Exam Name: Appian Lead Developer
Exam Code: ACD301
Requirement(s): Associate and Senior Developer certification
Number of items: 45 Items
Duration: 90 Minutes
Price: $200
Cut Score: 54%*
Exam Updated: February 2025

*All exam scores are final, for more information see our program policies.

This exam validates the knowledge and skills of individuals and their knowledge and experience with leading Appian project teams to success. This page helps you understand the expectations of a Lead, as well as provide you with resources to prepare for the exam itself.

An Appian Certified Lead Developer has a recommended minimum of two (2) years of experience delivering Appian projects with clients. They have a comprehensive understanding of how Appian can be used to digitize, optimize, and automate business processes using different frameworks. Lead Developers have a complete understanding of the tools available on the Appian platform. Lead Developers have a holistic understanding of Appian’s platform architecture, and can effectively use it to design and implement end-to-end transformative solutions.

Appian Certified Lead Developers lead teams by providing guidance on the technical design requirements while following development and database best practices. They make solution architecture decisions based on operability, performance, scalability, maintainability, and usability. They also present options to the client, identifying and clearly communicating the benefits and risks of each decision and solution.

Lead Developers have a complete understanding of how data connects to Appian, as well as hands-on experience implementing advanced Appian components and configurations. They have a holistic understanding of extending Appian with common enterprise integrations, frameworks, and libraries. They also monitor performance, enforce Appian user experience design guidance, develop and document best practices, and take preemptive measures to keep projects on track.

Lastly, Appian Certified Lead Developers are responsible for managing resources with a client’s internal team (i.e., database administrators, DevOps, quality assurance, etc.) throughout the project lifecycle. They are proficient in debugging and troubleshooting most issues that escalate from Associate or Senior Developers and proactively engage Appian’s expert resources when appropriate. Lead Developers are confident leading a team using Agile Methodology.

Platform Management

- Schedule, execute, and troubleshoot application deployments across environments
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues at the environment level, involving Appian Support when necessary
- Describe basic platform enterprise architecture and how it's used
- Implement administration console settings

Application Design and Development
- Evaluate how Appian can meet user requirements
- Design applications leveraging Appian functionality
- Evaluate and design applications for consistency and reusability
- Implement best practices for multiple application development

Data Management
- Analyze and design secure data models
- Determine the best way to leverage data fabric, data types, and data migration
-Diagnose and troubleshoot data fabric complexities
- Plan, execute, and troubleshoot data migrations
- Analyze, evaluate, and troubleshoot high-volume database structures
- Implement advanced database features

Proactively Design for Scalability and Performance
- Design and implement performant Appian components
- Build and maintain scalable applications
- Plan and evaluate load testing
- Monitor and troubleshoot issues at the application level

Extending Appian
- Evaluate and implement authentication using connected systems
- Design and troubleshoot advanced integrations
- Program advanced APIs that allow Appian to communicate with external systems
- Evaluate existing plug-ins and recognize when to develop custom plug-ins
- Evaluate advanced document generation options

Project and Resource Management
- Interpret client requirements and recommend technical design options
- Manage and lead essential activities across an Agile team
- Recommend the protocols and procedures involved in Appian governance

Preparation is the key to certification success. While training is not required, we do provide specific course recommendations that provide you with skills validated by the exam. It’s important that you couple your technical training and familiarity with Appian documentation  with practical application to ensure your highest chances for success on your exam. Use the below resources to guide your preparation based on a thorough review of the exam objectives.

The Lead Developer certification builds upon the knowledge and skills of a Senior Developer.

Resources:

- Appian Documentation
- Appian Knowledge Base
- Appian Methodology
- Appian Max
- Lead Developer Practice Test
- Hands-on, real-world experience