SAFe-Agilist Leading the Change Practice Question
An organization is undergoing a SAFe transformation. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has publicly committed to the change and has allocated significant resources. However, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) continues to fund projects based on traditional annual budgets, causing friction with the Agile Release Trains that need flexible funding. The Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) wants to address this misalignment. According to SAFe, what is the most effective action for the LACE to take?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that a top-down mandate or ignoring the CFO will resolve the funding misalignment, when the real solution is education and engagement to build genuine buy-in.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Facilitate a workshop with the CFO and other executives to explain how Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) aligns funding with value streams.
The misalignment between traditional project funding and SAFe's value stream funding is a common obstacle. The LACE should address this by educating and engaging the CFO in Lean Portfolio Management (LPM). A workshop can help the CFO understand how LPM provides flexible funding aligned with value streams, enabling faster delivery. This collaborative approach builds buy-in and ensures the transformation is supported at the highest levels, rather than forced or ignored.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Instruct the Agile Release Trains to ignore the CFO's budget constraints and proceed with value stream funding.
Why it's wrong here
Encouraging ART to ignore the CFO would create conflict and undermine the transformation. It is not a constructive solution and could lead to financial chaos. SAFe promotes collaboration and alignment across all levels of the organization. The LACE should facilitate dialogue, not rebellion. This option is clearly wrong as it violates basic governance and respect for roles.
- ✓
Facilitate a workshop with the CFO and other executives to explain how Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) aligns funding with value streams.
Why this is correct
The most effective approach is to engage the CFO in a collaborative workshop to explain LPM and its benefits. This builds understanding and buy-in, addressing the root cause of the misalignment. By involving the CFO, the LACE can help them see how LPM enables flexible funding and better outcomes. This aligns with SAFe's emphasis on leadership alignment and education.
- ✗
Ask the CEO to mandate that the CFO adopt Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) practices immediately.
Why it's wrong here
A mandate from the CEO might force compliance, but it would likely create resistance and fail to build genuine understanding. SAFe emphasizes voluntary participation and leadership by example. The CFO needs to understand the benefits of LPM and how it supports the transformation. A top-down mandate without buy-in is not sustainable and contradicts Lean-Agile principles.
- ✗
Wait for the next fiscal year to propose a budget change to the CFO through formal channels.
Why it's wrong here
Waiting a year is too slow and allows misalignment to persist, hindering the transformation. SAFe encourages taking action to remove impediments quickly. The LACE should proactively engage the CFO now to address the issue. Delaying would cause continued friction and missed opportunities. This option is passive and ineffective for driving change.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Scaled Agile exam blueprint
This SAFe-Agilist practice question is part of Courseiva's free Scaled Agile certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SAFe-Agilist exam.