OCMJEA or TOGAF which first?

[Aykut Bulgu]

Hi all,

A few hours ago I asked Jeanne Boyarsky the below question in mail. She offered me to post this question in forum.

mabulgu wrote:
...
I am a java developer for about 8-9 years, and I want to reshape my career path towards software architecture. So that I want to get a certification of OCMJEA or TOGAF. However I couldn't decide which one to begin first. Considering their difficulty and other parameters could you give me an advice about this?

Note: English is not my mother lang., so sorry for any mistakes:/

Jeanne wrote:Please post this question in the forum. I will reply to it within 24 hours of posting. Someone else even might reply first.

This ensures everyone can benefit from the response.

Any further advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[K. Tsang]

Welcome to the Ranch.

Both certs are related to architecture indeed, but each cert focuses on different aspects. I have done OCMJEA so I'm more familiar with it than TOGAF.

The basic steps for getting each

OCMJEA
mandatory training (can be done any time)
multiple choice exam
assignment & essay (max 6 month period)

TOGAF
2 multiple choice exams or 1 combined exam

OCMJEA is more like application architect level using the Java platform whereas TOGAF is more toward enterprise architecture and vendor neutral. TOGAF also focuses on a process (aka framework) so to speak and OCMJEA is basically about Java technology.

There are several levels/types of architect per se:
application architect
software architect
system architect
IT architect
solution architect
enterprise architect
infrastructure architect
business architect
<fill in the blank> architect eg cloud, SOA, big data ... practically anything (really specific)


Well having search on the Ranch for such comparison, you can check out more
https://coderanch.com/t/494953/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/Architech-Certification
https://coderanch.com/t/606566/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/togaf-scea
https://coderanch.com/t/506673/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/SCEA-Togaf-Zachman

Hope this help a bit

[Aykut Bulgu]

K. Tsang wrote:Welcome to the Ranch.

Both certs are related to architecture indeed, but each cert focuses on different aspects. I have done OCMJEA so I'm more familiar with it than TOGAF.

The basic steps for getting each

OCMJEA
mandatory training (can be done any time)
multiple choice exam
assignment & essay (max 6 month period)

TOGAF
2 multiple choice exams or 1 combined exam

OCMJEA is more like application architect level using the Java platform whereas TOGAF is more toward enterprise architecture and vendor neutral. TOGAF also focuses on a process (aka framework) so to speak and OCMJEA is basically about Java technology.

There are several levels of architect per se:
application architect
software architect
system architect
IT architect
solution architect
enterprise architect

Well having search on the Ranch for such comparison, you can check out more
https://coderanch.com/t/494953/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/Architech-Certification
https://coderanch.com/t/606566/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/togaf-scea
https://coderanch.com/t/506673/java-Architect-OCMJEA/certification/SCEA-Togaf-Zachman

Hope this help a bit

Thanks for your clearing out. However I know outlined info about OCMJEA and TOGAF difference. What I am asking is which certification to take first. 'Cause I plan to take both certification exams.

As you've cleared out, the two differ from each other in many ways. So I need an advice about in which order to take them -probably from someone who have an experience of taking both certs.

Thanks anyway;)

[K. Tsang]

Which to go first depends on what you already know now and how comfortable you are learning the material.

OCMJEA related
How many years of Java experience do you have?
How familiar are you with the Java technologies (particularly EJB, servlets/JSP, JPA, JAX-WS/SOAP, JAX-RS/REST)?
Have you done any project design?

TOGAF related
Is your company currently or planning to use TOGAF or similar methodology (which one)?
If so, are you following such methodology?
If not, can such approach compare to TOGAF? (do TOGAF research here)


Either one you will need to read a lot.

Start by going through the OCMJEA exam objectives and get a feel of what TOGAF is and what those exams are testing.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Thanks for posting here. In general, I think it is better to take the OCMJEA first because it is a mix of design and application architecture. Which is helpful to understand before pursuing enterprise architecture.

The reason I say "in general" is that if you are actively trying to get a position as an enterprise architect or work at a company that uses TOGAF, the TOGAF cert could be of more immediate value.

[Aykut Bulgu]

I think it would be better for me to try OCMJEA cert. first. Thank you all for your responses.