Certified Agile Facilitator Logo

Certified Agile Facilitator

Tired of awkward meetings, disengaged teams, and misaligned stakeholders?

Learn to lead powerful, purposeful conversations that drive results. The Certified Agile Facilitation (CAF) Workshop helps you become the facilitator your teams need to solve problems, build trust, and deliver value.

Learn from two leading voices in agile facilitation

Co-designed and co-trained by Arlen Bankston and Jessie Shternshus, this 100% live and interactive workshop gives you real-world tools and experience using Zoom, Mural, Mentimeter, and AI-powered collaboration.

Student Testimonials

Vetted reviews from class attendees

4.89 - 206 reviews
5.00 - 82 reviews
4.90 - 872 reviews

Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF) Testimonials

Session Schedule

Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF)

Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF)
 26
Thu Mar
thru
 27
Fri Mar
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF)
 20
Mon Apr
thru
 21
Tue Apr
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF)
 25
Thu Jun
thru
 26
Fri Jun
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

Want to bring a training to your team or organization?
Contact us to discuss options for private workshops.

Training Discounts

A variety of discounts to fit your situation.

Request your discount on the session (a class on date/time with a trainer) you want. If more than one discount applies explain in your comments.

You can pay in installments by choosing Splitit at checkout.

For Grow-Lean Alumni, log in or use your account email when registering, and receive an automatic discount. If you also qualify for another discount, request it, and, if your email matches, we know you are an alumni.

If you have a Visa or Mastercard credit card you can pay in monthly installments. There are no fees or interest if you pay on time! Your available credit must be enough to cover the full cost and there is a hold on your credit card for the amount that you have not paid.

For example, if your final fee is $999 and you choose three installments:

  • You would pay $333 today and have a $666 hold placed on your credit card.
  • The following month your credit card would be charged another $333 and the hold would be reduced to $333.
  • Your final payment would be $333.

If you are not familiar with the term "hold" this is similar to what hotels do when you check in, to cover extra expenses you may incur including the mini bar.

The benefit to you is that you do not pay any interest or fees if all payments are on time.

Find Session

Find the session you want on the class list, then click "Discounts" link. Early-bird discounts do not need to be requested.

Choose Discounts

You will be on the discounts tab for the class.

Select Discount

Choose the appropriate discount then click the link for it. Not all discounts are available for all sessions.

Enter & Submit

Provide the requested information then click "Submit".

Early Bird
Early Bird

Combines With: Everything

Able to register in advance?

The Early Bird discount is available on many of classes.

There is no need to request it. Simply register while it is available.

If you receive another discount it will combine with the Early Bird.

Out of Pocket
Out of Pocket

Combines With: Alumni, Early Bird

Paying yourself and won't be reimbursed?

The Out of Pocket is for you if you won't be reimbursed. If you are unemployed, a military veteran, or a student request the appropriate discount.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Group & Private
Group & Private

Combines With: Early Bird

Bringing friends or colleagues to one or more sessions or want a private session?

The Group and Private Discounts are for sending three or more attendees to one or more events or for private events (i.e. just for your team).

To request, choose a session (class on a date with a trainer) you are interested in, click the Discount Link, and when filling out the form describe your situation.

Our Training Team will reach out to you.

Alumni
Alumni

Combines With: Early Bird, Hardship, Out of Pocket, Student, Veteran

Get 5% off for each public session, over $225, you took with us, up to 20%.

The Alumni Discount provides you discounted rates to future Grow-Lean training.

For each Grow-Lean session* you take with us, at a rate of $225 or above, you accumulate another 5% off of a future training, up to 20% off*.

* We have a small number of partner events where the alumni discount does not apply.

Hardship
Hardship

Combines With: Early Bird, Alumni

Suffering an economic hardship and able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement?

The Hardship Discount is for you if you are suffering an economic hardship and are able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement and are not being reimbursed.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Student & Educator
Student & Educator

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you a full-time student or educator, with a .edu email address?

The Student Discount is for you if you are a full-time student or educator with a .edu email address.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us your major and expected graduation date or explain what you teach and where.

Military & Veteran
Military & Veteran

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you active duty military or a veteran?

The Military / Veteran Discount is applicable if you are active duty, reserve, or retired from the military.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us if you will be reimbursed or not.

