Certifications often raise more questions than they answer, especially in architecture roles where experience is everything. Is iSAQB worth dedicating time on? Just another checkbox? What actually does set you apart after achieving certification?
At tecnovy, we’ve heard all of these questions, and we wanted answers not based on theory but on actual experience. That’s why we set out our iSAQB Podcast Project: because we wanted firsthand interviews with actual professionals who've undergone certification themselves.
We talked to:
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Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG
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Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch
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Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware
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Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG
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Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH
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Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH
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Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA
Each participant answered the same core questions about their iSAQB experience. In this article, we share their full answers, side by side, with a short tecnovy summary before each question to give context.
Whether you’re considering the certification or trying to figure out how it fits into your career, this guide is for you.
1. Is iSAQB Certification Really Worth the Time and Money?
It’s a fair question, one that pops up regularly on Reddit, in team meetings, and even in tech Slack groups. Is this just another training event with a badge tacked on at the end, or does it actually provide any value at all?
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"No training is a waste of money and time, I think. This is my personal opinion. But the iSAQB is special in the way that it is very well architectured. I mean, it's made by software architects. They know what you're doing, trust me."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"I would say it's worth the investment. The structure of the certification gives you real feedback, and you get something back for your time."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"The certification brings structure into your architectural thinking. That alone makes it worth it."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"If you're serious about growing in this field, the certification helps you benchmark yourself against real architectural standards."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"Definitely worth it. You invest time, but it gives back much more in clarity and structure."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"It helped sharpen my architectural thinking. The structure is demanding but not random, it’s built with real depth."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"I see it as a solid investment. It’s one of the few certifications that doesn’t just feel like a rubber stamp."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"The program makes you step back and look at the big picture. You suddenly realize what you’ve been missing in daily project life."
2. Is iSAQB Certification Just a Nice-to-Have or Truly Necessary for Architects?
In software architecture, roles and responsibilities vary widely across teams and industries. For these reasons, many wonder: Is iSAQB actually necessary for me or simply a useful addition?
During our interviews for our podcast series, we noticed a pattern: while no one described the certification as a necessity, there were many who singled out the certification as a valuable step toward becoming more competent, more effective, and more prominent on their projects.
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"Even if you are experienced, there are so many courses that you could take. I'm absolutely sure there is no one who knows details about each and every of them."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"It’s not mandatory, but if you want to grow into a real architectural role and be able to defend your decisions, something like iSAQB gives you structure."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"Nobody hands you the job of an architect. You have to prove it. This certification is one way to show you’ve earned it. [...] It’s a solid way to communicate that you care about quality and structure, not just delivering code."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"You can be a senior developer without it, sure. But if you want to lead architecture in a structured way, it really helps."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"It’s not mandatory, but it raises the bar. You notice the difference between architects who’ve trained and those who haven’t."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"You can learn on the job, sure. But this formal path pushes you to reflect. That’s hard to do when you’re deep in delivery mode."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"It's not just about learning a method, it's about learning a mindset. The certification builds that step by step."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"Without this certification, I might have missed blind spots in my architectural thinking. It gave structure to things I already sensed but never formalized."
None of the architects said iSAQB is the only way, but all agree it provides a clear, structured, and valuable path for anyone who wants to sharpen their mindset and be recognized for it.
Each answer reflects a different phase in an individual's professional life but all lead ultimately back to the same fundamental value proposition: iSAQB clarifies. It identifies what software architecture is, why certain decisions are critical, and how to communicate them to others. If you begin there or start from there, the certification gives your work language, structure, and legitimacy.
Is it really a necessity?
It's goal-dependent. But if you aim to grow further in your role, lead with confidence, and get aligned with people who work in the field, it’s more than just a “nice-to-have.”
3. What Real-World Skills Do You Gain from the iSAQB Program?
What makes the iSAQB program different from a pile of books on architecture or online tutorials?
One of the most common misunderstandings about architecture certifications is that they’re purely theoretical. But across all our interviews, we heard something different: iSAQB builds a skillset that translates directly into project decisions, documentation practices, and how architects lead technical conversations.
