Module 1: Design Governance
This module examines how Azure environments can be organised and governed effectively.
Topics include:
- Governance design
- Management Groups
- Azure Subscriptions
- Resource Groups
- Resource Tags
- Azure Policy
- Role-Based Access Control
- Azure Landing Zones
Participants explore how governance structures can support consistency, control, compliance, and scale.
Module 2: Design an Azure Compute Solution
This module focuses on selecting the most appropriate compute platform for different workload requirements.
Topics include:
- Choosing an Azure compute service
- Azure Virtual Machines
- Azure Batch
- Azure App Service
- Azure Container Instances
- Azure Kubernetes Service
- Azure Functions
- Azure Logic Apps
Participants compare IaaS, PaaS, container, and serverless approaches.
Module 3: Design a Data Storage Solution for Non-Relational Data
Topics include:
- Data storage design
- Azure Storage Accounts
- Azure Blob Storage
- Data redundancy
- Azure Files
- Azure Managed Disks
- Storage security
Module 4: Design a Data Storage Solution for Relational Data
This module examines relational data platforms and database architecture options.
Topics include:
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure SQL Managed Instance
- SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
- Database scalability
- Database availability
- Protecting data at rest
- Protecting data in motion
- Protecting data in use
- Azure SQL Edge
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Azure Table Storage
Participants compare platforms according to scalability, availability, management requirements, and security.
Module 5: Design Data Integration
This module covers modern Azure data integration and analytics services.
Topics include:
- Azure Data Factory
- Azure Data Lake
- Azure Databricks
- Azure Synapse Analytics
- Hot, warm, and cold data paths
- Azure Stream Analytics
Participants consider suitable architectures for batch, analytical, and streaming workloads.
Module 6: Design an Application Architecture
This module explores components used to build modern cloud applications.
Topics include:
- Messaging and event scenarios
- Messaging solutions
- Azure Event Hubs
- Event-driven solutions
- Caching
- API integration
- Automated application deployment
- Application configuration management
Learners compare architecture patterns for loosely coupled, event-driven, and scalable applications.
Module 7: Design Authentication and Authorisation Solutions
This module focuses on identity and access design.
Topics include:
- Identity and Access Management
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Microsoft Entra B2B
- Azure Active Directory B2C
- Conditional Access
- Identity Protection
- Access Reviews
- Service Principals
- Managed Identities
- Azure Key Vault
Participants design secure access models for users, applications, and services.
Module 8: Design a Solution to Log and Monitor Azure Resources
This module focuses on observability and monitoring architecture.
Topics include:
- Azure Monitor data sources
- Azure Monitor Logs
- Log Analytics workspaces
- Azure Workbooks
- Azure Insights
- Azure Data Explorer
Participants consider how to centralise operational visibility across Azure solutions.
Module 9: Design Network Solutions
This module examines Azure networking architecture.
Topics include:
- Selecting network architecture based on workload requirements
- Azure network connectivity services
- Outbound connectivity
- Routing
- On-premises connectivity
- Azure Virtual Network connectivity
- Application delivery services
- Application protection services
Learners design network solutions that balance connectivity, performance, security, and resilience.
Module 10: Design a Solution for Backup and Disaster Recovery
This module focuses on protecting Azure workloads and maintaining business continuity.
Topics include:
- Backup and recovery design
- Azure Backup
- Azure Blob backup and recovery
- Azure Files backup and recovery
- Azure Virtual Machine backup and recovery
- Azure SQL backup and recovery
- Azure Site Recovery
Participants evaluate appropriate recovery objectives and continuity strategies for different workload types.
Module 11: Design Migrations
This module examines how workloads can be assessed and moved to Azure.
Topics include:
- Migration assessment using the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework
- Azure Migration and Modernization approaches
- On-premises workload assessment
- Selecting migration tools
- Database migration
- Online storage migration
- Offline data migration
Participants consider migration planning, tool selection, and modernization options.
Learning Path: Build Great Solutions with the Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework
This learning path introduces the Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework and its role in evaluating architectural quality.
Well-Architected Framework Pillars
- Cost Optimization
- Operational Excellence
- Performance Efficiency
- Reliability
- Security
Cost Optimization
Topics include:
- Planning Azure costs
- Cost estimation
- Provisioning with optimisation
- Monitoring and analytics for cost insight
- Improving cloud-spend efficiency
Operational Excellence
Topics include:
- Modern design and deployment practices
- Operational monitoring
- Automation
- Reducing manual effort and error
- Application testing strategies
Performance Efficiency
Topics include:
- Scale up
- Scale out
- Network performance optimisation
- Storage performance optimisation
- Identifying application bottlenecks
Reliability
Topics include:
- High availability
- Disaster recovery
- Backup
- Restore processes
Security
Topics include:
- Defense in depth
- Identity management
- Infrastructure protection
- Encryption
- Network security
- Application security
Learning Path: Accelerate Cloud Adoption with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure
This learning path explores how organisations can structure and govern Azure adoption.
Getting Started with the Cloud Adoption Framework
Topics include:
- Customer narratives
- Common blockers
- Core cloud adoption concepts
Prepare a Cloud Adoption Strategy
Topics include:
- Strategic motivation
- Objectives and Key Results
- Financial considerations
- Technical considerations
- Building a business case
Create a Data-Driven Cloud Adoption Plan
Topics include:
- Creating a cloud adoption plan
- Assessing the digital estate
- Customising the cloud adoption plan
Choose an Azure Landing Zone
Topics include:
- Common operating models
- Landing zone design areas
- Landing zone design principles
- Target architecture
- Azure Landing Zone options
- Landing Zone Accelerator
- Enhancing the landing zone
Migrate to Azure
Topics include:
- Migration process
- Migration tools
- Common technology platforms
- Migration and modernization
Apply the Govern Methodology
Topics include:
- Corporate policies
- Governance disciplines
- Cloud governance foundations
- Cost Management discipline
Establish Stable Cloud Operations
Topics include:
- Business commitments
- Operations baseline
- Protect and recover
- Improving the operations baseline
- Platform specialisation
- Workload specialisation
Innovate with Azure
Topics include:
- Innovation lifecycle
- Azure development technologies
- Adding AI capabilities to applications
- Measuring business impact
- Learning and iteration
Prepare for Cloud Security
Topics include:
- Security methodology
- Security roles and responsibilities
- Compliance
- Simplifying security implementation
- Azure security tools
- Security policies
Learning Approach
The course is focused on architecture and design decisions rather than portal configuration.
Through case studies and discussion-based exercises, participants:
- Analyse architectural requirements
- Compare Azure service options
- Evaluate cost and performance trade-offs
- Integrate security and governance requirements
- Design for high availability and disaster recovery
- Compare migration and modernization approaches
This approach helps learners develop the design and decision-making skills required for the Azure Solution Architect role.
