advanceagility

[advanceagility]

What is the Difference Between Scrum Master and Certified Scrum Master?

“A good Scrum Master will hold team members to account if needed. A great Scrum Master will hold the team to account for not holding their teammates to account.”- Geoff Watts

What do Certified Scrum Masters do?

Certified Scrum Master is the official designation that demonstrates an individual’s height of knowledge regarding the scrum framework and the role. SAFe Scrum Master Certification is a basic-level certification course that focuses on the fundamentals of scrum methodology, iterative process, and team involvement. Following the four important steps such as choosing the course, attending the two-days training course, practicing the test, and taking the exam agile professionals can become certified scrum masters to join large enterprises.

As a Certified scrum master, you are accountable for managing the development process for multiple projects in a large enterprise. You will be responsible for conducting daily Scrum events for agile teams in the company. Including sprint planning, reviewing the sprints, and sprint retrospectives. The scrum master is also responsible for identifying the impediments and coaching the teams with the right implementation of principles and practices of the scrum framework.

What are the best Certification courses for Scrum Masters?

Large enterprise values the scrum process and focuses on implementing scrum methodologies in their project development process. If you are planning to work as a scrum master or join these huge companies, you must consider joining the scrum master training course. When you are a certified candidate, it becomes easier for business leaders to choose you over other applicants without certification.

Agile-certified scrum masters are valued because they possess relevant knowledge to understand scrum principles and practices. They know how to work with cross-functional teams and generate timely feedback. They are trained to implement various strategies to improve the quality of the product. Most importantly if you complete the scrum master training course, you will be considered as a reliable leader who can guide the agile team members in achieving the business goals.

There are various SAFe Scrum Master Certifications available online. And so, choosing the right certification course that best suits your job role is important. Before selecting the course, go through the contents of the course materials thoroughly.

The best scrum master certification courses to advance your career:

Scrum Master Certification course.

Scrum Product Owner Training course.

Scrum Developer Training.

Agile Leadership course.

Managing Agile Projects with Scrum Framework course.

PMP Certification course

Some of the popular courses in the market:

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Professional Scrum Master (PSM)

Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)

Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)

Scrum Master vs. Certified Scrum Master

Scrum master is the professional role in organizations that prefer using scrum framework for improving the value of their projects. They have the experience of working in an agile environment. Mostly, scrum masters in a company deal with one or two projects as they possess the basic practical knowledge to handle tasks mentioned in the priority lists.

And Certified Scrum Master role focuses on the wider perspective of the scrum practices. They are well-trained individuals who can work on multiple projects collaborating with other agile professionals. They possess an in-depth understanding of the concepts and various tools and techniques that are useful in running various projects in a large enterprise. The certified candidate is well-trained in implementing strategies that help maintain sustainability which is a core requirement of all the business.

If you want to advance your career and reach new heights in your agile career, learn about the certification courses, the course material, the scrum master certification exam fee, and about online classes available on our website.

Title Description

How to transition into a SAFe Scrum Master role from other agile roles?

If you are into other agile professions such as Product Owner, Software Architect, Developer, Tester, or coder, you can advance your career prospects by shifting to SAFe Scrum Master by attending certified scrum master training online courses.

What can you benefit from the SAFe Scrum Master Certification course?

Attending the SAFe Scrum Master Certification course can train you on generating quicker releases, improving visibility, developing alignment, value higher customer satisfaction, maintaining higher control over processes and team members, handling changing priorities, reducing costs, improving productivity, delivering valuable content, and working on lower the risks in the process.

What tools and techniques are used by Certified Scrum Master?

Certified Scrum master as a coach and a mentor for the agile team members use various types of tools such as project management tools like Jira, Clarizen, and Click Up. Collaboration tools like Slack, zoom, and Trello. And visualization tools like velocity charts and burndown charts to effectively perform their tasks with multiple projects.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #scrum master #project management

[advanceagility]

Important Steps to Implement Scrum in Project Management Process

“By adopting an agile mindset and providing improved engagement, collaboration, transparency, and adaptability via Scrum’s values, roles, events, and artifacts, the results were excellent.” — Scott M. Graffius.

Agile Project Management

Moving fast and simultaneously adapting to changes has become the main factor for businesses to develop. In this process, Scrum methodology provides a set of tools, roles, and values to support organizations in solving complex problems. It helps agile professionals to become self-organized teams that can learn from experience and see failures as an opportunity to build themselves.

In this blog post, we share a few important Scrum steps that you can include in your project management process to achieve agility.

Scrum principles and values:

1. Maintaining better conversations between teams to be aware of the issues faced by team members. Regular face-to-face conversation can help professionals prevent miscommunication and other bottlenecks in continuing with the project.

2. Reviewing the project progress in the review meetings to grasp a clear picture of estimations, project plans, and the budget cap.

3. Based on changing needs, the team can reprioritize tasks to drive better results.

4. Team members’ commitment to finish tasks to promote continuous improvements.

5. To develop better values, the team must have transparent discussions among themselves.

6. Within a framework, the team members must focus on selected tasks from the product backlog to deliver value within a time limit.

7. Agile team members must be open to learning new ideas and opportunities.

8. Scrum Master and Product Owners promote a culture of respect within the organization to create mutual collaboration and cooperation among the team members.

What are the steps to implement Scrum in Project Management?

Step 1: Create a perfect list of the important tasks to be done in the tool called Product Backlog. This includes the list of specific works that have to be done to reach a certain goal. The process starts with breaking down the tasks to estimate the completion time for each task. This can help set the priorities and identify the dependencies in the list.

Step 2: Create another list of tasks that include works that can be accomplished over the next few days, as agile project management promotes working by time. It is called sprints.

Step 3: Doing the iteration planning, that is moving the prioritized tasks to team members’ task boards. This can be done by conducting sprint planning meetings to cover the base of the backlogs. The tasks may include devoting some time to fixing the bugs, developing new features, and also focusing on other improvements.

Step 4: Assign each task to a team member to have a clear understanding of the jobs taken by the professionals in a team.

Step 5: Prioritizing tasks based on four factors such as critical, high, medium, and low. This can help the team members to work on the most important task and select accordingly for upcoming sprints.

Step 6: After categorizing the tasks, comes the time to estimate the period certain tasks can take by listing out the work that needs to be done to complete a particular task from the list. And understanding the complexity of the work and other risks it involves to finish it.

Step 7: To maintain transparency, scrum allows team members to tag others to let them know about unexpected circumstances that delay a particular task. Certain features help store the relevant documentation and information for other team members to see.

Step 8: Conduct a daily scrum meeting which can be about 15 minutes to review the tasks undertaken by team members and to come up with some solutions to resolve any challenges or difficulties faced by the team so far.

Step 9: Here comes the time for sprint retrospection to celebrate the achievement so far and to decide on things for the next iteration.

Step 10: This final step involves maintaining a record of all the iterations completed so far.

Title Description

1. What are the important Scrum tools that help manage projects?

Scrum tools also known as Scrum artifacts help grasp the task requirements. The important tools are Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment.

2. What is the role of the Scrum Master in improving the Scrum process for better delivery?

The Scrum Master is accountable for maintaining the team’s efficiency. Their daily schedule includes providing resources required for each sprint, facilitating the sprint events and meetings, leading the digital transformation, providing training to the team members to learn new methodologies, and providing assistance to solve challenges.

3. Describe the role of an Advanced Scrum Master.

Compared to a Scrum Master who facilitates processes in an organization with one or two agile teams, an Advanced Scrum Master deals with multiple teams with multiple projects. They are professionals proficient in advanced processes such as Kanban charts, DevOps, and in other technical aspects to guide the team members to work in a more advanced way.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #agile software development #project management

[advanceagility]

How Agile Methodology is Different from Traditional Approach?

“The agile methodology is not a destination, but a journey. It’s about continuous improvement, not just in our products, but in our people, processes, and culture.”

Traditional waterfall method

The traditional waterfall approach which is otherwise known as the sequential approach involves detailed planning, documentation, and proper execution. It follows a linear methodology where without finishing one phase, the next phase is not initiated. Here the development team gathers all the requirements of the stakeholders before starting with the project. Using waterfall methodology businesses manage to develop a project that works. But following Agile methodology organizations develop products in less time.

With proper collaboration among business leaders, team members, and systems, organizations address the needs of their customers at the right time and in the right way.

In this article, let’s understand both the traditional and agile approaches to know their purpose. And how they suit the projects.

Foundations of the Agile approach

Agile is all about delivering value faster with fewer complications. More than a methodology, it is a mindset that is brought into the software development cycle to support changes in the development process. This approach played well for organizations that prefer playing short that is releasing deliverables in small cycles.

