Did you know that getting a SAFe certification is one of the best ways to enter the Agile field?
Agile is something that most businesses use to complete tasks. Unfortunately, the Agile industry is full of people that all have similar skills, so it’s difficult to stand out. Because of this, people that want to become an Agilist need to learn things like SAFe.
When getting a SAFe certification, you can qualify for positions that most Agilists can’t. Not only does this make getting a job easier, but you can also earn more money than fellow Agilists.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about SAFe and SAFe certifications!
What Is SAFe and Why Is It Important?
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is a system designed to help businesses and individuals scale lean and agile practices. When implementing SAFe, businesses can deliver value more effectively by creating a consistent schedule. The risk is low, which is why SAF has an “e” added to it to create “SAFe.”
Organizations
Many organizations rely on things like Scrum to operate. However, Scrum doesn’t work well with larger organizations because it was designed for smaller teams and projects. Because of this, it can be difficult for large organizations to get tasks done when they’re Agile process isn’t scaled to fit their operations.
SAFe is a system that takes common structures – like Scrum and Kanban – and incorporates new pathways for organizations to use them efficiently.
One of the common misconceptions that people have about SAFe is that it’s too strict. SAFe is meant to be used in a way that works for your company. If you don’t need certain tools, you don’t need to use them.
Individuals
Learning SAFe is crucial if you’re someone that would like to work with organizations. Although many businesses still rely on Scrum, you must know how to implement SAFe because it’s becoming more popular. You can’t get away with knowing just Scrum because businesses want to have multiple options readily available.
The industry is currently over-saturated with people that know Scrum, so you’ll have a hard time landing a job if you can’t bring anything else to the table. Knowing SAFe will make you stand out from others because companies will see you as a valuable resource that can help them with their Agile methods.
Different Types of SAFe Certifications
Getting a SAFe Agile certification will make you eligible to work in the field. It’s one of the first things that companies look for when hiring an Agilist, so you’ll need it if you plan on becoming on. Determining which SAFe certification is best will depend on what you’d like to do. Going through a SAFe certification course will help you figure that out.
There are a variety of certifications to choose from, each covering a different application. For example, you can get certified to lead teams or become a product manager. Knowing the different types of SAFe certifications will make it easier for you to choose one that suits you.
Here are some of the most common SAFe certifications:
SAFe Program Consultant
Anyone that wants to work with a corporation should consider getting a SAFe Program Consult certification. This course revolves around SAFe in a business setting, so you’ll learn how to implement it and train teams. When taking the course, you’ll be qualified to lead SAFe Agilists and can use SAFe to improve an organization.
SAFe Agilist (SA)
SAFe Agilists take up most of the industry as they’re responsible for maintaining SAFe programs in organizations. Taking this course will let you identify the values of Lean and Agile so that you can implement them into any project. Having Scrum will make the experience easier, but it isn’t necessary.
SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)
Those that lead teams will benefit the most from getting a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master certification. Courses for this certification cover principles that revolve around building teams and implementing every aspect of SAFe into businesses.
SAFe Product Manager/Product Owner (PMPO)
Business owners, product managers, and analysts will all benefit the most from getting a SAFe PMPO certification. This course provides those with ties in the business world information about how to work with other associations. Upon completion, you can educate others about how to manage various parts of an enterprise.
How to Prepare for SAFe Exam
When it comes to preparing for a SAFe exam, the best thing you can do is attend the course and study. Using a variety of online practice exams, you should keep taking them until you getting high scores and feel confident enough to answer every question.
You should only study based on the material you learn in the course. Passing a SAFe certification exam will require you to reference various things from the course, so take notes while you go throughout it. It’s okay to look things up online, but try to find information in the material that was provided to you.
You can also network with others in the SAFe community to bounce info off of one another. Being around others that have done the exam will help you take in the material.
Consider Getting a SAFe Certification Today
After reading this article, you now know more about SAFe and different SAFe certifications. If Agile is something that interests you, we encourage you to get a SAFe Agile certification so that you can work in the field. There’s a lot of money to be made, but you must be certified before you can start earning.
Check out our other articles to learn more about Agile and other topics!
