Completed: Microsoft Big Data Professional Program Capstone Project

I’m excited to announce that I’ve completed – with help from my friend and brother and co-host of the Data Driven podcast, Frank La Vigne (Blog | @Tableteer) – the Microsoft Big Data Professional Program Capstone project!

The capstone is the last course requirement (of 10 courses) to complete the Microsoft Professional Program in Big Data. The official Professional Program certificate won’t be available until next month, but I’m excited to complete both the capstone and the professional program.

Although there was some data analysis included in the courses and capstone, I found a lot of data engineering was covered in the curriculum. For people wanting to learn more about Azure offerings for data engineering – including HDInsight, Spark, Storm, and Azure Data Factory – I highly recommend the program.

You can audit the courses, gain the same knowledge, and pass the same tests Frank and I passed – and even participate in a similar capstone project – all for free. You only have to pay to receive a certificate.

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Andy Leonard

andyleonard.blog

Christian, husband, dad, grandpa, Data Philosopher, Data Engineer, Azure Data Factory, SSIS guy, and farmer. I was cloud before cloud was cool. :{>

6 thoughts on “Completed: Microsoft Big Data Professional Program Capstone Project

  1. I am taking up the capstone project of Big data program from MS and have few questions.
    1) Is there only one attempt to clear these challenges mentioned in the capstone project i.e. Can we retake it in case if we are not able to score more than 70%
    2) I see some of the challenges related to Data Factory seem to be reflecting the wrong answers inspite of the correct answers. This is just a doubt if they are referring to the older version of the linked services and properties.

  2. Hi SK,

    1. I am not sure. With other classes in the Microsoft Professional Programs you can re-take the course if you fail to achieve a passing score. I’m not sure how that works with the capstone.
    2. When I worked on my capstone project, ADF version 1 was available and ADF v2 was in preview. They are different platforms. I *think* ADF v1 is still available. If so – and if the capstone reference ADF v1 – I recommend working through the examples using ADF v1.

    Hope this helps,
    Andy

  3. Hi Andy;

    I nearly to the point where I start my Capstone Project. I’m also a college student without much professional experience. Do you know if there are examples of Capstone projects I can review?

    Thanks, Tom

    1. Hi Tom,

      I don’t know of any practice or example capstone projects. If you’ve passed the prerequisite certifications, you should be fine. The only issue I encountered was with a scenario that involved an elective I did not take (and I was unfamiliar with the technology). I started the capstone early enough to sign up for the course and complete the labs. I learned what I needed and passed the capstone.

      Hope this helps,
      Andy

  4. Hi!
    Did you use the azure portal free trial for this? My credit has run out and am not sure on how I can finish the courses without paying for services.
    Smita

    1. Hi Smita,

      Yep. In the past I’ve set up a different account (using another email) to obtain more free hours for learning. I wish Microsoft / edX would simply give more Azure hours to folks taking the training – especially those paying for certificates.

      Hope this helps,
      Andy

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