Leading Safe Series

How To Update Your Leading SAFe® 4.0 Certification To SAFe® 4.5 Version

by KnowledgeHut
28th May, 2018
Last updated on 11th Mar, 2021

Scaled Agile® has released its most current version SAFe^® 4.5 on 22 June 2017. With the advent of a new version of SAFe®, SAFe® 4.5 has revamped with the exciting new features around Continuous Delivery, Lean UX and Lean Startup, Configurability, Implementation Roadmap, and Scalable DevOps.

SAFe^® 4.5 is also known as- SAFe® for Lean Enterprises. It provides a better way to improve alignment and implementation of Lean-Agile practices across the entire organization. After implementing SAFe^®4.5, the organization felt that SAFe^® 4.5 is leaner, more Agile and an easily configurable framework that promotes better business results, faster innovation and improvements.

This newly configurable SAFe^® 4.5 framework is the outcome of research from several implementations, feedback from the customer’s advancements in the knowledge base whereupon SAFe^® is built. It can be configured as per your enterprise’s needs. The new version of SAFe^® 4.5 allow companies to:

Update and test the ideas rapidly using the feature called Lean Startup cycle and Lean User Experience (Lean UX)
Deliver faster using Scalable DevOps and the Continuous Delivery pipeline feature
Simplify governance and manage portfolio performance with the feature Lean Portfolio Management (LPM)
Shape as per the enterprise requirements
Execute SAFe^® faster and successfully with the Implementation Roadmap

If a company wants to scale its Agile teams, then the SAFe^® framework is there to meet the associated challenges. The revamped features in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) like Lean Startup and Lean UX, Lean portfolio Management (LPM), and Lean Budgets help to update and execute the strategy more quickly to get faster business outcomes. Whereas the features like Scalable DevOps and Continuous Delivery supports the ‘build-measure-learn’ cycle implementation for faster delivery.
SAFe 4.5 Best practices
We, as a whole, realize that organizational change is easier said than done. It requires embracing new practices, leadership styles, and culture. SAFe^® quickens Lean-Agile changes with the new Implementation Roadmap, which guides organizations consistently. To be aware of these latest features, you can attend the SAFe^® certifications. With the advancement in SAfe^® features, there must be an update in the SAFe^® 4.5 certification. Let us check out how to update the certification to the SAFe^® 4.5 version.

The goal of the course:

The objective of this course is to furnish you with the skills required to lead Lean-Agile transformation at the organization scale. The goal of the course is to provide a deep understanding of the SAFe^® principles, educating Lean thinking and embracing Agility, plan, build and implement the Agile Release Train (ART) and values, apply the SAFe^® 9 Lean-Agile principles, construct the larger systems in the Lean-Agile environment and impart knowledge on how to execute the Agile portfolio. It also aims at training candidates on the necessary leadership skills and help them understand how to lead the next generation proficient employees smartly.

Expertise Level:

The expertise level needed to attend the SAFe^® 4.5 certification training is-
Intermediate to Advanced level

Key Learnings:

An in-depth overview of the SAFe^® principles
How to embrace Lean-Agile thinking
How the project is build using Lean, Systems Thinking, and Agile
Nine SAFe^® principles for Lean-Agile development at an organizational level
What is Team level, Program level, Large Solution and Portfolio level
Implementing Agile Release Train
Implement Program Increment
Building large systems in the Lean-Agile environment
Manage Agile portfolio efficiently

Who can attend the course?

Below is a list of professionals who are eligible for attending the course-

Executives, Managers, Consultants, Leaders, Program Managers, and Agile Change Agents;
Anyone in an enterprise-level software development environment looking to achieve the business benefits of advancing Agile beyond a few teams or projects.

Course Prerequisites:

Following are the prerequisites for taking up the Leading SAFe^® 4.5 training-

5+ years of experience in software development, testing, business analysis, product or project management;
Experience in Agile development

Lessons covered in SAFe^® 4.5 training course:

We are listing the most important lessons covered in the SAFe® 4.5 training course. It must, however, be noted that the overall course is not limited to the following-

Introduction to Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®)
How to embrace a Lean-Agile Mindset
SAFe^® principles
Implementing ART
How to plan a Program Increment?
How to explore, execute, and release value?
Empowering a Lean portfolio
Building the larger solutions
How to lead the lean-Agile enterprise

Update in the exam pattern:

There is no major update in the Leading SAFe^® 4.5 examination pattern as of now.

Requirements for attending the SAFe^® 4.5 certification course:

Since SAFe^® 4.5 is backward compatible, so there is no need for formal training before taking the Leading SAFe^® 4.5 certification.

Certification Update cost:

There is no cost to update to SAFe^® 4.5 for individuals who have a SAFe® Community Platform membership.

What if people (SAFe^® Program Consultant (SPC) and SAFe^® Program Consultant Trainer (SPCT)) are already certified prior to SAFe^® 4.5 release?

SPCs and SPCTs are automatically permitted to train on courses like Leading SAFe^®, SAFe^® for teams, and SAFe^® Product Owner/Product Manager (PO/PM)
If SPCTs are SAFe^® 4 certified, then they are directly permitted to coach on implementing SAFe^®.
SPCs and SPCTs are urged to finish the Course Delivery Enablement (CDE) for each course they intend to train. They are additionally urged to finish- What's New in SAFe^® 4.5 training which is available by means of SAFe^® Community Platform.

Concluding Thoughts

The developing interest in making a career in SAFe^® and the proven advantages found after embracing Leading SAFe^® 4.5 implementation in all the business areas add all the more durable values to the Leading SAFe^® 4.5 certification. As SAFe^® 4.0 will be accessible until June 2018, in this way, it is smarter to reap the benefits by updating your SAFe^® certification to Leading SAFe^® 4.5.