The principles and core values listed in the Agile Manifesto serve as the foundation for the Agile model. With certain Agile Frameworks, the agile approach equips businesses with certain procedures that help them face uncertainty to come up with quick solutions. It works on user stories that help add something valuable to the product.

Other concepts that are followed by the agile model are conducting daily meetings to discuss important information necessary to continue the coordination. Personas, agile teams, incremental development strategy, revisiting the work, and examining the final moments.

Iterative approach vs. Sequential approach

Advantages of both Waterfall and Agile model

The agile model supports a continuous process that helps detect and fix the issues in the early stage. It accepts the inputs of stakeholders at any stage. The approach is completely transparent with the stakeholders and the agile team members so that they can follow the development process.

The waterfall model requires no extra inputs rather it is a simple straightforward approach that does not support any changes and is suitable for small projects. Here there will be no fluctuation in the cost as everything is already defined and the budget has been already calculated. The measurement of the process can be easily done as all the steps and results are well documented.

Title Description

What is the major challenge in implementing Agile methodology?

To implement Agile Methodology in an organization, the biggest challenge faced by business owners is developing well-versed, trained team members and providing necessary training to them to drive quality service. To make an agile model work, it is important to bring the agile mindset to agile professionals too.

What is the most popular Agile framework?

Scrum is the most popular Agile Framework that helps agile teams deliver complex projects in short cycles. Other popular agile frameworks are Kanban, XP, Lean, SAFe, and Crystal.

What are some important Agile certification courses beneficial for career advancement?

Some of the important Agile Certification courses are Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (SAFe POPM), and ICAgile Certified Professional that is beneficial for individuals to work as an agile team and for organizations to better their systems to drive high-value deliverables.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework

[advanceagility]

A Comparative Analysis Of SAFe 6.0 Configurations

“Improving workflow, the way value is created, is a continual source of advantage for the firms that do it.”

With the growing need for attaining business agility SAFe framework also evolves to provide proper support to organizations to address their customer’s needs. The latest Scaled Agile Framework or SAFe 6.0 comes with a range of configurations that provides the necessary elements to implement agile practices at the program level.

In this article, let’s look at the comparative study of the different configurations available in the SAFe 6.0 framework. This can help you choose the right configuration to improve your organization.

That was a brief introduction to the four configurations of the SAFe 6.0 framework. Now let’s discuss them in detail.

Comparing the four important configurations of the SAFe 6.0 framework

As Essential SAFe is the first configuration to derive, it comes with minimal amount of feature to support new organizations. It consists of the following elements:

1.      Lean-Agile mindset, core values, SAFe implementation roadmap, Principles of SAFe, and two core competencies. The competencies are:

·       Lean-Agile Leadership helps agile leaders to operate and sustain organizational changes. It helps empower team members to reach their highest potential.

·       A Continuous Learning culture that comprises a set of values and practices to help an individual develop their innovation and performance.

·       Team and Technical Agility describing the Lean-Agile practices and principles to create high-quality solutions.

·       Agile Product Delivery to keep up the flow of valuable products and services to customers.

·       Comes with a minimal spanning palette. A spanning palette is the additional guidance element that improves the flexibility and adaptability of a company.

Compared to the Essential SAFe configuration, Large Solution SAFe comes with additional roles, events, and artifacts. This helps build the most sophisticated applications with following the elements:

·       Essential SAFe configuration and one more competency called Enterprise Solution Delivery. This core competency helps organizations apply Lean-Agile principles and practices for the evolution of software applications and cyber-physical systems.

·       Consists of the full spanning palette and a link to the enterprise or government entity.

On the other hand, Portfolio SAFe develops around one or more value streams. It consists of the basic Essential SAFe and the following elements:

·       Lean Portfolio Management that applies Lean and System thinking to strategy and investment funding, and agile portfolio operations.

·       Continuous learning culture for individuals to regularly improve their value, knowledge, and performance.

·       Organizational agility encourages agile leaders and team members to optimize their business processes and quickly adapt to new changes and opportunities.

·       This configuration consists of additional portfolio roles, events, and artifacts.

·       It also consists of a full spanning palette.

Finally, the last configuration that supports portfolios of large and complex solutions is the Full SAFe. This configuration consists of all seven core competencies to improve the business agility of large enterprises. They are:

·       Team and Technical Agility

·       Enterprise solution delivery

·       Agile product delivery

·       Lean Portfolio Management

·       Organizational Agility

·       Lean-Agile Leadership and

·       Continuous Learning Culture

The purpose of these seven core competencies is already mentioned above. These competencies along with the full spanning palette can help organizations achieve their business goal. So, based on the organization’s scalability requirements and governance needs, one can select the best configuration discussed above to achieve successful agile adoption.

Title Description

1.      What are the business benefits of applying the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) helps organizations facing trouble with developing high-quality, innovative, and digitally-enabled products. It assists organizations address queries regarding technology development, delivering new values, quality improvement, organizing people around value, designing an environment that encourages collaboration and communication, and more.

What is the SAFe 6.0 Big Picture?

SAFe 6.0 Big Picture is the visual model of the SAFe framework. This new version consists of four out-of-the-box configurations. The configurations cover the foundational principles, values, mindset, roles, artifacts, and SAFe implementation elements. Considering customers as their centrifugal force, the seven core competencies are developed to enable the business agility of an organization.

What is the significance of Business Agility?

The term Business Agility refers to an organization’s ability to thrive in this digital era. It is about taking up new measures to sustain and respond to the ever-changing business environment. Business agility involves implementing agile practices and principles. And SAFe is the most popular framework that helps organizations achieve business agility. It assists in improving the quality of the product, collaboration among team members, enhanced operational efficiency, and increased resilience to market needs.

About Advance Agility We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting, and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium, and large organizations across the globe.

Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients and move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting the human-centric approach to business agility. Embracing change is in our DNA.

Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitors.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe implementation. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are the one or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework

[advanceagility]

Which are the Most Successful Agile Certifications in 2023?

“The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”- Harrington Emerson, management consultant

What is Agile?

Agile is a methodology that was released to simplify the software development process. It has a number of practices and principles following which the organization can attain business Agility. It breaks the complex process into several phases to make everything easier. There are six phases in Agile:

· Conception

· Inception

· Iteration

· Release

· Maintenance

· Retirement

Principles of Agile

Everyone in the Agile team have to know and follow the Agile Principles. There are 12 principles mentioned in the Agile manifesto:

· Customer satisfaction by early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

· Welcome changing requirements, even in late development.

· Deliver working software frequently.

· Close daily cooperation between business people and developers.

· Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted.

· Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication.

· Working software is the primary measure of progress.

· Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace.

· Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design.

· Simplicity- the art of maximizing the amount of work not done- is essential.

· Best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

· Regularly, the team reflects on how to become more effective, and adjusts accordingly.

Who can opt for Agile Certifications?

Professionals who have been working in the software development field or want to build their career in Agile can apply for these certifications. The following professionals can take up certifications:

· Product Owner

· Scrum Master

· Project Manager

· Team Lead

· Integration Manager

· Agile coaches

Benefits of Agile Certification

There are some roles and responsibilities that do not require certifications but most of the important ones in the Agile team are only assigned to certified professionals. Here are some of the other benefits of Agile Certifications:

· Gaining full knowledge and understanding about Agile.

· Global recognition.

· Hike in salary.

· Boost in career.

· Exploring job opportunities around the world.

· Better understanding of future trends and predictions.

· Ability to solve problems of the process.

The most popular Agile Certifications in 2023

Agile certifications have become very popular as the demand for different Agile roles has been increasing. Some of them have more importance than others. Let us take a look at the popular Agile courses in 2023 and their specifications:

1. Certified Scrum Master- Professionals who want a career as a Scrum Master, this is the best certification available in the market. This certification gives an understanding of Scrum and Agile. It helps to give a clear understanding of how to collaborate and communicate with teams and other Agile members.

2. PMI-ASP- This is a certification created for agilists who want to have a spread of knowledge of more than one Agile methodologies. It increases the versatility of the professionals.

3. Certified Scrum Product Owner- This certification is for Product Owner who wants to get full knowledge about Scrum.

4. ICAgile Certified Professional- It is an Industry recognized credential that describes the agile mindset to the professionals. The professionals learn about the Agile concept in depth. A minimum of 14 hours is required to complete the course. No previous experience is required to opt for foundation level.

5. ICP-Agile Certified Coach- This certification is designed to discipline the coaches with the knowledge of all the tools, skills and techniques required to train the Agile team. This certification is for aspiring coaches. Minimum class duration is 21 hours it may differ for different platforms. The ICP-Agile certification does not expire but as to be renewed.

