Iasa Architect Core
Part-fundedYour pathway to become a successful business technology architect.
A business solution that is fit for purpose (flexible, scalable, compliant, secure, reliable) depends on the underlying architecture being aligned to the business. In the same way, a good architect is based on a core set of foundational skills and knowledge from key competency focus areas.
Designed by architects for architects, and with a focus on bridging business visions with technological solutions, the Iasa Architect Core (CITA-F) course delves into fundamental principles, frameworks and best-practices. Beyond technical proficiency, the course emphasises strategic thinking, innovation and effective communication, for both aspiring and experienced IT professionals.
Delivered in partnership with the Irish chapter of Iasa Global, this 5-day in-person course will prepare you for key aspects of architecture practice, and give you the required knowledge of models and tools for developing business technology architectures that meet the demands of modern business.
If you are ready to become a skilled business technology architect who designs impactful, business-driven technology solutions, the Iasa Architect Core course provides the essential knowledge and tools to achieve your goals.
This Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet programme is cofunded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Click here to learn more about how the EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes in Ireland.
The course is ideal for IT professionals interested in transitioning to business technology (BT) architecture roles, experienced BT architects seeking formal recognition, technical team leaders wanting to deepen their strategic and business-focused architectural knowledge, and business analysts aiming to bridge the gap between business and technology.
You should at a minimum have basic knowledge and experience of system development. In order to pass the exam for certification, a thorough and complete understanding of the Iasa Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge (BTABoK) is necessary.
Ideal candidates for the course are:
- Technology architects, that are either new into the role or are seasoned architects, looking to update their skills, transition into BT architecture roles or are preparing for CITA-P/D certification.
- Experienced IT staff from other roles that are considering the move into technology architecture.
- Senior technical team leaders that are considering establishing or improving their architecture practice or want to deepen their strategic and business-focused architectural knowledge.
- Business analysts aiming to bridge the gap between business and technology.
All great business technology architects have a strong foundation in the three critical areas of architecture practice. The course structures the demand and supply chain over a series of 16 lessons, 20 plus exercises and a final presentation. Scroll down beyond the below graphic to learn more about the Competency Focus Areas.
Competency Focus Areas
This course specifically looks to improve understanding and skills in the following BTABoK Competency Areas:
- Business Technology Strategy
- Business Fundamentals
- Strategy Development and Rationalisation
- Industry Analysis
- Business Valuation
- Investment Prioritisation and Planning
- Requirements Discovery and Constraints Analysis
- Compliance
- Architecture Methodologies & Frameworks
- Risk Management
- Human Dynamics
- Managing the Culture
- Customer Relations
- Leadership and Management
- Peer Interaction
- Collaboration and Negotiation
- Presentation Skills
- Writing Skills
- Design
- Requirements Modeling
- Architecture Description
- Decomposition and Reuse
- Design Methodologies and Processes
- Design Patterns and Styles
- Design Analysis and Testing
- Traceability Throughout the Lifecycle
- Views & Viewpoints
- The Whole Systems Design
- Quality Attributes
- Balancing and Optimising Non Functional Requirements e.g. Performance, Security, Localisation, all the “ilities”
- Monitoring and Management
- Packaging, Delivery, Post Deployment
- IT Environment
- Technical Project Management
- Asset Management
- Change Management
- Infrastructure
- Application Development
- Governance
- Testing Methods, Tools, and Techniques
- Knowledge Management
- Decision Support
- Platforms and Frameworks
The premise of this course is very much ‘learn by doing’, and is structured over the 5-days into lessons that walk through the demand and supply chains of an architect’s engagement with clients, customers and other key stakeholders typical in any business.
In each lesson there are learning slides to help prepare for the workshop exercises that follow. Case studies are then used to support the learning outcomes.
There is extensive use of a subset of visual-based templates, preloaded in a visual tool, to capture important architecture information. This is referred to as the Structured Canvas Approach in the Iasa BTABOK (Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge). Students will collaborate in teams using the visual tool, present back to the wider class to be challenged and for open discussion, for the benefit of everyone on the course.
By the end of the week, you will be able to think about your technology solutions and communicate them with an entirely new level of stakeholder. Get ready for an intensive week of knowledge sharing, debate and teamwork!
At the end of this course you will gain a deep understanding of analysing complex business requirements, translating them into technological solutions, and ensuring alignment with overarching business strategy.
You will be able to think about your technology solutions and communicate them with an entirely new level of stakeholder. You will be able to describe the way your company is positioned within the enterprise and devise methods for making that position stronger. You can take these learnings and tools into your organisation, along with a wealth of further material provided in the Iasa Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge (BTABOK).
