Revision Guide for MB-600: Microsoft Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect
Exam Overview
“Passing MB-600 validates the skills and knowledge to lead successful implementations and focus on how solutions address the broader business and technical needs of organisations. A Solution Architect has functional and technical knowledge of the Power Platform model-driven apps in Dynamics 365, such as Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Dynamics 365 Field Service, Dynamics 365 Marketing, and Dynamics 365 Sales, related Microsoft cloud solutions, and other third-party technologies.” — Microsoft via Acclaim
Recently I sat and passed MB-600. I was relieved and excited, as this made up the final part of the puzzle for the only current ‘Expert’ level certification Microsoft offers for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform at this time [Jul ‘20].
As we can see from the below, there are a number of ways to achieve the necessary pre-requisites to achieve your ‘Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect Expert’ certification.
My particular combination of pre-requisites, was MB-200 + MB-210, to give me my ‘Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate’ certification. This in combination with my newly achieved MB-600 exam, completed the necessary steps to achieve the Expert Certification.
My Experience
This exam was the first that had me down to the last 40 minutes, reading questions three times over. As such and unsurprisingly, this exam requires thorough revision and a commitment to learning things you may not work with every day.
I drew many comparisons to MB-200: Microsoft Power Platform + Dynamics 365 Core, an exam that if you are not familiar with, I would recommend taking first, or at least familiarising yourself with by taking the related Microsoft Learn modules.
I was also interested in the distinction Microsoft clarifies, between Solution Architect and Functional Consultant. It was good to see Microsoft explaining the key responsibilities of a Solution Architect and where the role’s remit ends.
Microsoft Learn
As always, Microsoft Learn has a wealth of relevant content, designed to educate and test you on the skills required to pass this exam.
Here is the recommended Learning Path for MB-600, as found under the ‘Ways to Prepare’ section of the exam page:
As part of the above Learning Path, you are able to take five modules on a variety of key skills required to be/become a successful Solution Architect.
The recognition for your learning starts well before the exam. Once you begin the ‘Architect solutions for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform’ Learning Path on Microsoft Learn, you’re eligible for the below badges and trophies:
If you carry out your learning through a training platform, such as TIDWIT, you may also be eligible for a Certificate of Completion — like the one below.
Trial Environment
As with anything:
“The Best Way of Learning About Anything, is by Doing” — Richard Branson.
MB-600 is no exception — so get a trial environment set-up or use an existing sandbox to trial and error any of the material mentioned as part of either the Microsoft Learn Modules or the Skills Measured guidance.
Real World Experiences
Don’t be afraid to call on your experience. After all, this exam is largely based on testing your knowledge from experiences and ensuring you know how best to handle certain situations going forward.
Skills Measured (Post July 30th 2020 Updated) ³
Use the below percentages as an indication of how to split your revision time.
Perform solution envisioning and requirement analysis (30–35%)
Initiate solution planning
· evaluate business requirements
· identify solution components
· identify and estimate migration effort
Identify organisation information and metrics
· identify and document an organisation’s business processes
· assess organisation’s risk factors
Identify existing solutions and systems
· evaluate organisation enterprise architecture
· identify data sources to be included in the solution
· define usage and quality of legacy data
· identify desired high-level organisational business processes
Capture requirements
· refine high level requirement
· identify functional requirements
· identify technical requirements
· confirm requirements meet organisation’s goals
Perform fit/gap analysis
· determine feasibility of requirements
· evaluate Dynamics 365 apps and AppSource options to solve requirements
· address functional gaps through alternate solutions
· determine scope
Architect a solution (45–50%)
Lead design process
· design solution topology
· design customisations for Dynamics 365 apps or AppSource apps
· validate and/or design user experience prototypes
· identify opportunities for component reuse
· communicate system design visually
· design Application Lifecycle Management
· design data migration strategy
· partition features into apps
· design visualisation strategy
· design for upgradeability
· create functional design documents
Design data and security model
· design entities and fields
· design reference and configuration data
· design complex scenarios
· design business unit team structure
· design security roles
· design field security
Design integrations
· design collaboration integration
· design Dynamics 365 integration
· design internal system integration
· design third-party integration
· design authentication strategy
· design business continuity strategy
· design integrations with Microsoft Azure
Implement the solution (20–25%)
Validate the solution design
· evaluate detail designs and implementation
· validate security
Support Go-Live
· facilitate risk reduction of performance items
· troubleshoot data migration
· review and advise in deployment planning
· review and advise with Go-Live Assessment
Good Luck
Thanks for reading — I hope this helps steer your revision efforts and gets you one step closer to being ready to book, sit and pass MB-600.
Good luck and let me know how you get on!
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