6. Agile PM Foundation- This course teaches about the delivery of Agile projects in organization by aligning the standards and visibility around project management. The cost of the course is $995. The certification is valid for one year after which it has to be renewed annually by paying $100.

Title Description

1. Which Agile Certification can help you advance your career?

The Agile Certification that helps to advance your career is as follows:

· Agile Certified Practitioner

· Professional Scrum Master

· Certified Enterprise Coach

· Certified Scrum Product Owner

· SAFe Agilist

· Agile Project Manager

· Certified Disciplined Agilist

· Certified Professional in Agile Coaching

· ICAgile Certified Professional

2. Name some frameworks that help to implement Agile Methodology principles

Some of the common frameworks that help in implementation of Agile Methodology are:

· Scrum

· SAFe

· Extreme Programming

· DSDM

· Lean

· Kanban

· Disciplined Agile

· Large Scale Scrum

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting, and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium, and large organizations across the globe.

Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients and move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting the human-centric approach to business agility. Embracing change is in our DNA.

Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End to end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitors.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe implementation. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are the one or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #agile software development

[advanceagility]

Interview Question and Answers for Product Owner

Prepare for your upcoming interview with our comprehensive guide on Product Owner interview questions and answers. Whether you are a prospective candidate aspiring to acquire a Product Owner position in a large organization or an existing Product Owner looking for better opportunities, this article is for you to improve your interview skills.

Here we are going to discuss the most important and common questions that cover various aspects of the Product Owner role. Let’s start!

1)      What is the difference between Product Owner and Business Analyst?

A Product Owner is responsible for translating the strategies into actionable tasks. He works closely with cross-functional teams to fulfil the requirements for the development of the product. Unlike a Product Owner, a Business Analyst on the other hand would be limited to the scope of work. Usually, he will be working on a particular section of the product.

2)      What are the skills that you must have to be a Product Owner?

As a part of an agile team, a Product Owner must have excellent communication skills to present his ideas and guidance to the team. He should be committed to his team and work. And also, they must be reliable and available for the team to work on the development process.

3)      How does the Product Owner filter the user stories before putting an idea in a backlog?

The Product Owner must analyse every idea that comes to him by creating a prototype and working on the pilot customers. And then based on the analysis, he should add the idea to the backlog.

4)      Mention some circumstances where implementing Scrum is not suggested.

Scrum is not suggested,

·       Where the requirements do not change.

·       When working with multiple teams.

·       When there is a need to respond quicker than the sprint allows.

5)      List out the properties of a sprint.

The sprint in a scrum methodology comes with certain properties such as it should be timeboxed. This helps the team to focus on closed boundaries to run any scrum event and it also helps in generating metrics. Next, the sprint should be protected from any changes. And it must run for 2 to 3 weeks long.

6)      Explain the MoSCow technique.

The MoSCow prioritization, which is also known as the MoSCow analysis is used for managing the requirements which state,

Mo - must have requirements

S – should have requirements

Co – could have requirements

W – won’t or would have requirements

7)      Can we use the Waterfall model over Scrum? If yes, when?

The Waterfall Model is suggested only when the requirements are not subjected to change until the completion of the project. It should be a predicted, simple, and well-defined one.

8)      What are the different ways of handling non-functional requirements?

Non-functional requirements are vital for the overall product development process. They can be handled based on the acceptance criteria, user stories in the backlog, and inclusion in DoD.

9)      Who is a SAFe Product Owner?

Unlike a Product Owner whose work is limited to the size of the project he works on; SAFe Product Owner has additional duties and supports two teams at the most to scale agility and Lean strategies across large enterprises. The vital part of their roles is to engage with other Product Owners within the Agile Release Train to improve processes.

10)  How does the Scrum Master assist a Product Owner?

The Scrum Master can assist a Product Owner in multiple ways:

·       The scrum master helps to understand agile principles and practices.

·       They help Product Managers to align the ideas in the product backlog

·       Also, they suggest effective techniques for product backlog management.

·       They help to facilitate the scrum events.

·       Helps understand the goals and scope of the project.

11)  What are the challenges faced by a Product Owner?

The product owner must overcome the following challenges:

·       Challenge prioritizing features

·       They often fail to understand the fundamentals of the product

·       Difficulty in transforming customer ideas into product deliverables

·       Planning the releases and sprints.

·       Dealing with stakeholders

·       Aligning the Scrum team with customer requirements

·       Providing timely feedback to the team.

12)  As a Product Owner, how will you deal with difficult customers?

Either the Product Owner can seek help from a sponsor or he must engage the uncooperative customer in regular meetings and discussions to explain the product development process.

13)  Does DevOps need a Product Owner?

Yes, DevOps also works around the product. To understand the requirements and vision of a product they must have a Product Owner to make them understand. They require a product owner who could make them comprehend the business needs to automate the delivery pipelines.

Apart from these questions, Product Owner Certifications can also help you land your first Product Owner position in the top most companies. These certification courses come with valuable insights that can enhance your interview performance.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting, and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium, and large organizations across the globe.Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients and move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting the human-centric approach to business agility. Embracing change is in our DNA.Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End to end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitors.Connect with us at

advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe implementation. Write to us at

[email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are the one or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #interview

[advanceagility]

Why SAFe LPM Certification is Essential for Lean Portfolio Managers?

"Lean Portfolio Management in SAFe is the bridge between strategy and execution, enabling organizations to align their investments with their strategic objectives." - Dean Leffingwell, Creator of SAFe.

The growing implementation of Lean Portfolio Management methodology grows the need for professionals who are competent enough to manage the process in an organization. Just as navigating through a dense forest becomes easier and more efficient with a knowledgeable guide, the implementation of the Lean Portfolio Management process becomes effective with a skilled and efficient team.

While a Lean Portfolio Manager is not a direct member of an Agile team, they play an important role in Agile organizations. They work closely with the agile teams to oversee and optimize portfolios. They are also responsible for facilitating coordination, removing bottlenecks, and looking after the effective implementation of agile practices at the portfolio level.

So, if you are planning to become a portfolio manager or interested in learning about Lean Portfolio Management methodology, it is advisable to join a Lean Portfolio Management course.

Wondering how SAFe LPM training can assist you in your journey? Well, in this article we are about to discuss how SAFe LPM training is essential for Lean Portfolio Managers. Have a look!

The role of Lean Portfolio Managers in aligning portfolios with strategic goals

Do you think a basic understanding of the SAFe framework, principles, and practices of Lean Portfolio Management is enough to lead a portfolio management process in a large organization?

Portfolio Management is a new way of managing an organization’s portfolios of projects. It involves the alignment of strategy and execution. This is vital for a business, as it is something that executives fail to achieve. And the consequences of shortcomings can be harmful to businesses.

The Lean Portfolio Management process arises from the general concept of Lean principles such as the elimination of waste. In the SAFe framework, anything that does not add value to the client is considered ‘waste.’ And the reduction of such waste can be achieved by reducing task switching, relearning, and leaving no work partially done. So, to finish the tasks more quickly and address the resulting defects, companies must have experts to lead the management process with a holistic approach. And these experts are Lean Portfolio Managers. They are trained professionals with Lean Portfolio Management Certification.

Let’s learn the tasks taken care of by Portfolio Managers in an organization.

1.      Collaboration with Leaders and Stakeholders

2.      Prioritize and allocate investments

3.      Lean-Agile Governance

4.      Portfolio operations

5.      Sustainability

The Need for LPM Certification

The SAFe Lean Portfolio Management certification is essential for Lean Portfolio Managers in several ways:

1.      Understanding of LPM

SAFe Lean Portfolio Management training program provides a basic understanding of the principles, practices, tools, and techniques involved in LPM methodology. This program equips Lean Portfolio Managers with the required skillsets to effectively align the strategy and the execution in an organization.

2.      Portfolio Management skills

The ability to implement Lean-Agile practices, lean thinking to portfolio operations, and maintaining the flow of value is some crucial duties of a Portfolio Manager. And LPM certification course covers all the important topics to equip Portfolio Managers with the necessary Portfolio Management skills.

3.      Lead the Agile Transformation

As many organizations are adopting the SAFe methodology, the SAFe LPM Training program prepares the candidates with the Agile mindset and practices. With the right mindset and knowledge about the process, Portfolio Managers effectively lead the transformation of traditional approaches into Agile portfolio operations.

4.      Agility and Adaptability

SAFe LPM Certification highly encourages organizational agility. So, the candidates with LPM certification can dynamically adjust pivot strategies and investment decisions to drive competitive advantages.

5.      Certification credibility

As SAFe LPM certification is widely recognized and encouraged in the agile community at large, candidates holding the certificate experience career advancement opportunities. This also demonstrates their commitment to the profession and their knowledge of Lean Portfolio Management and industry best practices.

