Bridge the gap between SAFe roles and government roles

SAFe for Government: Roles and Responsibilities
A SAFe Micro-credential Course

Bridge the gap between SAFe roles and government roles

What is SAFe for Government: Roles & Responsibilities?

Agile work in government can be quite challenging due to longstanding bureaucratic processes and outdated labor categories that hinder the flexibility required to manage Agile acquisitions.

Our latest micro-credential course aims to bridge the gap between traditional staff competencies and the new Agile roles that are needed to manage large complex systems at scale.

What is a SAFe Micro-credential Course?

A new training product from Scaled Agile meticulously designed to bridge the gap between theory & practice, providing actionable insights in a blended learning experience that combines a self-paced eLearning with a half-day, expert-facilitated session focusing on real-world simulations, not slides.

What to expect before, during, and after your course?

Before
Complete 1 hour eLearning
Prior to your facilitated session, you must complete the associated eLearning in SAFe Studio. This eLearning provides the perfect preparation for your facilitated session & is required to earn your Micro-credential.

During
Engage in a dynamic 4-hour facilitated session
During your live session, a facilitator will help guide you and your classmates through a variety of activities and work shops designed to not only provide knowledge, but provide practical applications of what you learn.

After
Immediately apply your knowledge
Upon completing your eLearning and facilitated session, you will be instantly ready to apply your knowledge in your unique setting.

Course Curriculum

Self-paced , on-demand eLearning (1 hour)

The eLearning module provides a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of key agile roles including Business Owner, Product Owner (PO), Scrum Master/Team Coach (SM/TC), Product Manager, Release Train Engineer (RTE), System Architect, and SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), as well as the concept of Customers and end users in a government context. Several lessons and four self-reflection activities provide the perfect preparation for your facilitated session.

Activity 1 – Key Agile Roles in Government (~55 minutes)

To fully understand agile roles in government, you need to start with the SAFe concept of Flow. This activity reviews the eight properties of flow-based systems before discussing the activities, decisions, and other aspects of several agile roles and responsibilities.

Activity 2 – Activities of Agile Roles in Government (-45 minutes)

PI Planning is an integral event within SAFe. Our second activity provides hands-on experience assigning PI cycle activities to the appropriate role, teaching participants to identify shared activities and dependencies between roles and activities, including how to incorporate additional government requirements into the cycle.

Activity 3 – Government Scenario (~27 minutes)

Executive orders are commonplace in a government context – and often disrupt planned work. This activity reviews the options for addressing an executive order that disrupts planned work by teaching participants to identify who is involved in replanning work and developing and communicating a strategy when plans need to change.

Activity 4 – Anti-patterns & The Changing Role of Government Leadership (~65 minutes)

With more than a decade of agile transformations, we understand the typical challenges that can impede an agile acquisition. This discussion based activity helps agilists operating in a government context prevent or mitigate common challenges that run counter to Lead-Agile practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are SAFe Micro-credential Courses?

SAFe Micro-credential Courses represent the future of learning with Scaled Agile – learning meticulously designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing actionable insights in a format that fits your calendar instead of becoming your calendar.



SAFe Micro-credential Courses offer a blended learning experience – combining self-paced, eLearnings with a half-day, expert-facilitated sessions designed to equip you with actionable insights and powerful frameworks. Whether you’re navigating resistance to change or optimizing release processes, our Micro-credential courses provide practical solutions tailored to specific SAFe competencies.

How long does a SAFe Micro-credential course take to complete?

The half-day, facilitated session is designed to be completed in approximately 4 hrs. The self-paced, eLearnings that are designed to be taken prior to the facilitated session take learners 2 hours on average to complete.

How much do SAFe Micro-credential courses cost?

The recommended MSRP for SAFe Micro-credential courses is $649 (USD) + applicable taxes. With purchase, you will receive a blended learning experience that combines self-paced eLearnings designed to be taken prior to your dynamic, half-day, facilitated session.

Is there a certification or recognition that is earned upon completion of the course?

Yes. Upon completion, learners will receive a SAFe Micro-credential badge that is a testament to your commitment to Agile excellence and your ability to drive impactful change in your organization.

