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Difference Between a SAFe Agilist and a SAFe Practitioner

What is SAFe?

SAFe or Scaled Agile Framework is an Agile framework that helps scaling at enterprise level. It is a set of patterns and tools that are used to implement agile practices efficiently. It is a well structured framework that divides roles on the basis of skills. The framework is designed by leveraging three bodies of knowledge- Lean, Agile and Systems Thinking. SAFe is based on four core values-

  • Built-in Quality

  • Alignment

  • Transparency

  • Program Execution


Who is a SAFe Agilist?

SAFe Agilist is a professional who is responsible for Implementing SAFe, Agile-Lean Principles and Product Development Flow in an efficient manner. They lead the enterprise into Lean-Agile transformation. This is a very important role in Agile Transformation and holds many responsibilities-

  • Planning and Executing Program Increment

  • Planning and Executing Agile Release Train

  • Implementing Lean-Agile Principles

  • Efficient implementation of Kanban

  • Continuous improvisation in collaboration and cross-functions


Who is a SAFe Practitioner?

A Certified SAFe Practitioner is a professional member who is responsible for using Kanban, Scrum and Extreme Programming in a Scaled Agile Framework organization. The key responsibilities of a SAFe Practitioner are-

  • Planning Program Increment and Iterations

  • Breaking requirements into stories

  • Developing incrementally with built-in quality

  • Giving a demo of value at program and team level

  • Removing blockages for continuous improvement


Difference between a SAFe Agilist and a SAFe practitioner.
A SAFe Agilist guides enterprise-level adoption, while a SAFe Practitioner applies SAFe principles in their role.

Difference Between a SAFe Agilist and a SAFe Practitioner

Points of comparison

SAFe Agilist

SAFe Practitioner

1. Definition

A SAFe Agilist is a professional who is responsible for Implementing SAFe, Lean-Agile principles and Product Flow efficiently.

A SAFe team member who is responsible for using Kanban, Extreme Programming and Scrum.

2. Skills

  • SAFe

  • Lean-Agile Principles

  • Communication

  • Collaboration

  • Product Flow

  • Enterprise Agility

  • DevOps

  • Kanban

  • Scrum

  • Program Increment

  • Planning

  • Scaled Agile Framework

  • User stories

  • Lean-Agile

3. Responsibilities

  • Planning and executing Program Increment

  • Agile Release Train

  • Implementing Lean-Agile Principles

  • Optimization of Kanban flow

  • Improvising collaboration

  • Planning program iterations and increments

  • Resolving issues

  • Demoing value

  • Changing requirements into user stories

  • Developing with built-in quality

4. Pre-requisites

  • Work experience of more than 5 years in agile product development, software testing or business analysis

  • Knowledge of Scrum

  • Scrum knowledge

  • Expertise in software processes

  • More than 5 years of experience in software industries

5. Designation

Certified SAFe Agilist

Certified SAFe Practitioner

6. Certification

Leading SAFe

SAFe for Teams

7. Who all can attend?

  • Team Leads, RTE, consultants

  • Business Analysts, Solution Architect

  • Scrum Master

  • Agile Coach

  • IT professionals

  • Executives/managers/directors in product development

  • Scrum Master

  • Team Leads

  • Executive/Managers/Directors

  • Agile Team Members

What is Agile?

Agile is defined as the ability to move easily and quickly. Here, Agile denotes a method of project management and software development that divides the tasks into short phases to simplify the complex process. Agile Methods replace the high end designs of the process with frequent and rapid redesigning. Agile methodologies focus on delivering the right products in small deliverables. This enables customer interaction and correction during the course of production. Agile is an umbrella term for the number of frameworks that work towards implementing its principles and practices in an organization to optimize efficiency. Some of the frameworks are-

  • Scaled Agile Framework

  • Scrum

  • Software Development Life-Cycle

  • Agile Unified Process

  • Adaptive Software Development

  • Dynamic Systems Development Method

  • Lean Software Development

  • Kanban

  • Extreme Programming

  • Feature-Driven Development


Principles of Agile

The Agile Manifesto is based on twelve principles with the help of which the organization under goes an Agile Transformation. The 12 principles are-

  • Customer satisfaction by continuous and early delivery of valuable software

  • Welcome changing requirements, even in late development

  • Deliver working software frequently

  • Daily, close co-operation between business people and developers

  • Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted

  • Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication

  • Working software is the primary measure of progress

  • Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace

  • Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design

  • Simplicity- the art of maximizing the amount of work not done- is essential

  • Best architectures, requirements and designs emerge from self-organizing teams

  • Regularly, the team reflects on how to become more effective, and adjusts accordingly.



Conclusion

Difference Between a SAFe Agilist and a SAFe Practitioner. A SAFe Agilist and SAFe Practitioner both have their own set of responsibilities. They are integral part of an Agile team and play an important role in Agile Transformation. There are many Agile certifications like Implementing SAFe, Leading Safe, Safe for Teams, etc. that can help you in earning different designations. Acekube is a digital platform that provides training of a number of certification courses related to SAFe, Kanban and Agile.


FAQs

1. What is Implementing SAFe?

Implementing SAFe is a certification course that offers in-depth knowledge of each layer of SAFe. This course is designed for professionals who want to lead Lean-Agile Transformation in an organization. This certification helps to understand the working as well as the roles involved in SAFe. In this course you will learn-

  • Identification of Value Streams

  • Launching Agile Release Trains

  • How to optimize flow

  • How to apply OKRs to Strategic Themes


2. What are the advantages of pursuing Implementing SAFe Certification?

The most important advantage that comes with Implementing SAFe Certification is a boost to your career. There is more to this list-

  • Learn in a systematic manner

  • Up skill your resume

  • Hike in salary

  • Learn to take justified Organizational decisions

  • Extension of scope of work opportunities in different sectors

  • Global recognition

  • Overall Agile Transformation


3. What are the components of Scaled Agile Framework?

There are 10 essential components of Scaled Agile Framework some of which are inspired by the Agile Manifesto-

  • SAFe Lean-Agile Principles

  • Real Agile Teams and Trains

  • Cadence and Synchronization

  • Program Increment Planning

  • DevOps, Customer Centricity and release on Demand

  • System Demo

  • Inspection and Adaptation

  • Innovation and Planning Iteration

  • Architectural Runway

  • Lean-Agile Leadership.

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