Courses Read this detailed SAFe certification guide to know which SAFe course is best for you, what are the benefits of SAFe certification, what is SAFe Agile Framework, top SAFe certifications in 2024, and a lot more.
If you are someone new to SAFe and are exploring answers to questions like:
“What is SAFe® certification?”
“Which SAFe® certification is the best?”
“Is SAFe® certification worth it?”
“What are the benefits of SAFe certification?”
Then, this detailed guide should help you.
Why Use Agile Scaling Frameworks?
For any enterprise to be successful a product or service needs to delight its customers. The issue with the Waterfall or phase gate method of product development is that it does not cater to changing customer needs and evolving macro environment, rendering the product developed irrelevant.
Hence, the Agile way of product development is gaining popularity. It started in 2001 with the Agile Manifesto which includes the 4 Agile Values and 12 Agile Principles. Solution and Product Teams leverage Agile Principles and Values to develop products incrementally and iteratively.
What are the most important benefits of using the Agile approach to product development?
- Developing and delivering small increments of value to the customer
- Getting early feedback from customers
- Leveraging the feedback to adapt the product development [to continuously improve the product]
- Better risk management
- Increased flexibility
- Early on identifying and fixing issues
- Customer-centric value delivery leading to higher customer satisfaction
- Increase revenue for the company by delivering superior quality product
- Higher job satisfaction and team morale
- Better cross-functional collaboration
However, Team Agility is not enough in today’s digitally disruptive and volatile market. This VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) environment requires an organization to be nimble in all its processes and business functions i.e. implement Business Agility.
In an increasingly dynamic world, organizations must foster agility across all divisions to thrive. As Evan Leybourn’s Theory of Agile Constraints states, ‘An organization can only be as Agile as its least Agile division!’
What is Business Agility?
Business Agility is a people-centred, organization-wide capability that enables a business to deliver customer value rapidly, innovatively and creatively while swiftly responding to external changes.
Business Agility is a top priority for businesses globally. This is highlighted across several recent surveys for instance:
- McKinsey Global Survey: 90% of C-suite executives indicate that organizational agility is critical to business success
- The Business Agility Institute’s Annual Survey: It was found that over 70% of companies globally now prioritize agility when making business decisions.
- Forbes Insights Report: “Agility” was listed as the top success factor impacting performance by business leaders.
What is SAFe Agile Framework?
Business agility is achieved when we scale the practices and tools across all teams involved in delivering customer value. There are many Scaling Frameworks that an organization can use for scaling agility to teams and wider organizations.
The top 5 scaling frameworks are:
- Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
- Scrum of Scrums / Scrum@Scale
- Spotify Model
- Disciplined Agile (DA)
- Large Scale Scrum (Less)
(mentioned in no particular order)
According to the 17th State of Agile report, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is the most popular Scaling Framework.
The SAFe 5.0/SAFe 5.1 version has been revised to SAFe 6.0 in 2023. Scaled Agile Framework is built using the knowledge bodies of Agile, Lean, System Thinking and DevOps.
Below is the Big Picture for SAFe that shows what four levels of Scaled Agile Framework configurations are possible:
- Essential SAFe Configuration
- Large Solution SAFe Configuration
- Portfolio SAFe Configuration and
- Full SAFe Configuration
Scaled Agile Framework is underpinned by 4 core values. The 4 Scaled Agile Framework Core Values are:
- Alignment
- Transparency
- Respect for People
- Relentless Improvement
These are the foundational beliefs that drive the culture and lead to successful SAFe implementation.
What are the 4 top key benefits of Implementing SAFe Scaled Agile Framework?
Source: Scaled Agile Inc.
SAFe has aggregated the data from various case studies showcasing the 4 benefits of SAFe Agile implementation:
- Faster Time-to-market
- Improvements in Quality
- Increase in Productivity
- Better Employee Engagement
Is SAFe Certification worth it?
Globally there are more than 1,000,000 SAFe practitioners and 20,000 enterprises that have leveraged the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®). The SAFe framework is used across several industry sectors.
This wide and ever-increasing adopting definitely makes it worth getting SAFe certification. Taking a SAFe course and earning a certification are the first steps toward jump-starting your career in the Agile space.
According to Gartner SAFe is the no.1 most considered and adopted framework for scaling Agility.
According to SAFe Careers Snapshop 2024 report, over 1.4 million people have received the SAFe training! Clearly, that number shows the increasing demand and popularity of the SAFe certifications.
The report also highlights that in December 2023 a poll of SAFe professionals found that 100% of respondents plan to seek opportunities with companies using SAFe in the future.
What are the top 10 benefits of doing SAFe Certification in 2024
SAFe is a Framework to scale agility across the enterprise and ultimately achieve Business Agility. This transformation of the organization requires a strong change leadership and a culture that embodies Lean-Agile Mindset.
The top 10 reasons to pursue a SAFe certification are:
- Globally recognized and preferred certification
- Credible certification for career progression recognized by employers worldwide
- Most sought certification in job descriptions by companies deploying SAFe Framework
- SAFe certifications are versatile and scalable
- Higher salary potential
- Increased reach within the community
- Adds value to the resume
- SAFe Certification equips to respond to complex problems
- SAFe certification helps implement the lean-agile approach
- Helps improve decision-making and problem-solving skills
Top SAFe Certifications in 2024
The SAFe Implementation Roadmap describes the critical steps an organization can take to implement the SAFe Agile Framework in a logical, reliable and successful manner. Each Stage highlights the suggested SAFe certification for the employees of the company.
