The Journey of Shopware Solution Specialist Certification: Empowering the Community

In January 2021, a spark of innovation ignited within the Shopware community board. The passionate members discussed the idea of creating a comprehensive new certification that would elevate the expertise of professionals in the field. However, Shopware, at the time, had not allocated any resources to develop new training and certification programs. Undeterred, a dedicated group of enthusiasts decided to take matters into their own hands and initiated a project with the working title “Shopware Solution Specialist.”

As the project took its first steps, the team diligently worked to craft the syllabus for the Solution Specialist certification, a crucial foundation for the program. By March 2021, the first edition of the syllabus was ready, marking a significant milestone in the journey.

Recognizing the power of community engagement, Shopware United began involving the broader Shopware community in May 2021. Community members were called upon to contribute their knowledge and expertise by providing questions and answers for the upcoming certification. This approach not only fostered a sense of ownership among the community but also ensured that the certification reflected real-world challenges and scenarios.

Over the months from June 2021 to April 2022, various activities were undertaken, both digital and on-site, to expand the question base for the certification. Additionally, feedback from the community allowed for adjustments and refinements to the syllabus, making it more comprehensive and relevant.

In May 2022, the enthusiasm for the project reached new heights when Shopware United sponsored and co-organized the pre-party event for SCD 22 at the Tobit Campus in Ahaus. The event served as an excellent platform to promote the upcoming certification and collect additional questions from the audience. As a token of appreciation, contributors received stylish Shopware Solution Specialist shirts.

June 2022 brought a turning point for the project when Shopware itself expressed interest and decided to join forces. This collaboration aimed to finalize the certification, ensuring it met the highest standards and became an official part of Shopware’s partner program. A meeting was organized in September 2022 in Amsterdam, where around 20 community experts from different countries participated in a two-day workshop. During this workshop, the final syllabus was confirmed, existing question-answer sets were reviewed, and new questions with answers were created to enrich the certification.

The subsequent months from October 2022 to March 2023 witnessed intensive internal collaboration between Shopware United and Shopware. Together, they finalized the syllabus, fine-tuned the question-answer sets, and integrated everything into the certification tool. The team meticulously reviewed all questions for validity and relevance, ensuring they remained up-to-date with the evolving technology landscape.

In April 2023, the project underwent its first beta-testing phase. Around 40 individuals took part in the trial to assess the exam’s pass rate, time settings, and overall user experience. This invaluable feedback allowed the team to make necessary adjustments, guaranteeing a seamless experience for future students.

As May 2023 arrived, Shopware and Shopware United introduced the comprehensive Shopware Solution Architect Training course. This comprehensive program covered all aspects of the syllabus, empowering candidates to acquire the necessary skills to pass the Solution Architect certification successfully.

Recognizing the significance of the German-speaking market, Shopware took the initiative to translate the complete certification into the German language in July 2023. This decision aimed to cater to the vast German-speaking audience, ensuring they too could benefit from this prestigious certification.

The journey of the Shopware Solution Specialist certification exemplifies the power of community collaboration and collective passion. What started as a simple idea within the Shopware community blossomed into a transformative program, empowering professionals and enhancing their expertise. The certification’s success owes much to the dedication and vision of the community members, Shopware United, and Shopware itself, all of whom worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality. As technology continues to advance, the Shopware Solution Specialist certification stands as a testament to the power of unity in driving progress and innovation within the e-commerce landscape.