6.      Opportunity to connect

With the completion of the certification program, the candidates are then provided access to the community of certified professionals, practitioners, and thought leaders in the industry. Interacting with other professionals can enrich knowledge sharing and encourage continuous learning.

Title Description

1.      Lean Portfolio Management course

Other than Lean Portfolio Managers, Product Managers, Agile consultants, Executive Leaders, Business Analysts, Agile Team Facilitators, and other Agile professionals aspiring to learn about LPM can attend Lean Portfolio Management Course.

2.      Can LPM Training be customized for specific organizational needs?

Yes, LPM Training can be customized according to organizational needs by modifying areas such as content customization, case studies, agile framework integration, role-specific training, and delivery format.

3.      What is the Lean Portfolio Management Certification available?

Some of the vital Lean Portfolio Management Certifications are SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM) Certification,   Certified Lean Portfolio Manager Certification, Lean Portfolio Management Practitioner Certification, and more.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting, and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium, and large organizations across the globe.Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients and move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting the human-centric approach to business agility. Embracing change is in our DNA.Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End to end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitors.Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe implementation. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are the one or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #agile software development #lean portfolio managment

[advanceagility]

Upgrading to SAFe 6.0: What's New and Improved Compared to SAFe 5.1

“SAFe helps organizations achieve alignment, collaboration, and synchronization across multiple teams, enabling them to deliver value faster and more predictably.”

SAFe provides a structured approach to achieving enterprise-wide transformation. It continuously develops to keep up with the new trends and technologies in supporting business agility. Usually, it comes up with updated articles and new features that help businesses revolutionize their way of working in producing value for the customers. And as a SAFe practitioner, you need to have a clear understanding of the regular updates to lead a proper SAFe implementation at your organization.

So, here we are with this article to help you understand the new updates and features that make SAFe 6.0 even better compared to the previous version SAFe 5.1

Comparing SAFe 6.0 with SAFe 5.1

The new SAFe 6.0 comes with a new tagline “Work Differently. Build the future” which represents the idea of the entire organization working with the same Lean-Agile mindset and practices. SAFe 6.0 Agile framework includes the following features and some important changes include:

1.  BAVS and SAFe Foundation

The important aspects of business agility include two elements as Business Agility Value Stream (BAVS) and SAFe Foundation. These are a sequence of steps that an organization implements from the point they identify the value stream to the point where a meaningful solution has been delivered. As a result, when the SAFe framework is used to build a complex project, it should be able to produce a minimum viable product in the given time frame.

Here when compared to the previous model SAFe 5.1, along with a Lean-agile mindset, core values, SAFe principles, implementation roadmap, and SPC, SAFe 6.0 comes with a new feature called Continuous learning culture to the SAFe Foundation.

2.  SAFe Lean-Agile Mindset

The SAFe Lean-Agile Mindset from the previous version has been retired in the new model of SAFe 6.0. The four pillars of this feature have been embodied and amplified throughout the framework. The components such as respect for people and culture, flow, innovation, and relentless improvement have been moved to core values, principles, and other sections of the framework. And the new SAFe mindset in SAFe 6.0 consists of two schools of thought, Lean thinking, and Agile Values.

3.  SAFe Core Values

The SAFe 5.1 had core values such as Built-in Quality, Alignment, Transparency, and Program Execution. And now in SAFe 6.0 the Built-in Quality and Program Execution has been replaced with Respect for People and Relentless improvement.

4.  SAFe Principles

One fundamental change that has been made in SAFe Principles is principle #6. This principle has been replaced from Visualize and Limit WIP to Make Value Flow.

5.  Implementation Roadmap

The SAFe implementation roadmap has also undergone 8 changes:

1.      Waterfall/Ad Hoc Agile

2.      SAFe executive workshop toolkit

3.      Lean-agile center of excellence

4.      Leading in the digital age

5.      Organize around value

6.      SAFe value streams and ART identification workshop toolkit

7.      Enhance the portfolio

8.      Accelerate

6.      SAFe Program Consultant

SAFe Program Consultants are now called SAFe Practice Consultants as their role has been improved to higher levels. Their role has been enhanced from only being concerned about the implementation process to a wider part. SAFe Practice Consultants are now also responsible for coaching flow, accelerating business agility, embodying a lean-agile mindset, and leading the change.

7.      Role Clarification

Role clarification articles have also changed. More clarity is been given to roles such as:

1.      Epic owners

2.      Enterprise Architects

3.      Solution Train Engineer

4.      Business owners

5.      Product Management

6.      Release Train Engineers

7.      System Architects

8.      Product Owners

9.      Agile Teams

8.  Team Coach as a new role for Scrum Master

The role of the Team Coach is to build high-performing teams, improve ART performance, facilitate PI Planning, support iteration execution, and improve flow.

9.  AI, Big Data, and Cloud

The next big change that has been added to the spanning palette is the technology such as AI, Big Data and Cloud that helps revolutionize solutions developed by SAFe organizations.

Title Description

1.      What are the eight common properties of flow in SAFe 6.0 agile framework?

The SAFe 6.0 agile framework introduces eight properties of flow such as visualizing and limiting WIP, identifying bottlenecks, minimizing hand-offs and dependencies, getting faster feedback, working in smaller batches, reducing queue length, workers, and remediating legacy policies and practices.

 What are the five business and technology patterns introduced in SAFe 6.0?

The significant Business and Technology article highlights of SAFe 6.0 includes Business enabled ART, Agile Business Train, Agile Executive Team, Agile Business Function, and Combined Portfolio.

What is the use of OKRs in the SAFe 6.0 framework?

The OKRs in SAFe 6.0 Framework serve as an effective tool to help businesses drive better results for their customers. Although it is considered optional, OKRs help organizations build solutions better and set improvement goals for the SAFe transformation.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting, and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium, and large organizations across the globe.Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients and move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting the human-centric approach to business agility. Embracing change is in our DNA.Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End to end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitors.Connect with us at

advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe implementation. Write to us at

[email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are the one or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #SAFe 6.0

[advanceagility]

SAFe Implementation Roadmap: Empowering Your Business for Agile Excellence

"The SAFe Implementation Roadmap acts as a compass, providing organizations with a clear direction and guiding principles for their agile transformation." - Dean Leffingwell, Creator of SAFe.

The Need for an Implementation Roadmap: Challenges and Benefits

Shifting from the traditional waterfall culture of working to an agile way of working starts with developing the right script for SAFe implementation. After adopting SAFe, many organizations are improving their cost reduction, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. But still, the idea of transformation opens room for various doubts and challenges for many businesses. Some of the common challenges faced by organizations are:

1.      Resistance to a new culture: The very first challenge that any business faces in its transformational journey are developing a mindset for change. Adapting new agile practices becomes difficult for employees and stakeholders especially when they have a strong existing habit of favouring traditional hierarchical processes. So, SAFe Implementation Roadmap encourages organizations to establish a vision for change. It helps businesses to understand the importance of purpose, motivation, and alignment for SAFe transformation.

2.      Organizational alignment: In a large enterprise where so many people are involved, achieving alignment between teams, departments, and business units can be challenging. So effective communication and collaboration should be practiced to make the people understand the vision, goals, and benefits of SAFe implementation.

3.      Transformation management: Often organizations lacking skills to manage the transformation leads to confusion, and frustration within the organization. So, it is crucial to address concerns and resistance to encourage the smooth adoption of new practices.

4.      Lacking senior leadership support: Implementing SAFe becomes an uphill battle if there is a lack of leadership support. The agile teams require experts in Implementing SAFe Certification to champion the transformation and guide them to actively participate in the transformation journey. So, the second step of the implementation roadmap depicts the need for senior executives and leaders to attend the two-day course Leading SAFe, so that they can train other team members and change leaders.

5.      Skill Development: To successfully implement SAFe practices, individuals require to obtain new skills. That’s why, SAFe Implementation Roadmap insists on providing training to Lean-Agile change agents so that they can understand their roles and acquire the necessary knowledge to work in an agile environment.

SAFe Implementation Roadmap in action:

Example: A Media Company

A media company wanting to embark on its digital transformation journey fails to meet the needs of its customers. Because the waterfall approach did not support the speed required to deliver value. After implementing small agile practices, the company decided to adopt SAFe.

The company decided to implement the roadmap in the commercial and content production business areas. After driving some incredible results like 20% cost reduction, 24% employee engagement, and 86% customer satisfaction the company decided to expand its SAFe practices.

