A tailored course, built for your situation
Final Call on Framework Decisions Without Senior Review
Own the architecture and methodology choices in agile governance, no escalations, no delays, full authority
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
The situation this course is for
Who this is for
Senior agile governance practitioner leading enterprise SAFe adoption with formal responsibility for compliance, methodology, and cross-team alignment
Who this is not for
Individual contributors without framework ownership, team-level Scrum Masters, or those without formal governance mandates
What you walk away with
- Final authority on SAFe configuration decisions (e.g., PI planning cadence, ART boundaries)
- Sign-off ownership for governance artifacts like Solution Intent and Compliance Reviews
- No senior review required for standard backlog prioritization rules within guardrails
- Direct approval power on vendor toolchain selection for SAFe integrations
- Autonomous control over policy updates to Agile Release Train operating agreements
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining Your Governance Boundary
Clarify where your authority begins and ends in the SAFe governance model. Identify which decisions are yours to make, which require alignment, and which are out of scope.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping decision domains in SAFe
- Identifying owned vs shared controls
- Establishing governance scope
- Defining escalation thresholds
- Linking to compliance mandates
- Documenting authority baseline
- Aligning with legal touchpoints
- Setting change tolerance levels
- Using SSGB to reinforce control
- Integrating audit expectations
- Creating decision log templates
- Publishing governance charter
Module 2. Owning SAFe Configuration Choices
Take full control of SAFe framework setup including ART design, PI cycle length, and role definitions without requiring executive approval.
12 chapters in this module
- Setting ART boundaries
- Finalizing PI planning rhythm
- Choosing sync meeting frequency
- Defining RTE responsibilities
- Assigning product manager scope
- Approving enabler epic criteria
- Configuring solution train rules
- Deciding on Lean Board usage
- Selecting DevOps integration points
- Validating with compliance
- Documenting configuration decisions
- Archiving change justifications
Module 3. Governance Artifact Sign-Off Authority
Exercise unilateral approval over key governance outputs including Solution Intent, compliance checklists, and audit readiness packages.
12 chapters in this module
- Approving Solution Intent updates
- Signing off on test strategy
- Validating compliance checklists
- Releasing audit packages
- Reviewing traceability matrices
- Accepting risk acceptance forms
- Updating risk registers
- Closing control gaps
- Publishing governance reports
- Archiving approval trails
- Using templates for speed
- Embedding SSGB standards
Module 4. Backlog Prioritization Rules
Define and enforce prioritization logic for program and team backlogs within established guardrails, without requiring leadership alignment.
12 chapters in this module
- Setting WSJF parameters
- Adjusting weighting factors
- Approving capacity allocation
- Validating enabler distribution
- Confirming dependency mapping
- Finalizing NFR placement
- Reviewing architectural spikes
- Locking sprint goals
- Updating refinement criteria
- Publishing prioritization rules
- Documenting trade-off logic
- Auditing backlog decisions
Module 5. Vendor and Toolchain Selection
Make final decisions on tools for SAFe planning, compliance tracking, and DevOps integration, no procurement escalation needed.
12 chapters in this module
- Selecting SAFe planning tool
- Approving Jira configurations
- Choosing audit tracking system
- Validating API compatibility
- Signing off on security scans
- Accepting vendor SLAs
- Testing integration flows
- Approving UI customizations
- Setting user access rules
- Documenting vendor rationale
- Publishing toolchain standards
- Archiving selection packages
Module 6. Policy Updates and Operating Agreements
Issue and enforce updates to ART operating agreements and governance policies without senior review for standard changes.
12 chapters in this module
- Updating PI planning rules
- Amending retro formats
- Changing demo protocols
- Adjusting dependency tracking
- Finalizing escalation paths
- Revising compliance checklists
- Approving metric definitions
- Setting feedback cycles
- Publishing policy changes
- Communicating updates
- Archiving old versions
- Validating team adoption
Module 7. Compliance Integration Model
Build and maintain your own compliance integration framework that satisfies internal audit and regulatory expectations independently.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping controls to SAFe events
- Embedding audit checkpoints
- Creating evidence trails
- Linking to SOX requirements
- Validating with legal team
- Testing control effectiveness
- Updating for new mandates
- Automating compliance checks
- Publishing control summaries
- Training teams on compliance
- Documenting exceptions
- Archiving compliance runs
Module 8. Decision Validation Protocols
Use structured validation methods to justify and defend your framework decisions proactively, reducing downstream friction.
12 chapters in this module
- Building decision dossiers
- Running peer validation sessions
- Using SSGB tools for analysis
- Testing impact scenarios
- Gathering baseline metrics
- Simulating rollout effects
- Documenting assumptions
- Stress-testing logic
- Capturing feedback loops
- Refining before execution
- Publishing validation reports
- Archiving rationale packages
Module 9. Escalation Guardrails
Define clear, defensible boundaries for when escalation is required, so you retain authority by default, not exception.
12 chapters in this module
- Setting financial thresholds
- Defining regulatory triggers
- Identifying third-party dependencies
- Mapping legal exposure points
- Establishing reputational risks
- Creating escalation checklists
- Documenting decision authority
- Training teams on boundaries
- Publishing escalation flow
- Auditing past escalations
- Refining trigger logic
- Archiving boundary updates
Module 10. Cross-ART Alignment Framework
Lead alignment across multiple Agile Release Trains using your governance model as the standard, without waiting for executive mediation.
12 chapters in this module
- Setting common PI rhythms
- Aligning backlog structures
- Standardizing metrics
- Harmonizing tool usage
- Creating cross-ART forums
- Resolving dependency conflicts
- Approving shared resources
- Validating integration points
- Publishing alignment rules
- Training RTEs on standards
- Documenting agreements
- Archiving cross-ART decisions
Module 11. Governance Communication Playbook
Control the narrative around your decisions with clear, consistent communication that reinforces authority and reduces challenge frequency.
12 chapters in this module
- Crafting decision announcements
- Writing rationale summaries
- Creating visual decision logs
- Using email templates
- Running governance reviews
- Presenting to leadership
- Handling pushback scripts
- Publishing FAQs
- Training team leads
- Archiving comms history
- Measuring message adoption
- Refining tone and format
Module 12. Sustaining Decision Authority
Maintain long-term ownership by embedding your decision logic into tools, training, and rituals so your command becomes the default state.
12 chapters in this module
- Updating onboarding materials
- Revising training decks
- Embedding in tool defaults
- Linking to performance goals
- Creating certification paths
- Auditing compliance adoption
- Gathering feedback metrics
- Refining governance model
- Publishing evolution plan
- Archiving legacy decisions
- Celebrating authority wins
- Scaling to new domains
How this maps to your situation
- When setting up a new ART
- Before PI planning cycle begins
- After audit findings are reported
- During toolchain renewal discussions
Before vs. after
Before
Framework changes require alignment with multiple stakeholders and senior review, slowing execution and diluting ownership.
After
You make final, defensible decisions on SAFe governance, accelerating delivery while maintaining compliance and control.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 3-4 hours per module, recommended over 6-8 weeks for maximum integration with ongoing work.
How this compares to the alternatives
Generic SAFe training teaches roles and ceremonies. This course teaches how to own the framework. Competitor programs focus on team execution or exam prep. This is the only program that builds decision authority in enterprise agile governance.
Frequently asked
Is this course focused on SAFe 6 or earlier versions?
Covers principles and decision frameworks that apply across SAFe versions, with templates adaptable to your current release.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me if I’m not in tech?
Yes, this is designed for governance leads in financial services, including compliance, risk, and operations, not just technical teams.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, recommended over 6-8 weeks for maximum integration with ongoing work..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours