Which SAFe Course is Right For You?

SAFe is among the most popular frameworks under Scaling Agile. It is among the most used Agile scaling approaches, accounting for 45% across organizations worldwide. Many people are interested in learning more about the framework because of its ever-increasing popularity. Yet, it may become quite difficult for you as a learner to decide among the several programs the framework provides for professionals. 

This article will provide simple guidelines to help you select the SAFe® course that is right for you. 

What is SAFe® Certification?

SAFe® Certification helps you to become a certified professional well-versed in this Agile framework. Scaled Agile issues this certification. 

You can help your organization deploy particular projects with a higher degree of agility by earning a SAFe® Certification. 

You will find numerous SAFe® certifications at the foundational, intermediate, and advanced levels targeted according to respective professional roles.

These SAFe® courses assess the skills and knowledge of those who work in Agile environments. Certified professionals can also support company initiatives and transformations in a Lean and Agile enterprise.

Is SAFe® Certification Worth It?

Agile frameworks have been into existence for decades. However, industry leaders think that instructor-led Agile training certificates can improve an organization's environment.

The Scaled Agile courses have a collaborative mindset around different Agile methods. Such SAFe training courses instill the team-think approach among development teams. Moreover, the employees are often more interested in training, with the end goal being a certification. 

Hence, SAFe® Certification can give a boost to your career. It can also help you understand the intricacies of scaling Agile at the enterprise level.

Large enterprises can implement the Agile methodology to their existing projects with SAFe.  This will allow larger teams to work more effectively. Scaling Agile practices to enterprise levels requires some knowledge, skill and experience in the SAFe® framework. It is one of the few frameworks proven to combine lean and system thinking with Agile development practices.

Prerequisites for a SAFe® Course 

SAFe® courses are recognized all over the world. These certifications help you gain knowledge about the lean-agile principles of SAFe. Below are the prerequisites for a SAFe certification course in Agile:

• Relevant experience in Scrum
• More than 5 years experience in different software industries in roles related to testing, analysis of business, improvement, and managing any project or product

How Does SAFe Update Your Skills?

Corporations of all sizes can benefit from SAFe methods. It can help these organizations increase revenue on investment. You should consider getting a SAFe® certification:

1. Dealing With Agile Adoption Challenges

Small organizations with one or two teams can adopt Agile quickly. The problem arises when you try to replicate the same success at a larger enterprise level. Agile practices and processes used in small teams are not suited to scale the same results at the enterprise level. A SAFe training equips you with the required skills to scale Agile across the enterprise without any hassles. 

The skills you learn as a certified SAFe Agilist enable you to align multiple development teams and achieve IT collaboration working with different departments. You can still deliver value to customers and remain aligned with organizational goals.

2. Fewer Delays and Failures With a SAFe® Certification

There are multiple teams and business departments in large organizations that already use Agile. Yet, failures and obstacles arise when you bring these people together. SAFe training skills allow you to implement a uniform Agile approach throughout the enterprise.

Out-of-line or crashing Agile practices will no longer be a problem for your teams. You will be able to guide them to adopt a consistent approach to enhance product quality and architecture. Certifications like Leading SAFe allow the organization to use Agile Release Train. It helps you plan, execute and deliver value to bring multiple teams together effectively.

3. Understanding New Roles in an Agile Environment

Scaling Agile at the enterprise level often requires creating new roles. You may also need to change the existing ones. Challenges will arise if you need help understanding what roles you must create or how to change them. 

SAFe® courses can provide you with knowledge of management skills to avoid these challenges. It can also help avoid fear across the entire organization which is usually related to the potential of existing roles. It will help all the existing and new team members to adopt the new Agile practices and tools. The product owners, executives, and managers can only understand by training their roles. It also applies across all teams at the program and portfolio level.

4. Having Consistency at all Levels

Implementing Agile across your enterprise can be challenging. It is because maintaining consistency across different departments becomes easier with proper training. SAFe® certification involves learning all the skills to maintain consistent strategy across the enterprise.

You will have the knowledge to understand what principles need to be used to align multiple departments along some strategy upon training completion.

SAFe training also helps you communicate your strategy at all the program and portfolio levels. This is also the same framework that allows you to implement Lean across the organization consistently.

Choosing the SAFe® Course Right for You

Choosing the SAFe training course that aligns with your current professional position in the organization is important. It must also sync with the future goal you target eventually. 

Here is a deep insight into the current available SAFe training courses, where to start and how to prepare for the associated exam. This information will set you on the right path to make the most of the SAFe training.

Your first step towards choosing the leading SAFe® certification is to understand what each course has to offer to make an informed choice.

