You are not the only one with questions about the two day Certified SAFe Agilist class…

I’m commonly asked many questions about SAFe and the Scaled Agile Framework.

• Is it Agile?
• Should I take the class?
• What does that look like?

Here are some points to help you think through whether taking the Certified SAFe Agilist class is right for you:

• How big is your organization?
• What problems are you trying to solve?

If you have a larger organization with very strong roles around UX, architecture, managers… SAFe details out ideas you can take away to apply to your situation. As a framework, there is some flexibility on how to apply it in specific situations.

Scrum does not define these roles at all and for a good reason. Most companies don’t live in simple collocated teams. Real life is more complicated than that. Many projects have value streams that are developed across multiple teams. Scaled Agile Framework calls for sync points between the various cross-team roles. Each of the roles like UX or architecture has a seat at the table now with a structure that defines what is needed and expected of them.

Scaled Agile Framework also calls for a project-wide portfolio view called ‘epics’. Epics break down into features which can be worked on across the teams. The great thing about looking at the portfolio down to the program level is the flexibility to say, ‘This is how much we want to spend in this given area.’ Now we can flex on that for these teams rather than stopping and starting with projects which can lend to matrixing and other problems in our organization.

SAFe gives a structure that the PMO can now map to and track to, proven out in the field and with success in business and the marketplace. It is worth a look.

In addition to that, if you’re on your way to becoming a CSP (which I hope all of the ScrumMasters out there are doing) it’s worth an additional 16 Scrum Education Units. It’s definitely worth a look. Another tool in your toolbox. Lots of good ideas, and lots of good conversations that we have in the two day Certified SAFe Agilist class.

Looking for a Certified SAFe Agilist Class?

If that might be of interest to you, please take a look at the classes that we run here in Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and see if there’s a time and place that fits for you. I wish you luck on your journey.