Get the best value for your training dollar.
Competitive pricing, reputable provider, no hidden costs, and experienced trainer.

Grow Your Career, Grow Your Organization

What You Will Learn

Facilitation supports groups of people as they collaborate, create, and make decisions. The Certified Agile Facilitator course provides training for anyone interested in developing their facilitation mindset and knowledge while learning from experienced agile practitioners.

Foundations of Facilitation

Foundations of Facilitation

Learn what facilitation really means and when to apply a facilitative stance. Define the characteristics of an effective facilitator and adopt the mindset needed to guide teams through meaningful conversations.

You will explore how to define facilitation, recognize when to use it, and embody the mindset of an effective facilitator.

Understanding a Group’s Context and Needs

Understanding a Group’s Context and Needs

Learn to identify the purpose and intended outcomes for a session while assessing environmental context and group norms that impact participation.

You will explore multiple approaches based on team maturity, understand components of psychological safety, and plan for sessions on forming, conflict, safety, and agreements.

Facilitation Techniques

Facilitation Techniques

Practice effective facilitation in holding to a group’s agenda, ethical conduct and alliance design.

You will foster psychological safety, define collaborative space, and try out techniques to establish your facilitation presence before, during, and after a session.

The Orientation of a Facilitator

The Orientation of a Facilitator

What does it mean to manage from the front, back, and inside?  Learn how to perform optimally when preparing a collaborative space, dealing with emerging situations within a group and managing your own behavior and emotions.

You will examine techniques for group decision-making, deep listening, and delivering and receiving feedback. The course also explores emotional intelligence and self-awareness as foundational facilitation capabilities.

Facilitating through Conflict, Reflection, and Co-Facilitation

Facilitating through Conflict, Reflection, and Co-Facilitation

Learn how to navigate conflict in ways that protect group safety and maintain creative tension. Discover how to recognize when conflict shifts from constructive to destructive and explore techniques for keeping the group productive.

You will also design plans that move ideas forward, reflect on what worked, and practice co-facilitating sessions that lead to better results through shared ownership.

Should You Take the Course?

If you want better collaboration and outcomes

Do You Want to Produce Positive Outcomes?

Ensure every voice is heard, build psychological safety, and run meetings that produce real outcomes. CAF teaches practical techniques to design inclusive conversations, guide group decision-making, and keep teams focused and productive. If you care about helping groups work better together, this course gives you the tools to make a measurable difference across projects, teams, and organizations.

Are You in a Role that Involves Collaboration?

Professionals from any role that involves collaboration will gain value from CAF. The skills taught here strengthen your ability to lead constructive dialogue, resolve conflicts, and surface the best ideas, enabling your team to tackle complex problems more effectively and deliver stronger results.

Team Leaders & Facilitators
  • Anyone who wants to build highly relevant facilitation skills to have more impactful conversations, meetings, and interactions at work
  • People leading teams
  • Professional facilitators
Scrum & Agile Professionals
  • Scrum masters, product owners, agile team members
  • Current and aspiring agile coaches
  • Agile consultants and team members
Certified Scrum Professionals

CSP-SM, CSP-PO, CSP-D and people who hold other advanced certifications holders seeking to validate an important skill set on their journey as agile coaches

Anyone Seeking Better Collaboration
  • Professionals who want to guide large meetings with competing stakeholders
  • Those looking to improve one-on-ones and team interactions

What You Get

Globally recognized cert with great learning

With these skills, you can increase the impact and efficiency of any conversation or collaboration. Have better one-on-ones, guide large meetings with competing stakeholders, and make sure you're showing up for your team whenever you meet. It's all possible with strong facilitation know-how.

Certification

Certification from the Scrum Alliance, the world's first agile certification body.

SEUs and PDUs

For those with a Scrum Alliance Certification, two more years of certification. For a PMI Certification, 14 Professional Development Units.

Support Innovation

Support innovation with effective facilitation in any interaction.

Global Recognition

Receive a globally recognized certification to prove your skill set.

Save Time & Money

Save organizations time and money by guiding focused, productive collaboration.

Navigate Conflict

Guide groups through conflict and varied opinions to reach creative solutions.

Increase Commitment

Increase a group's commitment and buy-in by ensuring diverse voices and perspectives are included and valued.

