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Exam Information
Official specifications published by BCS
Exam Format
50 min
Scenario-based oral interview (not a fixed number of discrete questions)
65%
Practitioner
Registration
BCS Online Proctored or online proctoring
English
Validity
No expiration (lifetime credential)
PC-ESA Exam Topics and Domains
PC-ESA is organized into 6 weighted domains.
1
Architecture Domains and Frameworks
15%
Role of Architecture in an Organisation
Understanding the organisational role of architectureAnalogies between human activity systems and software systems
- Discuss the practical use of architecture concepts and apply them to a case study
- Draw analogies between human activity systems and software systems
- Recognise the limits to these analogies
Architecture Domains
Eight Architecture DomainsRelationships between Architecture Domains
- Identify and describe the eight architecture domains
- Explain relationships and dependencies between architecture domains
Architecture Frameworks
Key Architecture FrameworksSecurity FrameworksRelevant ISO StandardsProcess vs Description Frameworks
- Be aware of alternative frameworks and comprehend one framework in more depth
- Distinguish a development process (process framework) from a classification of architecture descriptions (description framework)
2
Architecture and the Organisation
15%
Business Strategy Alignment
Linking Architecture to Business StrategyArchitecture Precursors
- Define SMART goals and business cases
- Identify risks relating to non-functional requirements
- Recognise various inputs, statements of requirements and constraints that guide an architect
Change Lifecycle Integration
Architecture in the Change Lifecycle
Understand how architecture integrates with business change lifecycle
Business Needs Analysis and Solution Design
Understanding Business NeedsSolution Design Hierarchy
- Tailor solutions to different stakeholder needs
- Present a strong business case for architecture decisions
3
Professionalism in Architecture
20%
Professional Standards Compliance
Architecture Professional Standards
Demonstrate compliance with professional standards in architecture work
Stakeholder Management and Communication
Stakeholder Engagement StrategiesInfluencing Senior Leaders
- Influence senior leaders through effective communication
- Tailor architecture descriptions to different stakeholder needs
Team Dynamics and Collaboration
Working in Architecture Teams
Demonstrate effective teamwork and customer focus in architecture practice
Social, Ethical and Economic Considerations
Broader Impact of Architecture Decisions
Consider social, ethical, and economic factors in architecture decisions
4
Corporate Governance
10%
Governance Concepts and Definitions
Governance Frameworks and Principles
Recognise the need for and concepts used in architecture governance
Governance Roles
Architecture Governance Structure
Recognise governance roles including architecture board, governing architect, and design authority
Risk Management in Architecture
Architecture Risk Management
- Recognise the need to maintain a RAID catalogue
- Understand risk management concepts in architecture governance
5
Architectural Process, Tools and Vision
25%
Software Development Lifecycle Varieties
SDLC Approaches
Distinguish three varieties of Software Development Life Cycle: Waterfall, Iterative Development, and Agile Development
Solution Design and Patterns
Design Patterns in ArchitectureSolution Architecture Framework Stages
- Apply design patterns to solution architecture
- Describe solution architecture framework stages
Architecture Modelling and Visualisation
Architecture Models and ViewsInformation Systems Modelling Techniques
- Describe business, data, application and infrastructure architecture building blocks, models and views
- Apply modelling techniques to architecture case studies
Requirements and Gap Analysis
Requirements Types and AnalysisGap Analysis Methods
- Design or redesign a solution to meet non-functional requirements
- Recognise the use of analysis techniques such as gap analysis and critical path analysis in defining a migration path
- Recognise the formation of a roadmap with time, costs and resources from a migration path
Business Case Development
Architecture Business Cases
- Present a strong business case for architecture decisions
- Define SMART goals linked to business cases
6
Quality Assurance
15%
QA Tools and Techniques
Architecture Quality Assurance Methods
Apply QA tools and techniques to architecture outputs
Separation of Concerns
Separation of Concerns Principle
Apply the principle of separation of concerns in architecture
Change Management
Architecture Change Management
Recognise the need for and concepts used in architecture change management
Continuous Improvement
Architecture in Operations and Improvement
- Recognise approaches used to manage architecture in operations including COBIT, ITSM, ITIL, CMDB, CIM
- Govern the implementation of an architecture
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PC-ESA earns the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture certification. It sits in the IT Architecture track.
Next Level Options
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Being an IT Business Partner After completing the ESA Practitioner, candidates can continue with IT business partner practitioner awards and certifications to develop professional skills for senior IT roles
- BCS Diploma in Solutions Development Broadens architecture knowledge into the full solutions development lifecycle
Alternative Paths
- TOGAF-L2 - TOGAF Standard 10th Edition Level 2 (Practitioner) Industry-standard enterprise architecture framework certification, complementary to BCS architecture certification
- ArchiMate Foundation / Practitioner Focused on architecture modelling language used in enterprise architecture documentation
- ITIL Foundation / Managing Professional Complementary knowledge in IT service management referenced in the architecture management domain
- PRINCE2 PractitionerProgramme and project management skills referenced in migration planning domain of the PC-ESA syllabus
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for PC-ESA is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-12-01
Updates
- C4 Model Current Added as a named architecture framework in v5.0 syllabus alongside TOGAF, Zachman, and NAF
- CyBOK (Cyber Security Body of Knowledge) 1.1 Added as a named security framework in v5.0 syllabus
- SABSA (Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture) Current Added as a named security framework in v5.0 syllabus
Who should take this exam?
One of: BCS Foundation Certificate in Architecture Concepts and Domains
One of: BCS Intermediate Certificate in Enterprise and Solution Architecture
One of: Current TOGAF 9 Level 2 certificate
One of: Current TOGAF Standard 10th Edition Level 2 certificate
- 3+ years experience in information systems or IT with some architecture involvement (per BCS official page)
- 6+ years experience of IS/IT work with contact with architects and architecture descriptions (per v4.7 syllabus)
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