PL-100: Power Platform App Maker Certification Prep Guide

I got my PL-100 certification this past weekend, and it was a good one to validate my basic knowledge of Power Platform. Even though, I am a part of Microsoft world from 6+ years. I still go back and read about every skill that will be evaluated in a certification. So, here is a list of articles against the skills measured in PL-100 that I read.

Also, make sure that whatever you read, you get a visual/practical experience of the same as well. Even if you have seen it/worked on it number of times, a refresher won’t hurt 😊

About Case Study: The test includes questions based on Case Studies. The scenarios are elaborate. What worked for me was reading and understanding the questions first and the correlating with info within the case study. Do not read the case study partially and attempt answering the questions.

Important: Go through all the learning paths provided under https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/pl-100 . I would say that these learning paths are a good refresher after you have built clarity in each skill. It will help you pass the certification.

Skills measured in PL-100

Design solutions (10-15%)

Create a high-level design
Collect business requirements
Identify data sources
Describe real-world objects as entities
Describe the user experience
Create a high-level data model

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/configure-data-dynamics-365-model-driven-apps/2-common-data-model

Identify required Power Platform components
Determine required Power Apps
Identify existing resources and licenses https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/pricing-billing-skus
Identify gaps between existing functionality and requirements
Map problem domain to Power Platform tools
Identify required business processes
Evaluate accelerators, Microsoft apps and services, and third-party solutions
Describe connectors including standard, premium, and custom connectors https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/connectors

Design data models
Determine required entities https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/types-of-entities
Identify relationships https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/relationships-overview
Identify fields and data types https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/fields-overview
Determine requirements for offline access https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/mobile-app/setup-mobile-offline-for-admin

Design User Interface
Identify opportunities for component reuse
Apply user interface (UI) standards
Design for accessibility https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/accessibility-checker
Design for localization https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/global-apps

Design output
Define data output requirements
Define requirements for visualizations
Identify repositories for analytical data

Design security, privacy, and compliance
Identify data that must be protected or requires special handling
Identify tools that help ensure compliance with applicable government regulations

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/wp-compliance-data-privacy

Understand Power Platform environments
Understand how to get started building apps https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/
Describe the different types of environments : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/environments-overview
Describe Common Data Service solutions : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/solutions-overview
Describe other environment creation options : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/create-environment

Create solutions (55-60%)

Manage Power Platform development environments
Create a solution
Add existing apps and flows to a solution

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/create-solution
Run Solution Checker and interpret results

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/use-powerapps-checker

Create model-driven apps
Create model-driven apps
Create a site map
Create and configure Common Data Service entity forms
Create and configure Common Data Service entity views
Embed model-driven app records in Microsoft Teams channels

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/build-first-model-driven-app

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/create-design-forms

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/create-site-map-app

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/create-edit-views

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/teams/overview

Create canvas apps

Create canvas apps within a solution
Connect to data sources in canvas apps
Build canvas apps screens
Configure apps for offline access
Use formulas
Use collections and variables
Describe the implications of design choices on app performance

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/create-powerapps/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/understand-advanced-topics/

Interpret App Checker results : https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/powerapps-checker-now-includes-app-checker-results-for-canvas-apps-in-solutions/

Create and Use Controls

Add canvas app assets and components to screens
Build canvas app components

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/create-component#create-a-new-component

Create and configure data stores
Create a Common Data Service database https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/create-database
Configure a connection https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/configure-connection-roles

Create Common Data Service entities based on a data model
Link entities by using Common Data Service entity relationships https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/relationships-overview
Load or create data records for testing and development https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/why-cds-import-export

Create business logic
Create Common Data Service business rules https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/data-platform-create-business-rule

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/define-create-business-rules/
Create Common Data Service business process flows https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/create-business-process-flow/
Create Common Data Service classic workflows https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/overview-realtime-workflows
Create business logic using Power Automate flows

Create Canvas app formulas and events https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/use-basic-formulas-powerapps-canvas-app/

Create Power Automate flows
Create flows in a solution
Configure triggers
Build scheduled, automated, and instant flows
Configure flow steps
Interpret Flow Checker results
Test a flow
Implement common expressions and loops https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/introduction-expressions/
Create adaptive cards for Microsoft Teams

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/automate-process-power-automate/ ( RPA is not questioned in this exam)

Analyze and visualize data (5-10%)

Create Power BI reports
Create Power BI report by using Power BI Desktop
Create Power BI report by using Power BI service

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/get-started-with-power-bi/

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/get-data-power-bi/

Implement other reports
Merge data from a data source into a Microsoft Word or Excel template
Create model-driven dashboards
Create model-driven charts https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/user/track-your-progress-with-dashboard-and-charts
Add existing Power BI tile or dashboard to a model-driven dashboard https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/embed-powerbi-report-in-system-form

Describe AI Builder models

Identify model types including prebuilt and custom models
Describe the process for preparing data and training models
Use a model from within Power Automate or Power Apps https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/ai-builder-power-automate/

Implement and manage solutions (15-20%)

Configure Common Data Service security
Configure security roles https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/wp-security

Configure field security https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/field-level-security

Test apps and flows
Describe the testing process
Implement Power Platform testing tools

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/testing-performance-checks-powerapps/
Validate accessibility

Secure a solution

Manage data security
Manage app security

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/guidance/planning/security
Share flows https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/create-team-flows
Share Power BI reports https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-share-dashboards

Deploy the solution
Export solutions: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/export-solutions
Move individual apps and flows between environments

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/import-export-bap-packages/

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/fr-fr/blog/powerapps-packaging/

Support deployment of solutions to testing and production environments