# ADR 2026 05 18

**File:** ADR-2026-05-18.md\
**Author:** Nicolette Martine Langendam — NikiDigitals\
**Location:** LES-Master/docs/decisions/\
**Decisions covered:** ADR-000083 through ADR-000096\
**Session type:** LES-MENTOR — Education Architecture Review

## Context

This file records all decisions made on 18 May 2026 during the full education architecture review session. The review identified conflicts between LES-EDU-ARCH-001, LES-EDU-ARCH-002, and the visual roadmap JSX file. All three documents were rebuilt and aligned. Decisions in this file fall into four categories: certification pathway changes, education architecture changes, research stack finalisation, and learning methodology locks.

## Certification Pathway Decisions

### ADR-000083 — CompTIA ITF+ Dropped from Programme

**Decision:** CompTIA ITF+ is removed from the programme entirely.

**Context:** CompTIA ITF+ (IT Fundamentals+) was originally included in Y1Q1 as a foundational computing credential. On review, it was identified as an entry-level multiple-choice certification with minimal market value at the Finance Transformation Architect target level. CS50x and TM112 cover the same foundational computing content at greater depth.

**Rationale:** The certification does not earn its place. Study time in Q1 is finite and better invested in CS50x, ACCA BT, and AZ-900. The credential adds nothing to the portfolio that CS50x and TM112 do not already demonstrate more credibly.

**Consequences:** Removed from LES-EDU-ARCH-002 certification pathway. Removed from all quarterly documents. No replacement — the gap is absorbed by existing Q1 content.

### ADR-000084 — AZ-900 Confirmed in Y1Q1 — Reverses ADR-000068 and ADR-000079

**Decision:** AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is confirmed as a Y1Q1 certification. ADR-000068 (deferred to Q2) and ADR-000079 (session paused) are both reversed.

**Context:** AZ-900 was deferred to Q2 in an earlier session under the rationale of honouring the Q1 four-track architecture. On review, this deferral was identified as an error. AZ-900 is the foundational Azure credential and a prerequisite for understanding DP-900 and PL-300 — both placed in Q2. Studying data and analytics services before understanding Azure fundamentals creates a dependency problem.

**Rationale:** The dependency chain requires AZ-900 before DP-900 and PL-300. Placing AZ-900 in Q1 corrects the sequencing. The Q1 load is manageable — ACCA BT, CS50x spanning Q1 and Q2, Stanford Mathematical Thinking, and AZ-900 are the confirmed Q1 items.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-002 certification pathway updated. LES-LEARN-AZ900 session reopened. Q1 load reassessed and confirmed as manageable.

### ADR-000085 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Replaced by Google Cybersecurity Certificate

**Decision:** ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is removed from the programme. Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Coursera) is added in its place in Y1Q2.

**Context:** ISC2 CC is a free, entry-level certification based on multiple-choice theory with no hands-on component. For a programme targeting Finance Transformation Architect with a practical security and GRC module (LES-SEC), a credential with no practical component adds limited value.

**Rationale:** Google Cybersecurity Certificate is structured, beginner-appropriate, widely recognised, and covers threat detection, network security, and SIEM tools with a practical orientation. It serves as a more effective stepping stone to CompTIA Security+ in Y2Q1. The Google credential earns its place where ISC2 CC does not.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-002 certification pathway updated. Y1Q2 quarterly document to be updated.

### ADR-000086 — HTB CDSA Added to Programme Post Security+

**Decision:** Hack The Box Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) is added to the programme, placed in Y2Q2–Q3 after CompTIA Security+ is complete.

**Context:** During the ISC2 CC replacement discussion, Hack The Box was identified as a source of practical, hands-on defensive security experience appropriate to the LES-SEC domain. CDSA is an intermediate-to-advanced credential requiring foundational security knowledge — making placement after Security+ the correct sequencing.

**Rationale:** CDSA provides rigorous, practical defensive security skills that directly support the LES-SEC module design and the Finance Transformation Architect competency profile. The credential is earned through real-environment labs rather than multiple-choice assessment, which aligns with the programme's depth standard.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-002 certification pathway updated. Y2Q2–Q3 quarterly documents to be updated.

## Education Architecture Decisions

### ADR-000087 — ERP Comparative Study Added to Research Track

**Decision:** A formal ERP comparative study track is added to the research programme. Microsoft Dynamics 365 and ServiceNow are the primary subjects.

**Context:** LES is an ERP system. Designing an ERP without studying the leading systems in production — their architecture, design decisions, and trade-offs — would be architecturally naive. The Finance Transformation Architect target requires deep familiarity with the platforms used in real-world transformation programmes.

