This 4-week study plan is designed to help you prepare for the SAFe-POPM certification exam effectively. We will focus on mastering key topics like PI Planning, iteration execution, and the roles of Product Owner (PO) and Product Manager (PM). The plan incorporates the Pomodoro Technique for focused study sessions and spaced repetition to enhance retention based on the Forgetting Curve.

Plan Structure:

• Total Duration: 4 weeks
• Daily Study Time: 2-3 hours (6 Pomodoros per day)
• Study Method: Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes study + 5-minute breaks)
• Review Method: Spaced repetition to reinforce memory retention

Week 1: SAFe Overview and Roles of PO/PM

• Goal: Understand the SAFe framework, its core principles, and the roles and responsibilities of Product Owner (PO) and Product Manager (PM).

Day 1-2: Introduction to SAFe and Lean-Agile Principles

Tasks:

1. Read about the Lean-Agile mindset, SAFe core values (alignment, built-in quality, transparency, and program execution), and principles.
2. Watch a video or read about Agile Release Train (ART), the PI cycle, and how these structures support continuous delivery and program execution.
3. Take notes on how the ART facilitates collaboration across teams in a large enterprise.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Study Lean-Agile principles—what they are and how they shape SAFe.
• Session 2: Understand the SAFe core values and how they support product development.
• Session 3: Study the structure and role of the Agile Release Train (ART).
• Session 4: Overview of the Program Increment (PI) and its significance in delivering value incrementally.
• Review: Summarize the main points using flashcards or a mind map. Use spaced repetition to reinforce concepts.

Day 3-4: Understanding Product Owner (PO) and Product Manager (PM) Roles

Tasks:

1. Read about the responsibilities of Product Owner (PO) and Product Manager (PM) in SAFe. Understand how they align with business goals.
2. Create a comparison table showing the differences in responsibilities between PO and PM. Use real-life examples for clarity.
3. Study how POs and PMs collaborate to manage the backlog, define features, and set priorities.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Learn about the Product Owner’s role in backlog management and how they work with development teams.
• Session 2: Study the Product Manager’s role in aligning product vision with business goals.
• Session 3: Review how PO and PM collaborate and split their responsibilities.
• Session 4: Case study: Analyze a scenario where the PO and PM must coordinate a feature delivery.
• Review: Use flashcards and summaries to reinforce the distinctions between PO and PM roles.

Day 5-6: Apply Concepts to Real-Life Scenarios

Tasks:

1. Work on case studies where you need to prioritize a backlog or coordinate between the PO and PM.
2. Simulate a PI planning session by selecting key features and determining how to prioritize them based on business goals and dependencies.
3. Practice problem-solving: Work through issues such as team misalignment or conflicting priorities and decide how the PO/PM roles would resolve them.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Backlog prioritization exercise—how to select and prioritize key features based on business goals.
• Session 2: Case study on coordinating between the PO and PM to ensure feature delivery.
• Session 3: Problem-solving session on handling misalignment during development.
• Session 4: Key takeaways from the week—review core concepts and rework any difficult areas.
• Review: Reflect on lessons learned and revisit any areas of confusion.

Week 2: PI Planning Preparation and Leadership in PI Planning

• Goal: Master PI Planning preparation steps and understand how leadership is crucial in executing PI Planning effectively.

Day 1-2: PI Planning Preparation

Tasks:

1. Study the process of setting business goals for the Program Increment (PI) and how they drive feature development.
2. Learn how to prioritize features and stories based on business needs, customer demands, and market trends.
3. Understand dependencies between teams and how the PO/PM works to ensure these dependencies are managed effectively during PI planning.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Understand how to set clear business goals that align with the overall product vision.
• Session 2: Learn how to prioritize features by balancing business needs, customer requirements, and technical feasibility.
• Session 3: Focus on managing cross-team dependencies during PI planning.
• Session 4: Case study: Simulate the preparation phase of a PI Planning session.
• Review: Use spaced repetition to reinforce concepts around PI preparation and feature prioritization.

Day 3-4: Leadership in PI Planning

Tasks:

1. Learn how to lead cross-team collaboration and facilitate smooth PI Planning.
2. Study risk management techniques to proactively address potential obstacles during PI planning and execution.
3. Work on case studies to simulate the role of a leader in real-life PI Planning scenarios.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Learn how to facilitate collaboration between teams during PI Planning.
• Session 2: Study how to identify and manage risks that may arise during PI Planning.
• Session 3: Practice real-time adjustments when priorities or risks shift during the PI.
• Session 4: Scenario-based learning: Work on case studies where leadership in PI planning is critical.
• Review: Summarize and quiz yourself on leadership responsibilities in PI Planning.

