Course Overview

Learn the principles and practices of the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®), how to execute and release value through Agile Release Trains, and what it means to lead a Lean-Agile transformation of a program inside a government agency.

More government agencies are adopting Lean-Agile practices to generate better results for stakeholders, including government and military personnel, contractors, and civilians. But how do you overcome legacy governance, contracting, and organizational barriers? How do you adapt private sector success patterns to the government context to deliver value faster?

In the SAFe® for Government course, you’ll learn how to apply Lean-Agile and SAFe practices in a government organization. So, you can deliver projects with speed and quality. Improve collaboration with teams and stakeholders, mitigate risk, and make efficient use of taxpayer money.

Key Learning Areas

  • How to apply Lean, Agile, and DevOps principles and practices in traditional government organizations and cultures
  • How to adapt technology strategy, budgeting and forecasting, acquisition, compliance, and governance practices to flow-based practices using emerging government guidelines
  • How to organize government programs into ARTs and execute in program increments (PIs), even in remote environments with distributed teams
  • How to build an action plan to begin or accelerate a SAFe implementation in your program or agency

Course Outline

Topics Covered:

  • What are specific leadership behaviors that can drive successful organizational change in government?
  • How do I build high-performing, multi-vendor teams and Agile Release Trains (ARTs)?
  • How do I manage contracts and acquisition/procurement using Agile principles and practices?
  • How can I coordinate Agile at scale in a government and multi-vendor environment?

What You Will Receive:

  • Course materials
  • Remote learning via SAFe® Virtual Classrooms
  • Access to SAFe® Collaborate, a visual online workspace
  • One-year membership to the SAFe® Community Platform
  • Access to content, tools, and resources you need to practice SAFe every day
  • SAFe for Government certification exam

Associated Certification:

Certified SAFe® Government Practitioner (SGP)

Exam Details:

  • Duration - 90 minutes
  • Number of questions - 45
  • Passing score - 33/45 (73%)
  • Competency level - Foundational; Competent, some knowledge or experience; can perform tasks with assistance
  • Question format - Multiple choice (one answer) or multiple select (2-3 answers)
  • Delivery - Web-based, closed book, no outside assistance, timed
  • Access - Community Platform upon completion of the course
  • Languages offered - English
  • Cost - First attempt included in the course registration fee if taken within 30 days of course completion. Each retake or attempt past the 30-day window is $50

Exam Sections and Percentages

  • Advance Lean-Agile in government (11%)
  • Embrace a Lean-Agile mindset (7%)
  • Apply SAFe Principles (18%)
  • Create high-performing teams and programs (9%)
  • Plan with cadence and synchronization (11%)
  • Support program execution (7%)
  • Map the path to agency and program agility (31%)
  • Lead successful change (6%)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) & Scrum Education Units

Attendees may be eligible to apply for PDUs below toward their continuing education requirements with the Project Management Institute (PMI) for PMP, PgMP, and PMI-ACP certifications.

Attendees may be eligible to apply for SEUs under Category C, toward earning or renewing their CSP through the Scrum Alliance.

Professional Development Units & Scrum Education Units

Activity Number  SAFeforGov   Duration    2 days
PMI Certification   Technical  Leadership  Strategic    Total
PMP®        6.00       6.00     3.00     15.00
PgMP®        6.00       6.00     3.00     15.00
PMI_RMP®        2.00       6.00     3.00     11.00
PMI_SP®        3.00       6.00     3.00     12.00
PMI_ACP®        5.00       6.00     3.00     14.00
PfMP®        2.00       6.00     3.00     11.00
PMI_PBA®        4.00       6.00     3.00     13.00

Who Benefits

Includes current and aspiring:

  • Government Executives
  • Employees
  • Contractors & Consultants
  • Agile Transformation Leaders
  • Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) Members
  • PMO/APMO/ePMO Leaders and Members
  • Agile Release Train (ART) members
  • Agile Coaches; Change Managers
  • Portfolio Managers
  • Program Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Scrum Masters
  • Product Owners & Line Managers
  • Developers; Quality Testers
  • Enterprise
  • System, and Solution Architects
  • Business and Systems Analysts
  • Knowledge Workers

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. This is a great introductory course for government employees, contractors, and consultants.