SAFe for Architects
Architecting for continuous value flow with SAFe®
with Certified SAFe® Architect
Attendees can improve collaboration and alignment in a SAFe® Lean-Agile enterprise when they become a SAFe 5 Architect. 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.
During this three-day course, attendees will explore the roles, responsibilities, and mindset of Agile Architects, and appreciate how to align architecture with business value and drive continuous flow to large systems-of-systems while supporting SAFe program execution.
This course is for senior technical contributors who need to understand the role of System, Solution, and Enterprise Architects in Lean-Agile enterprises. The course is also appropriate for individuals desiring a deeper view into how architecture enables continuous value flow and how architects engage in, and contribute to, a Lean-Agile enterprise.
About SAFe for Architects
DuratioN: 3 Days
Level: INTERMEDIATE
Learners taking this course are:
Scrum Master; Agile Coach; Consultant; Architect; Agile Trainer; Solution Architect; System Architect
TOPICS COVERED
Exemplifying Lean-Agile architecture
Architecting for DevOps and Release on Demand
Aligning architecture with business value
Developing Solution Vision, Solution Intent, and Roadmaps
Preparing architecture for Program Increment (PI) Planning
Coordinating architecture throughout PI Planning
Supporting Continuous Delivery during PI execution
Supporting new Strategic Themes and Value Streams
Leading as an architect during a Lean-Agile transformation
JOB ROLE DESCRIPTION/TARGET AUDIENCE
A Certified SAFe® Architect 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, extending the principles driving continuous flow to large systems-of-systems, and enabling improved flow of value.
I
Course Information
Learning Goals
Architect using SAFe principles
Align architecture with business value
Develop and communicate architecture vision and intent
Plan architectural runway to enable delivery success
Architect for continuous delivery and Release on Demand
Lead and coach architects and team members during Program Increment (PI) Planning and execution
Provide leadership during a Lean-Agile transformation
What Attendees Get
Attendee workbooks
Eligibility to take the SAFe® 5 Architect (ARCH) exam1
One-year membership to the SAFe Community Platform
Course certificate of completionAttendees must attend both days of the course in order to qualify for the exam.
Prerequisites
The following prerequisites are highly recommended:
Have attended at least one SAFe course
Have participated in at least one ART and one PI
Key areas of competency
Apply SAFe principles to managing trade-offs between functionality, cost, risk, and sustainability
Ensure designs can be implemented in small batches with continuous integration/continuous delivery deployment model
Communicate solution context and intent to Agile teams and trains
Establish intentional architecture guidelines and enable flexibility to allow emergent technology
Prepare architectural runway to enable delivery success
Steer architecture decisions, support risk and issue resolution, participate in Management Review and Problem Solving during Program Increment execution
Define, implement, and monitor quality practices, including CI/CD and DevOps
Ensure that technology decisions made within an ART work end-to-end across components in a Solution
Ensure that Solution complies with Portfolio technology strategy
Enable Lean-Agile transformations and coach Lean-Agile practitioners
Exam Details
Completion of this course gives you access to the exam and all related study materials as part of your Learning Plan in the SAFe Community Platform.
Exam & Certification Details
Exam prerequisite skills
Application of Lean-Agile principles
Exam requirements
The first step toward becoming a certified SAFe professional is to attend the SAFe® for Architects course This is a requirement, because attending the course provides access to all the study materials and the exam. Note that attending the course does not guarantee passing the exam.
Exam details
Exam name – SAFe® 4 Architect Exam – or – SAFe® 5 Architect Exam
Exam format – Multiple choice; Multiple select
Exam delivery – Web-based (single-browser), closed book, no outside assistance, timed
Exam access – Candidates can access the exam within the SAFe Community Platform upon completion of the SAFe® for Architects course
Exam duration – Once the exam begins, candidates have 120 minutes (2.0 hours) to complete the exam
Number of questions – 60
Passing score – 45 out of 60 (75%)
Language – English
Exam cost – First exam attempt is included as part of the course registration fee if the exam is taken within 30 days of course completion. Each retake attempt costs $50.
Retake policy – Second attempt on exam (first retake) can be done immediately after first attempt. Third attempt requires a 10-day wait. Fourth attempt requires a 30-day wait.
Exam study materials
The exam is designed to measure knowledge and skill related to the job role. We highly recommend candidates use a variety of resources to prepare for this exam including:
Course materials – The course materials are an essential artifact from the course and can be downloaded from the SAFe Community Platform. These materials can be used to refer back to the content that was presented during the class.
Study guide – This comprehensive guide details the job role and all resources related to the exam, including a detailed reading list. Access is available through the Learning Plan in the SAFe Community Platform upon course completion.
Practice test – The practice test is designed to be predictive of success on the certification exam,* and it has the same number of questions, level of difficulty, and time duration. It is part of the Learning Plan in the SAFe Community Platform and can be taken an unlimited number of times at no cost. *This is not the actual exam, and passing it does not guarantee success on the certification exam.
Sample Questions – A web-enabled, flashcard style version of the sample questions can be found online and in the study guide.
What you get
Becoming a Certified SAFe® Architect requires an exceptional range of skills and is a career path for many servant leaders. Certification includes:
Certified SAFe® Architect PDF certificate
Certified SAFe® Architect digital badge to promote your accomplishment online
One-year membership to the SAFe Community Platform, which includes access to the ARCH Community of Practice
Access to Meetup groups and events that connect you with other certified SAFe professionals
A variety of learning resources to support you during your SAFe journey