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"I actually had to redo it, by the way. I didn't manage to do it perfectly in the first time, but this was also really good learning. Because if they have, for example, given me just the feedback, yeah, it's looking good, no problem, you're in, it wouldn't be the same learning effect. And I enjoyed the learning effect really well, because they have pointed me details that I didn't see."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"You understand better what tradeoffs you have to make and how to discuss them with your team. You develop a better structure for analyzing complex systems and putting things in context."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"What helped me most was learning how to handle trade-offs in architectural decisions and how to justify them clearly in front of others."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"The biggest skill I gained was writing architectural documentation that others can actually understand and use. That changed the way I work in teams."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"I now feel more confident explaining architecture to different stakeholders and defending my choices based on real principles—not just gut feeling."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"The exercises helped me go from high-level ideas to implementation detail and made me more conscious about how to communicate my architectural rationale."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"It gave me a structured way to think about documentation, not just as a task, but as an integral part of architectural quality."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"Before, I struggled with breaking down complex systems. Now, I feel more confident in separating concerns and prioritizing what matters most."
The iSAQB program isn’t just about academic learning, it gives professionals a way to sharpen their decision-making, documentation, and critical thinking in real-world conditions. Participants repeatedly mention that it helped them surface blind spots and build stronger architectural habits they now rely on in their day-to-day work.
4. How Theoretical or Practical Is the iSAQB Curriculum?
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"So the part where you go to trainings and you listen to someone and then you do a bit of exercise is more like... 70% theory and 40% practice. It is still more practical than just listening to some videos on YouTube and not doing anything, but the real practice comes when you go for the advanced certification. And you have to do this project at the end, because there you have to apply all the theory you have learned, plus, you have to read yourself a lot, you have to search, you have to develop your own methodology, tactics on how to document all that's in your head. And this is 100% practice."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"The foundation is more theoretical, yes. But the advanced level project puts you in a situation where you need to solve a real problem from start to finish. It’s much more than just writing an exam."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"You get the theory in the trainings, but the final project forces you to apply everything. You don’t just learn the concepts, you use them."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"It’s structured in a way that gives you theory first, but you need to build a full architecture afterward. You have to make decisions, justify them, document them. That’s real work."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"In the trainings, you learn to navigate both theory and practice. The real practical value came through in the project work, this is where everything clicks."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"The theoretical foundations were essential. But what really stood out were the case studies and interactive sessions where you had to apply the theory in complex settings."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"It is a great mix. The base is theory, but you’re constantly working on exercises that require real thought and application."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"It was more practical than I expected. The trainers often challenge your answers and force you to back up your design decisions with arguments."
So if you are wondering whether iSAQB is “too theoretical,” the answer will vary based on how far you are through the program. But by program's end, if done in its entirety, there is no debate about its applicability.
Featured resources:
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5. How Long Does It Take to Prepare for and Pass the iSAQB Certification?
One of the first questions people ask is how long it takes to complete iSAQB—especially the Advanced Level. We wanted to understand how much time and energy professionals really spent preparing, and whether it was manageable alongside their jobs.
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"For the foundation, I only needed the training week and a little bit of review. The advanced level took much longer. I spent several weeks working in the evenings. It was like taking on a small freelance project."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"I worked on the final project over about two months, evenings and weekends. It takes time—not just to write, but to think things through properly."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"It’s a serious commitment. I had to plan for it like I would for any complex delivery. You can’t just squeeze it into your week, you need to carve out time."
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"The first for the foundation certification was a theoretical exam, for which I didn't prepare more than just take the foundation training. And the second one, with the practical project, it took a lot of time. I won't lie to you. Is like a second job activity for a few months, you really have to want to do it."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"You need several months if you’re doing it alongside a full-time job. I underestimated how long the project would take. It’s not impossible, but it needs discipline and clear time planning."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"It’s doable in parallel to work, but you have to pace yourself. The deeper you go, the more time you need."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"The trainings are short and intense. But the certification project really stretches you. I worked on it over several months in sprints."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"I split it into phases. It took a while, but the flexibility helped. You’re not on a fixed schedule, which makes it more realistic."
Most participants took the Foundation Level with minimal prep beyond the course itself. However, the Advanced Level project was consistently described as time-consuming and demanding. It’s not something to rush, those who succeeded planned for several months and treated it like a second job. But with motivation and structure, they all managed to balance it with work life.
The preparation timeline isn’t fixed, but those who approached it with seriousness and treated it like a real architecture job reported the most personal growth.
6. How Can You Choose the Right Training Provider for iSAQB?
The iSAQB curriculum is standardized, but the learning experience can vary a lot depending on who trains you. So we asked participants: What made their training providers stand out and what should others look for when choosing one?