Meet SAFe CoPilot

Meet SAFe® CoPilot

Join us for a SAFe Studio exclusive experience where you’ll Meet SAFe® CoPilot!

When:

June 27, 2024, 10:00 am – June 27, 2024, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Coach, Product Manager, Product Owner, Release Train Engineer, SAFe Program Consultant, Scrum Master

Event Overview

Generative AI tools like SAFe CoPilot have unlocked significant productivity gains for SAFe roles. By reducing the routine, repetitive tasks that create toil for the individual contributor, SAFe CoPilot enables more ‘time in zone’ for higher-order, critical thinking work. In this interactive session, we will unravel the potent capabilities of SAFe® CoPilot by diving into the tool in real time. 

We’ll also discuss its positive impact on SAFe roles and how SAFe® CoPilot offers a competitive edge in the tech development landscape.

Speakers

William Kammersell

Director of Product Management, Scaled Agile, Inc.

LPM in Practice: Lean Budgeting Requisites

LPM in Practice: Lean Budgeting Requisites

In the next webinar in our LPM in Practice series, Jim Fowler SPCT and Strategic Advisor at Scaled Agile, addresses your common question: What about budgeting?

When:

June 13, 2024, 11:00 am – June 13, 2024, 12:00 pm EST

Where:

Zoom Live Session

Who:

Agile Coach, Agile Professionals, Business Analyst, Director, Product Manager, Product Owner

Event Overview

This session will look at the origins of the annual budgeting process, the difficulties we face today, and what we can do differently. It is designed to give you the context and talking points to advance into lean budgeting in your organization.

Speakers

Jim Fowler

SAFe Strategic Advisor (WA)

Unlock Unprecedented Productivity: The Flow Metrics Path to Agile Success

Unlock Unprecedented Productivity: The Flow Metrics Path to Agile Success

Whether you are new to the concept of flow metrics or looking to deepen your understanding and application, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to start leveraging flow metrics for remarkable improvements in your organizational performance.

When:

April 24, 2024, 10:00 am – April 24, 2024, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Leaders, LACE Leader, Product Manager, SAFe Practice Consultant, SAFe Program Consultant, Transformation Leader

Event Overview

In today’s competitive business landscape, attaining enterprise agility is more crucial than ever. Many are intrigued by the potential of Value Stream Management (VSM), yet find it intimidating and overly complex, even a colossal challenge. What if the journey to enterprise agility could be significantly simplified?

This session focuses on demystifying “flow metrics” – it’s the fastest and most effective path to extract immediate value for any organization. Flow metrics offer a lens through which organizations can view the efficiency, speed, and quality of work moving through their processes.

By attending this webinar, you will learn:

– What Flow Metrics Are: An introduction to flow metrics and their role in tracking the movement and delivery of value in the enterprise.

– Why They Matter: Explore the critical importance of flow metrics in identifying bottlenecks, reducing waste, and improving overall system performance, leading to enhanced enterprise agility.

– How to Get Started: Practical steps to begin collecting and analyzing flow metrics, even without fully implementing Value Stream Management (VSM). We’ll break down the seeming complexity of VSM, showing how any organization can derive significant value from flow metrics.

–Transformative Insights: Discover the kinds of insights flow metrics can provide and how these insights can be used to make informed decisions, prioritize work, and drive continuous improvement.

Speakers

Marc Rix Headshot

Marc Rix

Methodologist, SAFe® Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Brad Kramer

Pre-sales Solution Engineer at Atlassian

Co-Presented by:

Building a Professional Network the Agile Way

Building a Professional Network the Agile Way

Learn to grow your professional opportunities through a more valuable, connected, and invested network.

When:

April 16, 2024, 1:00 pm – April 16, 2024, 1:30 pm MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Architect, Product Manager, Product Owner, RTE, Scrum Master, SPC, SPCT, Team Coach

Event Overview

According to a PwC survey, 55% percent of those in the technology and IT fields felt they had missed a job opportunity due to insufficient network. In this session, we’ll cover both a strategic mindset/approach and tactical steps you can take starting today.

