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PLAT-ARCH-202 Exam Topics and Domains
PLAT-ARCH-202 is organized into 8 weighted domains. Expect to work with Salesforce CLI, Salesforce DX, Metadata API, VS Code, and more.
Application Lifecycle Management
Development Methodologies Assessment
Given the project risk and customer requirements, explain how to assess the benefits and risks of the different development methodologies and recommend the appropriate governance strategies based on the customer maturity.
Release Management Strategy
Given a customer scenario, describe and recommend an appropriate release management strategy.
Planning
ALM Maturity Assessment
Given a complex customer scenario, assess Application Lifecycle Management maturity and identify the people, technology, and processes required.
Risk Identification and Mitigation
- Understand customer environment risks and articulate appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Given a customer scenario involving a new Salesforce release (Summer, Winter, Spring), recommend the appropriate strategy to mitigate risks.
Governance Framework
Given a customer scenario, analyze and recommend the appropriate governance framework.
System Design
Agile Tools and Development Process
Explain the advantages of using agile tools to support an agile development process.
Org Strategy Design
Given a customer landscape and their requirements, evaluate business, technical, and architectural considerations that support the defined org strategy.
Sandbox Strategy Design
Given a customer scenario, define an environment (sandbox) strategy that utilizes the correct sandbox types (e.g. multiple project streams, training requirements, staging, production, and hotfixes).
Deployment Strategy Components
Given a scenario, compare, contrast, and recommend the components and tools of a successful deployment strategy.
Building
Source Control and Branching
Given a customer scenario, explain how source control branching/versioning/merging can be used and recommend appropriate strategies.
Test Data Strategy and Unit Testing
Describe the appropriate approaches to building test data strategy and unit test to ensure successful code (positive, negative, permission-based, large data volume).
Development Model and Environment Selection
Given a customer scenario, describe the appropriate development model (org-based vs package-based) and development environment (scratch org vs sandboxes).
Code Quality Assurance
Describe the methods to ensure the delivery of quality code, such as coding standards, pull requests, code review, and static code analysis.
Deploying
Metadata and Tooling API for Deployment
Given a scenario, describe the capabilities, limitations, and considerations when using the Metadata and Tooling APIs for deployment.
Pre and Post-Deployment Steps
Given a scenario, describe approaches to handle pre and post-deployment steps, including items not supported via the APIs.
Technical Reference Data Management
Given a scenario, describe approaches to manage and deploy technical reference data.
Testing
Testing Methodology Selection
Given a customer scenario, describe and recommend an appropriate testing methodology.
Test Execution and Coverage Requirements
Given a customer testing strategy, describe the appropriate test execution methodology and coverage requirements.
Unified Test Data Strategy
Given a customer scenario, describe and recommend a unified test data strategy that utilizes representative data in a secure manner throughout the development lifecycle.
Releasing
Package Types and Use Cases
Given a scenario, analyze and explain the use cases and considerations when using managed, unmanaged, and unlocked packages.
Sandbox Strategy and Release Planning
Apply map sandbox strategy to a specific Release Plan taking into consideration multiple project streams, training requirements, staging, and hotfixes.
Release Management Strategy
Given a customer scenario, describe and recommend an appropriate release management strategy.
Operating
Production Environment Changes
Given a detailed customer environment scenario including a specific request, explain the implications of incorporating the request directly in a production environment.
Multi-Org Release Artifact Management
Given a multi-org customer scenario, compare and contrast approaches for managing common release artifacts.
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PLAT-ARCH-202 earns the Salesforce Certified Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification. It sits in the Architect track.
- Plat-Arch-201 - Salesforce Certified Platform Data ArchitectComplementary architect domain certification for data modeling expertise
- Plat-Arch-204 - Salesforce Certified Platform Integration ArchitectAnother required exam for System Architect credential; covers integration patterns
- Plat-Arch-203 - Salesforce Certified Platform Identity and Access Management ArchitectThird required exam for System Architect credential; covers SSO and identity management
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 PLAT-ARCH-202 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
- Salesforce DevOps Center DevOps Center concepts increasingly relevant for ALM and source-driven development questions
- Salesforce CLI (sf commands) SFDX commands being migrated to unified 'sf' CLI; deployment and source management patterns remain exam-relevant
- Unlocked Packages (2GP) Central to package development model questions; increasingly recommended for enterprise development
Who should take this exam?
- B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent degree
- Two to three years of Salesforce Platform experience
- One to two years of Salesforce project management experience
- One to two years of experience working in a steering committee
- Completed at least one end-to-end software development lifecycle project