Looking for Guidance on Smartsheet Aligned Solution Professional Certification

Vinoth

Hi everyone,

I have experience using Smartsheet Core Product and I'm Core Product Certified , but I am new to Smartsheet Control Center (SCC). I am currently preparing for the Smartsheet Aligned Solution Professional Certification and would love to hear insights from those who have taken it before.

Has anyone taken the Smartsheet Aligned Solution Professional Certification? How was your experience?

How long did it take you to prepare and complete the certification, especially if you were new to SCC?

Any tips, best practices, or recommended resources that helped you successfully pass the certification?

I appreciate any advice or insights from community members who have gone through this process. Your guidance will be invaluable!

Thanks in advance for your support!

kowal

hi @Vinoth and @Isis Taylor,

it's really up to your experience and skills - some people will need weekend for that some weeks :)

my advice to prepare for this certificate is to follow the guidance and concentrate on every point needed to pass it. There are points for workflows, intake sheet, sheet summary, widgets etc. etc. so just follow the plan.

Good luck!

jmyzk_cloudsmart_jp

Hi @Vinoth & @Isis Taylor

I got the certificate in December 2021, so my information may not be current, but I’d be happy to share my experience and insights.

Key Takeaways from My Experience

The certification focuses on understanding and building solutions using Smartsheet Control Center (SCC). While knowledge of the Core Product is helpful, SCC introduces a different level of complexity. The most critical aspect is ensuring that your solutions meet all required points based on the RUBRICS.

1. Understanding the Core Concepts

The exam evaluates your ability to build structured solutions in SCC. This includes:

• Blueprint Design: Knowing what to include in the blueprint and ensuring that intake sheets, reports, and dashboards are structured correctly.
• Solution Architecture: The foundation of your solution must be solid—every sheet and report should serve a clear purpose.
• Dashboards for the Right Audience: The final solution is presented via a dashboard, and it is crucial that it is well-designed for the intended audience. For example, an executive dashboard should be intuitive, allowing decision-makers to quickly access key information.

2. Preparation Time

Since I was new to SCC, I spent a few weeks preparing to fully understand the required concepts.

3. Best Practices & Tips

• Study the RUBRICS: The key to success is understanding what is required and ensuring your solution meets every point.
• Document Everything: This was a lifesaver for me. During my certification, my desktop froze mid-meeting, leaving me with only about 20 minutes to speak. However, I had meticulously documented all my solution choices on how to meet the requirements in the RUBRICS points. The reviewers checked my notes and solution while I was fixing my computer and still passed me—only two points were missing. This highlights the importance of keeping detailed records.
• Fair Evaluation: The evaluators focus on whether your solution meets the criteria, rather than just your presentation. If you clearly demonstrate how your solution satisfies each point, they will recognize your effort.

Recommended Resources

• If you are a partner, the most important resource is the Solution Professional Training for Partners.
• Smartsheet University & Documentation: Read through SCC best practices and blueprint setup guides.
• Community Insights: Check Smartsheet Community discussions for real-world experiences.
• Hands-on Practice: If possible, work on a real SCC implementation to apply what you learn.

Final Thoughts

The certification is challenging but manageable with structured preparation. Also, as English is not my native language, I took extra care in documenting my solution, which ultimately helped me pass.

I wish you the best of luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions.😁

Isis Taylor

I'm interested in this as well.

kowal

hi @Vinoth and @Isis Taylor,

it's really up to your experience and skills - some people will need weekend for that some weeks :)

my advice to prepare for this certificate is to follow the guidance and concentrate on every point needed to pass it. There are points for workflows, intake sheet, sheet summary, widgets etc. etc. so just follow the plan.

Good luck!

jmyzk_cloudsmart_jp

Hi @Vinoth & @Isis Taylor

I got the certificate in December 2021, so my information may not be current, but I’d be happy to share my experience and insights.

Key Takeaways from My Experience

The certification focuses on understanding and building solutions using Smartsheet Control Center (SCC). While knowledge of the Core Product is helpful, SCC introduces a different level of complexity. The most critical aspect is ensuring that your solutions meet all required points based on the RUBRICS.

1. Understanding the Core Concepts

The exam evaluates your ability to build structured solutions in SCC. This includes:

• Blueprint Design: Knowing what to include in the blueprint and ensuring that intake sheets, reports, and dashboards are structured correctly.
• Solution Architecture: The foundation of your solution must be solid—every sheet and report should serve a clear purpose.
• Dashboards for the Right Audience: The final solution is presented via a dashboard, and it is crucial that it is well-designed for the intended audience. For example, an executive dashboard should be intuitive, allowing decision-makers to quickly access key information.

2. Preparation Time

Since I was new to SCC, I spent a few weeks preparing to fully understand the required concepts.

3. Best Practices & Tips

• Study the RUBRICS: The key to success is understanding what is required and ensuring your solution meets every point.
• Document Everything: This was a lifesaver for me. During my certification, my desktop froze mid-meeting, leaving me with only about 20 minutes to speak. However, I had meticulously documented all my solution choices on how to meet the requirements in the RUBRICS points. The reviewers checked my notes and solution while I was fixing my computer and still passed me—only two points were missing. This highlights the importance of keeping detailed records.
• Fair Evaluation: The evaluators focus on whether your solution meets the criteria, rather than just your presentation. If you clearly demonstrate how your solution satisfies each point, they will recognize your effort.

Recommended Resources

• If you are a partner, the most important resource is the Solution Professional Training for Partners.
• Smartsheet University & Documentation: Read through SCC best practices and blueprint setup guides.
• Community Insights: Check Smartsheet Community discussions for real-world experiences.
• Hands-on Practice: If possible, work on a real SCC implementation to apply what you learn.

Final Thoughts

The certification is challenging but manageable with structured preparation. Also, as English is not my native language, I took extra care in documenting my solution, which ultimately helped me pass.

I wish you the best of luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions.😁

Vinoth

@kowal @jmyzk_cloudsmart_jp Thanks a lot both for your response, I really appreciate for your inputs, this will defenetly help to prepare for the certification. Thanks for the detailed inputs @jmyzk_cloudsmart_jp. Thanks a lot.