AppDynamics CAAA study plan
AppDynamics CAAA · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Application Performance Monitoring
Explain the APM data model (business transactions, snapshots, metrics, baselines)
Identify the components of the AppDynamics APM architecture and their roles
Configure a basic Java or .NET application with a machine agent and app agent
Interpret the flow map and transaction scorecard
Your checkpoint
A one-page diagram of the APM data flow from agent to controller, with each component labeled and explained.
Application Performance Monitoring
Configure business transaction detection rules and custom match rules
Create information points and custom metrics to capture business data
Define health rules and policies for alerting
Analyze a snapshot to identify a slow method or exit call
Your checkpoint
A screenshot-free, written walkthrough (500 words) of how you would instrument a sample e-commerce checkout flow, including BT rules, information points, and a health rule.
Application Security
Describe the AppDynamics Application Security architecture and data flow
Differentiate between static and dynamic instrumentation for security
Explain how to detect and block attacks using security rules
Interpret security dashboards and attack maps
Your checkpoint
A comparison table (static vs. dynamic instrumentation) with at least 5 criteria, plus a 300-word explanation of when to use each.
Application Security & Application Performance Monitoring
Configure a security policy to block a specific attack type (e.g., SQL injection)
Correlate a security attack with an APM business transaction snapshot
Review APM and security health rules to reduce false positives
Summarize the OWASP Top 10 and map each to an AppDynamics security capability
Your checkpoint
A 10-question self-quiz (with answer key) covering APM and Application Security concepts, scoring at least 80%.
Monitoring for SAP Solutions
Describe the SAP monitoring architecture (SAP agent, ABAP agent, HTTP SDK)
Identify the key SAP transactions and business processes that can be monitored
Configure a basic SAP ABAP agent and verify data in the controller
Interpret SAP-specific dashboards (e.g., SAP GUI, RFC, IDoc)
Your checkpoint
A checklist of prerequisites and steps to install and configure the SAP ABAP agent, with a brief explanation of each step.
Monitoring for SAP Solutions & Digital Experience Monitoring
Monitor an SAP business process end-to-end using business transactions
Explain the components of Digital Experience Monitoring (EUM, synthetic, real user monitoring)
Configure a synthetic browser monitor for a web application
Analyze real user monitoring data to identify performance issues by browser and geography
Your checkpoint
A written scenario (400 words) describing how you would use SAP monitoring and DEM together to diagnose a slow order-to-cash process.
Digital Experience Monitoring & Infrastructure Monitoring and Business Analytics
Set up a synthetic monitor and interpret its results
Describe infrastructure monitoring with machine agents and server visibility
Configure a business transaction to capture business analytics data
Create a custom dashboard combining APM, infrastructure, and business metrics
Your checkpoint
A mock dashboard layout (text description) with at least 5 widgets, each tied to a specific metric and health rule.
Infrastructure Monitoring and Business Analytics & Application Performance Monitoring & Application Security & Monitoring for SAP Solutions & Digital Experience Monitoring
Review all domains using practice questions and identify weak areas
Explain how business analytics can drive business outcomes
Integrate APM, security, SAP, DEM, and infrastructure concepts in a holistic monitoring strategy
Take a full-length practice exam and review incorrect answers
Your checkpoint
A personalized study sheet listing 10 key concepts to review before the exam, with a brief explanation of each.
Milestones
Week 2: Can you explain the APM data model and configure a business transaction without notes?
Week 4: Score at least 80% on the self-quiz covering APM and Application Security.
Week 6: Can you describe the SAP monitoring architecture and DEM components from memory?
Week 8: Complete a timed practice exam with a score of 85% or higher.