What’s Included in the SAFe POPM Training? A Breakdown

Blog Author

Siddharth

Published

2 Apr, 2025

As Agile practices gain momentum in large enterprises, the demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between strategy and execution is skyrocketing. Enter the SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) certification—a game changer for individuals aiming to lead Agile teams within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). But what’s actually included in the SAFe POPM training? Is it just theory, or does it deliver actionable knowledge that can be applied immediately?

In this post, we break down everything you’ll gain from the SAFe POPM training course—what it covers, the practical tools it provides, and how it shapes you into a capable leader of product development at scale.

A Quick Overview of the SAFe POPM Certification

Before we dive into the contents of the training, it’s essential to understand the certification’s purpose. The SAFe Product Owner/Manager certification equips professionals with the tools and techniques to perform the roles of Product Owner and Product Manager within the SAFe framework. This dual-role focus is unique—it helps bridge the tactical work of delivery teams with the strategic vision held by business stakeholders.

What’s Included in the SAFe POPM Training?

The SAFe POPM training is a comprehensive two-day workshop that combines theory, practical exercises, group activities, and discussions. Here's a complete breakdown of what’s covered:

1. Understanding the SAFe Framework and Lean-Agile Principles

The course kicks off with a strong foundation in SAFe and Lean-Agile principles. It helps participants understand how SAFe enables business agility at scale, and where the roles of Product Owner and Product Manager fit into the broader framework.

You’ll explore:

The Lean-Agile mindset and SAFe Core Values
Principles behind SAFe, such as flow, innovation, and relentless improvement
Agile product delivery within SAFe

By the end of this section, you’ll have clarity on how your role aligns with SAFe’s strategic goals and enterprise objectives.

2. Exploring the Roles of the Product Owner and Product Manager

This section dives into the core responsibilities of both roles. Unlike many other frameworks that separate the PO and PM functions entirely, SAFe integrates them to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Key learning outcomes include:

Defining the responsibilities of the Product Owner vs. Product Manager
Understanding how both roles contribute to backlog refinement, prioritization, and delivery
Identifying how POs and PMs engage with Agile teams, stakeholders, and the Agile Release Train (ART)

Whether you're aiming for a SAFe Product Owner Certification or transitioning into a dual-role setup, this part helps you navigate the nuances with confidence.

3. Customer-Centric Mindset and Design Thinking

Modern product development demands a customer-first approach. The SAFe POPM training places a heavy focus on customer-centricity, guiding participants to move beyond just delivering features and instead deliver value.

You’ll learn how to:

Apply design thinking to create products your customers actually need
Understand customer journeys and pain points
Use personas and empathy maps for better product decisions

This section ensures you’re not just executing tasks but solving real-world problems in a way that delivers measurable outcomes.

4. Program Increment (PI) Planning and Execution

PI Planning is the heartbeat of SAFe. It’s the event where Agile teams align around shared goals and plan their work for the next 8–12 weeks.

During training, you'll:

Participate in a simulated PI Planning event
Learn how to prepare for PI Planning as a PO or PM
Understand the role of Product Owners and Product Managers during and after the PI
Learn to manage Program Backlogs, refine features and user stories, and ensure value delivery

This simulation alone makes the SAFe POPM training worth the investment. It provides a real-world look at how to drive alignment across teams and avoid execution pitfalls.

5. Backlog Management and Prioritization Techniques

A major chunk of the POPM role involves backlog refinement and prioritization. The training provides practical tools and frameworks you can start using immediately.

You’ll discover:

How to build, prioritize, and maintain team and program backlogs
Using WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) to make prioritization decisions
Techniques for writing effective features, user stories, and acceptance criteria

These are the nuts and bolts that enable smooth execution and predictable delivery.

6. Collaboration with Agile Teams and Stakeholders

Execution isn’t a solo game. The training emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and communication across teams and business units.

You’ll gain insights on:

Managing stakeholder expectations
Working effectively with Scrum Masters, System Architects, and Business Owners
Facilitating team alignment and feedback loops

If you’re looking to enhance your leadership presence in an Agile organization, this segment prepares you for the kind of high-value conversations that drive results.

7. Metrics and Continuous Improvement

Finally, the course introduces key SAFe metrics to measure product performance and team effectiveness.

You’ll learn about:

Flow metrics, customer satisfaction, and outcome-based KPIs
Using Inspect and Adapt workshops to improve processes
Enabling relentless improvement as a POPM

This focus on metrics ensures you're not just delivering outputs but continuously improving the value you deliver.

Post-Training Benefits: What You Get Beyond the Classroom

When you enroll in a SAFe POPM Certification course, you also receive access to the following:

One-year membership to the SAFe Community Platform
Study materials and practice tests to help you prepare for the certification exam
SAFe POPM exam (included in the course fee)
Digital badge for social sharing and verification
Access to ongoing learning resources and communities of practice

Is This Training Right for You?

If you are:

A Product Owner or Product Manager working in an enterprise setting
A business analyst, Agile coach, or delivery lead aiming to step into a product role
Someone with experience in Agile and looking to expand into the SAFe environment

Then the SAFe POPM training is a solid step forward in your career.

It not only deepens your understanding of Agile product management but also gives you the tools to implement it at scale—something that's critical in modern enterprises.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what’s included in the SAFe POPM training can help you decide whether this certification aligns with your career goals. The course offers a hands-on, real-world approach to mastering both strategic and tactical aspects of Agile product management. It’s more than just a certification—it’s a transformative experience that positions you as a leader in Agile delivery.

Ready to take the next step? Enroll in a certified SAFe Product Owner/Manager certification course and start building the skills that matter in today’s Agile enterprises.