SAFe Agilist Certification: Everything you Need To Know

For those interested in getting certified in Agile methods, the SAFe Agilist (SA) is a highly sought-after certification. The SAFe Agilist certification is a globally recognized credential demonstrating an individual's ability to lead and implement SAFe in their organization. It helps you think about organizing roles and responsibilities, planning and managing the work, and deciding what values to uphold. SAFe also guides its implementers on how to apply Agile practices at an enterprise scale.

Each SAFe pillar (Team, Program, and Portfolio) has its patterns and guidance. SAFe allows product teams to choose the correct patterns for their organization. SAFe can help manage some of the challenges larger organizations face when practicing Agile.

This article will cover all you need to know to become a SAFe Agilist and obtain your certification. We will cover topics such as the SAFe Agilist certification cost and the SAFe Agilist certification exam. Continue reading to learn more about becoming a certified SAFe Agilist.

What is a SAFe Agilist?

A SAFe Agilist is someone who has been trained in the Scaled Agile Framework and can apply its principles to improve their productivity. A SAFe Agilist helps organizations implement Agile practices at scale. They do this by applying the SAFe patterns and guidance to their organization.

The SAFe Retrospective is one of the essential tools that a SAFe Agilist uses to reflect on their work and identify areas for improvement. The retrospective helps individuals and teams to avoid repeating mistakes and continuously improve their processes. 

To be a successful SAFe Agilist, it is essential to have a strong understanding of Lean and Agile principles and how to apply them in a way that benefits the organization.

Being a SAFe Agilist comes with a lot of responsibility. You are responsible for introducing and applying SAFe in a company. You must also take advantage of its benefits to reach the desired goals. 

You'll also need to be comfortable with the Product Development Flow, Lean, and Agile methodologies, which enhance output, efficiency, worker contentment and product quality.

As a SAFe Agilist, you must offer guidance for an enterprise to adopt and continuously develop SAFe successfully. You need to help define a company's perceptions and goals so that you can communicate strategic agreements effectively. 

It is also important that you have the ability to motivate your staff by increasing their capabilities and helping them establish their expertise and taking their careers to the next level. To do all of this, it is recommended that you get your SAFe Agilist certification. 

This certification will show that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful SAFe Agilist. The SAFe Agilist certification exam will further prove your competency in this area. 

What is a SAFe Agilist Certification? 

The SAFe Agilist certification is given after a two-day course that teaches the ins-and-outs of the Lean-Agile mindset within an enterprise, and how to apply it. You will learn how to lead a SAFe transformation within your company to build an Agile portfolio. 

This certification validates your ability to apply SAFe principles and scale Agile development. The SAFe Agilist certification is a valuable asset for professionals looking to further their careers in agile development. 

The coursework teaches the necessary skills and knowledge to lead a SAFe transformation and build an Agile portfolio. This certification will increase your marketability to potential employers and demonstrate that you are committed to furthering your professional growth.

Becoming a SAFe Agilist is an excellent choice if you want to progress your career in agile product development. With a SAFe Agilist certification, you'll have unique insights into what's required to transform your current Agile product development system. 

You'll learn how to incorporate Agile portfolio management into your company, transforming it into a productive business that provides stakeholders and clients with a constant stream of value in the least amount of time possible.

Taking the SAFe Agilist test is a great way to prove that you know what you're talking about when it comes to applying the principles of product development flow, Scaled Agile Framework, and Lean thinking in an enterprise setting.

Employers will see this as evidence that you have the skills necessary to lead the implementation of the Scaled Agile Framework within their company. Therefore, becoming a SAFe Agilist is an excellent option to consider if you are interested in advancing your career in Agile product development.

After you've earned your SAFe Agilist certification, you'll be able to apply the Lean-Agile mindset to management or leadership roles. Additionally, within a SAFe organization, you can become a SAFe Scrum Master and lead one or more Agile Teams.

If you want to progress further, you can become a SAFe Product Owner. As a SAFe Product Owner, you'll provide Agile teams with guidance and expertise, making decisions at the feature level.

A SAFe Product Manager coordinates the efforts of several teams working together on an Agile Release Train (ART), helping them meet stakeholder and customer needs.

Where to Take the SAFe Agilist Certification Exam?

The SAFe Agilist certification exam is taken online through the SAFe Community Platform. The exam is 90-minute long and consists of true or false and multiple-choice questions. A score of at least 77% is required to pass the exam.

To access the exam, you must create an account on the SAFe Community Platform, if you don’t already have one. Once logged in, you'll find the exam under the "Resources" section. When you're ready to begin, click "Start Exam."

You'll be given an hour and a half to finish the exam, but you can submit it at any moment within that period. After you have submitted your answer, the total points will be computed automatically.

If you don't pass, don't worry! Taking the exam again is an option if you feel you need more practice. We recommend reviewing the relevant material, which can also be found on the community platform, before retrying.

What is the Cost of a SAFe Agilist Certification?

The SAFe Agilist certification exam costs $295. As long as it's taken within 30 days of finishing the course, the SAFe Agilist certification exam is included in the registration fee.

After the initial 30 days, the fee to retake the exam increases to $50.The SAFe Agilist certification is valid for two years, after which individuals must retake the exam to maintain their credentials.

Conclusion

The SAFe Agilist certification is a globally recognized credential demonstrating an individual's ability to lead and implement SAFe in their organization. 

This guide provides an overview of what the certification entails, the cost, and how to take the exam. If you need help preparing for your exam or want assistance becoming certified in SAFe Agile, GoRetro can help. 

GoRetro is experienced with Agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban, so they know how to get you up to speed fast and efficiently so that you may pass the certification with flying colors.