What is Advanced SPC?
This is a new certification path and our second advanced role course. This course is delivered as a modular and blended learning experience similar to Advanced Scrum Master (ASM). Advanced SPC also provides learners a chance to learn on the job while joining five short facilitated sessions that support applying and practicing what is learned, as well as providing peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Who is qualified to become an Advanced SPC?
It is a prerequisite for learners to be a current certified SPC (SPC6). While non-SPCs can be registered for the course they will not be able to teach other courses or complete enablements until an Implementing SAFe course is taken and the exam is passed to earn the traditional SPC certification.
How does this differ from the traditional certification courses?
This differs from our traditional certification courses in a few important areas.
This path supplies blended learning and a chance to apply what is learned in SAFe Skills rather than concentrating all learning on the time spent sitting in a course.
Additionally, the learning focuses on the skills someone practices in their role. In our traditional certification assessments, we test the knowledge and application of the SAFe role. The assessment for an advanced certificate is the practice session where the facilitator has a rubric that is followed to confirm the learners skills.
This path is meant to help someone advance while they are also continuing to be on the job and to fit those working-while-learning needs. It demands slightly fewer hours than a two-day course plus exam might; several of those hours can be done as self-directed learning.
How can I earn the recognition Advanced SPC (ASPC)?
The requirements to earn the ASPC badge and recognition will include having completed all of the work needed for the SAFe skill and four Micro-credentials in the path. It also includes attending and passing the Learning Lab. Advanced SPC recognitions will not be awarded to anyone who enrolls and is not a current, certified SPC (SPC6).
This learning path includes the following:
Writing Effective OKRs (SAFe Skill)
Developing an Implementation Strategy (Micro credential)
Excelling with LPM (Micro credential)
Engaging Leaders (Micro credential)
Cultivating a Culture of Relentless Improvement (Micro credential)
Advanced SPC Learning Lab (Facilitated Learning Lab)
How long does it take to complete all of the learning in the Advanced SPC Course?
It is possible for a trainer to offer course path over 3-5 days by offering some of the Micro-credential courses back to back on single days. We recommend that most deliveries allow SPCs to be “on the job” while taking time out for four-hour instructor lead sessions across 2-6 weeks. This supports SPC learners continuing to work as they learn, allowing the learning to “fit their calendar without having it take over their calendar.” Distributing the instructor-led sessions over several weeks has the added bonus of SPC learners using their current work experiences to reflect on what they are learning between sessions.
Total Projected learning hours for ASPC = about 25 learner hours
Who can deliver ASPC, is there an enablement?
Only SPCTs and iSPCTs can deliver (be the trainer for) ASPC. This does require that they have completed the necessary enablement to teach this Advanced Certification Path.
What are the recommended class/cohort sizes for ASPC?
For a single SPCT trainer, we recommend a cohort of about 12-16. If SPCTs are co-training, that could increase to 20-30 learners. The reason for this is that the learning content in the Micro-credentials and the Learning Lab includes significant application based activity and small group work and trainers need to be able to observe and occasionally prompt or redirect several small groups.
What is the recommended small group size for Micro-credential activities and Learning Lab scenarios?
We recommend very small groups for activities in Micro-credentials and scenario based learning in the Learning Lab; groups of two to three learners to help encourage participation and collaboration among peers.
What is a Learning Lab and how does it differ from a Micro-credential Course?
Here is a quick video explanation of learning labs vs. Micro-credential courses.
Although both Learning Labs and Micro-credentials are rostered, short courses, Learning Labs function differently from Micro-credentials. They are intended to support learners to put into use all of the learnings they have gained throughout the advanced role path. All advanced roles will include a Learning Lab at the end as a chance to:
Practice what has been learned cumulatively throughout all modules they’ve completed learning from with facilitator support and peer-learning
It also functions as the learner assessment to earn the certification
Currently, all advanced roles are planned to have a learning lab.
Curious about the exam?
You can click HERE to view the Study Guide. The SPC will need to be in good standing(valid SPC certification) to attempt the exam and earn the certification.
Design of the Course
The ASPC Course is designed to assess a learners skills and abilities (their knowledge has already be tested) which is why the skills, micro-credential course and learning lab all focus on a learners ability to demonstrate through activities, breakouts and rubric-based assessment when going through the learning lab case studies.
In the end, we have tested all three learner domains:
Knowledge (the recommended SPC certification)
Skills (Skills and Micro-credential activities and breakouts)
Abilities (Rubric-based learning lab)
Do learners have to complete items in order?
We are not enforcing an order of the SAFe Skill and four Microcredentials, so long as the Learning Lab is delivered last. Our early tests suggest there is a desirable flow in having the order of:
Writing Effective OKRs (SAFe Skill)
Developing an Implementation Strategy (Micro credential)
Excelling with LPM (Micro credential)
Engaging Leaders (Micro credential)
Cultivating a Culture of Relentless Improvement (Micro credential)
Advanced SPC Learning Lab (Facilitated Learning Lab)
It is important for the SAFe Skill and Micro-credentials to precede the Learning Lab as the scenarios and prompts in the learning lab assume that learners have already gained this knowledge.
Why aren’t learners able to earn an ASPC badge right now?
While Advanced SPC is in testing we are not awarding Advanced Certificate achievements. Once this advanced certification path receives a “go” decision, learners that participated in tests will be awarded this achievement. If we do not get a “go” decision then this achievement will not exist. By not giving out this achievement right now, we are avoiding having to rescind an achievement from alpha testers.
When will learners achieve the badge(s)?
The individual Microcredential course badges and the Advanced Certification for SPCs will be available to learners once we release these products in 2025.
How can I renew my ASPC certification?
The Advanced SPC certification is an Expert Level certification, like the SPC certification. There is an additional FAQ about how to renew your certifications here.
What happens if someone takes the Micro-credentials separately?
Currently, these four Micro-credentials are only available as part of ASPC. At the time of ASPC release, the only way to learn this content will be inside the ASPC path.
What does a version-less certification mean?
This renewable product currently does not need any continuing education to keep up with it only renewal as you would any other certification.
Having a version-less certification allows us to better manage the upkeep that happens when additional framework materials are developed. Because this certification is modeled around Skills and Micro-credential Courses, this certification path can see incremental improvements without having to adjust our completed Advance Certification product as a whole.
Additionally, this course can also be taught at any time with one consistent license, no need to upgrade licenses as the course itself is upgraded. Since it is being consistently updated along with the Framework, organizations do not need to upgrade their certified individuals every few years. This results in less manual tracking of individual certifications, assurance the Learning Lab is up-to-date with relevant content via an abilities assessment that asks people to demonstrate ability, rather than memorize content, and provides a continuous pipeline for their employees to engage with up to date content.
Will we be releasing ASPC in other languages?
Our goal is to focus on building high-quality learning for SPCs in English first. We do not yet have solid plans to localize this to other languages.
Does taking the ASPC course renew my existing SPC certification and membership?
At this time no, only taking an additional Implementing SAFe course renews your SPC and membership. That said, we are constantly looking to the feedback we receive about our Advanced Certification paths and evaluating for future updates.
Why is the badge image a new shape and design?
The new badge design is intended to be unique and represent the skills and abilities obtained through the Advanced Certification Course. This new design can sit very nicely next to other traditional certification badges to show an advancement in your role. The ribbon on the badge denotes its certification verification and renewable opportunity.
Do I need the ASPC to teach the LPM, APM, RTE and ASM courses?
Yes, we are making adjustments to our Training Policy. The ASPC certification will give you access to teach these courses. You can learn more about these dates and changes HERE.