Career Opportunities for SAFe POPM Certified Professionals

Introduction 

As the business environment in today’s world is unstable , organizations are preferring Agile frameworks more, as one of the best methodologies for enhancing efficiency and delivering high value to customers. Therefore, Agile roles are finding favour and there are increasing needs for professionals with competence in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). 

SAFe certification provides knowledge and skills needed to manage products in a Lean-Agile enterprise. But what is it like for a professional to be qualified as a SAFe POPM? And, more importantly, what jobs can one get with such certification? Throughout this blog, we will look at the different careers, positions that one can work with this important accreditation as well as understand the work of a SAFe POPM, the roles and skills they need for success.

What is SAFe POPM Certification?

The SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) certification aims at preparing individuals for carrying out two significant responsibilities as the Product Owner and Product Manager in an organization operating on Lean-Agile principles. It offers a professional identification of how to assess work, handle backlogs, describe product vision and pull teams together to create value in Agile release trains.

In the context of the SAFe, the POPM position plays a vital role of identifying relevant issues on the part of the business and from the customer’s point of view, that the teams have to take. The Product Owner controls the team backlog in a regular Agile scenario, while the Product Manager being in charge of product vision at the program level.

Key Responsibilities of SAFe POPM 

Here are some of the key responsibilities associated with SAFe POPM professionals. 

1. Backlog Management

The SAFe POPM focuses on the team backlog to prioritize which features will be addressed and work to write user stories for development.

2. Feature Prioritization

As for Product Managers, their responsibilities include defining and representing the product in terms of features that ultimately communicate a clear vision of the business goals based on critical customer needs and market trends.

3. Program Increment (PI) Planning

Because of PI planning, the objectives of the PO and PM are incorporated into the general plan of the program.

4. Stakeholder Briefing

Customers, cross-organizational teams and business partners collaborate with POPMs so that the product best serves multiple functions.

5. Continuous Improvement

They promote a culture of learning, for specific terms to enable the teams to have better processes and thus better results in future.

Read more: SAFe POPM Roles and Responsibilities

Career Opportunities for SAFe POPM Professionals

Currently, there are many opportunities for Product Owners and Product Managers, especially among companies that implement Agile on a large scale. Holding a SAFe POPM certification enables one to be exposed to a wide range of careers in different fields.

1. Product Owner 

This role is particularly suitable for people who like working with development teams and who have the desire to deliver quality end products. When becoming a PO, you are responsible for the selection of the features, their description as user stories, and completing the team prioritization of the project backlog.

Salary and Growth Potential

Demand for Product Owners is high therefore salaries are relatively high. As published by multiple job portals the average pay that is offered to Product Owners is as follows:

2. Product Manager

There is a lot of scope for growth in Product Management in various industries.  Product managers at this level are required to provide the vision and also map out the path together with the stakeholders and management and also have to ensure that the development is in line with the business direction.

Salary and Growth Potential

Product Managers are generally paid more than Product Owners because they perform more tactical and executive responsibilities. The average pay that is offered to Product Manager is given below:

3. Agile Coach or SAFe Consultant

Coaching or consulting positions can be available for those who have a lot of experience in SAFe methodologies. The Agile Coach or the SAFe Consultant is an expert who helps organisations to adopt SAFe and implement Agile principles and values across the organization.

Salary and Growth Potential

Agile Coaches and SAFe Consultants are in demand by the organizations that aim for enhancement of Agile maturity. The average pay that is offered to Agile Coach or SAFe Consultant is given below:

Why is SAFe POPM Certification a Career Booster? 

Holding the SAFe POPM certification means that one can participate in many careers starting from the Product Owner to Product management occupations. Here’s why the certification is a valuable addition to your career toolkit:

• Industry Recognition: Currently, SAFe is one of the popular frameworks and the POPM certification is relevant in the global market.
• Cross-Functional Skills: The certification makes you a multi-team player making you very relevant in Agile transformations.
• Increased Earning Potential: Product Owners and Product Managers with the SAFe certificate earn more than counterparts in the marketplace, based on their mastery of delivering values in complex surroundings.
• Career Flexibility: Whether you are interested in making a career in information technology as a software development professional, or healthcare, finance, or any other industry, the SAFe POPM certification is versatile.

Also, check: Benefits of SAFe POPM Certification

Conclusion

As we have been identifying, SAFe POPM provides good employment probability to practice in actual creation and leadership positions. Having a SAFe POPM certification allows one to transition to becoming a Product Owner or Product Manager or an Agile Coach. 
If you are interested in moving to  the next level in your career, Simpliaxis can help you achieve it. Want to be a Certified Product owner or Product Manager? Join our SAFe POPM certification training and learn from professionals!