10 Steps to become an Azure or AWS Certified Solution Architect in 2023!
Solutions architects play a vital role in any organization that wants to align its business goals and needs with IT services, products, software, and infrastructure. As a solutions architect, you’ll want to get certified to prove that you have the required knowledge.
Here are the 10 steps you’ll need to take to become a certified Azure or AWS Solution Architect in 2023.
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STEP 1: Understand your Goals
What is a Solution Architect?
Enterprise Architect (EA) defines the strategic objectives and defines the principles of how business capabilities realize the overall business visions and drivers.
The Solution Architect (SA) on the other hand, bridges the gap between business requirements and realizes a solution capability with real world technologies and products and services in alignment with Enterprise Architecture strategic goals and objectives.
The Solution Architect should be able to fully understand the underlying technologies and services in both the marketplace and existing enterprise capabilities with hands-on experience to design a solution model which ultimately gets handed over to the Technical Architect to implement the solutions.
The Solution Architect role is a distinctive key role in the solution development lifecycle that links between abstract architectures and translates them into real-world vendor-oriented business capabilities that generates value to the organization.
Why do you want to be a Solution Architect?
Market demand and enterprise need to narrow the gap between EA strategic goals and objectives in order for a smooth transition to the solution capability that realizes the visions and drivers of the stakeholders.
The solution needs to integrate with existing enterprise business capabilities with an understanding of the enterprise capabilities including processes, skills, and tools in the form of products and services that are effective and efficient. There will be reduced risk and costs, and high value realization to the enterprise.
STEP 2: Understand AWS/Azure Solution Architect Certification roadmap
Know where you stand, and define your journey, identify weaknesses and opportunities, and work with cloud service providers leaders.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
Azure facilitates easy mobility and a reliable consistent platform between on-premises and public Cloud. Azure provides a broader range of hybrid connections including virtual private networks (VPNs), caches, content delivery networks (CDNs), and ExpressRoute connections to improve usability and performance.
STEP 3: Set a plan.
Goals + Certification = DEDICATION!
Dedicate time, set priorities, and define objectives. Define your learning path and be sure there is a lot of time to read, and practice.
The time to complete a full Solution Architect certification path on AWS or Azure varies depending on your background and current skill level. Generally, it takes between 6-8 weeks of dedicated time to cover and practice the skills needed to be a professional Solution Architect on each path (AWS or Azure).
Take advantage of the Web Age Solutions free Discovery days and then view our AWS Solution Architecture Courses to continue your AWS Solution Architect journey. View our Azure Solution Architect courses to get started on the path to becoming an Azure Solution Architect.
Training courses with Web Age offer a flexible way to upskill key personnel and build future-ready organizations. With our Certified AWS (Amazon Web Services) training and certification courses, participants can build their AWS skills anytime, anywhere.
Experience the business-critical AWS Training we reliably deliver as an Amazon Web Services Authorized Training Partner to our Fortune 500 clients all over the world.
BROWSE AWS TRAINING
STEP 4: Join the crowd
Get familiar with today’s trends and technologies offered by the IT industry to enable businesses to deliver business value to their customers such as:
- Cloud Services IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
- Private cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Multi-cloud
- Cloud IAM Identity and Access Management
- Structure and Non-Structured Databases
- Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Micro Services Architecture (MSA)
- Virtualization and Containerization
- Virtual Cloud Networking VCN
- Virtual Storage, Data Lakes and Streaming
- Virtual Computing engine and Quantum Computing
- IoT – Internet of Things
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Managing cloud services and digital transformation
Web Age Solutions can guide you through this major step in your Solution Architect learning path by offering:
AWS Technical Essentials
This Certified AWS Technical Essentials Training course will introduce you to the fundamentals of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform, AWS products, services, and common solutions.
In this Certified AWS Technical Essentials training course you’ll learn the fundamentals of Amazon Web Services, and be more empowered to make informed decisions about IT solutions based on business requirements.
This course provides you with fundamentals to become more proficient in identifying AWS services so that you can make informed decisions about IT solutions based on your business requirements and get started working on AWS.
View Course Details
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
This two-day Azure Fundamentals Training course will provide foundational level knowledge on cloud concepts; core Azure services; security, privacy, compliance, and trust; and Azure pricing and support.
Learn the fundamentals of Azure, and get certified, with this AZ-900 Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals course.
Students in this course will gain confidence to take other role-based courses and certifications, such as Azure Administrator.
