Is the ServiceNow ArchX a money waste?
I am a technical architect and ServiceNow enthousiast. Since then I have been obsessed with development and later on application design & architecture. Today I'm using my skills to design solutions for IT companies within the ServiceNow industry whilst in my free time, spent the majority of my time creating applications for all kind of things unrelated to ServiceNow.
What is the ArchX program?
The ServiceNow ArchX program, a 4-week cohort-based program built by ServiceNow for early-career architects. The program aims to teach students how to excell in the world of ServiceNow Architecture.
Pre-requisites for attending the ArchX program is only to have to have the Certified System Adminstrator certifiate. They do recommend to have at least 1 CIS, but this is only a recommendation and not a pre-requisite.
Beginning of 2026, the ArchX certification has become a pre-requisite before you can sign up for the more advanced expert program: Certified Technical Architect. This has led to a significant increase of people attending the ArchX program.
The co-hort
After successfully enrolling in the program and its launch, you gain access to a new portal with your learning materials. Alongside 49 other participants, you receive access to the first two modules and the course's introduction section. In the introduction section, there's a mini-forum where participants can introduce themselves, ask questions to the program instructors, or start discussions on any of the course modules. Each week, you'll have the chance to attend a session with other participants, where you can ask questions to a CTA or CMA. Beyond this, direct communication with other participants is limited.
What are the modules about?
The content of the ArchX program touches several areas specifically related towards what architects require in their day-to-day basis. At the start of every week, 2 - 3 modules are being unlocked per week to which you can earn badges.
To pass for the certification and the program, it is requires to unlock all badges. Badges are unlocked by completing a module. The module itself exists out of study material just like you might be already familiair with on NowLearning. It exists out of videos, interactive tasks, quizes, videos, and material to read.
Peer reviews
In various modules, some tasks require a "peer review." One task involved discussing a specific topic (details omitted) and recording my voice. Afterward, I had to review and evaluate the voice recordings of two other participants to successfully complete the task and finish the module.
Presentation skills feedback with AI
In addition to being peer-reviewed by 2 of your students, ServiceNow also uses AI to process your voice recording, and provide constructive feedback on your presenting skills. It told me things like "how confident did I sound, how structured was the content. But it also told me exactly how I could improve my presentation skills.
Is it difficult to pass?
Frankly, it's nearly impossible to fail the program. You're expected to finish all the modules within four weeks, with an extra two weeks for the final exam. Meeting the deadline is straightforward and not challenging. As long as you don't procrastinate, eight hours is more than sufficient.
The final exam includes 30 questions assessing your knowledge from the entire program. You have four attempts, and if you fail twice, it's advised to review the material again. Simply scrolling through the content and completing tasks with AI assistance won't lead to real learning. In theory, anyone can pass, but true success comes from doing so without relying on AI.
Is the program worth it?
Let's address the elephant in the room: is the ArchX program, despite its cost, truly worth it? This largely depends on your ambitions and current knowledge level. My organization has a highly advanced architecture unit. If you're an experienced architect, the program might not seem worthwhile, as much of the content is common knowledge for seasoned professionals. However, I must admit that there were aspects I hadn't encountered before.
If you are an experienced CSA or a budding architect looking to jump-start your career in the fascinating world of architecture, then the answer is YES. This program won't teach you everything an architect does, but it provides insights and knowledge about the role and the necessary tools, allowing you to decide and explore how you will accomplish these tasks, which is arguably even more valuable.
