SAFe Agilist (SA) vs SAFe Scrum Master (SSM)

  • Scaling Agile
Created on :
June 5, 2023
Saket Bansal
Updated on :
July 4, 2023
0 Comments
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In the ever-evolving world of advancement, organizations are constantly seeking efficient and flexible approaches to manage their projects and deliver high-quality products to market. The rise of Agile practices has revolutionized the industry, enabling teams to adapt to changing requirements, improve collaboration, and deliver value at a rapid pace. Within the Agile landscape, two prominent frameworks have gained significant traction: SAFe® Agilist (SA) and SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM). Both SA and SSM play crucial roles within the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) approaches, designed to facilitate the successful implementation of Agile principles across large-scale projects and organizations. While these roles share similarities in their objectives and overall Agile approach, they possess distinct responsibilities and skill sets that set them apart. Our blog post aims to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of the SAFe® Agilist and SAFe® Scrum Master roles, shedding light on their respective duties, qualifications, and contributions to Agile development at scale. By exploring their similarities and differences, we hope to offer readers a deeper understanding of these roles and help them determine which role may be more suitable for their organization’s needs.

Leading SAFe® Certification

The Leading SAFe 6.0 certification training course provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of the SAFe framework. This SAFe Agilist course equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement Lean-Agile practices and principles confidently. By completing this Leading SAFe training, individuals can acquire a consistent and reliable approach to evaluating SAFe skills, knowledge, and mindset. The Leading SAFe training program focuses on enabling participants to foster business agility and effectively implement the SAFe framework within their organizations. Through this SAFe Agilist course, attendees will learn valuable techniques to enhance product quality, increase productivity, boost employee engagement, and reduce time to market. 

Read more about the course – What is SAFe Agilist?

SAFe® Scrum Master Certification

SAFe® Scrum Master Certification is among the top 10 most valuable certifications in Scaled Agile. The SAFe Scrum Master training course is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of individuals in the role of a Scrum Master within a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment. SAFe Scrum Master Certification enables Scrum Masters to effectively apply Agile and Scrum principles in large-scale organizations. SAFe Scrum Master training equips participants with the necessary tools and techniques to facilitate Agile ceremonies, promote collaboration, and support the execution of Program Increments (PIs) at an enterprise level. This SAFe Scrum Master certification is also recognized globally and can enhance career prospects for individuals working in Agile and Lean environments.

Read more about the course – What Are The Roles & Responsibilities Of A SAFe® Scrum Master?

Who should do the Leading SAFe® certification?

  • Senior executives, directors, and managers who are responsible for driving organizational agility and leading Agile transformations. 
  • Professionals who want to understand the principles and practices of the Scaled Agile Framework, align dependencies, and optimize value delivery.
  • Agile Coaches and consultants who want to guide organizations through Agile transformations, facilitate Agile ceremonies, and mentor Agile teams.
  • Scrum Masters and Agile Team Members who want to take on larger leadership roles within Agile organizations. 

Who should do the SAFe® Scrum Master certification?

  • Individuals who currently serve as Scrum Masters or aspire to become one and want to gain a deeper understanding of the Scrum framework in large-scale Agile projects. 
  • Team Leads and Project Managers who are responsible for leading Agile teams or managing Agile projects. 
  • Agile Coaches and Consultants who support organizations in adopting Agile practices and implementing the Scaled Agile Framework. 
  • Product Owners and Product Managers who want to collaborate with Scrum Masters and Agile teams, align product development with Agile practices, and optimize value delivery.

SA vs SSM

FeaturesSASSM
Course NameLeading SAFe® certificationSAFe® Scrum Master certification
Governing BodyScaled AgileScaled Agile
Exam TypeMultiple Choice Question (MCQ)Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
Exam Duration90 Minutes (1.5 Hours)90 Minutes (1.5 Hours)
No. of questions45 Questions45 Questions
Passing Score80% 73 % 
Learning Opportunities
  • Foster organizational alignment towards common goals.
  • Improve value delivery and workflow from strategy to delivery.
  • Showcase how SAFe® Principles enable business agility at scale.
  • Establish a Continuous Delivery Pipeline integrating DevOps practices.
  • Create cross-functional Agile Teams to support the organization’s goals.
  • Enhance communication and collaboration across all projects.
  • Embrace the Lean mindset and become a Lean-Agile leader.
  • Explore Lean-Agile leadership to foster the team’s adoption of SAFe core values.
  • Articulate and teach problem-solving techniques to promote a culture of relentless improvement.
  • Facilitate meetings and team learning events to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Discuss the role of the SAFe Scrum Master in supporting the organization’s SAFe adoption journey.
  • Highlight the responsibilities of SAFe Scrum Master within the Agile Release Train (ART) context.
  • Perform facilitation to ensure the team is prepared and ready for ART events.
  • Emphasize the importance of supporting estimation activities for effective planning and delivery.
Free AttemptsOneOne
Retake Cost$50$50
MembershipOne-year membership to the SAFe® Community PlatformOne-year membership to the SAFe® Community Platform

Which SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification should I take?

Get The Upcoming Sessions Details

Both the SA (SAFe® Agilist) certification training course and SSM (SAFe® Scrum Master) certification training course offer valuable benefits to professionals based on their individual needs and career aspirations. It is important to consider how each certification course can provide you with in-depth knowledge and skills relevant to the Scrum role, allowing you to effectively apply them in your job. Therefore, it is crucial to choose your certification course wisely. Additionally, selecting an experienced and knowledgeable trainer can greatly facilitate your certification journey and enhance your learning experience.

As an iZenBridge, we are a Silver Partner of Scaled Agile, which offers comprehensive and interactive certification and training for the Leading SAFe® program and SAFe® Scrum Master program.

Check out our calendar of upcoming sessions

DATE TIME (IST) TRAINER MODE INFORMATION REGISTER
11, 12 & 18 May 2024 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm  Saket Bansal Virtual Know More Enroll Now
1, 8 & 9 June 2024 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm  Saket Bansal Virtual Know More Enroll Now
29, 30 June & 7 July 2024 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm  Saket Bansal Virtual Know More Enroll Now

Name Date Trainer Place Details
SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) Certification 18 & 19 May 2024 Prashamsa India More Details

We are here to support you in realizing your professional aspirations and helping you take the first step towards your dreams. Get in touch with us today to begin your journey.

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