So, how is it possible with SAFe Implementation Roadmap? Let’s discuss the steps adopting which businesses can drive their agile transformation. Some of the crucial steps that help organizations achieving business agility include:

1.      Creating a sense of urgency:  Before adopting transformation, the company must communicate the urgency for change across the team members. They must emphasize the benefits of SAFe practices such as faster time to market, improved customer experience, and increased productivity. 

2.      Forming a Lean-Agile Center of Excellence: Secondly, the company must establish a LACE. It is a team of experienced agile coaches, change agents, and trainers to facilitate the implementation process.

3.      Evaluating current state and defining future state: Organizations must conduct assessments to understand their current state to identify the pain points, impediments, and areas of improvement. Without setting clear goals and objectives for the SAFe transformation, it is meaningless to blindly follow the implementation process.

4.      Creating an Implementation Plan: Using the SAFe Implementation Roadmap, the company can create an implementation plan with specific steps, timelines, and dependencies. This can also help in deciding on pilot teams to start the adoption process.

5.      Training leaders: Next the companies must focus on providing comprehensive training programs like Leading SAFe, Implementing SAFe online training to upskill their workforce.

6.      Launching ARTs: Establishing Agile Release Trains for value delivery consistently and predictably.

7.      Sustaining improvement: Maintaining regular retrospectives, feedback loops, and metrics to track the progress and make the necessary changes to support the needs of customers.

Title Descriptions

1.      How does the SAFe Implementation Roadmap adapt to the context of the different organizations?

SAFe Implementation Roadmap provides a structured framework that is designed to be adaptable and flexible to accommodate the unique needs and contexts of different organizations.

2.      What are the training programs suggested for senior leaders for the implementation process?

Advanced training programs such as Leading SAFe, Implementing SAFe Certification, and SAFe Practice Consultants help senior leaders to guide agile team members.

3.      What is the range of skills covered by Implementing SAFe Online Training?

Implementing SAFe Online Training develops a range of skills such as technical skills, agile methodologies and frameworks, leadership and influencing skills, change management skills, defining meaningful metrics, and more.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #agile #business

[advanceagility]

What Are The Steps To Clear The SAFe Release Train Engineer Exam?

"The Release Train is like a well-oiled machine, with teams working in harmony to deliver high-quality solutions that meet customer needs."

In SAFe adoption, a lot of practices and roles goes into an account that handle different tasks involved in the development process. One such role is the SAFe Release Train Engineer. The SAFe RTE Agile Trainers play a major role in defining and executing ARTs and PI Planning to deliver value that meets the requirements of the clients. If learning about the roles and responsibilities of SAFe RTE falls under your concern, and also if you are aspiring to take up the same role then this article is for you where we discuss the steps that you must follow to clear the SAFe RTE exam to become a certified RTE agile trainer in a large organization.

How does the Release Train Engineer aid the execution of the ARTs?

Along with Scrum Master and team coaches, the SAFe Release Train Engineer helps facilitate the ART execution. The RTE is responsible for removing impediments, managing risks, and improving the SAFe adoption process. Some of the common roles of an RTE include:

1.      Using various tools such as Kanban and other radiators, the Release Train Engineer ensures a smooth flow of value by establishing a pull system.

2.      Typically, the Release Train Engineer is also responsible for establishing ART flow measures. These measures are predicted using metrics that identify how agile teams and ARTs deliver business values against the planned objectives.

3.      To improve the flow of values, RTEs assess and improve the practices connected with DevOps and the continuous delivery pipeline.

4.      One of the critical moves while adopting the SAFe methodology is identifying the Value Streams. Value Streams are defined as “a series of steps that are used to develop solutions that produce continuous customer value.” And identifying the Value Streams, obstacles, and delays falls under the job role of an RTE.

5.      The RTE also reviews the patterns of the ART planning board and by applying team topologies they are responsible for reducing cross-team dependencies.

What is the purpose of ARTs?

The ART stands for Agile Release Train. It is a team of agile teams that builds, delivers, and often operates solutions. The ultimate need of every ART execution is to connect with the customer, plan the work aligning with the business objective, deliver value, and get feedback. And connect with the beneficiaries of a business requires a lot of input and a proper understanding of the Lean-Agile practices.

1.      Every ART focus on customer centricity where it continuously researches ways to solve customers’ problems. It pays attention to user personas, journey mapping, and customer analysis reports to come up with new valuable products.

2.      The ARTs enable alignment and collaboration across the teams to build the product within next the timebox.

3.      It also helps develop solution features that involve activities that keep the train on the tracks to release new values to the end users.

Steps to Clear SAFe Release Train Engineer Exam

1.      The first step to clear the RTE exam is to look for better training courses available online. And join the course.

2.      Attend the course and complete the course in the given schedule.

3.      Next, dedicate time to get a thorough understanding of the course materials provided to you. The resources provide you with an in-depth explanation of the concept of the SAFe framework, the roles and responsibilities of a Release Train Engineer, and the skills necessary to handle the tasks of an RTE in a working environment.

4.      After studying the concepts and other resources, you can try testing your understanding through a mock test available online. It will prepare you as a confident candidate to pass the exam in one go. Taking sample tests can also help you get familiar with the exam format and the type of questions you may expect in the exam.

5.      After you clear the exam, you must maintain your SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification by paying an annual fee.

Title Description

1.      Who can attend the SAFe RTE Agile training course?

SAFe RTE Agile training courseis for scrum masters, Agile Coaches, Solution Train Engineers, Product and Program Managers and individuals who want to be certified Release Train Engineers can join this course to expand their knowledge in SAFe practices.

2.      What is the format of the SAFe Release Train Engineer certification exam?

The SAFe Release Train Engineer certification exam comes in a multiple-choice format, where you will have 60 questions and 120 minutes to complete it. You are required to earn 73% to clear the test.

3.      What are the benefits of attending the SAFe Release Train Engineer Training course?

Attending SAFe Release Train Engineer Training validates you as a candidate rich in a comprehensive understanding of SAFe principles, practices and well-equipped in leading Agile teams and processes that organizations want to hire.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaled agile framework #releasetrainengineer #exam

[advanceagility]

A Comparison Between SAFe for Government and Leading SAFe

 “SAFe for Government provides a proven framework for agencies to adopt Lean-Agile practices and deliver value to citizens faster and Leading SAFe empowers leaders to create high-performing, Agile teams that deliver value faster and with high quality.” – Dean Leffingwell, Creator of SAFe.

Why do you need SAFe for Government and Leading SAFe?

As the name implies, SAFe for Government is particularly created for government sectors. Before SAFe adoption, organizations were struggling to cope with the changing needs of digital customers. So, is for the government agencies. Increasing dependency on technology and the rapidly changing needs of the customers accelerated organizations to adopt Lean-Agile transformation. Adopting the SAFe methodology improved the organization’s ability to deliver the best quality value in a sustainable shortest lead time.

Many government technology programs are complex as it involves thousands of practitioners and government employees. As multiple teams of teams work together, the SAFe methodology provides guidance to plan and work together. It helps with maintaining cross-team work process, and integration, and encourage continuous learning for relentless improvement.

When it comes to commercial organizations which also face similar challenges, they use Leading SAFe to achieve their business improvements. Organizations to deliver value to their customers in a timely and efficient manner require teams that possess the right knowledge. The Agile practitioners must have the necessary information about the SAFe framework, its principles, and practices so that they work efficiently towards the same goal. And Leading SAFe helps organizations fill this requirement. Leading SAFe training program helps organizations to create a high-performing agile team. It helps build a team that knows how to manage a large-scale portfolio of work, prioritizing tasks, and capacity planning.

What is the difference between SAFe for Government and Leading SAFe certification?

The main differences between the two certifications are:

1.      SAFe for Government focuses on fulfilling the unique needs of government agencies while Leading SAFe certifications are for individuals who want to work in type of organization following the general principles and practices of SAFe.

2.      While the SAFe for Government involves implementing new flow-based practices in technology strategy, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, acquisitions, and governance processes. The Leading SAFe covers developing the lean-agile mindset among individuals who wants to become certified practitioner. It also helps them to learn about the scaled agile framework to plan and execute the PI properly.

3.      While Leading SAFe involves executing and delivering values via ART, SAFe for Government organizes government programs into ARTs and executes them in PIs’ large-scale solution coordination within government agencies and dealing with multi-vendor environments.

4.      Leading SAFe helps individuals become a Lean-Agile leader, establish a team and technical agility, explore Lean Portfolio Management, and acquire skillsets to lead the change. And SAFe for Government helps individuals earn specific leadership qualities to bring organizational change in the government sectors.

5.      SAFe for Government Training is useful for individuals like agile coaches, consultants, and government contractors working in government agencies. This certification can help them understand the unique challenges and requirements of government organizations.