Scaled Agile offers 13 different certification courses and framework-based courses:

• Certified SAFe® Agilist (SA)
• Certified SAFe® Practice Consultant
• Certified SAFe® Practitioner
• SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) Certification
• SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) Certification
• Certified SAFe® Release Train Engineer
• Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager
• Certified SAFe® DevOps Practitioner (SDP)
• Certified SAFe® Government Practitioner (SGP)
• Certified SAFe® Agile Software Engineer (ASE)
• Certified SAFe® Agile Product Manager (APM)
• Certified SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM)
• Certified SAFe® 6 Architect (ARCH)

1. SAFe® Agilist (SA) Certification

This 2-day course acts as a starting point for any person new to SAFe. It Scaled Agile Framework principles and practices. The course further gives an introduction of what it means to lead Lean-Agile transformation and how you can adopt a Lean-Agile mindset. 

This Leading SAFe® certification course is also for those organizational leaders who want to join the transformation team.

Learning Goals:

• Understand 5 competencies of the Lean Enterprise
• Apply Lean-Agile Mindset values and principles
• Create efficient teams applying SAFe
• Apply SAFe’s Lean and Agile principles to new and existing SAFe roles
• Become a transformation leader with a SAFe Implementation Roadmap
• Drive Release on Demand with a Continuous Delivery Pipeline
• Support PI Planning
• Use Strategic Themes and Lean Portfolio Management to plan alignment strategies
• Coordinate Agile Release Trains with a Solution Train

2. SAFe® PracticeConsultant Certification

This 4-day course entails training software developers and executives to adopt DevOps culture,  coach programs, and build a continuous delivery pipeline. The course also enables you to launch Agile Release Trains and empower a Lean Portfolio. 

You will be ready to take the position of a Lean-Agile leader after completing this SAFe Agile certification. You can also lead digital transformation at the enterprise level with exciting opportunities opening up to you. 

Learning Goals:

• Train managers and executives in Leading SAFe
• Lead a Lean-Agile transformation
• Empower a Lean Portfolio
• Implement the SAFe at the enterprise level
• Perform a Value Stream Identification
• Align teams to a common language and working strategy
• Support Agile Release Trains after launching them
• Execute an implementation rollout strategy
• Configure the SAFe® Framework for a specific enterprise context
• Train other SAFe roles in the enterprise

Also, CheckSAFe® Practice Consultant certification

3. Certified SAFe® Practitioner

This certification includes the SAFe for Teams course. It will provide you with the skills to enhance your professional role if you work in the Agile Release Train team in any SAFe enterprise. This 2-day course offers an in-depth understanding of planning and executing iterations. Hence, you can learn how to write user stories.

Learning Goals:

• Apply SAFe to scale Agile and Lean development 
• Plan Iterations
• Know the team’s role on the Agile Release Train
• Know all other teams on the ART, including their respective dependencies on other teams
• Execute Iterations and demonstrate value
• Learn to work with other teams on the ART
• Plan Program Increments

4. SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) Certification

This 2-day course details the role of a Scrum Master in any kind of SAFe environment. It usually explores the role of a Scrum Master at an enterprise level. You will be able to plan and execute Program Increments after completing this particular course. You can also build high-performing Agile teams as a Coach and a Servant Leader. Both existing and new Scrum Masters can take this course who want to join teams in SAFe enterprises.

Learning Goals:

• Identify Scrum role in a SAFe enterprise
• Facilitate Scrum events and Iteration execution
• Support effective Program Increment (Releases) 
• Support relentless improvement
• Support DevOps implementation
• Coach Agile teams

Learn more about the SAFe® Scrum Master certification course.

5. SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) Certification

SASM trains all existing Scrum Masters to take on a leadership role in an enterprise that has a SAFe environment. The 2-day SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master certification training course introduces Scrum Masters to the concept of application of Kanban and DevOps practices and scalable engineering that facilitate the flow of value.

Learning Goals:

• Apply SAFe principles to facilitation and coaching in a multi-team environment
• Address Agile and Scrum anti-patterns
• Support the adoption of Agile architecture, scalable engineering practices, and DevOps
• Applying Kanban eXtreme Programming (XP) frameworks
• End-to-end systems value program planning and delivery
• Encourage learning through participation in innovative cycles and Communities of Practice 

6. SAFe® Release Train Engineer Certification

This SAFe® Agilist can take full control of an Agile Release Train. You can do so by guiding and organizing the team. After completing the course, you will also be able to participate in all kinds of pre and post-PI meetings and PI objectives. This 3-day SAFe® Release Train Engineer certification course will benefit you if you are a new Program Manager, Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Agile Coach, PMO, or SPC. 

Learning Goals:

• Apply the Lean-Agile knowledge to execute and release value
• Assist with large solution execution across programs
• Build an efficient Agile Release Train
• Develop an action plan to continue learning across teams

7. SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager Certification

This 2-course course is for Product Managers, Business Analysts, Business Owners, and Product Managers. You can also identify your existing role with a Lean-Agile mindset after completing the course. You will further be able to launch ARTs, plan PIs, and deliver value for your enterprise.