This course provides an Azure pass and optional lab environment.
View Course DetailsSTEP 5: Get started - Learn the basics.
First steps.
Solution Architect Associate or practitioner is introductory step towards Solution Architect Professional level at either AWS or Azure, so far, major Cloud Solution providers (AWS or Azure) have pre-defined learning paths to acquire the necessary skills to earn the accreditation to Solution Architect Associate (Azure) or Practitioner (AWS)
As a Solution Architect, you would have to be professional in designing solutions using one or more of the above platforms, yet there are scenarios where you deploy your solution on a single cloud provider, multiple clouds, or hybrid (mix between in-premise and a cloud service provider) in complex world.
These are training paths offered by Web Age Solutions to help you achieve your goal:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Path
AWS Technical Essentials Training [2022]
Architecting on AWS Course [2022]
Advanced Architecting on AWS Training
Microsoft Certified Azure
Solutions Architect Expert
Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies Training
Microsoft Azure Architect Design
STEP 6: Learn the professional way
AWS and Azure Courses are offered by Web Age Solutions at the Professional Level, Azure Solution Architect Expert and AWS Solution Architect Professional.
Consult your Web Age Solutions Associate to register and book your courses and start your learning journey.
STEP 7: Exercises and Workout
Build your dojo, set up a lab and cloud accounts, start practicing, use professional guidance and seek knowledge and information.
With proper coaching, hands-on training and experience you can bring your knowledge to life.
For example, WhizLabs World-Class Online Certification Training Courses & Practice Tests. You can set up a test lab and practice your knowledge and skills for a fee.
Or just build your own labs using a nominal subscription with AWS or Azure which comes with initial promotion credits and incentives.
STEP 8: Dry run Sample exams
With professional guidance, practice more sample exam questions.
As a premier partner to AWS and Azure, Web Age solutions provides sample exam questions to get you well versed on applying the exams for AWS and Azure.
STEP 9: Let’s Do it! EXAM!!
Register, and sign for the exam, then just Do it!!! Get Certified!! Follow these simple steps:
- 1
Purchase the exam voucher.
You can purchase from AWS Exam voucher or Microsoft Register and Schedule an Exam or simply contact your Web Age Solutions associate to purchase your exam vouchers. - 2
Pick the best time of the day.
Choose the time of day where you feel studied and have practiced enough, sign up for the exam at preasonvu.com. - 3
Relax and feel confident.
On the day of the exam, relax, feel confident, know you have the pre-requisite knowledge and skills that allow you to do the exams and pass. - 4
Arrive early.
Arrive 30-45 minutes ahead of your scheduled exam, to sign in and go through a preliminary personal check. This might take a bit, then you will be directed to the station where you are set to do the exam. - 5
Verify your profile.
Once on your workstation, you may be prompted to verify your profile accuracy and validate your contact information (such as email, phone number, address …etc.), then the exam begins with the timer on. - 6
Answer the questions.
Exams are set for the time to answer multiple choice questions at just over a minute for each question. Your answers will determine your comprehension and knowledge of the certification requirements. The number of questions varies depending on the exam.
Hint: if you in doubt, don’t get stuck trying to answer a question. Instead, check-mark the answer you think is the best and mark the question for review and move to the next question. When you finish all of the questions you can come back to the questions that are marked and give them further thought before you submit your final answers. - 7
The final assessment.
That’s it. It’s that simple. Once you submit your answers you should receive your preliminary exam assessment instantly. The final assessment and certificate will take few days to be sent to the email provided in your profile. - 8
Re-take the exam.
In the unfortunate event you didn’t pass the exam, study, and practice again. Identify and focus on your weak points from the assessment report and schedule re-take the exam for a future date. You would need to pay for a re-take exam voucher which is cheaper than the original exam voucher.
STEP 10: Put your certificate into action!
Congratulations!!!
Welcome to the world of Cloud Solution Architecture!
With the accreditation of AWS or Azure you have proven that you possess the required knowledge and skills that are needed to stand up for your duties as a Solution Architect and be able to solve complex problems at the enterprise level of scale and complexity.
Don’t let go. Ignite, and engage in the world of Cloud Solution Architecture!
Keep current, follow the pod casts, seminars, articles, webinars, etc., in your field of expertise, and renew your certificate as required.
Share your knowledge and experience with fellow Solution Architects around the world!
We have plenty of resources to keep
your skills current.
Get started today!