6.      Leading SAFe certification is not limited to people like agile leaders, and agile teams with experience or expertise but also for individuals who want to learn about the implementation of SAFe frameworks in any type of organization.

7.      Job roles that can benefit from SAFe for Government are managers from the development team, ART, and engineering team members who are responsible for executing the government programs.

Prerequisites of SAFe for Government and Leading SAFe Certification

To attend the Leading SAFe certification, the candidates must have five years of experience in software development, business analysis, project management, and testing. Also, in most popular type of agile framework Scrum.

For SAFe for Government certification, the candidate must have a clear understanding of government technology programs, knowledge of the agile manifesto, SAFe principles, and the SAFe house of Lean.

Title Description

1.      What can government agencies achieve with the SAFe for Government framework?

Utilizing SAFe for Government, government agencies can produce better results for the stakeholders, taxpayers, contractors, military personnel, and citizens. It also helps them to lead a successful organizational change to overcome the barriers. With SAFe, they can build a high-performing multi-vendor team.

2.      What does the SAFe for Government certification cover?

The SAFe for Government Training exam includes the same topics as Leading SAFe but with additional topics that are relevant to government agencies. It teaches the ways to handle unique challenges and requirements that can be found in government environments. It deals with important considerations like regulatory compliance and security concerns in the public sector.

3.      How is Leading SAFe recognized in the industry?

Leading SAFe certification is one of the popular training courses among other agile certifications in the industry. As the certification is structured to change the mindset of agile leaders to implement Lean-Agile concepts in various large enterprises, it is considered to be the badge of honor.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #releasetrainengineer

[advanceagility]

SAFe Advanced Software Engineering vs. SAFe for Architects: Which Framework is Right for Your Team?

 “SAFe Advanced Software Engineering provides a set of technical practices that enable the delivery of high-quality software at scale and SAFe for Architects helps organizations achieve business agility by creating an architecture that supports and enables the delivery of value."

Agile practices have been gaining popularity over the years, especially in larger organizations where efficient software development is critical. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a methodology that enables the scaling of agile practices to larger organizations. Two popular SAFe frameworks are SAFe Advanced Software Engineering and SAFe for Architects. While both frameworks aim to improve software development, they focus on different areas. Let’s understand the differences by comparing SAFe Advanced Software Engineering to SAFe for Architects in this blog.

Difference between SAFe Advanced Software Engineering and SAFe for Architects certification

1.      Certification level: SAFe Advanced Software Engineering is a specialist-level certification, which means it requires prior knowledge and experience in software development. SAFe for Architects is an advanced-level certification, which means it requires a higher level of knowledge and experience in architecture and design.

2.      Course content: SAFe Advanced Software Engineering covers topics such as Agile Architecture, Agile Testing, Continuous Integration and Deployment, and Test-Driven Development. SAFe for Architects covers topics such as Architecture and Solution Intent, Solution Design and Development, and Solution Deployment.

3.      Prerequisites: To be eligible for SAFe Advanced Software Engineering certification, candidates must have a minimum of three years of experience in software development, testing, or quality assurance. And for SAFe for Architects certification, a minimum of five years of experience in software development.

Things you can learn from SAFe Advanced Software Engineering and SAFe for Architects Training

SAFe Advanced Software Engineering

·       Agile Architecture: You will learn to apply Agile principles and practices to architecture and design, including how to use emergent design to enable flexibility and adaptability.

·       Continuous Integration and Deployment: To integrate and deploy software continuously, using automation tools and techniques to ensure high quality and rapid feedback.

·       Test-Driven Development: To write high-quality code using Test-Driven Development (TDD) practices, including how to write effective unit tests and use test doubles.

·       DevOps Practices: To apply DevOps practices to software development, including how to automate testing, deployment, and release.

·       Lean-Agile Principles: You will learn how to apply Lean-Agile principles to software development, including how to optimize the flow of value, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.

·       Scalable Architecture and Design: To design and implement software architectures and solutions that can scale to support the needs of large, complex organizations.

·       Agile Testing: You will learn how to apply Agile testing practices to ensure high quality and rapid feedback throughout the software development lifecycle.

·       Metrics and Analytics: To use metrics and analytics to measure and improve the quality and efficiency of software development.

SAFe for Architects Training

·       Architecture and Solution Intent: To define and communicate architecture and solution intent, including how to align technical strategy with business goals and ensure the alignment of technology initiatives.

·       Solution Design and Development: To design and develop solutions that can meet the needs of large, complex organizations, including how to apply Agile and Lean principles to solution development.

·       Solution Deployment: To deploy solutions effectively, including how to manage deployment risks and ensure successful deployments.

·       Architecture and Design Practices: To apply architecture and design practices to solution development, including how to use emergent design and design patterns to enable flexibility and adaptability.

·       Agile and Lean Principles: To apply Agile and Lean principles to architecture and design, including how to optimize the flow of value, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.

·       System Integration and Deployment: To integrate and deploy complex systems, including how to manage dependencies and ensure system scalability and reliability.

·       Solution Analytics: You will learn how to use analytics to measure and improve solution performance and business value, including how to apply metrics and analytics to architecture and design decisions.

Title Description

1.      What is the format of SAFe Advanced Software Engineering and SAFe for Architects training?

SAFe Advanced Software Engineering and SAFe for architects training is typically delivered as a two-day course, either in-person or online. The course includes lectures, group exercises, and discussions to reinforce the concepts and practices covered.

2.      What is the role of innovation in SAFe for Architects?

Innovation is an important consideration in SAFe for Architects, as architects are responsible for identifying new technologies and approaches that can improve the technical architecture of the software system. They work closely with other stakeholders to identify new opportunities for innovation and continuously improve the architecture over time.

3.      What are the benefits of SAFe for Architects training?

Some of the benefits of SAFe for Architects training include increased credibility and marketability as a technical leader in software development, improved knowledge and skills in architecture and design, and the ability to lead and manage technical teams within the context of SAFe.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #architecture #engineering

[advanceagility]

Unleash Your Agile Potential: Getting Certified as a Scrum Master

“By adopting an agile mindset and providing improved engagement, collaboration, transparency, and adaptability via Scrum’s values, roles, events, and artifacts, the results were excellent.” – Scott M. Graffius, Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility o Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change

What is Agile Methodology?

Agile methodology is a compilation of processes, techniques and tools that are used to manage a project or develop software. It helps to simplify the complex procedure by breaking it into simple phases. Agile has been a revolutionary change for organizations that struggled with rigid methods for producing a product as it enables continuous change. There are many frameworks that have been launched which help the organizations with implementation of Agile principles. They are-

·       Scrum

·       SAFe

·       Kanban

·       Hybrid

·       Lean

·       Extreme Programming

·       Crystal

·       DevOps

·       Large-Scale Scrum

·       Feature-Driven Development

·       Agile Modeling

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a process framework that works on Agile principles to address complex adaptive problems. It is suitable for small teams that work in small iterative phases. There are some events that are performed by the team at frequent intervals-

·       Sprint

·       Sprint Planning

·       Daily Scrum

·       Sprint Review

·       Sprint retrospective

·       Backlog refinement

·       Cancelling a sprint

Roles in a Scrum Team

Scrum teams are small with 10 or less members with different skills and responsibilities. The team is assigned three major roles-

·       Product Owner who is a representative of the consumers or stakeholders.

·       Scrum Master who is responsible for efficient implementation of Agile in the project.

·       Developers consist of differently skilled professionals who execute the work.

Who is a Scrum Master?

Scrum Master is a trained professional who is accountable to establish Scrum and Agile values. The role is not similar to that of a team lead or project manager, it is more like a servant-leader. A Scrum Master helps its team to adopt and use the techniques properly.

Responsibilities of a Scrum Master

It is one of the essential roles that lead to success of a project. The responsibilities of a Scrum Master are-

·       Ensuring Scrum and Agile values are implemented properly

·       Coaching and guiding the team members in cross-functionality

·       Helping the product owner with the product backlog

·       Communicating within the team

·       Collaborating with other teams

·       Organizing and leading Scrum events

·       Conveying the product backlog items to the team members clearly

·       Removing blockages from the process

·       Resolving issues

Training Certification for Scrum Master

Scrum is one of the widely used frameworks especially in small organizations. The need of a Scrum Master in every Scrum team has created an opportunity for professionals. There are different courses available that can enhance your career by teaching some skills necessary for the role. There is a number of Training Certification for Scrum master available online. The validations of the certificates vary. The duration of every course is different.

