supported via the APIs

• Managing and deploying technical reference data

Testing (13%)

• Recommending an appropriate testing methodology based on customer scenario

• Describing the test execution methodology and coverage requirements

• Designing a unified test data strategy that ensures secure and representative data throughout the development lifecycle

Releasing (13%)

• Explaining the use cases and considerations for managed, unmanaged, and unlocked packages

• Applying the sandbox strategy to a release plan considering project streams, training, staging, and hotfixes

• Recommending an appropriate release management strategy based on a customer scenario

Operating (10%)

• Incorporating specific requests directly into a production environment and understanding implications

• Integrating changes made directly in production into the Application Lifecycle Management process

• Managing common release artifacts in multi-org scenarios

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The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, and candidates are allotted 105 minutes to complete the exam. The passing score is 65%, and the registration fee is USD 400. The exam can be taken either onsite at a testing center or in an online proctored environment. No external references or materials are allowed during the exam. There are no prerequisites for this exam.