**Rationale:** Microsoft Dynamics 365 is Azure-native and directly architecturally relevant to every LES design decision. ServiceNow is increasingly central to finance transformation programmes — particularly in workflow automation, GRC, and service delivery. Understanding both platforms is a core Finance Transformation Architect competency. This is not a course — it is structured reading of primary technical documentation, implementation guides, and peer-reviewed research.

**Sources:** Catalogued in Zotero under `03 — Enterprise Architecture & ERP` with sub-collections for D365 and ServiceNow. Synthesised in Obsidian. Feeds directly into Article 1 (ERP architecture framework).

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-001 and LES-EDU-ARCH-002 updated. Zotero collection `03 — Enterprise Architecture & ERP` expanded with D365 and ServiceNow sub-collections. Article 1 scope updated.

### ADR-000088 — TOGAF Framework Study Confirmed Year 2, Certification Deferred

**Decision:** TOGAF enterprise architecture framework is studied as self-directed reading in Year 2. Certification is not pursued at this stage. Decision on TOGAF certification is deferred to Y2Q1 review based on market relevance at that point.

**Context:** TOGAF is the dominant enterprise architecture framework in large-scale finance transformation programmes. A Finance Transformation Architect who can read and apply TOGAF speaks the language of the programmes they will lead. However, full TOGAF certification (Open Group) is expensive and heavily process-oriented. The education-over-credential principle applies.

**Rationale:** Framework understanding takes priority over the badge. TOGAF is most applicable when designing the LES module integration layer — which is Year 2 work. Certification pursued only if demonstrably valuable for career opportunities at that point.

**Consequences:** Added to Year 2 self-directed track. Certification decision moved to Y2Q1 review agenda.

### ADR-000089 — Masters in AI (Udacity / Woolf University) Confirmed

**Decision:** The Masters in Artificial Intelligence from Udacity in partnership with Woolf University is confirmed as a formal qualification in the programme. Start date: Y2Q1 (July 2027). Pace: low, self-directed throughout. Duration: Years 2 to 4.

**Context:** The Masters in AI was referenced in LES-EDU-ARCH-001 as a formal qualification but was absent from LES-EDU-ARCH-002 — creating a document conflict. The programme is confirmed in scope and now formally placed.

**Rationale:** The Masters in AI provides the machine learning, deep learning, and AI systems foundations for LES-INT (Phase 3 — Intelligence Layer) and LES-AGT (Phase 4 — AI Agent Orchestration). Beginning in Y2Q1 gives three years of low-pace study before Phase 4 requires the knowledge. The low self-paced model is appropriate given the volume of concurrent formal study.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-002 formal qualifications table updated. Masters in AI section added. Y2Q1 quarterly document to be updated.

### ADR-000090 — LES-FIN Integration Trigger Defined

**Decision:** ACCA FA accounting principles are formally mapped to LES-FIN data architecture decisions throughout the FA study period. Formal schema design begins after FA is complete. No schema is built until the five-step methodology Step 4 is passed.

**Context:** Phase 1 of LES is the data architecture layer. The first concrete integration point is LES-FIN — where accounting principles become database schema decisions. Without an explicit trigger this risks drifting indefinitely.

**Rationale:** Studying FA and thinking about integration simultaneously deepens understanding — every concept learned is immediately tested against its potential data model representation. Building comes after, grounded in verified understanding. This is the five-step methodology applied to the LES-FIN integration specifically.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-001 updated with LES-FIN integration trigger section. Obsidian conceptual mapping notes to be created as FA study progresses.

### ADR-000091 — Security+ to Be Completed Before AA Exam

**Decision:** CompTIA Security+ is completed before the ACCA AA (Audit and Assurance) examination sitting.

**Context:** Security+ is placed in Y2Q1 and AA in Y2Q1. The sequencing lock ensures Security+ is not deferred to after AA if time pressure arises.

**Rationale:** Security+ foundational knowledge directly informs the audit and assurance domain — IT audit, systems controls, and cybersecurity risk are central to AA at depth. Completing Security+ first enriches the AA study rather than treating the two as unrelated.

