Tips to pass your Salesforce Certified Data Architecture and Management Designer exam

I recently passed my Data Architecture and Management Designer certification. This was my second designer cert, and the one that got me my Application Architect credential. I am really happy and content about my architect journey so far.
The designer certifications are really important, and gives you an opportunity to put your years of experience to test.

About me:
Currently, I work as a Salesforce Technical Lead at Appirio (A Wipro Company), Ireland. I have been working in the Salesforce eco-system for the last 6 years, primarily in a developer/consultant capacity. I have had the opportunity to work on most of the platform features, on standard/out-of-the-box & custom development and with a variety of teams. This really prepared me for my designer exams.
Personally speaking, one of the best learning resource in order to pass this exam (and all other Salesforce exams) are the lessons learnt from challenges which I face/faced in my projects, the knowledge which I acquired from Trailhead, and speaking to my mentors from the Trailblazer community.

About the exam, and the Application Architect track.
Application Architect is one of the two key credentials to be earned on your journey to become a CTA. The other one being the System Architect. To become an Application Architect, you need to have the following certifications:

Link to my article on tips to pass the Sharing and Visibility Designer exam.

Data Architecture and Management designer exam tests your knowledge on managing large data volumes, reporting on data, merge/integrate data between external systems, and optimizing & governing data on the Salesforce platform.
The exam is broken down in different sections, covering the following topics (shown in the picture below). Every section has a different weightage for the exam (as shown below).

1. Data Modelling
   This section has the highest weightage in the exam. It covers topics involving data modelling decisions like using lookup vs MD relationship, Salesforce connect and external objects, usage of big objects and using picklist fields vs custom objects.
2. Conceptual Design
   This section tests your knowledge on duplication/matching rules, validate the accuracy/completion/integrity of data entered in the system, automation rules for approvals, children record updates, monitor KPI/metrics, and AppExchange packages to maintain data quality
3. Master Data Management
   When it comes to handling multiple data sources, this section covers the concepts like system of records, single source of truth, MDM, and data consolidation.
4. Metadata Management
   This one tests your knowledge around the metadata api, touching topics like custom metadata types vs custom settings, required components in building a data dictionary, ERD, debug logs, setup audit trail and event monitoring.
5. Data Archiving
   In all fairness, Salesforce comes with limitations on storage of your org’s data. This section talks about archiving and purging strategies for your data. A data architect must be able to recommend tools for ETL or exporting of data for reporting/monitoring purposes, and tracking updates to the data, while considering platform and regulatory regulations.
6. Data Governance
   This sections covers the roles and responsibilities of a data steward, and his/her role in setting up a data governance plan:
   Refer: this article
7. Business Intelligence, Reporting & Analytics
   This section talks about optimizing reports filters, and performance when handling large data volumes. Make sure to know more about skinny tables, its advantages and how to create one. An architect must know when to seek help from AppExchange for reports and dashboard packages, and limitation around custom report types.
   Refer: this article
8. Data Migration
   This section tests your knowledge around bulk data loads, how to avoid locking errors, data skew issue, order of loading objects, and good practices when it comes to migrate large amounts of data.
9. Performance Tuning
   This section covers knowledge on improving performance while doing large data migration. Important topics cover skinny tables, indexing, SOQL query optimization, and building efficient reports.

Practice exams
When it comes to mock/ practice exams, I only trust FocusOnForce. They have many practice questions with its answers, coupled with relevant explanation and references.

Some cool blog-posts on this subject:
1. https://jenwlee.com/2019/06/11/how-i-studied-for-the-data-architecture-and-management-designer-exam/
2. http://www.salesforcechris.com/data-architecture-and-management-designer-study-guide/
3. http://gemmablezard.com/salesforce-certified-data-architecture-management-designer-exam-tips

PS: Do not forget to complete this trailmix

Feel free to reach out to me in case of any questions regarding the exam. I wish you the very best for your exam and in your Salesforce career.

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