Ultimately this course, and the CITA-F certification, will set you up for success in the business technology architect profession, knowing what’s core to making you a better architect that adds value to your organisation.
Upon completion of this course, you will have an improved understanding of:
- What are architecture lifecycles, deliverables, and engagements
- How to improve an architecture practice engagement model
- Tools and techniques for value measurement, tradeoff analysis, design and quality attributes
- Methods to work across business, technical and management stakeholders
- Ways of understanding and using customer centric design approaches
- Better ways to combine agile delivery with architecture excellence
- Critical skills in navigating change management from ideation to execution
- How to plan and manage the competencies you need throughout an architecture career
Assessment
On the final day of the course, candidates present back their learning journey reflecting on what they have learnt, what they can apply to their role and that of their organisation’s architecture practice, and thoughts on their own career path.
Following completion of the course candidates must undertake an open book exam featuring multiple-choice questions within a specified time frame to earn the CITA-F certification level. Guidance on exam preparation and recommended study materials are provided to participants during the course.
Award
Upon successfully completing the course, participants will receive CITA-F industry certification from Iasa Ireland, validating their expertise in the field. This certification is recognised by industry professionals and signifies proficiency in relevant skills and knowledge essential for successin the field of architecture. The CITA-F credential is awarded by achieving 70% or higher on the CITA-F examination.
Fees
The fees for this programme are part-funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.
Full course fee: €2,500
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet grant: €500
Subsidised course fee: €2,000*
Subsidised fees are only available to eligible applicants*.
*Funding Eligibility
Applicants must be employed by, or operating as, an eligible business engaged in economic activity in the Republic of Ireland. This includes private companies, sole traders, commercial social enterprises and eligible commercial semi-state organisations. Additional eligibility verification may be required for certain organisation types to avail of grant-aided fees.
Applicants who do not meet our funding criteria may in some cases be able to apply directly with Iasa Ireland and pay the full course fee of €2,500 if there are available places.
If you have any questions for our programme team, please use the ‘Make An Enquiry’ form.
If you would like to make an application to join the next course start date, please use the ‘Apply Now’ form.
Hear from former Iasa Architect Core students
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions our team are asked most often about this programme. If your question is not answered here, make an enquiry and we will come back to you.
Iasa Architect Core is designed for both aspiring and experienced technology architects. It is particularly relevant for IT professionals moving into architecture roles, practising architects looking to strengthen or formalise their skills, senior technical leaders developing an architecture practice, and business analysts who want to bridge the gap between business and technology.
No. You do not need to already hold an architect role. The course is suitable for experienced IT professionals considering a move into technology architecture as well as existing architects. However, participants should have at least a basic knowledge and experience of system development so they can engage effectively with the architectural concepts covered.
The course covers important technical architecture concepts, but it goes significantly beyond technical design. Participants explore how architecture connects with business strategy, customer needs, investment decisions, risk, quality attributes, stakeholder management and organisational delivery. The aim is to develop architects who can connect technology decisions directly to business outcomes.
You will develop core capabilities across business technology strategy, human dynamics, architecture design, quality attributes and the wider IT environment. Topics include requirements, architecture frameworks, risk, stakeholder engagement, design methods, non-functional requirements, governance, change management and decision support.
The programme has a strong learn-by-doing approach. Across the five days, participants work through lessons, case studies and more than 20 exercises, using Iasa’s Structured Canvas Approach to analyse and document architecture information. Participants collaborate in teams, discuss and challenge solutions, and present their work back to the wider group.
Iasa Architect Core is an intensive five-day, in-person programme in Dublin, running from 9am to 5pm each day. The format combines instructor-led learning, practical exercises, case studies, teamwork, discussion and presentations.
CITA-F is an industry certification awarded by Iasa Ireland. After completing the course, participants must sit an open-book, multiple-choice CITA-F examination and achieve a score of 70% or higher to receive the certification. Guidance on preparation and recommended study materials is provided during the programme.
No. Completing the five days prepares you for the certification, but participants must also successfully pass the CITA-F examination. The exam takes place after the course and requires a score of at least 70%. Participants should also develop a thorough understanding of the Iasa Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge (BTABoK) when preparing for the examination.
The programme is designed to help you analyse complex business requirements, translate them into technology solutions and align architecture decisions with wider business strategy. You will also develop stronger approaches to stakeholder communication, value measurement, trade-off analysis, customer-centred design, agile delivery and architecture practice development.
To access the subsidised fee, applicants must be employed by, or operating as, an eligible business engaged in economic activity in the Republic of Ireland. This includes private companies, sole traders, commercial social enterprises and eligible commercial semi-state organisations. Additional eligibility verification may be required for certain organisation types to avail of grant-aided fees.
