Not Sure If iSAQB Is Recognized in the Real World?
One of the most common doubts professionals have about iSAQB is this: “Is it even known outside the architecture community?” And maybe more importantly, “Will I actually use what I learn?”
To find out, we didn’t guess. We asked professionals who have gone through it.
This Q&A is part of our iSAQB series, where we ask architects across industries the most relevant questions about their certification experience. For the full context (and comparison with others), check out the pillar post: Top 10 Questions About iSAQB Certification (Answered by Real Architects)
In this article, Raphael Suter, Technical Lead for Java Applications at Qualitas AG, explains how the iSAQB certification helped him improve his ability to analyze systems, communicate complexity, and make architectural decisions with more clarity and depth.
Raphael Suter’s iSAQB Experience
Is iSAQB certification a waste of money & time? Why or why not?
No it's not a waste of money. iSAQB offers very educational courses to learn about software architecture.
Why did you initially choose to get iSAQB certified?
To have a certification which focuses on software architecture which is known in the industry.
How long did it take you to prepare for the foundation exam?
For me it was moderate effort to prepare for the foundation exam. The final exam is still waiting for me.
Did the certification help you get a salary increase or a better position/job?
No, but as I do a lot of architecture work in our systems me and my company wanted to have some certifications focusing architecture.
How do employers and clients view the iSAQB certification?
The brand is only known to the experts, therefore they don't know iSAQB but can see the impact on our systems in the long run.
What specific skills did you gain that you couldn’t have learned on the job?
The diversity of layers you have in architecture.
How applicable is what you learned in real-world projects?
The process of analyzing a problem on different layers of architecture is what helped me better understand challenges, technical dept and other problems. Also planning extensions gets easier if you can judge based on more information.
Is the certification more focused on theory or practical application?
In my opinion the courses I took where well balanced in regards of theory and practical exercises.
Does iSAQB stay up to date with modern architectural trends like cloud and AI?
Yes, the courses content looked pretty much up to date and well updated with new information.
Do you feel that iSAQB helped you communicate better with stakeholders or developers?
Yes and no. I learned a lot about architecture judgement and analyzing it. The information alone doesn't make you a better communicator. But if you're able to form this information into valid and convincing arguments for sure it helps with stakeholders and developers.
What’s the biggest difference you noticed in your work after getting certified?
My analyzing and judgement skill for software architecture has improved.
Would you say this certification has made you a better architect? How?
Yes. I'm able to take decisions based on skills I learned in the iSAQB certification process.
Do you think iSAQB certification is necessary for software architects, or just nice to have?
It's nice to have some level of certification in hand focusing software architecture.
Have you noticed a shift in how your colleagues view you after certification?
Yes, more coworkers signed up for the courses at iSAQB.
Would you recommend this certification to someone who’s already experienced in the field? Why?
It's never a bad thing get more knowledge, do courses and discussion with people from IT. To get a certificate based on software architecture is always a good thing.
Final Reflection: Layers to Leadership
Raphael Suter, Technical Lead Java Applications at Qualitas AG, takes a measured view of the iSAQB certification. For him, it wasn’t about career advancement or recognition, it was about gaining structure in how to think through complex architecture problems.
What’s most intriguing in Raphael Suter’s remarks is the priority he assigns to depth and to clarity. For him, iSAQB was more than acquiring credentials, it was acquiring the means to improve the way he analyzes deep systems, the way he recognizes technical debt, and the way he imagines long-term architectural transformations with more insight.
He also points out something many professionals will relate to: even if a certification isn’t known by everyone, the value of what you learn becomes visible in the quality of your systems and your decisions.
For Raphael, the certification isn't a milestone, it’s a toolkit, one that helps make architectural decisions more informed and more defensible.
Even though he never pursued the credential for job-related reasons, it did have some ripple effects on his employees. Other coworkers were introduced after experiencing the value and that says it all.
Would you like to compare Raphael’s experience with other professionals who took the same journey? Check out the full Q&A series: Top 10 Questions About iSAQB Certification (Answered by Real Architects)
