Wondering If iSAQB Is Worth Your Time? Start with Real Stories Like Stephan's
Some will argue iSAQB's all theory, others the absolute career booster. The only way to find out the truth? Here's what those who have actually gone down the route have to say.
That's precisely what we did.
We asked experts in the field in Europe to answer the most common questions around iSAQB, all unfiltered, no scripted marketing fluff. The result is our full analysis: Top 10 Questions About iSAQB Certification (Answered by Real Architects)
Here, we talk to Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH, about how the certification helped him move from theory to systematic practice—and how he feels it gives those starting architecture careers a “very good start”.
Stephan Schlatter’s iSAQB Perspective
Is iSAQB certification a waste of money & time? Why or why not?
No, SW-Architecting has many facets and skills. iSAQB establishes a base-line of know-how and practices. The certifications also provide a way to show that you have the specific SW-Architecture knowledge (Sure, you can also just read many books on the subject)
Why did you initially choose to get iSAQB certified?
I wanted a certification to show that I have a base knowledge of the job of being a SW-Architect.
How long did it take you to prepare for and pass the exam?
I took a 4 day course (not at Tecnovy) that included the foundation level exam as part of the course.
Did the certification help you get a salary increase or a better position/job?
Don’t know
How do employers and clients view the iSAQB certification?
Most clients knew iSAQB and considered it a good certification.
What specific skills did you gain that you couldn’t have learned on the job?
I didn’t have the possibility to closely work with other SW-Architects, so the courses showed me what a SW-Architect has to keep track of and why (Especially the why is important, a SW-Architect needs to understand when tasks can be postponed or ignored and which are needed for a good SW-Architecture)
How applicable is what you learned in real-world projects?
I was able to use multiple skills I learned in the foundation level and advanced level courses in my projects.
Is the certification more focused on theory or practical application?
In my experience iSAQB provides the theory and the trainers provide the practical side. (In the foundation level, the trainer told us what is important for the certification test and what his experience in real world projects is)
Does iSAQB stay up to date with modern architectural trends like cloud and AI?
Hard to say. They have added a “GREEN” training, but I have not taken that training yet.
Do you feel that iSAQB helped you communicate better with stakeholders or developers?
Yes, because of the training I could explain “why” certain tasks are important and I knew which issues I should push forwards.
What’s the biggest difference you noticed in your work after getting certified?
After the certification and advanced level courses I was more confident in my SW-Architecture knowledge. (If you “just” read a book, it’s sometimes hard to know if it’s content is just a nice theory or if the concepts are being used and have proven useful)
Would you say this certification has made you a better architect? How?
Yes, I know which tasks are important and why they need to be done (and a starting point of how to do them)
Do you think iSAQB certification is necessary for software architects, or just nice to have?
iSAQB certification is not necessary. If you have little to no experience as a SW-Architect, it is a very good start. Plus it is helpful to showcase your knowledge.
Have you noticed a shift in how your colleagues view you after certification?
Not really.
Would you recommend this certification to someone who’s already experienced in the field? Why?
It depends, if someone has been working as a SW-Architect for multiple years at the same company and in the same kinds of projects, the certification can broaden their horizon to aspects of SW-Architecture that were not part of in those projects.
Final Thoughts: A Confident Start into Software Architecture
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH, does not perceive the iSAQB as a golden ticket, rather as a formal starting point, all the more worthwhile for newcomers to the discipline, as well as for people with little peer-to-peer exchange as part of their daily work.
He doesn't indicate it impacted his title or compensation. What he does indicate, however, is how the training filled a gap: it showed him what a software architect needs to keep track of and why it matters.
Stephan is categorical that the certification does not become a factor if you have already invested years of acquiring experience and exposure to various architecture challenges. But as a newbie to the architecture stream, or as a practitioner still stuck in a small area, it can broaden your viewpoint as well as help you communicate architectural decisions better.
While he doesn’t frame iSAQB as mandatory for experienced professionals, he strongly recommends it as a structured entry point for anyone starting out or anyone stuck in repetitive project scopes. It’s not just about theory. It’s about learning what really matters in the field and why.
Want to compare how other professionals answered the same questions?
Check out the full roundup: Top 10 Questions About iSAQB Certification (Answered by Real Architects)
