iSAQB Certification Through the Eyes of Julius Chrobak
Julius Chrobak is a Senior Software Engineer with Finnova AG Bankware, Switzerland. Having more than 20 years of experience with software building, predominantly in the banking industry, he naturally transferred into the architecture domain. As the nature of the work developed towards the more strategic and abstract tasks, he sought structured methods to pave the way further in that direction.
And when the company offered iSAQB Foundation training, he grabbed the chance. His experience that followed was an in-depth exploration of the advanced certification and a hands-on exam project that seriously pushed his thinking and abilities.
For a complete overview of the iSAQB certification—its levels, benefits, and industry relevance start with our main article: Top 10 Questions About iSAQB Certification (Answered by Real Architects).
Type of interview: Podcast transcription
Here's Julius, in his own words, discussing what iSAQB did for his career, what it didn’t, and what to watch out for.
Julius’ Take on iSAQB Certification
Is iSAQB certification a waste of money and time? Why or why not?
I don't think it was a waste of time. For me, definitely not, the first part. The second part, the advanced level… I think it's a little bit overpriced, especially in the area of the courses. I found the courses to be fairly expensive for what they deliver. The examination task, on the other hand, I found very, very good value for money.
Why did you decide to take the iSAQB certification?
We had the opportunity in the company to do the foundation level. This was offered to many of the software engineers. And I took that and I liked it.
Then, a couple of years later, I switched to the role of software architecture… and I was thinking, is there something else I can do? And a couple of colleagues of mine did also the iSAQB advanced level. And then I decided that I will give it a shot.
How long did it take you to prepare for and pass the exam?
Preparation… it took a long time, definitely around 100 hours, which I had to invest in the examination. I think it was worth it.
Did the certification help you get a salary increase or a better position/job?
It didn't even somehow help with my salary or job… Some of my colleagues maybe don't even know today that I took the certification.
How do employers and clients view the iSAQB certification?
Clients definitely don't know that. This is more for personal development. This is my case.
What specific skills did you gain that you couldn’t have learned on the job?
This ability to create a complex document, architecture document, and have it reviewed from experts and get that feedback… that helped me also to navigate myself on the daily business with different stakeholders in the company.
How applicable is what you learned in real-world projects?
It helped. I learned how do I have to structure my documentation, how do I get each stakeholder view. How do I review these documents? That was the main skill.
Is the certification more focused on theory or practical application?
Foundation level… more theoretical.
The courses I did were also more theoretical.
The assignment… very practical. I've learned a lot there.
Do you feel that iSAQB helped you communicate better with stakeholders or developers?
Yes. Communication skill and the way to document my architecture much better and be able to communicate with the stakeholders that helped.
What’s the biggest difference you noticed in your work after getting certified?
I even had to do it twice, I think… but it was really an eye-opener to how this whole thing is actually done.
Would you say this certification has made you a better architect? How?
Yes. It gave me feedback from experts. That helped me improve.
Have you noticed a shift in how your colleagues view you after certification?
Some of my colleagues maybe don't even know today that I took the certification.
Would you recommend this certification to someone who’s already experienced in the field? Why?
I would not recommend this to anyone very experienced.
But if someone is trying to switch from software engineering, software development to software architecture, I think this is a good choice.
Final Thoughts: A Balanced View from Julius
Julius’ experience shows that iSAQB certification can be a valuable tool for personal development, especially for those transitioning from software development into architecture. But he also makes it clear:
The certification doesn’t automatically lead to career advancement, salary increases, or recognition, at least not in his case.
The biggest benefit came from the hands-on exam project and the expert feedback he received during that process. That helped him improve how he structures architectural documents and communicates with stakeholders.
For seasoned architects, Julius wouldn’t necessarily recommend the training courses, he felt they were overpriced and not always relevant.
But for those moving into an architecture role, it can be worthwhile, as long as the right courses are chosen carefully.
In his own words: “Make sure you understand what the assignment is… not try to invest a lot of time into 'I think this is what I should do'.”