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"All my trainers were people who took part in real world projects and who could answer questions about, okay, how does this look in reality? The things that you're telling me, the things that you are showing me in theory, and those people could answer these questions. It is not just theory, but it's the chance to see the people who have lived the theory in their projects and ask them questions and do exercises with them."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"The quality of the trainers was very high. They didn’t just read from slides, they told stories from their own projects. That made the difference."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"What I valued was the openness and flexibility. You could really ask anything—and they often challenged your thinking in a good way."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"The trainers were deeply experienced, even if not all of them were currently working as architects. But their past experience and knowledge was obvious. They knew the details and had seen real teams struggle with these concepts."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"I would recommend checking if the trainers are close to real projects. Not necessarily active today, but they should have been in the field enough to make theory practical."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"I picked a training where the instructor had worked in the industry. That made a huge difference. The examples weren’t just slides, they were from real projects."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"Some trainers just present the content, others bring it to life. I was lucky to have someone who had real war stories from the field."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"Choose someone who doesn’t just explain concepts, but also questions you. The training should feel like a conversation, not just a lecture."
What’s the takeaway? It’s not about the brand, the format, or whether it’s onsite or remote. The real differentiator is whether the provider creates an environment where trainers bring experience, encourage questions, and give honest, applicable feedback.
So, before choosing a provider, ask:
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Do the trainers have solid, hands-on experience in real architecture projects?
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Are they able to connect theory to project realities, whether through current roles or past, in-depth experience?
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Is there room to discuss your own challenges?
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Do you get structured feedback and time to reflect?
A good provider will make you feel less like a student, more like a peer stepping into a deeper conversation about architecture.
7. What’s the Most Noticeable Change in Your Work After Getting Certified?
Beyond the certificate itself, what actually changes in day-to-day work? We asked participants to reflect on how the iSAQB experience affected their thinking, approach, and how others in the team perceive their role.
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"I approach meetings and planning with more confidence now. I feel like I can justify my design decisions clearly, not just technically but strategically."
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"Next time I'm asked to do an architecture, I know which are the most important points. [...] I got really valuable feedback from the people who revised my work. [...] They have pointed me details that I didn't see. And this is the actual gem of the architecture work. You're supposed to dig and dig and dig until you reach places you didn't think about in the beginning."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"Before, I was mostly focused on solving problems fast. After the certification, I started thinking more in terms of system impact and long-term consequences."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"After the certification, I started paying much more attention to the why behind architectural decisions. Not just what we do, but why we do it and making that visible to the team."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"I gained a lot of confidence in structuring discussions and handling stakeholder requirements. It’s easier now to lead conversations because I have a better framework in my head."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"My colleagues noticed the shift. I was able to justify decisions better, argue more clearly, and contribute to architecture reviews with a new level of structure and clarity."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"It gave me a structured mindset. I no longer just fix things, I plan them with architecture in mind."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"The biggest change? I now write better documentation and I understand its importance. Before, I underestimated how much it affects long-term project quality."
The most visible changes happen not only in architecture outputs but in how these professionals think, argue, document, and communicate. The certification helped sharpen the “why” behind their technical work and gave them new tools to express it in ways that resonate with both developers and stakeholders.
Across the board, the certification would seem to encourage a more reflective, deliberate mindset, making technical decisions not in isolation, but in the context of long-term system needs, business goals, and team communication.
The result?
More confidence in one’s own role, and more trust from other people.
8. Does iSAQB Help You Communicate Better with Stakeholders and Developers?
Architecture is not just about systems, it’s about people. We wanted to know if iSAQB helped our participants navigate communication, especially with teams, product owners, and business stakeholders.
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"The training really helped me translate complex architecture into something my team and stakeholders can actually use. I got better at simplifying things without losing meaning."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"I used to go deep into technical terms, and that confused stakeholders. Now I tailor my message depending on who I’m speaking to. That’s something I learned directly through the iSAQB process."
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"Considering all this and putting it into your architecture requires a lot of knowledge, methodology and communication skills, and all of these are part of the iSAQB certification. [...] You need skills in all those areas to excel well as a software architect."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"iSAQB helped me explain architecture decisions in a more structured way, especially to people who don’t have a technical background. I used to jump into technical terms too fast—now I start with the 'why' and work down."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"The most useful part was understanding how to involve stakeholders and how to document quality attributes in a way that makes sense for both technical and non-technical people."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"We often miss alignment because people talk past each other. The certification helped me speak in clearer terms, especially when managing expectations or presenting tradeoffs."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"I used to struggle with explaining decisions to product owners. Now I have a common language to make architecture understandable to non-developers."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"It made me more aware of the soft skills I had ignored before. Knowing the technical side is one thing, but now I feel more prepared to bridge gaps between developers and business.