**Consequences:** Y2Q1 quarterly document to reflect this sequencing lock.

### ADR-000092 — Phase 1 Build Prerequisites Locked as Hard Gate

**Decision:** Phase 1 LES build cannot begin until all four prerequisites are complete. This gate is non-negotiable.

**Prerequisites:**

| Prerequisite                       | Source             | Quarter |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------ | ------- |
| Relational database theory and SQL | Stanford Databases | Y1Q2    |
| Azure data services fundamentals   | DP-900             | Y1Q2    |
| Power BI and DAX foundations       | PL-300             | Y1Q3    |
| Azure data pipelines and ETL/ELT   | DP-203             | Y1Q4    |

**Context:** Phase 1 of LES involves Azure SQL schemas, data pipelines, and Power BI dashboards. Building any of these without the prerequisite knowledge produces work that cannot be understood, debugged, or extended — violating the depth standard.

**Rationale:** The five-step methodology requires Step 4 completion before implementation. The hard gate formalises this at the phase level rather than the individual concept level.

**Consequences:** LES-EDU-ARCH-001 Phase 1 prerequisites table added. Phase 1 build timeline confirmed — earliest start Y1Q4 after DP-203 complete.

### ADR-000093 — Python Embedded in Formal Education — No Separate Track Required

**Decision:** Python is not added as a separate self-directed study track. Python study is embedded in TM112 (introduction) and the Masters in AI (advanced). No additional Python resource is required.

**Context:** The review identified Python as a potential gap given the FastAPI and data engineering requirements of LES Phase 2. On examination, Python is already covered in TM112 and will be deepened extensively through the Masters in AI programme.

**Rationale:** Adding a third Python resource would create unnecessary overlap with formal study. The formal programme provides the correct level of Python knowledge at the correct time.

**Consequences:** No change to certification pathway or self-directed tracks. Mentor instruction updated — never suggest a Python dedicated track.

### ADR-000094 — IFRS Embedded in ACCA Sequence — No Separate Track Required

**Decision:** IFRS primary standards are not added as a separate self-directed study track. IFRS study is embedded in the ACCA sequence — FA introduces the framework, FR deepens it, SBR applies it at strategic level.

**Context:** The review identified IFRS as potentially under-specified in the programme. On examination, the ACCA sequence covers IFRS progressively and at increasing depth across three papers. A separate IFRS track would duplicate this work.

**Rationale:** The ACCA papers provide the correct depth of IFRS engagement at the correct time — and in the context of a professional qualification that validates the knowledge. Reading standards in isolation outside the ACCA framework adds effort without proportionate benefit.

**Consequences:** No change to certification pathway. Mentor instruction updated — never suggest a separate IFRS track.

## Research Stack Decisions

### ADR-000095 — Zotero Collection Structure Finalised

**Decision:** The Zotero library collection structure is finalised with 11 top-level collections and sub-collections for Formal Education and Enterprise Architecture & ERP.

**Final structure:**

```
My Library
├── 00 — Formal Education
│   ├── OU — all modules (TM112 through T353)
│   └── ACCA — all papers (BT through AFM) + UoL modules
├── 01 — Corporate Governance & Compliance
├── 02 — Database Theory & Data Architecture
├── 03 — Enterprise Architecture & ERP
│   ├── Microsoft Dynamics 365
│   └── ServiceNow
├── 04 — Finance & Accounting Theory
├── 05 — AI & Multi-agent Systems
├── 06 — Computer Science Foundations
├── 07 — Research Methodology & Academic Voice
├── 08 — Financial Crime & AML Compliance
├── 09 — Security & GRC
└── 99 — Inbox
```

**Context:** The original structure had 8 top-level collections and limited sub-collections. The review identified that 08 Financial Crime and 09 Security were missing — both active research domains for LES-SEC and the ACAMS qualification. The Formal Education sub-collections were expanded to cover the full programme rather than only current papers.

**Rationale:** Building the full structure now avoids restructuring later. The numbered prefix groups collections consistently. Collections 08 and 09 are required from Y1 as background reading begins.

**Consequences:** Structure built in Zotero on 18 May 2026. Five ERP sources added and filed correctly as the first entries.

### ADR-000096 — Literature Note Template Fixed

**Decision:** The Obsidian Literature Note template is corrected. Two bugs resolved: author field now falls back to "See bibliography" for institutional authors; date-added field now renders as YYYY-MM-DD using the importDate variable.

**Original bugs:**

* `{{author}}` returned empty for corporate and institutional authors
* `{{date}}` on the date-added line returned a Unix timestamp

**Corrected lines:**

```
author: "{{author | default('See bibliography')}}"
date-added: {{importDate | format("YYYY-MM-DD")}}
```

**Context:** The template was created and tested during the Obsidian setup session on 17 May 2026. Two formatting issues were identified as known issues at that point. Fixed 18 May 2026 before active use began.

**Consequences:** Template corrected in Obsidian at `50 — Templates/LN — Literature Note.md`. Pipeline retested and confirmed working.


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