This might turn out to be the next big career move you are looking for!

KnowledgeHut

Author

KnowledgeHut is an outcome-focused global ed-tech company. We help organizations and professionals unlock excellence through skills development. We offer training solutions under the people and process, data science, full-stack development, cybersecurity, future technologies and digital transformation verticals.
Website : https://www.knowledgehut.com

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The number on this card will indicate their estimate for the work on the feature. They place the card face down on the table. All the cards are revealed at the same time, so that no one is influenced by another person’s decision. If everyone has the same value, that is chosen as the estimate. If not, outliers are discussed, and another round of estimation is carried out. This process is continued till the team arrives at a consensus for the estimate. The estimates for subsequent features are taken up one by one, in a similar manner. Common PitfallsThe process is not completely intuitive, and while it is simple it could take a newbie some time to get used to the concept. Teams that are new will, therefore, often fall short of the estimate or go too long. However, with experience they will be able to arrive at more accurate estimates. For a sprint with many features, this process could take longer than expected as each estimate might run into multiple rounds of consensus building. If there is one experienced member who is very dominating, he or she might lead the discussions and quell the opinions of others on the team (who might be saying the right thing but might not be heard). Again, this method does not always work well with distributed teams, as for the process to work well, they should ideally be in a face-to-face session. If the story is not fleshed out well, the estimate might not be accurate.Expected BenefitsThe most significant advantage of Planning Poker is that every team member’s voice is heard. This increases team morale and build the right rapport. The group gets into the rhythm of discussing and collaborating on the project, which will hold them in good stead for the rest of the journey. These discussions help to give clarity on the features to be built, and dispel any ambiguity around the user stories. This ‘game’ builds commitment and accountability. As each team member has contributed to the estimate, they will work toward achieving it wholeheartedly. Last but not least, Planning Poker is fun! Agile Estimation – Relative Vs AbsolutMost of us are used to absolute estimates. Let’s take an example. If you’re asked, for instance, how long you would take to walk three rounds of a park, you’d probably say that you can walk one round at a brisk pace in 8 minutes. You are not going to tell them your answer in relative terms, for example, you would never tell them that you can walk one round in four fifths of the time it would take X to do the same! In Agile, however, we prefer to work with relative estimates, as this offers more flexibility. Story points are determinations of the effort needed to complete task A, relative to the effort needed to complete task B. As there is a lot of uncertainty around the requirements, and the team does not want to spend too much effort estimating on a task that might change very soon, story point estimation is the perfect way to arrive at a rough and ready calculation of the level of effort needed for a task. When Should We Engage in Planning Poker?Typically, a Planning Poker session will be held just after the initial product backlog is written. It could take up to a few days, and is useful in creating initial approximate estimates that will be used to determine the scope, and plan and size the entire project. In an Agile project, it is only to be expected that product backlog items get added as the project unfolds. It would therefore make sense for the team to hold subsequent agile estimating and planning sessions during every iteration. These sessions can be held a few days before the end of the iteration, or whenever the team feels it is most convenient. How Does Poker Planning Work with a Distributed Team?Planning Poker always works best with a team that can sit across a table and hold discussions. However, this is not always possible, especially when teams span geographies and work across different offices. In such cases, Planning Poker can work over a conference call or a Skype session. A Product Owner could share a set of items that have to be estimated, and the estimators log in at a prescheduled time and pick and show their cards over the video call, in much the same way as they would in a face-to-face session. There is a moderator, usually the Product Owner, who leads the discussions and makes notes. Does Planning Poker Work?Yes, it certainly does, and teams that use this method report that they are able to arrive at more accurate estimates more consistently than when other methods are used. Averaging individual estimates will always lead to better results.The reason for this is that when team members are all allowed to weigh in on the planning process, everyone’s opinion is heard. This is not the case when estimation is carried out by a project manager who does not take the team’s opinions into account. Since it is the team members who are ultimately working on the project, they will have the best sense of the effort needed to finish each task.Tips for Planning Poker in ScrumPlaying Planning Poker for the first time? Here are some tips from the pros, to help you get your game going! While it is definitely a game, it’s a serious game and not to be taken lightly. Each member must carefully evaluate the feature and calculate the time they feel it would take to complete it in its entirety. If they have any doubts, they should get them clarified. The discussion that ensues will help the team to get going in the right direction during the development phase, as it clears the air and removes any ambiguity. Agile estimates are relative and should not be converted to work hours. This will negate the value of using flexible Agile story points. The estimate is team-level and not on an individual level, as the team drives the work. If your opinion differs from that of others, make sure that you speak up. Your understanding of the feature may be the right one. It’s also important to note that the team should never suppress the voice of each individual; rather they should hear what everyone has to say with patience and understanding. Keep the card sizes small. Most teams like to use numbers smaller than 13, as larger stories will not fit into one sprint. If the story is too large, it should be broken down into a manageable chunk of work. Even if someone on the team is new to Planning Poker, make sure that they are not excluded. The entire team must be engaged. Keep expectations realistic. Point value creep, which is a condition where the estimates of stories inexplicably become larger over time, leads to unrealistic expectations and too much pressure from stakeholders. This causes stress and burnout in the long run. In the End.... As with everything to do with Agile, Planning Poker is a process that sounds easy enough but might take time and experience to get right. Take our tips to heart and be wary of the potential pitfalls that we have listed out, and your team will be able to get the most benefit from this tool!

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