Are you looking to advance your career in the Agile world of software development? Have you heard about the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) certification course and want to learn more? SAFe has become one of the most popular frameworks for organizations worldwide while helping them to adopt and implement an agile culture successfully. In order to stand out among other industry professionals, getting certified as a SAFe practitioner is essential. If this sounds like something that interests you, then read on – we will provide all the information necessary for preparing and taking exams!
What is the SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification?
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) certification is an industry-recognized certification designed to help organizations successfully implement greater agility across the software development life cycle. It enables companies to combine best practices from Lean and Agile, as well as product management, systems engineering and project management for increased delivery performance and better stakeholder alignment.
Through hands-on instruction, SAFe certification provides leaders with the proven tools and workflow strategies needed to maximize shared value creation. Using this methodology transforms businesses holistically, allowing them to create products faster while maximizing quality control. As a result, organizations are better able to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, resulting in improved ROI over time.
Who Should Do SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification?
The SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) certification provides an effective framework for transforming the way of working in larger organizations and those that are geographically distributed. Professionals from various industries, such as technology leaders, project/program managers, product/solution managers, enterprise architects, agile coaches – anyone associated with or responsible for delivering a successful digital transformation should consider getting SAFe certified.
This is especially true for those individuals with experience in lean-agile principles and practices who aspire to knowledge and application of this framework on an enterprise level. In other words, any employee that has to manage an organization in a scaled agile fashion over multiple teams and departments should get this certification as it provides immense value to these teams through continuous alignment of objectives.
SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification Prerequisites
- A minimum of three years of experience in software development, testing, business analysis, and product or project management.
- A good understanding of Scrum and other Agile processes and methodologies.
- Knowledge of basic agile engineering practices such as test-driven development (TDD), continuous integration (CI), and refactoring/evolutionary design is desirable but not essential.
- Experience with SAFe® principles and concepts at the team level or higher—through formal training or working on an agile release train (ART).
- Previous successful application of Lean-Agile practices in a software development environment.
A good understanding of the concepts presented in the SAFe® 4.6 Body of Knowledge (BOK). It is highly recommended that you attend a Certified SAFe® 6.0 Practitioner (SP) class offered by an authorized provider before taking the exam. - The ability to pass a rigorous, online multiple-choice examination on the full scope of SAFe® principles and practices. The passing score for this exam is 80%.
- Attendance at an official 2-day Scaled Agile Framework Practitioner Class from an authorized provider is strongly recommended before taking the exam.
Upon completing the prerequisites, you may register for a SAFe® certification course and take the associated exam.
Different SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Agile certifications
Different SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Agile certifications are available for individuals to become more advanced in Agile. The most popular certifications are SAFe® Agile Software Engineering, SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master, and SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager. All three certifications require a minimum of 21 hours of training and a passing score on the exam to achieve certification.
The SAFe® Agilist certification demonstrates an understanding of the core principles, practices, and competencies needed to lead successful Lean-Agile change initiatives using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The certification requires a combination of coursework and hands-on application exercises that must be completed within 3 days. Once certified as an Agilist, practitioners can become a Scrum Master, Product Owner/Product Manager, or assume other Lean-Agile roles.
The SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master certification recognizes the skills and competencies of an individual responsible for guiding multiple teams to successful delivery using Agile practices. This certification requires additional training beyond the initial Agilist certification and completion of advanced coursework specific to the role of a Scrum Master.
The Advanced Scrum Master must possess knowledge in advanced facilitation techniques, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and leveraging servant leadership principles. The SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager certification recognizes individuals responsible for driving product strategy and delivering value through agile product management practices.
Strategies to Ace SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Agile certifications
- Understand the fundamentals
Before attempting to take the SAFe® Agile certification, it is essential to gain an in-depth understanding of all the core concepts and principles of the framework. Educate yourself by utilizing a diverse range of resources such as books, online courses, SAFe® websites and blogs etc. - Get familiar with tools and processes
As practitioners are expected to know how to design, implement, configure and measure success using Scaled Agile Framework methods, getting familiar with its tools and processes is important for exam preparation. Gaining hands-on experience through simulations is also highly recommended. - Participate in local user groups
Local user groups offer dynamic learning environments for individuals who want to deepen their knowledge of the Scaled Agile Framework and increase their chances of passing the certification exam. Joining such groups expose practitioners to a wide variety of perspectives that can help them become more successful in the SAFe® environment. - Take practice tests
Taking practice tests can be extremely beneficial for gaining an understanding of what is required for the exam. It is also recommended to note down any unfamiliar topics or concepts and research them further as this will help in better retention during the actual examination process. - Get mentorship
Having an experienced mentor who understands all aspects of the Scaled Agile Framework can be immensely helpful in preparing for certification exams. Mentors have immense experience with real-world practical applications which would provide great value while studying for exams. All in all, understanding the fundamentals of SAFe® Agile, getting familiar with tools and processes, participating in user groups, taking practice tests, and seeking mentorship are some strategies that can help one ace the Scaled Agile Framework certification exam.
SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification Benefits
Here are five key advantages of having SAFe® certification:
- Increased Agility
Certified professionals understand the importance of being able to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. They also have the tools to develop fast and efficient solutions that meet these requirements. This increased agility allows organizations to stay ahead of the competition and maximize profitability. - Improved Collaboration
By understanding how different departments work together in an agile environment, certified professionals can help improve collaboration across teams within an organization. This leads to better alignment and the ability to deliver projects faster. - Streamlined Productivity
Certified professionals are trained in techniques for streamlining processes and eliminating waste, resulting in improved productivity. They understand how best to manage resources, prioritize tasks, and identify areas of opportunity for improvement. - Reduced Risk
With a greater understanding of agile practices, certified professionals can help reduce the risk associated with large-scale projects. By having an experienced team that understands how to build quality solutions rapidly, organizations can decrease their overall cost of failure. - Improved Employee Morale
SAFe certification adds value to employees by providing them with greater job security, recognition within the organization, and potential career growth opportunities within the enterprise. This leads to increased morale, motivation, and loyalty among employees.
By having certified professionals on board, organizations can maximize the potential of their teams and operations by taking advantage of these five key benefits of SAFe certification. By staying ahead of the competition with increased agility, improving collaboration across departments, streamlining processes for greater productivity, reducing the risk associated with large-scale projects, and improving employee morale, organizations can succeed in today’s competitive environment.
SAFe certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to agile principles and provides a valuable credential for those seeking to improve their skill set in this area.
Best Place to get SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Training and Certification
AgileFever provides comprehensive SAFe® training and certification for individuals, teams, and organizations. Our programs are designed to help you quickly learn the principles of the Scaled Agile Framework®, as well as build the skills and knowledge needed to apply them in your projects or within your organization. Our certified experts have developed rich learning content covering all aspects of SAFe®, including LEAN, System Thinking, Agile development, Architecture, DevOps, and Release planning.
With a dedicated team of experienced professionals leading each course, we ensure that you get maximum value from our training curriculum and gain an understanding of the entire framework that meets industry standards. We offer multiple levels of SAFe certifications and give you access to various resources such as sample questions, study material, and practice tests. Our SAFe® certification programs are available in both public and private classroom settings and through online learning platforms.
At AgileFever, you can be assured that you will receive the best possible preparation for your certification exam. We guarantee that you will gain a better understanding of the Scaled Agile Framework® and how to apply it in your projects or organization. With our support, you can confidently build high-performing teams and successful business outcomes.