SAFe Implementation Roadmap
To understand What is SAFe Certification? Below we explain the best SAFe certifications and SAFe courses offered by Scaled Agile for you. Let’s understand by going through each of the SAFe® certifications in detail in the below table.
| Top SAFe Certifications in 2024 | ||
| SAFe Certification Training | Course Overview | SAFe Certification |
| Leading SAFe® (SA) | Thriving in the Digital Age with Business Agility | Certified SAFe® Agilist (SA) |
| SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) | Delivering Value through Effective Planning Interval Execution | Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) |
| SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) | Applying the Scrum Master Role within a SAFe Enterprise | Certified SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) |
| SAFe® for Teams (SP) | Establishing Team Agility for Agile Release Trains | Certified SAFe® Practitioner (SP) |
| SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) | Facilitating Lean-Agile Execution from Agile Release Trains | Certified SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) |
| SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) | Advancing Scrum Master Servant Leadership with SAFe | Certified SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) |
| SAFe® DevOps (SDP) | Optimizing Your Value Stream | Certified SAFe® DevOps Practitioner (SDP) |
| SAFe® for Architects (ARCH) | Architecting for Continuous Value Flow with SAFe | Certified SAFe® Architect (ARCH) |
| Agile Product Management (APM) | Using Design Thinking to Create Value Products in the Lean Enterprise | Certified SAFe® Agile Product Manager (APM) |
| Implementing SAFe® (SPC) | Achieving Business Agility with the Scaled Agile Framework | SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) |
| Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) | Aligning Strategy with Execution | Certified SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager |
Leading SAFe 6.0 Training with SAFe Agilist Certification
The Leading SAFe® 6.0 (Previously known as Leading SAFe® 5.1) Training to SAFe® Agilist certification is the best course for introduction to SAFe Framework. It gives an overall understanding of all the core values and principles of SAFe®. This course helps understand business agility and the 7 competencies organizations must master to achieve Business Agility.
This includes a PI Planning simulation. The attendees will also learn Portfolio SAFe® and Critical ART Success Factors. Focused on the behaviours of leaders in the SAFe® Implementation process, this course is helpful for leaders, managers, coaches, and executives who want to play an active role in SAFe® implementation in the organization.
Choosing the Right SAFe Certification – Which SAFe certification is the best?
Now that we know which are the various SAFe Certifications, the next obvious question is which is the best SAFe certification for me that supports my Career Development.
The SAFe Careers Snapshop Report 2024 highlights that most companies who use SAFe require at least one SAFe certification, and many prefer multiple certifications as one progresses in their career and role. Given SAFe certifications are adaptable and scalable, these apply to multiple roles, and in several cases, they significantly increase employability and earning potential.
3 Key questions to consider before choosing the right SAFe certification for you are:
- What is your role within the organization?
- What is the goal of the SAFe certification?
- What experience level are you with SAFe?
We demystify the above for you below in a simple table:
| What is your role within the organization? | Scrum Master/Team Coach | Product Owner/Product Manager | Agile Team |
| Guides and champions the Agile and Lean Ways of working. “How is the Product Developed?” | Owns the product Vision and is the voice of the Customer. “What Product is developed?” | Has the technical competence to develop the product | |
| The goal of the SAFe certification | Certifications are taken to enhance your Servant Leadership Skills as a Scrum Master | Certifications are taken to broaden your agile product development and techniques | Certifications are taken to enhance technical skills to build high-quality products |
| Core Certifications for Beginners | Leading SAFe® (SA) | Leading SAFe® (SA) | Leading SAFe® (SA) |
| Speciality Role Certifications for Intermediate Level | SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) | SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) | SAFe® for Teams (SP) |
| SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) | Agile Product Management (APM) | ||
| Advanced Certifications for Expert Level | SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE) | Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) | Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) |
| Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) | |||
| Implementing SAFe® (SPC) | Implementing SAFe® (SPC) | Implementing SAFe® (SPC) | |
| Technical Certifications | Certified SAFe® Architect (ARCH) | ||
| SAFe® DevOps (SDP) |
These equip the SAFe participants and professionals in every SAFe role and through every stage of their learning journey.
As a SAFe training provider, ValueX2 makes It simple for you to become SAFe certified, Enrol and Attend SAFe training, Learn, study, practice and pass the exam and get SAFe Certified.
Conclusion
I hope the above in-depth article helps you make a wise choice. Good luck! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at info@valueX2.com
Bhavna is an Agile Coach and Consultant with over a decade of experience in advisory, corporate finance, IT assurance, and operations at Big 4 and within the industry in the UK and India. She has recently been the CEO of a start-up where she implemented agile practices within HR, Marketing, and Product teams.
She is also a SAFe® Practice Consultant (SPC) and authorized instructor for ICAgile Agility in HR (ICP-AHR), Agility in Marketing (ICP-MKG), and Business Agility Foundations (ICP – BAF) training courses. She provides training for agile transformation to corporate, public, and private batches, as well as consulting for enterprise agile transformation.
