Attend this three-day course and learn an Agile Architect’s roles, responsibilities, and mindset. Gain the skills to help align architecture with business value, promote continuous flow to massive systems-of-systems, and support SAFe program execution.
Upon completion of the SAFe for Architects training, attendees receive access to the SAFe Architect assessment and a comprehensive study guide. The exam can be taken through the Learning Plan on the SAFe Community Platform.
What is the SAFe for Architects Course?
The SAFe for Architects course equips system, solution, and enterprise architects to collaboratively deliver architectural solutions that support Lean-Agile development. It also provides them with the understanding of how architecture supports continuous value flow and how to actively engage in, and contribute to, a Lean-Agile enterprise. This three-day training gives attendees the context to align architecture with business value, promote continuous flow to massive systems of systems, and assist in SAFe program execution. In addition, participants will receive guidance and tools for working in remote environments with distributed teams of architects.
The role of the architect is vital in any Agile organization. They are trusted to make architectural decisions that will ensure business value delivery and an agile transformation’s success. They are often viewed as a Lean-Agile Leader as they model and coach their peers, providing autonomy and encouragement to help developers grow in their new way of thinking and operating. They are also responsible for facilitating and supporting architecture meetings to enable a rapid and effective decision-making process.
While all the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles apply to architecture, there are three that are particularly relevant to this practice. These are: fast learning cycles (Principle #4), the ability to explore alternatives and arrive at the optimal design quickly, and decentralized decision-making (Principle #9). By applying these principles to their work, architects can develop a design that will allow them to meet the needs of their customers and the business.
After completing this three-day course, participants will be ready to take the online SAFe Architect (ARCH) exam. This exam is included in the course cost and can be taken within 30 days of the last day of class. Those who pass the exam will receive ARCH certification from Scaled Agile.
Typically, this training is attended by practicing System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects as well as Architects from supporting technical disciplines, product leaders making architectural decisions, and other senior technical contributors who are looking to comprehend the function of these roles in a Lean-Agile enterprise. Attending this training prepares you to apply your knowledge and experience with SAFe concepts and methodologies in your own organization, including enabling continuous value flow as an effective change agent and leader.
What is the SAFe for Architects Certification?
The SAFe for Architects course prepares System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects to engage across the organization as effective leaders and change agents who collaboratively deliver architectural solutions. Attendees will learn the roles, responsibilities, and mindset of Agile Architects as well as how to apply SAFe principles to develop and maintain Agile Architecture and release on demand, lead and support Solution Trains and Agile Release Trains, extend the principles driving continuous flow to large systems-of-systems, and enable improved flow of value.
The course is a combination of classroom instruction and interactive exercises. Attendees will gain hands-on experience using the Agile Architect tools and techniques in practice. Participants will also have the opportunity to create an architectural roadmap and explore the role of the architect in a Lean-Agile enterprise.
Attending this training qualifies you to take the SAFe Architect Certification exam, which is delivered online via the SAFe Community Platform. You will be able to access your first attempt at the exam free of charge within 30 days of your SAFe for Architects course completion. Additional retake attempts will be available for a fee.
Architects play an important role in the Lean-Agile enterprise by providing guidance to Agile Release Train Engineers and Product Managers on how to build and deliver software effectively and continuously. They work in conjunction with Scrum Masters and Release Train Engineers to deliver ARTs while enabling a continuous flow of value by building and communicating the architecture and supporting the Agile Architecture Requirements (AAR) and architecture road map.
The SAFe for Architects course is intended for senior technical contributors who need to understand how architecture enables Agile delivery and how to improve collaboration and alignment in a Lean-Agile environment. The course is also appropriate for individuals desiring a deeper view of how architecture enables continuous value flow. All attendees who complete the SAFe for Architects course will receive a password to attempt the SAFe Architect certification assessment within 30 days. Attendees must score 75% or higher to pass the exam and become a Certified SAFe Architect.
What are the Prerequisites for the SAFe for Architects Course?
The SAFe for Architects course is designed to provide System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects with the skills they need to engage across the organization as effective leaders and change agents who collaboratively deliver architectural solutions. The three-day class helps attendees understand the roles, responsibilities, and mindset of architects and how they can apply their expertise to drive continuous value flow and assist in Lean-Agile implementations.
The course is taught by Scaled Agile certified instructors who work directly in the field of applying SAFe to large organizations. The instructors teach the course with real-world examples, which allows attendees to learn more effectively. In addition, the course is also interactive, allowing attendees to ask questions and discuss the concepts covered throughout the training.
In addition to the SAFe for Architects training, participants can also take a practice exam to test their knowledge of the framework. This exam is available through the Learning Plan in the SAFe Community Platform and can be taken unlimited times at no cost. However, a passing score on the exam is required to become a certified SAFe Architect.
SAFe Architects are the key team members that help Agile Release Train Engineers and Product Managers build and guide Agile Teams and Agile Release Trains to enable continuous value flow. The architects play a pivotal role in supporting and developing the architecture of Lean-Agile enterprise systems and are responsible for aligning the architecture with business strategy to achieve strategic objectives.
The SAFe for Architects course prerequisites include being a practicing System, Solution, or Enterprise Architect, a working knowledge of underlying technical disciplines, and experience leading and participating in Scrum Teams. Additionally, it is recommended that candidates have a minimum of two years of professional experience in the IT industry.
After completing the SAFe for Architects training, attendees can access the SAFe 6.0 Architect certification exam in the Scaled Agile Community platform. The first attempt at the exam is included in the course registration fee, but each retake requires an additional $50. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed each year by completing continuing education courses or taking the SAFe Architect certification exam again.
What are the Benefits of the SAFe for Architects Course?
This course is designed for senior technical contributors who need to comprehend the function of System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects in Lean-Agile enterprises. It is also appropriate for individuals desiring a deeper view into how architecture supports continuous value flow and how architects engage in and contribute to a Lean-Agile enterprise. A Certified SAFe Architect (ARCH) is an effective leader and change agent who delivers Agile Architecture to enable the creation of business value. Key areas of competency include applying SAFe principles to develop and maintain Agile Architecture and release on demand, leading and supporting Solution Trains and Agile Release Trains, and extending the principles driving continuous flow to large systems-of-systems in support of SAFe program execution.
This three-day course prepares System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects to engage as effective leaders and change agents who collaboratively deliver architectural solutions across the organization. Attendees will explore the roles, responsibilities, and mindset of Agile Architects and appreciate how to align architecture with business value, drive continuous flow to large systems-of-systems, and support SAFe program execution.
The course is structured as a mix of lecture and discussion. Attendees receive hands-on experience with SAFe artifacts, including a scalable model for enterprise architecture and an architectural role play to practice the responsibilities and skills required to work as a Solution Architect in SAFe. The class is led by a highly experienced, engaging instructor with an extensive background in software development, testing, and business analysis.
SAFe for Architects offers 15 continuing education PDUs from the Project Management Institute for PMP and PMI-ACP certifications and is eligible for SEUs under Category C to earn or renew your Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Professional (CSP). Gladwell Academy also offers a number of other online courses, including SAFe for Product Owners, SAFe for Developers, and SAFe for Coaches.
All participants completing the SAFe for Architects training will be provided with a password to attempt the SAFe ARCH certification assessment. Those who successfully complete the assessment within 30 days will receive their SAFe ARCH certification. For more information about SAFe for Architects, visit the Scaled Agile website.