  • Benefits and methods for in-person vs. virtual networking
  • Breaking the ice and developing meaningful connections
  • Achieving consistent, sustainable network growth on LinkedIn
  • Take advantage of existing groups like Meetups, role-specific groups like RTE and SPC circle, in-person events, etc.


We’ll help you develop simple, repeatable processes for building your network in a way that lasts long-term!

Speakers

Chandler Karadsheh

Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Mike Alber

Director, Community Engagement at Scaled Agile, Inc.

First Look: 2024 SAFe Careers Snapshot

First Look: 2024 SAFe Careers Snapshot

Use this leap day to jump ahead in your career!

When:

February 29, 2024, 10:00 am – February 29, 2024, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Coach, Product Manager, Product Owner, Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master, Solutions Architect

Event Overview

We’ll cover the latest employer data for salaries, skill requirements, and experience expectations for SAFe Roles in 2024. Unlike the next leap day, you shouldn’t wait another four years to prioritize your next career move.

Our comprehensive report delves into the current job market for six key SAFe roles (based on Q4, 2023 data):

• Scrum Master
• Agile Coach
• Product Owner (PO)
• Product Manager
• Release Train Engineer (RTE)
• Architect

In this one-hour session, we’ll review the report highlights and our upcoming releases to help you with specific professional development goals, skill growth, and new AI tools for enhanced productivity with SAFe.

Speakers

Tamara Nation

VP, SAFe Professionals at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Thomas Vong

Sr Director, Certification and Recognition at Scaled Agile, Inc.

2024 SAFe Careers Snapshot | Salaries, Skills, and Experience for SAFe Roles

Updated December 19, 2024

Are you pursuing a fulfilling career with SAFe® but unsure where to begin or how to progress? 

We know that SAFe roles don’t always follow traditional career paths. That’s why we created our first-ever SAFe Careers Snapshot, based on employer data from Q4, 2023. 

Whether you’re eager to kickstart your SAFe journey or seeking ways to elevate your current role, the 2024 SAFe Careers Snapshot is your compass to navigate the exciting landscape of SAFe opportunities.

Our comprehensive report delves into the heart of the current job market for six key SAFe roles:

  • Scrum Master
  • Agile Coach
  • Product Owner (PO)
  • Product Manager
  • Release Train Engineer (RTE)
  • Architect
  • Agilist
  • SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) 

Each role offers a detailed breakdown with insights into the skills, certifications, and earning potential required to excel, all based on real job market data.

Plan Your Agile Career

Key SAFe Careers Snapshot Takeaways

The following trends were clearly identified across all the roles we researched: 

  1. SAFe roles and certifications offer higher earning potential than alternatives
  2. The technology industry is the top employer of SAFe roles
  3. Most employers using SAFe require or prefer certification
  4. SAFe roles facilitate career progression with further skill development
  5. 70 percent of Fortune 100 companies have certified SAFe professionals and consultants, as do a growing number of Global 2000

What Will You Learn in the 2024 SAFe® Careers Snapshot? 

If you’re wondering about the earning potential of someone in your role with a SAFe certification or how to reinvest in your career path this year, the SAFe Careers Snapshot has helpful guidance.

Here’s a sampling of the types of questions you’ll get answers to in the report, broken into three critical career categories.  

Salary and earning potential:

  • How much should I expect to earn in a role like Scrum Master
  • How much could my salary change with a SAFe certification?
  • How do years of experience or new skills impact my salary?

We analyzed market averages for similar roles and the difference a certification can make. We also charted progressions to higher-paying roles based on your current career stage.

Employability and competitiveness in the job market:

  • How many employers require SAFe certification? 
  • Does SAFe certification increase my chances of finding a job? 
  • Can I apply my SAFe certifications to other roles besides the one I currently hold? 

Career advancement: 

  • What skills can take you to the next level or land you that first dream job?
  • What certifications and experience do employers look for in a role like Agile Coach or Architect? 
  • I’m an RTE; where should I go next in my career?

We break down (by role) how many employers require and prefer SAFe certification as a demonstration of competency. The results show just how much you gain a competitive edge through active certification.

