I passed the VCDX certification back in 2016. It was a journey that I felt was very worthwhile.
The process helped me develop skills that I have used every day as a freelance instructor, independent consultant, and, over the past two years, within my current role in the field as an architect for VMware.
Another valuable and re-usable output of the VCDX process, in my opinion, is the documentation submission itself.
The VCDX requires significant investment both from a monetary and time perspective. Also, most certifications have a specific shelf life around the support lifecycle of the product being examined. Is this true for the VCDX?
The VCDX submission phase requires;
- Architecture design document
- Installation guide
- Implementation plan
- Testing Plan
- Standard operating procedures.
The completeness and detail required for each document within a VCDX submission may be seen as overwhelming for real-life project needs.
The year is now 2020; nearly 4 years have passed since I finished my VCDX journey. My documentation set and presentation are still as valuable to me as ever.
I think this is a key differentiator between the VCDX and other certifications.
The methodology, approach, and understanding of the appropriate level of detail for each area of a technical project are hidden within the submitted VCDX documentation set.
I personally created my own conceptual and logical styles/icons for my documentation and presentation materials. I now use and update these styles as the technology I work with and types of projects change.
My submission has gradually become my working starting material for all my architectural, presentation, and enablement work. A set of styles for the way I think and develop ideas with others.
Without my VCDX journey, I doubt I would have had such an understanding of the roles each different team has in the project lifecycle, the outputs required at each stage, nor would I have dedicated as much time to creating personalized documentation styles I can use time and time again.
As technologists, we gain experience from each project we work on. We may have good examples of documentation, however not necessarily a cohesive set that illustrates the links between technical and business layers on a single project. The advantage of the VCDX journey experience is the understanding and examples of where gaps can cause problems later ( i.e. Risk management, operational testing, security considerations, project planning approach).
In the field, it is often these gaps that cause the problems and unfortunately, they can occur too late to change without significant impact to a project or product consumption.
Possessing example (peer-reviewed) documentation or an understanding of where to start/what to cover is a great advantage when working with others with limited time to assist.
Although my current role is more design review than creation, I often transition from a whiteboard in the initial phases of project discussions to providing example design material created using the experience and styles I created during my VCDX experience.
The level of detail, and thought process required for the VCDX certification provides the structure I need to quickly form relevant materials to articulate and display design decisions, operational tasks,s or customer requirements/impacts to other professionals.
From a partner or consulting perspective this method of architectural output has become second nature post-VCDX and is valuable for transitioning between pre-sales to post-sales, scoping custom services, and working with teams with a variety of skill sets.
Some thoughts, questions, and tips I have picked up along my VCDX journey.
Should I use some templates and just customize them for my VCDX project?
Although accepted as part of the VCDX submission, it is unlikely a standard project template will cover all areas of the blueprint for a VCDX submission. The amount of reworking required could potentially take a lot of time. I personally recommend creating your own simple style at least for the conceptual and logical phases (ie with diagrams – no vendor symbols, simple shapes with data flow, design illustrations).
These can form part of your custom workflow and toolset post VCDX. The reusable opportunity makes this activity much more justifiable and rewarding.
Is the reusability of a VCDX submission another way of recommending to use boiler-plate designs?
Not at all, every artifact is customized for the project being worked on. The process, logic, and level of detail are the reusable factors. The time it took to create the first set for a VCDX defense is dramatically reduced as an architect gains more experience.
I am working on a joint submission with another candidate. Do I lose some value here? Does it even apply to me?
Although you may be submitting jointly, you will go through the review process in the same manner. Creating a customized, unique slide deck and style may help you understand and position/present the areas your VCDX partner documented. The panel phase of the certification also has soft skills elements, being comfortable with your content and wording is extremely important to showcase your skills on the defense day.
Create a redacted version of your VCDX documentation and use it as an example of work for interviews, and future job discussions.
Having an example project story and detailed example of documentation to discuss with a future employer is extremely useful. The level of explanation and detail from a VCDX submission is great for a body of work, also post VCDX you will be well versed in answering questions and leading an interview type scenario.
As you create a documentation set for any future project, consider creating a corresponding working slide deck at the same time.
I find creating a VCDX panel defense style of presentation for every project I am working on extremely useful for an unexpected Zoom call or an urgent status report. This approach helps provide structure and technical comfort to the team reassuring them that everything is progressing well. The presentation looks so much better online than skimming through a draft document.
How is this relevant to new technologies?
When learning a new technology, I normally use a light touch or abridged version of this VCDX submission process to establish the likely questions, design choices, operational impacts, and example architecture to quickly self enable. This method of working is one of the most valuable by-products of the VCDX journey. Technology is always changing; this way of working enables me to evolve, too.