InfoQ has announced the dates for the next intake of its Certified Architect Program, with two online cohorts scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026. The five-week program, facilitated by Principal Solutions Architect Luca Mezzalira, is designed to help senior engineers and architects bridge the gap between technical design and organizational influence.
Following the launch of the online format in October, the January curriculum will continue to focus on the “socio-technical” aspects of the architect’s role. The program addresses a common industry challenge: while many senior technologists are proficient in system design, they often struggle with the structural and cultural alignment required to get designs implemented.
A Focus on Applied Learning
The online cohort distinguishes itself from traditional intensive workshops through its weekly structure. By spacing the curriculum over five weeks, the program allows participants to apply new frameworks to their live projects immediately after each session. This cadence creates a feedback loop where architects implement concepts, such as the Architecture Canvas or ADRs, in their daily work and return to the group to discuss the results in real-time.
The five-week syllabus covers:
- Week 1: Architecture & Alignment. Using tools like the Architecture Canvas to map technical decisions to business value.
- Week 2: Decentralized Decision-Making. Implementing ADRs (Architecture Decision Records) and RFCs to balance autonomy with alignment.
- Week 3: Platform Engineering. Treating platforms as products to reduce cognitive load rather than just increasing tooling.
- Week 4: AI & Systems Thinking. Applying architectural patterns to AI agents and managing the “ethical debt” of autonomous systems.
- Week 5: Capstone Project. Participants synthesize their learning into a technical article for publication.
Unlike self-paced video courses, the program operates as a confidential peer group. Participants work in small cohorts to pressure-test their strategies against other senior leaders who do not work in their organization.
Upon successful completion of a capstone project, participants earn the InfoQ Certified Software Architect in Emerging Technologies (ICSAET) certification. Recent alumni from the October cohort have already begun publishing their insights on InfoQ, covering topics such as where architects sit in the era of AI and designing for fast flow.
Enrollment Details
The January intake includes two time-zone options to accommodate global participation:
- Cohort 1: 9:30 am GMT (UK/Europe Morning)
- Cohort 2: 10:00 am EDT (Americas/Europe Afternoon)
Registration is currently open for senior software architects, staff engineers, and technical leads with at least five years of experience.
