Choosing a SAFe training partner for your scaled Agile transformation can be a “roll of the dice” – with so many companies offering this service. Don’t gamble away this opportunity!
5 Questions to Ask
Here are 5 essential questions to ask when choosing a SAFe training partner:
- Who will be our instructor and what is their background?
Training companies should be able to name the instructor that will likely be scheduled to deliver your requested SAFe course. Look the instructor up on LinkedIn and check out their background. Make sure the trainer’s background is appropriate for answering tough questions from your attendees.
- How many times has the instructor delivered this course in the last 3 years?
Ideally you want an instructor that has delivered the course several times over the past 3 years and is very familiar with the course materials. Also keep in mind that the SAFe courses tend to be improved over time, so ensure that the instructor has relevant experience in the latest version of the course.
- What is the instructor’s SAFe transformation experience?
Anyone can deliver SAFe training after attending a 4-day Implementing SAFe class and passing the SPC certification exam. For the best classroom experience, make sure the instructor has relevant SAFe transformation experience. An experienced SAFe transformation coach can enhance the overall classroom experience with case studies and pragmatic advice from the real world.
- What is the instructor’s approach for making the class more engaging?
SAFe courses are notoriously long and can seem to be death by Powerpoint. In this day of virtual Zoom training, engagement becomes even more crucial in a remote setting. A talented SAFe instructor will tell a relevant story about the topic just covered, use additional videos, skip or swap out low-value activities, use a virtual whiteboard activity, inject case studies, and ask probing open-ended questions to ensure a high level of classroom engagement.
- How does the instructor ensure that the training sticks?
Training is often the first step in ensuring a common foundation of knowledge. But, knowledge is not understanding! Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the training sticks after the instructor’s time is done. The best SAFe instructors ensure that the transformation discussions continue well beyond the training dates with several powerful techniques such as facilitating thought-provoking discussions, asking for ownership at critical times during the course, facilitating volunteers for action items, and filling out a Desired Change Log artifact as the course progresses.
Summary
In summary, do your due diligence before investing in SAFe training!
Here at Agile Authority, our instructors all have deep SAFe transformation experience across multiple engagements. This allows us to tell stories and include pragmatic advice about when to use a SAFe practice and when not to. We also have 6 years of experience delivering high-quality SAFe training. Over these years we have learned how to ensure high levels of engagement from attendees with fun and thought-provoking activities. Yes, even in a virtual class!
Contact us for your SAFe training needs here.
For more on SAFe, visit here. For more on what all is typically involved in an Agile transformation, visit here.
In your opinion, what additional questions are missing in the list above?