Career Advancement

Boosts credibility, helps you stand out in the job market, and can lead to higher earning potential as a sought-after skill.

Key Details

Gain practical skills that make you a stronger facilitator

A Hands-On, Interactive Experience

Assess your skills as a facilitator and get tips for improving.

Experience over 35 exercises and 10+ games that you can immediately apply.

Practice planning and running meetings that lead to clear outcomes.

Learn practical tools to structure collaborative conversations and decision-making.

Leave with real confidence and a toolkit you’ll use for the rest of your career.

Practical and Real

  • Apply tools and mental models to common situations like forming teams and collaborating with stakeholders.
  • Explore novel and engaging ways to run typical agile sessions like the Daily Scrum, Retrospective and Sprint Review.
  • Assess your personal skills and highlight specific ways to amplify your strengths and shore up your weak spots.

Choose an Experienced Trainer


Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

Arlen Bankston has been a thought leader in the agile community for 26 years. He led two consultancies for over 20 years, funding and building products, leading UX/UI work, and managing products within agile teams before coaching large-scale organizational transformations across dozens of companies. This means you’ll get practical, situationally specific advice instead of theoretical hand-waving.

Jessie Shternshus

Jessie Shternshus is the creative force behind unforgettable “aha” moments in leadership, communication, and connection. A master of applied improvisation, she turns boardrooms into playgrounds for innovation, helping global companies like Netflix, the UN, and Capital One find clarity through curiosity and storytelling. Whether she’s coaching an executive, crafting a keynote, or leading a workshop with her signature warmth and wit, Jessie helps people unlock their potential, speak with presence, and play their way through change.

Fill Your Facilitation Toolbox

Fill Your Facilitation Toolbox

Learn a host of unique tools, patterns, tips and tricks, as well as strategies for creating them yourself. Leave ready to apply your new-found knowledge immediately.

Do you have problems engaging everyone in a group?
We will apply proven patterns for engaging different personality types or people with varied motivations, and help you establish your personal presence.
Do you have to deal with problem people?
We will walk through some common types of conflict situations and practice strategies for making your way through with grace and poise.
Do you find most classes boring?
You won't this time! Jessie literally runs an improv acting company and is a master of facilitation and exercise design, while Arlen is among the original Agilists, with a deep user experience and training background that he uses to deliver fun, polished experiences.
Grow-Lean Uplift Your Future program banner
UpLift Your Future Program
Facing a hardship?
We’re offering extra support.

When we lift each other up, we all rise to new heights

We have heard from many students about their challenges with job loss and the fear of it.

We have expanded our discounts from now through March 15, 2026, to help you keep moving forward.

Deep discounts are available for:

  • Students, Vets, Active Military
  • Groups and Not-Profit-Organizations
  • Individuals facing financial hardship

Browse our upcoming sessions, pick a session, and select the “Discounts” link to apply.

Let’s navigate this journey together.

100% Live Online Training
No Outside Work Required

Get Certified by taking the class

Earn your certification in a 100% live, online class, with no additional / outside work required. We do ask that you read the Scrum Guide which is at most 30 minutes of time.

The class has exercises followed by discussion and reflection about real-world opportunities and challenges.

Avoid offline study and low interaction training by signing up today.

Benefit from a Free Retake
Love it or Learn Again
for Free Guarantee™

Ensure Your Quality

Want more value from the session we will work with you to make it happen with options including a free retake and/or one-on-one support.

Get the best quality training from a provider you can trust.

Don't Get Lost in the Crowd
Small Class Size. Big Impact!

Get Individual Attention

Other providers often pack 50+ students into a class. At Grow-Lean, we keep class sizes small, so you can get more personalized attention, deeper engagement, and direct access to your trainer.

With fewer distractions and more chances to ask questions, you'll leave the course better prepared to apply your learning in real-world situations.

Secure your spot and experience the Grow-Lean difference.

Why Choose Grow-Lean?

Longest tenured trainers, smaller classes and higher quality.

  • Small group of elite, experienced, experts.
  • The highest quality for a fair price.
  • Caring customer support before and after training.
  • Interactive class experience.
  • Everything is included. No hidden fees!
  • Trainers are practitioners, not talking heads!
  • Unique exercises, templates and approaches.
  • Small class size so you get personal attention.
Contact Us