Title Description

1.       Skills required to be a Scrum Master

There are no pre-requisites for being a Scrum Master but there are a few skills that are advisable for them. The skills are-

·       Leadership skills

·       Communication skills

·       Collaborative skills

·       In-depth knowledge of Agile and Scrum

·       Skills to resolve issues

·       Ability to organize

·       Technical skills

·       Time management skills

·       Skills to guide

·       Problem solving skills

2.       Mention some Training Certification for Scrum Masters

The job role of a Scrum Master is highly in demand nowadays. Although it is not necessary to get certified for being a Scrum Master but organizations hire someone can give assurance of the skills. The Training Certification for Scrum Masters are-

·       Certified Scrum Master

·       Certified Scrum Product Owner

·       Professional Scrum Master

·       Advanced Certified Scrum Master

·       Professional Scrum Product Owner

·       SAFe Scrum Master Certification

·       PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner

3.       Is Scrum Master Course necessary to implement Agile values?

No, Scrum Master Course or Certification is not mandatory to implement Agile in the organization. If you have the knowledge and background in tech to fulfill the job roles then you can be the choice of the recruiter. However, hiring managers and recruiters like to play it safe and vouch for certifications. The skill sets you have mentioned in your resume get a validation when you have certificates. It should be noted that a course and certification can give a boost to your career.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #scrum master

[advanceagility]

Unpacking the Differences: SAFe for Architects vs. SAFe for DevOps

 "SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps are complementary frameworks that enable organizations to create an agile enterprise that is responsive to the changing needs of the business." - Richard Knaster.

SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps are two different aspects of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) that address different areas of an organization's software development process. SAFe for Architects focuses on the design and architecture of software systems, while SAFe for DevOps focuses on the deployment and delivery of software systems.

SAFe for Architects provides guidance to design and develop software systems that are scalable and secure. It emphasizes the importance of defining and implementing the system and solution architecture to make the technical vision and strategy integrate into the overall SAFe implementation.

On the other hand, SAFe for DevOps provides guides integrating DevOps practices with SAFe to streamline the software development process. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, and automation to improve the quality and reliability of software systems. While both SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps are important aspects of SAFe, they focus on different areas of the software development process.

In this blog, let’s evaluate how both approaches are crucial for organizations to implement SAFe and deliver high-quality software systems that meet the business goals. We will also discuss how they can be combined to provide a holistic approach to agile transformation.

Combining SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps

SAFe provides a comprehensive approach to agile transformation, enabling organizations to align their business goals with their technical strategy and create a culture of continuous improvement and delivery.

SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps are complementary frameworks that enable organizations to create an agile enterprise that is responsive to the changing needs of the business.

When combining SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps,

1.      Organizations should focus on creating a shared understanding of the technical vision and aligning it with the business goals.

2.      They should also focus on creating a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, which is essential for creating high-performing teams.

3.      Additionally, they should create a continuous delivery pipeline that enables them to deliver high-quality software to their customers quickly and efficiently.

How does SAFe for Architects differ from SAFe for DevOps?

SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps are both essential frameworks for scaling agile practices across the enterprise.

1.      SAFe for Architects focuses on the technical aspects of software development, such as creating and evolving the system architecture, whereas SAFe for DevOps focuses on the continuous delivery of value to customers through collaboration and automation.

2.      The main difference between these two frameworks is their scope of work. SAFe for Architects deal with the technical vision and strategy, whereas SAFe for DevOps deals with the software development and deployment processes.

3.      SAFe for Architects aims to create and maintain a coherent technical vision that aligns with the business goals, whereas SAFe for DevOps aims to accelerate the delivery of high-quality software to customers.

4.      Another significant difference between SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps is the target audience. SAFe for Architects primarily targets architects and technical leaders, whereas SAFe for DevOps targets developers, testers, and operations personnel.

Evaluating the SAFe for architects and SAFe for DevOps certification

The SAFe for Architects and SAFe for DevOps certifications are both designed to help professionals gain a deeper understanding of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and its implementation in organizations.

The SAFe for Architects certification is aimed at architects and senior technical leaders who are responsible for defining and implementing the system and solution architecture in a SAFe environment. It focuses on the technical aspects of SAFe, including the design and development of software systems.

The SAFe for DevOps certification is aimed at individuals who are responsible for integrating DevOps practices with SAFe to improve the quality and reliability of software systems.

Both certifications are valuable for professionals who want to advance their careers in Agile and DevOps methodologies. They provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, but practical experience and a deep understanding of the organization's goals and culture are also crucial for successful implementation.

Title Description

1.      What are the benefits of getting certified in SAFe for Architects or SAFe for DevOps?

Getting certified in SAFe for Architects or SAFe for DevOps demonstrates your expertise in implementing SAFe principles and practices in your organization. It also helps you to advance your career and increase your job opportunities.

2.      Is SAFe for DevOps suitable for all organizations?

It depends on the specific needs and goals of the organization. If an organization is looking to improve its software delivery process and wants to incorporate DevOps practices in a SAFe environment, then SAFe for DevOps could be a suitable option.

3.      How can individuals prepare for the SAFe certification exam?

Individuals can prepare for the SAFe for DevOps and SAFe for Architect certification exam by taking a SAFe training course, reading SAFe and DevOps-related materials, and practicing with sample exam questions.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #devops #architecture

[advanceagility]

Decoding SAFe: Product Owners vs. Agile Product Management in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

 "SAFe product owners have a more tactical approach to product management, while agile product management takes a more strategic approach." - Melissa Perri

As organizations continue to adopt agile methodologies, the role of the product owner has become increasingly important for the software development process. Within the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the role of the SAFe Product Owner is essential to the success of the project.

Comparing SAFe Product Owner and SAFe Agile Product Management

Agile Product Management and SAFe Product Owner are related but distinct approaches to product development. Some of the differences are:

Scope: Agile Product Management is a broader approach to product development encompassing a range of Agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. SAFe Product Owner is a specific role within the SAFe framework with a more prescriptive and structured approach to Agile.

Agile Product Management used for products of any size or complexity, while SAFe Product Owner is for large-scale Agile development.

Team structure: Agile Product Management emphasizes cross-functional teams with members from different departments and disciplines. SAFe Product Owner works more closely with a dedicated development team and other roles within the SAFe framework, such as Scrum Masters and Release Train Engineers.

Planning and prioritization: SAFe Agile Product Management has a continuous feedback loop, where priorities and requirements can change at any time. SAFe Product Owner, on the other hand, works within a more structured planning and prioritization framework, with a defined product backlog and release plan.

How SAFe Product Owner is crucial for Agile Product Management?

The SAFe Product Owner role is crucial for Agile Product Management, especially in large-scale Agile product development.

·       The SAFe Product Owner is responsible for ensuring that the product development team is working on the most valuable features and delivering business value.

·       They work closely with stakeholders, customers, and the development team to understand product requirements, prioritize features, and create a product backlog.

·       The SAFe Product Owner is also responsible for defining the product vision, developing the product roadmap, and creating a release plan.

·       They work closely with other roles within the SAFe framework, such as Scrum Masters and Release Train Engineers, to ensure that the product development process aligns with the overall goals and objectives of the organization.

·       The SAFe Product Owner is a critical role in Agile Product Management, as they provide the product development team with clear direction and ensure that they are delivering value to the organization.

·       Without a strong SAFe Product Owner, the product development process can become unfocused and inefficient, leading to delays, missed opportunities, and a failure to meet customer needs.

The Agile Product Management approach includes the following steps:

Market research: Agile Product Management begins with market research to understand customer needs and identify potential opportunities.

Product vision and roadmap: Based on market research, the product vision and roadmap are developed. The vision outlines the long-term goals for the product, while the roadmap breaks those goals down into smaller, achievable milestones.

Backlog creation: The product backlog is created, which includes a prioritized list of features and user stories that need to be developed.

Sprint planning: The development team and product owner work together to plan sprints, that takes four weeks period where the team focuses on completing a set of features or user stories.

Daily stand-up meetings: The team holds daily stand-up meetings to share progress, identify roadblocks, and plan for the day ahead.

Sprint review and retrospective: At the end of each sprint, the team holds a review and retrospective meeting to evaluate progress, identify successes and failures, and plan for the next sprint.

Release and feedback: When a set of features or user stories is completed, it is released to customers for feedback. This feedback is used to inform future development and iterations.

Title Description

1.      How does a SAFe Product Owner prioritize features?

A SAFe Product Owner prioritizes features based on business value, which can include factors such as revenue potential, customer demand, and market trends. The SAFe Product Owner typically uses techniques such as the WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) method. The SAFe Product Owner also regularly reviews and adjusts the product backlog based on feedback from stakeholders and customers.

2.      How does SAFe Agile Product Management support innovation?

SAFe Agile Product Management supports innovation by providing a flexible and adaptable framework for product development that encourages experimentation and continuous improvement. By prioritizing customer feedback and cross-functional teamwork, Agile Product Management fosters a culture of innovation and creativity.

