Development-Lifecycle-and-Deployment-Architect Exam Questions 2025

Salesforce Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect Exam

The Salesforce Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certification is for architects who specialise in designing and implementing deployment and lifecycle management solutions on the Salesforce platform. This credential teaches you how to manage environments, version control, release processes, tooling, and governance in complex organisational contexts. When you’re ready to prepare, the best exam questions from Cert Empire will give you realistic practice in line with the actual exam format.

What is the Salesforce Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect exam, and what will you learn from it?

This exam assesses your ability to design a robust application lifecycle management (ALM) process, including sandbox strategy, branching and versioning, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), metadata management, and governance. You will learn how to evaluate project requirements, choose appropriate development models, design deployment pipelines, and operate at scale. It is intended for experienced architects and technical leads responsible for delivery, not for entry-level developers.

Exam Snapshot

Prerequisites before taking the exam

To maximise your chances of passing, you should ideally have:

• Extensive experience with Salesforce org architecture and delivery lifecycle
• Hands-on knowledge of sandbox management, scratch orgs, and metadata strategies
• Proven use of version control systems (Git, etc.), branching and merging methodologies
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, build automation tools, and deployments at scale
• Experience with governance frameworks, release management, change control, and risk management

Main objectives and domains you will study for this exam

In preparing for the exam, you will focus on several major domains:

• Application lifecycle management and governance
• Planning and system design for delivery landscapes
• Building, testing, deployment and release strategies
• Operating, maintaining and optimizing production orgs at scale
• Metadata, tooling API, change sets, packages and deployment tools

Topics to cover in each exam domain

Here are some specific topics you should be comfortable with:

• Application Lifecycle Management (ALM): development models, change control, branching strategy
• Planning & System Design: sandbox types, org strategy, release roadmaps, stakeholder roles
• Building & Testing: unit testing, feature branching, scratch orgs, automated testing frameworks
• Deployment & Releasing: Metadata API, Tooling API, unlocked packages, CI/CD pipelines, rollback strategies
• Operating: monitoring, production change controls, post-release support, org health metrics

Changes in the latest version of this exam

Recent updates reflect evolving best practices and tooling in the Salesforce ecosystem. Key changes include:

• Increased focus on CI/CD and branching strategies rather than just manual change sets Salesforce Ben
• More scenario-based questions around multi-org deployments and governance across business units
• Enhanced coverage of metadata packaging and modular architecture
• Stronger emphasis on operational governance and org maintenance post-deployment

Register and schedule your exam

Log in to your Salesforce Webassessor account, select the “Platform Development Lifecycle & Deployment Architect” exam, choose your preferred delivery option (online proctored or test centre), select a date/time slot, and pay the exam fee. Ensure your system meets online proctor requirements if you test remotely.

Exam cost, and can you get any discounts?

The fee is comparable to other architect-level Salesforce certifications. You may find discounts through:

• Salesforce partner training programmes
• Employer-sponsored certification support
• Seasonal Salesforce promotional offers
• Bundled architect certification packages

Exam policies you should know before taking it

Be aware of these exam policies:

• Valid government ID required
• Once started, the exam cannot be paused
• Retakes require a waiting period and a new fee
• Online proctored exams require a webcam, quiet room, and stable internet
• The integrity rules for architect-level exams are strictly enforced

What can you expect on exam day?

On exam day you should expect:

• Scenario-based questions describing complex enterprise delivery problems
• Decision-making questions about branching strategies, sandbox usage, deployment pipelines
• Questions that require comparing between tooling options (Metadata API vs Tooling API) or release strategies
• Time-pressure to manage reading detailed scenarios and selecting best-practice answers
• Some focus on post-deployment operations and governance rather than just build/deploy

Plan your study schedule effectively with study tips

A disciplined, strategic schedule helps ensure comprehensive coverage. Consider this plan:

• Week 1–2: Review ALM and governance foundations
• Week 3–4: Deep dive into planning, sandbox strategy, and org design
• Week 5–6: Focus on building, testing, version control, branching methodologies
• Week 7–8: Deployment strategies, metadata tools, CI/CD automation
• Week 9: Operating and maintaining production environments, review weak areas
• After week 9: Full-length practice tests using realistic questions

Study tips:

• Use official Salesforce documentation and Trailhead modules
• Build real-world scenarios in a sandbox to practise tooling and deployment flows
• Work through change management and release-plan exercise case studies
• Frequently attempt best exam questions from Cert Empire to assess readiness
• Focus on why a particular architecture or deployment pattern is chosen rather than just how

Best study resources you can use to prepare

For robust preparation, leverage multiple resource types:

• Official Salesforce Trailhead architectures and delivery lifecycle modules
• Salesforce blogs and technical posts on CI/CD, scratch orgs and packaging
• Community forums for real deployment-strategy discussion
• Hands-on org experimentation with metadata deployment and branching
• Best exam questions from Cert Empire for timed, exam-style practice

Career opportunities you can explore after earning this certification

After earning this credential, you open doors to senior technical roles such as:

• Salesforce Delivery Architect
• Technical Architect (Salesforce ecosystem)
• Release Management Lead for Salesforce platforms
• DevOps Architect for Salesforce implementations
• Enterprise Solutions Architect focusing on Salesforce lifecycle and governance

These roles command high value in organisations with complex Salesforce landscapes.

Certifications to go for after completing this exam

Once you have this credential, you’re well positioned to pursue:

• Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)
• Salesforce Certified Identity and Access Management Architect
• Salesforce Certified Integration Architect
• Salesforce Certified Application Architect
• Salesforce Certified System Architect

These certifications continue the architect-track path and further elevate your value.

How does this certification compare to other beginner-level cloud certifications?

This certification is far more advanced than entry-level certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals. While those focus on broad cloud concepts, the Platform Development Lifecycle & Deployment Architect exam demands deep expertise in delivery models, tooling, branching, and deployment at enterprise scale. It is designed for professionals already functioning at senior architect levels, rather than newcomers.