Automation20% of the exam
Path Optimizer, journey scale and performance design
How to configure Path Optimizer winner evaluation and holdbacks, when Journey Builder is the wrong tool for bulk CRM work, and how data grooming, High-Throughput Sending, waits, journey size and the System Optimization Dashboard keep journeys fast.
Given a customer scenario, design complex automations using Journey Builder and Automation Studio.
~7 min read · 11 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Configure a Path Optimizer test: winner evaluation method, evaluation period, holdback, test duration and what a copy keeps.
- Recognize designs Journey Builder shouldn't run, such as bulk CRM updates, and the enterprise-wide Salesforce data event warning.
- Recommend throughput levers in order: data grooming, efficient filters, High-Throughput Sending, staggering and, last, a dedicated database.
- Apply wait, decision split and journey size guidance, and persist event data a later process needs.
- Read the System Optimization Dashboard and configuration recommendations without treating them as activation blockers.
- Key terms: winner evaluation (Email Engagement or Manual Engagement); evaluation period (how long the system waits after contacts pass the longest path); Holdback (contacts kept out of the test until a winner is chosen); High-Throughput Sending (HTS) (a faster email sending framework); segment (the activities between waits that process at the slowest activity's speed).
Key facts
Path Optimizer paths
- Detail
- Up to 10
Evaluation period
- Detail
- 1 hour to 99 days, after the longest path
Manual winner deadline
- Detail
- 7 days from activation
Holdback
- Detail
- Run Once entry schedule only
Bulk CRM updates
- Detail
- Use Data Import Wizard or Data Loader
Salesforce data event warning
- Detail
- 50 or more events across the enterprise
Baseline throughput
- Detail
- Up to two million email sends per hour per tenant
Activities per journey
- Detail
- 150–200 recommended
HTS
- Detail
- Can't be deactivated per journey once activated
Mobile App Events
- Detail
- Not stored in a data extension
Dashboard warnings
- Detail
- Don't block activation
Sources for this section (7)
- Configure Path Optimizerhelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Sales and Service Cloud Best Practiceshelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Excess Salesforce Data Eventshelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Optimize Journey Builder Performancehelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- High-Throughput Sendinghelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Mobile App Event Entry Sourcehelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- System Optimization Dashboardhelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Why can a broad entry filter get a large journey stopped?
- When do configuration recommendations flag a reused event definition?
- How soon does the System Optimization Dashboard usually reflect contacts flowing through a journey?
- What timeout do configuration recommendations suggest for a custom activity?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
Keep reading with the Marketing Cloud Engagement Consultant pack
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