How to Choose the Best SAFe Certification for Your Career Growth?

Introduction 

In the current business world, there is a constant search for and calls to adopt Agile techniques to enhance efficiency. SAFe is primarily one of the most used frameworks for implementing Agile at the Enterprise level, known as the Scaled Agile Framework. For those willing to enter the field of Agile or enhance their career, selecting an appropriate SAFe certification may be crucial. It now comes down to how you will choose the best SAFe certification that will fit what you want to achieve in your career. 

In this blog we will discuss what is SAFe certification, benefits of SAFe certification, skills required to pursue SAFe certification and how to select the best SAFe certification.

What is SAFe Certification?

SAFe Certification is a group of professional certifications issued to individuals by Scaled Agile, Inc., the company that developed the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). SAFe is an easily recognizable framework used to Implement Agile within teams, departments, and the entire organization to pursue more-efficient collaboration, integration, and delivery.

Click here to learn more about SAFe Certification.

Is SAFe® Certification Really Worth It?

SAFe certification can be highly beneficial, particularly for employees in large organizations interested in scalable Agile. The certification provides a testament to your competency in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), is a well-used framework used in large organisations to implement Agile on large cross-functional teams. Since it is a method that many organizations apply to enhance their efficiency and flexibility.

SAFe certification is particularly valuable because it shows that you are capable and ready to drive Agile changes across an organization, work with interrelated teams, and ensure that projects are aimed at achieving business goals. This may lead to promotion, better paid positions, and reputation within the Agile environment.

However, its value is dependent on your career. This is especially so if you are working in industries or companies that embrace Agile, particularly at scale where SAFe can make a big difference. The impact of such a factor could be minimal especially to the teamsconde or the companies involved, especially if the teams are small.

Learn the Different SAFe Certifications

One needs to know the available opportunities to come up with the right choice regarding the SAFe certification. There are different SAFe certifications depending on the position of an individual working on the Agile framework. Some of the most popular SAFe certification courses include:

• Leading SAFe: This course is for those planning to understand the SAFe framework and how SAFe implementation can be done across teams.
• SAFe Scrum Master (SSM): Designed for Scrum Masters who desire to implement SAFe skills on the teams.
• SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM): Suitable for Scrum Masters who work in Agile teams with many members to assist in an effective organization.
• SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM): Designed for business people and specialists in product development, orientations to the maximum value creation.
• SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM): Most suitable for portfolio management and governance professionals, especially those focused on methods and processes.

Understanding of these certifications assists in the decision-making process by defining what suits you based on your job description and company goals.

Choosing the Best SAFe Certification

Choosing the right and best SAFe certification involves various factors, such as:

Consider Industry Demand and Market Value

When it comes to the selection of the SAFe certification there is a very important step that should always be done – the analysis of the current needs of the market. Observe the employment advertisements to determine which of the certification is demanded by organizations. Some of the certifications that are well known include SAFe Agilist and SAFe Scrum Master, these are some of the certifications that are often included as requirements for senior jobs in Agile environments.

For instance:

Specific certifications such as the SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) could be in great demand in fields where controlling the resources, funds, and the amount of synchronization across the teams is obligatory. You should ensure that the certifications you choose are relevant to areas to which growth and salary increase potential is high in the industry.

Identify Your Current Role and Career Goals

The next step is career planning through the adjustment of the current job requirements to one’s career paths. If you are a beginner and you want to get the first experience in Agile then I think that Leading SAFe will be the choice for you because it offers a rather general view on the framework. On the other hand, if you are already in some position within a Scrum team, say, Scrum Master or Product Owner, then it will be more valuable to get some role-specific certificate like SSM, or POPM.

For instance:

If your goal is to get better at leadership, then there is the SAFe Agilist, or the Leading SAFe certification.

If your aim is to specialise in team facilitation you might want to consider the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) or Advanced Scrum Master (SASM).

They make certain that the skills attained will be applied in the course of your career and duties in the present and future boards you will undertake.

Consider the Certification Level and Prerequisites

In this case, there is a need to take a look at the current market at large and the demand of the different SAFe certifications. It is important to look at the job posts in your region to see which certification of certification authorities are valued by employers. 

 Considering the certification level and the respective eligibility criteria are essential steps while choosing the SAFe certification that is best for you.

Also, read: SAFe Agilist Vs SAFe Scrum Master

Benefits of choosing SAFe Certification

• Industry Recognition: It also makes the certification vital in modern lucrative employment markets since SAFe is among the most popular frameworks for scaling Agile.
• Career Advancement: SAFe offers an opportunity to take a leadership position in Agile transformations, and expand your career opportunities.
• Higher Earning Potential: Expert staff members who are certified, SAFe professionals are able to earn more than their counterparts since they boast of unique skills in Agile management.
• Scalability Expertise: It prepares you with the tools on how to extend Agile across teams and large systems at the right instance.
• Improved Team Collaboration: SAFe training helps in enhancing the quality outcome of the projects as different teams learn to work together.
• Alignment with Business Goals: It assists in the identification of better processes that may dovetail the various activities undertaken by the team with the overarching business goals so that project work can be accomplished in a better and more focused manner.
• In-Demand Skills: As more firms begin to embrace Agile at scale, obtaining the SAFe certification makes you a valuable commodity in the market.

Skills Required to Pursue SAFe Certification

• Agile Fundamentals: Specific knowledge of Agile principles, and possible approaches to be used within the project.
• Team Collaboration: Proper team and project management together with the ability to cooperate with other employees of the company.
• Leadership: Leadership competency is a must to direct Agile teams and activities.
• Problem-Solving: Suitability for addressing issues in changing contexts.
• Project Management: Experience of working with complex scale projects.
• Communication: Effective communication to ensure the right teams and stakeholders are on board.
• Lean Thinking: Understanding of the Lean approach to enhance the improvement of different processes and the value offered to clients.

Conclusion

Selecting the right SAFe certification path is one of the best decisions that many individuals make in their Agile career. First, learners have to know the types of certifications that can be obtained, the position of the learner and the organization, the choice of the learner, the demand for the certification of choice, and the quality of training. For example, regardless of whether you are looking forward to being an Agile transformer or lean portfolio manager, or a team leader, SAFe has a perfect certification course for all.

Simpliaxis also provides SAFe certification training courses for individuals across the world. They provide detailed preparation for SAFe Certification, and give you all the knowledge and tools you need to pass your test. They have experienced trainers, computer based tutorials, and a lot of reading materials that will give you a fulfilling and practical training.