Appian ACD301 study plan
Appian ACD301 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Data Modeling and Data Management
Define each core record type and its relationships before opening the designer
Build 3 CDTs from scratch with correct field types, nullability, and primary keys
Write 5 practice queries that join parent and child record types and predict the output row count
Explain the difference between a one-to-many and many-to-many relationship using your own data model
Your checkpoint
A one-page ERD of a 4-record-type data model with a written justification for each relationship cardinality
Data Modeling and Data Management
Create record type relationships and configure reference fields in both directions
Populate test data via a process write and verify it appears correctly in a grid
Configure record-level security on at least 2 record types and test as 3 different users
Draft 10 original practice questions on data modeling and score yourself
Your checkpoint
A working sandbox app with 2 related record types, seeded data, and a security matrix documenting who can see what
Data Modeling and Data Management & Process Modeling and Automation
Build a process model with a start form, a user input task, and a script task
Use a gateway to branch on a record field value and test both paths
Write an expression rule that returns a filtered query and call it from a process node
Document the difference between process variables and rule inputs in your own words
Your checkpoint
An end-to-end process that creates a record, routes it for approval, and updates status, demonstrated with screenshots of both branch outcomes
Process Modeling and Automation
Configure an escalation on a user task and verify the timer fires in a test run
Add error handling with a boundary event and log the failure to a record
Build a subprocess and call it from a parent process with passed-in inputs
Explain how process instance priority and assignment groups affect routing
Your checkpoint
A process model with escalation, error handling, and a reusable subprocess, plus a test log showing each path executed
Process Modeling and Automation & Interfaces and User Experience
Build an interface with a form layout, editable grid, and validation on submit
Bind interface inputs to a rule input and reuse the same interface in 2 contexts
Add conditional display logic driven by a local variable
Connect an interface to a process start form and confirm data persists to the record
Your checkpoint
A functional data-entry interface that validates input, writes to a record, and is reused in two different places
Interfaces and User Experience
Build a record list view with filters, search, and a detail view drill-down
Implement a dashboard using a chart component fed by an aggregation query
Apply a consistent layout pattern across 3 interfaces and note what you reused
Test all interfaces at 2 viewport widths and fix at least 3 layout issues
Your checkpoint
A 3-screen user experience (list, detail, dashboard) with a written list of reusable components and fixes made
Application Configuration, Security, and Deployment
Configure application objects, groups, and role-based access for 3 personas
Set up a deployment from one environment to another and verify objects transferred
Write a security test plan covering 5 negative cases and execute it
Identify 3 objects that should be excluded from deployment and justify each
Your checkpoint
A deployment checklist plus executed security test results table showing pass/fail per persona
Data Modeling and Data Management & Process Modeling and Automation & Interfaces and User Experience & Application Configuration, Security, and Deployment
Take a full-length timed practice exam and log every missed question by domain
Re-read notes only for your two weakest domains and rebuild one artifact for each
Re-test every deliverable from weeks 1-7 for breakage after your latest changes
Write a one-page cheat sheet of facts you repeatedly got wrong
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam report with a per-domain breakdown and a remediation list of no more than 10 items
Milestones
Week 4: Complete a 25-question timed quiz across domains 1 and 2 and score at least 70%, with no more than 3 misses in either domain
Week 6: Complete a 25-question timed quiz across domains 2 and 3 and score at least 70%, and demo all three interfaces without breaking
Week 8: Score at least 80% on a full-length timed practice exam with every domain at or above 70%