All participants agree that communication isn’t a side skill in software architecture, it’s central.
The iSAQB framework helped them build the vocabulary and confidence to make technical topics accessible and to align better with everyone involved in a project.
This ability to connect technical depth with human understanding, across different functions, might be one of the iSAQB program’s most underappreciated strengths.
9. Are Online Comments About iSAQB Being a “Money Trap” Actually True?
If you’ve ever browsed Reddit threads or developer forums, you’ve probably come across claims like “iSAQB is just another cash grab.” We brought this concern directly to the people who completed it and asked for their honest take.
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"Yes, it's an investment, but I never felt like it was a trap. You actually have to do the work. It’s not just about paying to pass."
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"No training is a waste of money and time, I think. [...] The iSAQB is special in the way that it is very well architectured."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"The program makes you step back and look at the big picture. You suddenly realize what you’ve been missing in daily project life."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"If you just want a piece of paper, you won’t get much out of it. But if you treat it seriously, it absolutely gives value. The project phase alone taught me things I never got from books."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"It’s not cheap, but it’s not a scam. It’s a structured way to test and expand your skills. You get what you put into it."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"Definitely worth it. You invest time, but it gives back much more in clarity and structure."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"It’s one of the few certifications that doesn’t just feel like a rubber stamp."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"The structure is demanding but not random—it’s built with real depth."
None of the architects we interviewed felt that the certification was a waste of money or time. On the contrary, most emphasized the long-term return: more structure in their thinking, deeper communication with teams, and confidence in complex decisions. The “money trap” label simply didn’t reflect their reality.
10. Would You Recommend iSAQB to Experienced Architects?
This is a question we were especially curious about. Is iSAQB still useful if you’ve already spent years in the field? Or is it just for those starting out? We asked experienced professionals directly, would they recommend it to peers who already hold architectural roles?
Kristina van Cappelle, Full-Stack Developer at Daimler Truck AG:
"Even if you are experienced, there are so many courses that you could take. I'm absolutely sure there is no one who knows details about each and every of them. [...] Also, even if you are experienced, there are constantly new topics coming in where you can specialize yourself."
Tobias Ammann, Business Lead Stream Technology Services & Senior Software Architect at Bedag Informatique SA:
"It’s a good reflection tool. [...] You formalize what you already sensed. [...] I would recommend it even to those with experience, as it forces you to question how and why you make decisions."
Julius Chrobak, Senior Software Engineer at Finnova AG Bankware:
"Even if you’ve been working for a long time, going through the process forces you to reflect on your decisions and document your thinking clearly. That’s valuable at any level."
Alexander Pritzkau, Teamleader Software Development AI at Inverso GmbH:
"It helps experienced developers structure what they already know—and often find gaps they didn’t realize they had."
Darshan Shah, Software Architect at Bosch:
"There’s always room to learn. Even for senior people, the certification is a way to align with best practices and get peer-level feedback."
Stephan Schlatter, Branch Manager at Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH:
"Yes. It’s a process of self-validation. You don’t just repeat what you know, you’re asked to justify your decisions, write them down, defend them. It’s valuable no matter your level."
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java applications at Qualitas AG:
"I think even experienced architects would benefit, especially from the feedback process during the advanced level project. It’s not just about learning new things, but about sharpening what you already do."
Lukas Kamber, Lead Developer at myky.ch:
"There’s always more to learn. Even as a lead, I found gaps in how I approach things. The iSAQB structure helped me fill those."
Experience doesn’t cancel out the value of iSAQB, it deepens it. All of the professionals we spoke to agree: even seasoned architects walk away with sharper tools, new ways of thinking, and better habits. The certification doesn’t just teach, it challenges and validates, no matter your seniority.
Final Thoughts: What the iSAQB Certification Really Offers
After hearing directly from professionals with real-world experience, one thing is clear: iSAQB is not just a title or a formality. It’s a serious step toward becoming a better software architect.
For some, it adds credibility. For others, it brings structure to knowledge they already had but couldn’t frame clearly. The biggest takeaway? It makes you think more clearly, communicate better, and approach architecture work with purpose.
From solid theory to hands-on challenges, the certification gives space to make mistakes, get feedback, and grow. It’s not mandatory for everyone, but for those who care about doing architecture right, it’s a powerful tool.
Still unsure? Hear it from those who’ve been there. These aren’t marketing lines, they’re real voices from the field.