Day 5-6: Review and Practice

Tasks:

1. Apply leadership concepts in a simulated PI planning session.
2. Practice identifying and mitigating risks during PI execution, adjusting priorities as necessary.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Practice scenario: Leading a PI planning session and coordinating teams.
• Session 2: Analyze how to resolve conflicts and adjust priorities during PI execution.
• Session 3: Final review: Key points of PI Planning preparation and leadership.
• Session 4: Mock questions on PI Planning leadership and management.
• Review: Flashcards and summaries of core concepts using spaced repetition.

Week 3: Iteration Execution and Continuous Feedback

• Goal: Understand the details of effective iteration execution and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Day 1-2: Iteration Execution Process

Tasks:

1. Learn how to plan iterations and make sure the goals are achievable within the iteration.
2. Study how to support daily stand-ups to ensure smooth progress and resolve any roadblocks the team faces.
3. Understand the role of the PO in managing iteration goals and providing clarity on user stories.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Learn how to plan effective iterations by selecting achievable goals from the backlog.
• Session 2: Study the PO’s role in daily stand-up meetings and resolving blockers.
• Session 3: Learn how to adjust iteration goals as new information arises.
• Session 4: Practice a case study on iteration planning.
• Review: Use flashcards and summarize key points.

Day 3-4: Continuous Feedback and Optimization

Tasks:

1. Study the importance of reviews and retrospectives to gather feedback and optimize the product and process.
2. Learn how to gather feedback from stakeholders to ensure that the delivered features align with business needs.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Learn how to conduct end-of-iteration reviews and demonstrate completed work to stakeholders.
• Session 2: Study how to hold effective retrospectives that lead to process improvement.
• Session 3: Understand how to optimize processes based on feedback.
• Session 4: Case study: Using feedback to improve iteration execution.
• Review: Flashcards and quizzes on the iteration execution process.

Day 5-6: Review and Practice

Tasks:

1. Review iteration planning and execution and test your understanding with mock scenarios.
2. Work through practice questions to reinforce key concepts around iteration execution.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Review iteration execution and identify key steps for success.
• Session 2: Practice scenario: Resolving issues during iteration execution.
• Session 3: Retrospective review—how to gather and implement feedback.
• Session 4: Quiz on iteration planning and feedback.
• Review: Use spaced repetition to solidify key concepts.

Week 4: PI Execution and Final Review

• Goal: Apply all learned concepts to manage Program Increment (PI) execution and prepare for the final exam with mock tests and review sessions.

Day 1-2: PI Execution

Tasks:

1. Study how to manage continuous delivery of features during the Program Increment (PI). Learn how to track progress and make necessary adjustments to keep all teams aligned with PI goals.
2. Understand how to conduct system demos where completed work is presented to stakeholders for feedback.
3. Review how to evaluate the value delivered in each PI and how to ensure that features meet business objectives.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Learn how to manage incremental development—continuously delivering features and making adjustments based on progress.
• Session 2: Study how to track the progress of all teams during a PI and adjust priorities or scope if needed.
• Session 3: Learn how to conduct System Demos to showcase delivered work and gather stakeholder feedback.
• Session 4: Review how to evaluate the business value delivered at the end of a PI cycle.
• Review: Flashcards on key concepts of PI execution and delivery, along with quizzes for reinforcement.

Day 3-4: Final Exam Review and Mock Tests

Tasks:

1. Review all major topics covered in the course, including PI planning, iteration execution, and PO/PM roles.
2. Take mock exams to simulate the exam environment and help you assess your readiness.
3. Review your performance on the mock tests, focusing on areas where you need improvement.

Pomodoro Sessions:

• Session 1: Take a mock test that focuses on PI planning and leadership roles.
• Session 2: Take another mock test focused on iteration execution and feedback loops.
• Session 3: Review the results of the mock tests and focus on areas where you struggled.
• Session 4: Go over the flashcards and summaries of key topics to solidify your understanding.
• Review: Continue spaced repetition to reinforce concepts, focusing on weak areas identified in the mock exams.

Weekly Review Using Spaced Repetition

To ensure retention and reinforce learning, use spaced repetition for continuous review:

• Day 2: Review the concepts learned on Day 1.
• Day 4: Review the concepts from Days 1 and 3.
• Day 7: Quick review of all concepts from the week using flashcards or notes.

Tips for Success

1. Use Pomodoro breaks wisely: Take short breaks between study sessions to relax, stretch, or grab a snack to keep your focus sharp.
2. Spaced repetition: Regularly review concepts using flashcards and summaries to reinforce memory over time.
3. Take mock exams under timed conditions: This will simulate the actual test and help you build confidence.
4. Reflect on your learning after each week: Identify areas of weakness and spend extra time reviewing them.

This comprehensive 4-week SAFe-POPM study plan combines focused learning with practical application through case studies and mock tests. By following the plan, you will be well-prepared to take the SAFe-POPM certification exam and gain a deep understanding of the key topics required for success.