Double-check the course details: SAFe® 6.0 Product Owner/Product Manager Certification Training

Learning Goals:

• Connect PO/PM roles to the SAFe® Lean-Agile values
• Apply SAFe in any Lean enterprise
• Collaborate for Lean Portfolio Management
• Execute Program Increment Planning for value delivery
• Articulate the Product Owner/Product Manager roles
• Certified SAFe® DevOps Practitioner (SDP)

8. Certified SAFe® DevOps Practitioner (SDP)

It is a 2-day course that gives an overview of DevOps competencies. These competencies will help you improve the flow of value with the help of a Continuous Delivery Pipeline.

Learning Goals:

• Apply the CALMR approach to DevOps
• Understand the importance of continuous testing and integration
• Measure the flow of value with the help of a delivery pipeline
• Identify delays and gaps in flow within a SAFe environment
• Improve the exploration and release process
• Improve the process of developing and integrating continuously
• Deploy production and staging environments
• Execute all DevOps transformation plans

9. Certified SAFe® Government Practitioner (SGP)

This SAFe® certification helps you impact skills to build technology-based Lean-Agile practices. This usually applies in the government context associated with the right information and strategies. You will also learn to use SAFe for Lean-Agile transformation inside any government agency during the same course. 

Learning Goals:

• Lead the transitions from traditional systems development to DevOps and Lean-Agile mindset with the help of SAFe
• Adapt technology strategy to flow-based practices while adhering to emerging government guidelines
• Organize government programs into Agile Release Trains (ARTs)
• Devise strategies for successful Lean-Agile transformation
• Build a preliminary outline for your program or agency with SAFe implementation

10. SAFe® Agile Software Engineer (ASE) Certification

This 3-day course helps software engineers to learn the foundational practices of Agile Software Engineering. This can help deliver software-centric solutions instantly in a more predictable manner.

Learning Goals:

• Learn underlying values of Agile Software Engineering
• Apply the Test-First principle
• Understand Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)
• Build applications with design quality and codes
• Automate and collaborate testing infrastructure
• Optimize flow of value with all the Lean-Agile Principles
• Create different Agile Software Engineering plans

11. Certified SAFe® Agile Product Manager (APM)

The Agile Product Management course focuses on design thinking techniques for all customers. You will learn about the importance of continued exploration for innovation through this SAFe® course. You can also learn how to collaborate with remote teams. It helps you create a vision and roadmap that delivers maximum satisfaction for new and existing customers.

Learning Goals:

• Define a vision and roadmap to tap into new markets
• Use empathy to drive all designs
• Get feedback and deliver exceptional products and solutions aligning with the particular organization’s strategy, evolving architecture, portfolio, and solution intent.

12. SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM) Certification

This 2-course helps you pass the SAFe exam in the first attempt. You will also learn to establish portfolio flow with the Portfolio Kanban. This further helps you prioritize epics for maximum economic benefit. 

Learning Goals:

• Establish Value Stream Budgets and Lean Budget Guardrails
• Measure the Lean portfolio performance
• Connect Strategic portfolio management with Agile delivery
• Leverage Lean to connect strategy to execution

13. SAFe® 6 Architect (ARCH) Certification

This course helps you learn to build the skills to enable continuous value flow and learn how architects can engage in, and contribute to any Lean-Agile enterprise. 

Learning Goals:

• Collaborate delivery of architectural solutions
• Engage in real-world simulations
• Drive continuous value streams with SAFe

How to Prepare for the SAFe® Certification Examination?

Scaled Agile has designed several courses to test your theoretical and practical knowledge to fulfill your role in a SAFe environment.

Yet, you should not take the SAFe exam lightly. Attend the respective SAFe training courses and learn how to apply Lean-Agile principles to real-life scenarios. You can do so only by preparing rigorously for the exam. 

You will also find it easy to prepare for Leading SAFe by referring to the Scaled Agile Framework in detail. You can learn more about each Safe® Certification by visiting Simpliaxis. 

Also, CheckKey SAFe® Certification Exam Prep Strategies

Conclusion

All the SAFe® Courses aim to encourage individual growth by providing relevant skills and knowledge to enhance professional growth and the learning curve in Agile. Hence, you always have the opportunity to customize your career paths. With the latest and leading SAFe® certifications, you have plenty of options to move forward as a professional at the enterprise level. So, select the leading SAFe® Course that suits you the best and enroll for a better career approach now!

FAQs

1. Can a SAFe® certification expire?

The SAFe® certification is valid for only one year. You will get an email from Scaled Agile accordingly as the renewal date approaches the deadline. You can pay the renewal fee to get the certification renewed again.

2. Are SAFe® and Agile the same?

A small team of around 10 or less members is the target group for Agile. Whereas a SAFe® framework does not limit enterprises to smaller teams. Instead, it guides them in scaling Lean and Agile principles and practices.

3. Which SAFe® certification should a professional get?

Project managers, Agile coaches, and Scrum Masters should consider the SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) or SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) certifications. The Leading SAFe (SA) and SAFe® Program Consultant (SPC) certifications are recommended for executives and leaders. 

4. How many attempts are allowed for any kind of SAFe® certification?

You can attempt any SAFe® Certification four times. You will also have to pay the exam fee before attempting one after completing a course.