Screenshot from report

We understand career decisions aren’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we’ve tailored our recommendations to fit multiple stages of career progression with the following categories:

  1. I want this job: You want to get hired at an organization that’s using SAFe
  2. I want to grow: You want to enhance your value with role-related training and development
  3. I want to advance: You want to position yourself for advancement to a new role

In addition to role-based recommendations, we included key findings for each role, a summary and outlook section, and additional information on the value of SAFe certification. Dive into some of the findings and hear about new releases to further your SAFe career journey in this recent webinar.

Download the report today and embark on a transformative journey toward realizing your full SAFe potential. This is the best time to start working differently and building your future.

Unlock Your Career
Access career advice tailored to your SAFe role and experience. 
Get Report

P.S. Looking for a localized version? Check out the SAFe Careers Snapshot for India.

Exploring the Foundations of Responsible AI

Exploring the Foundations of Responsible AI

Virtually every large enterprise is exploring how they can use AI to gain a competitive advantage in the market. However, its potential for creating unintended consequences is equal to AI’s benefits.

When:

November 30, 2023, 10:00 am – November 30, 2023, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Coach, Consultant, Product Manager, Product Owner, Program or Project Manager, Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master

Event Overview

In this webinar, we will explore the crucial aspects of integrating AI responsibly in today’s products and learn how SAFe can help ensure your AI endeavors are transparent, fair, and safeguarded.

• Compliance & Regulation: Understand the critical regulatory landscapes governing AI and how to navigate product development within these constraints.

• Ethical Considerations: Examine the moral imperatives of AI, from ensuring unbiased algorithms to the broader societal impacts and considerations.

• Transparency, Accuracy and security: Learn how to cultivate trust in AI products by ensuring clear decision-making processes, high accuracy rates, and robust security measures.

Speakers

Dr. Steve Mayner

VP Framework, Methodologist & SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Increasing Productivity of SAFe Roles with Gen AI

Increasing Productivity of SAFe Roles with Gen AI

By reducing the routine, repetitive tasks that create toil for the individual contributor, Gen AI tools enable more ‘time in zone’ for higher-order, critical thinking work.

When:

December 13, 2023, 10:00 am – December 13, 2023, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Coach, Consultant, Product Manager, Product Owner, Program or Project Manager, Release Train Engineer, SAFe Members, Scrum Master

Event Overview

In this session, we will unravel the potent capabilities of tools to streamline technology product development and elevate creative and strategic focus.

• Generative AI Overview: Dive into generative AI and its positive impact on SAFe roles, offering a competitive edge in the tech development landscape.

• Practical Application Examples: Witness real-world examples of how top-tier generative AI tools replace mundane tasks, ensuring optimal utilization of human effort for pivotal roles.

• Transition to Higher-Order Tasks: Learn strategies to redirect workforce focus from repetitive tasks to critical thinking assignments, catalyzing innovation and strategic growth.

Speakers

Cheryl Crupi

Methodologist and SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Rebecca Davis

Rebecca Davis

Methodologist and SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Building, Operating, and Scaling AI-Enabled Solutions with SAFe

Building, Operating, and Scaling AI-Enabled Solutions with SAFe

SAFe Enterprises often encounter challenges integrating AI technology into their production solutions. Early adopters of AI have found ways to address the common barriers to building, operating, and scaling AI-enabled products.

When:

November 15, 2023, 10:00 am – November 15, 2023, 11:00 am MST

Where:

Zoom

Who:

Agile Coach, Product Manager, Product Owner, Program or Project Manager, Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master

Event Overview

This webinar will examine the impacts of AI solution development on people, processes, and technology, as well as the commitments SAFe organizations should be prepared to make for creating desirable, viable, feasible, and sustainable AI solutions.

• Identify the new roles needed in Agile teams and ARTs, and the upskilling needed across all SAFe roles.

• Understand the new processes that must be added to the product development lifecyle to support AI solutions.

• Explore the new classes of tools that form the architectural runway needed to support AI development.

Speakers

Marc Rix

Methodologist & SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Harry Koehnemann

Methodologist & SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc.

Dr. Wiselin Mathuram

SPCT, Chief Transformation Officer at International Business Consultants, LLC

Jeff Shupack

SAFe Fellow, President of Advisory Practice at Project & Team, Inc.