Let’s make it work for you
BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development
- Categories:
- Product Discovery and Design
- Level:
- Fundamentals
- Code:
- QAFCDSD
- Exam:
- Yes - Included
Overview
The Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development is an introductory level qualification intended to give a broad coverage of the many topics affecting Digital Solution Development (DSD) in a modern enterprise setting.
The syllabus seeks to:
- Lay the foundation for a Body of Knowledge concerning DSD, and therefore includes a broad range of themes/topics, roles, best practices, techniques and methods that are widely recognised and employed by practitioners in this field.
- Cover topics in the development space between Business Analysis and the coding environment.
- Be product, technology and platform agnostic as far as possible.
The syllabus emphasises activities in the development part of a digital service lifecycle, with links to the other parts, as appropriate.
The BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development is primarily targeted at the following groups:
1) People within roles other than software development who wish to gain a broad understanding of the terminology, concepts, techniques, standards, frameworks and processes involved in the development of modern digital software applications.
2) Developers with entry level coding experience who wish to widen their horizons, preparing themselves for a Solution Architect role.
3) Experienced practitioners involved in the maintenance of legacy software solutions who wish to refresh their understanding of the terminology, concepts, techniques, standards, frameworks and processes involved in the development of modern digital software applications.
4) Graduates in a non-IT discipline who are seeking to work in a consulting capacity.
It is anticipated that this certification will appeal to individuals undertaking a range of job roles including, but not limited to:
software developer / software engineer, software tester, business analyst, systems analyst, solution architect, product owner, Scrum master, systems development manager, IT service delivery manager.
Prerequisites
None, however please read the special notice section for details on the syllabus and syllabus guidance.
What's included
Select your preferred way to learn:
What is Virtual?
Live, instructor-led training delivered online
Interactive online sessions led by subject matter experts. Learners join live classes, take part in discussions, and complete practical exercises from any location, making it easy to fit collaborative learning into busy schedules.
If you prefer to connect to a course that is taking place in a physical classroom, you can choose our Remote Access option. .
Best for: Teams and individuals who want expert guidance, real-time collaboration, and flexible access.
What's included?
3 Days instructor led course
Exam included
6 month free access to QA learning platform
Free 6-Month Access: Learning Platform Discovery plan
Included FREE with every instructor‑led course
Get free guided access to the QA Learning Platform. Assess your skills, explore in-demand topics, and understand which areas to focus on.
Learn AI, Cloud, Data, and Leadership skills at your own pace.
Put skills into practice with hands-on Labs and Simulabs.
Validate knowledge and highlight gaps with skills assessments.
What is bespoke training?
Custom instructor-led training designed by QA to fit your needs
Tailored programmes built around your organisation’s goals, challenges, and skill levels. Delivered in the format that suits you to maximise relevance and impact.
Best for: Organisations and teams looking to target specific business priorities and capabilities with QA subject matter expertise.
Find out more about the course:
Learning outcomes
The course prepares candidates for the examination to qualify for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development.
The examination is based on the topics published in the syllabus and the accompanying guidance document. SFIA Levels 1/2.
Candidates will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of terminology, concepts, techniques, standards, frameworks and processes in the following areas:
1. The context for digital solution development.
2. Digital service definition.
3. User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI).
4. Digital solution architecture and design.
5. Data and information architecture and design.
6. Quality assurance and quality control.
7. Digital Solution acquisition, deployment and maintenance.
8. Cyber security.
Course outline
Introductory Module: Course Introduction
Module 1: The context for digital solution development.
Module 2: Digital service definition and requirements engineering.
Module 3: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI).
Module 4: Digital solution architecture and design.
Module 5: Data and information architecture and design.
Module 6: Quality assurance and quality control, including Testing
Module 7: Digital Solution acquisition, deployment and maintenance.
Module 8: Cyber security.
BCS Mock Examination
Note: the examination itself is taken on-line through the BCS exam provider, and is not taken as part of the course.
Delegates will be signed up to take the examination by BCS/QA and may arrange to take the exam on-line at their convenience after the course.
Good to know
Ready to book? Complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly to discuss your options.
Let’s make it work for you. Speak to one of our learning experts today.
What our customers are saying
“It’s been great to see significant improvements with how we manage resources including costs and in-house solutions from fundamental data skills training.”
Aravinth Pandian
Head of Business Intelligence, East London NHS Foundation Trust
“I love the labs at QA! The way they're integrated with video learning makes it a hands-on experience which is unrivaled to my knowledge. This makes it a delightful experience for those who learn by doing and like to get stuck in.”
Tom Walkinshaw
Analyst, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Portfolio Director
Paddy Dhanda
Portfolio Director – Product Discovery, Design & Agile
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.