3.      How to become a SAFe Product Owner?

To become a SAFe Product Owner, you need to get certified by passing the SAFe Product Owner certification exam. This exam tests your knowledge of SAFe principles, Agile methodologies, and the role of the Product Owner in the SAFe framework.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #product owner #agiledevelopment

[advanceagility]

SAFe Scrum Masters vs. Agile Project Managers: A Comparative Analysis for Agile Teams

 "SAFe Scrum Masters are the guardians of the Agile process, while Agile Project Managers are the architects of the project's success. Together, they create a powerful force that drives continuous improvement and delivers value to the customer."

If you're involved in the world of software development, you may have heard the terms "SAFe Scrum Master" and "Agile Project Manager" thrown around. While these roles may sound similar, they actually have distinct differences that are important to understand. But before that let’s understand why these two roles are crucial for a software development process.

Agile methodologies have become increasingly popular in the software development industry over the past few years. As companies try to stay ahead of their competitors, many have turned to Agile methodologies to increase productivity and efficiency.

Two of the most commonly used Agile methodologies are Scrum and SAFe. While both approaches focus on collaboration, iterative development, and continuous improvement, there are significant differences between the roles of a SAFe Scrum Master and an Agile Project Manager.

Roles of SAFe scrum master and agile project manager

A SAFe Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Agile Scrum process within a SAFe organization. On the other hand, an Agile project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire Agile project. While the SAFe scrum master focuses primarily on the agile scrum process, the agile project manager is responsible for the project’s success. It involves ensuring that the project delivers on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.

Main differences between the SAFe scrum master and Agile project manager

One of the main differences between a SAFe Scrum Master and an Agile Project Manager is their level of responsibility.

·       While the SAFe Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the Agile Scrum process is being followed correctly, the Agile Project Manager is responsible for the overall success of the project.

·       This means that the Agile Project Manager has a broader range of responsibilities and must be able to manage multiple aspects of the project simultaneously.

Another key difference between the two roles is their level of involvement in the day-to-day activities of the team.

·       While the SAFe Scrum Master is responsible for coaching and mentoring the team, the Agile Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the project as a whole.

·       This means that the Agile Project Manager is less involved in the day-to-day activities of the team and more focused on the project’s direction.

In conclusion, while both the SAFe Scrum Master and Agile Project Manager play important roles in Agile project management, their responsibilities and levels of involvement differ significantly.

SAFe scrum master and Agile project manager certification

SAFe Scrum Master certification is a professional certification program designed for individuals who want to learn how to implement Agile Scrum methodologies within a SAFe environment.

·       The SAFe Scrum Master certification program covers the role of the Scrum Master in a SAFe organization, including how to facilitate Agile Scrum events, coach Agile teams, and lead Agile release trains.

·       The certification program also covers the principles and practices of the SAFe framework, including how to apply Lean-Agile principles, coordinate large-scale Agile initiatives, and improve the overall flow of value delivery.

·       To become a SAFe Scrum Master certified, candidates must complete the SAFe 5 Scrum Master (SSM) training course and pass the SAFe Scrum Master certification exam.

·       The certification exam consists of 45 multiple-choice questions and completes in 90 minutes. Candidates must score a minimum of 33 out of 45 (73%) to pass the exam.

Project Manager certification is a professional certification program designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in project management across various industries and domains.

·       The Project Manager certification program covers a range of project management methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, and Lean.

·       The program also covers project management best practices, including project planning, budgeting, risk management, communication, and stakeholder management.

·       To become certified as a Project Manager, candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass a certification exam. The requirements and exam format varies depending on the organization offering the certification.

Title Description

1.      What is the difference between Scrum Master and SAFe Scrum Master?

The main difference between a Scrum Master and a SAFe Scrum Master is that the latter works at the enterprise level, while the former focuses on a single Scrum team. SAFe Scrum Masters must coordinate with multiple teams and manage dependencies across teams to ensure that the overall program is successful.

2.      What skills are required to be an effective Agile Project Manager?

Effective Agile Project Managers require skills such as strong leadership, facilitation, communication, and collaboration. They should also have a good understanding of Agile principles and practices to adapt to changing requirements and be comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity.

3.      What are the benefits of taking the SSM and Project Manager course?

The benefits of taking the PM and SAFe Scrum Master certification include gaining knowledge and skills in Agile practices and principles, and learning how to manage large and complex Agile projects in a SAFe environment. Additionally, obtaining the certification leads to increased job opportunities and earning potential.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #scrum master

[advanceagility]

Decoding Agile Roles: A Comparative Study of SAFe Scrum Masters and Release Train Engineers

The SAFe Scrum Master is like the navigator of a ship, guiding the team through the Agile process and keeping everyone on course. The Release Train Engineer is like the captain, responsible for the safe and successful delivery of the cargo."

In the world of Agile software development, the roles of Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer (RTE) are critical to ensuring the success of the development process. Both the roles play a vital role in facilitating the Agile process, but they differ in their approach and responsibilities. So, in this comparison blog, let’s explore the differences between the SAFe Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer roles and how they contribute to Agile development.

Differences between SAFe Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer:

One of the key differences between the SAFe Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer roles is their level of focus.

1.      The Scrum Master is primarily focused on the team level, while the RTE is focused on the program level.

2.      The Scrum Master works directly with the team to ensure that they are following the Agile process and they have the support they need to succeed. The RTE, on the other hand, is responsible for coordinating and managing the Agile Release Train and ensuring that the various teams are working together effectively to achieve the program objectives.

Another key difference between these roles is their scope of responsibility.

1.      The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Scrum process and ensuring that the team is working together effectively. They are not responsible for the program-level planning and coordination that the RTE handles.

2.      The Release Train Engineer is responsible for ensuring that the Agile Release Train aligns with the program vision and that the teams deliver according to the plan.

Comparison between SSM and RTE certification

The SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) and Release Train Engineer (RTE) certifications are two of the most popular certifications. While both certification focuses on Agile development at the program level, there are some key differences between them. Here's a comparison between the SAFe Scrum Master and Release Train Engineer certifications:

1.      Focus: The SAFe Scrum Master certification focuses on the Agile methodology and its application at the team level. The Release Train Engineer certification focuses on managing Agile development at the program level and coordinating multiple teams to deliver high-quality products.

2.      Prerequisites: To become a SAFe Scrum Master, candidates must have some experience working in an Agile environment and complete the SAFe Scrum Master training course. To become a Release Train Engineer, candidates must have experience working in a program or project management role and complete the RTE training course.

3.      Skills: The SAFe Scrum Master certification requires candidates to have strong coaching and mentoring skills, as well as a good understanding of Agile methodologies and best practices. The Release Train Engineer certification requires candidates to have strong program management skills, as well as the ability to coordinate and manage multiple teams.

4.      Certification Exam: Both Release Train Engineer and SAFe Scrum Master certifications require candidates to pass an exam to become certified. The SAFe Scrum Master exam focuses on Agile methodology and its application at the team level. The Release Train Engineer exam focuses on program management, coordination, and leadership.

5.      Career Opportunities: Both certifications provide excellent career opportunities for candidates interested in pursuing a career in Agile development. A SAFe Scrum Master certification can lead to roles such as advanced scrum master or Agile Coach, Scrum Master, or Product Owner. A Release Train Engineer certification can lead to roles such as Program Manager, Project Manager, or Release Train Engineer, and SAFe Program Consultant or SAFe Lean Portfolio Manager.

In summary, Candidates should carefully consider their experience, skills, and career goals to determine which certification is the best fit for them.

Title Description

1.      How can an organization measure the effectiveness of a SAFe Scrum Master in facilitating Agile practices and driving continuous improvement?

Metrics like team velocity, sprint backlog completeness, sprint review feedback, sprint retrospective improvements, product quality, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement can help organizations track progress and measure success. Qualitative feedback, such as team member feedback and observations, can also provide valuable insights into the SAFe Scrum Master's effectiveness.

2.      What are some challenges that a RTE faces in facilitating the ART, and how can they overcome them?

Challenges that a Release Train Engineer can face in facilitating the Agile Release Train in SAFe include managing dependencies, ensuring alignment, resolving conflicts, managing risks, handling changing requirements, and balancing team autonomy with alignment.

3.      How to prepare for the SSM and RTE certification exam?

To clear the RTE and SAFe Scrum Master Certification, candidates must understand the exam schedule, study the roles and responsibilities, review the SAFe framework, read the study guide, practice the sample questions, and attend exam preparation workshops.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at [email protected] for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.

#scaledagileframework #scrum master