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Love it or Learn Again for Free Guarantee™, small class size, experienced trainer
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.
Your trainer, Arlen Bankston, has been active in the agile community for more than 25 years. During that time, he led two agile consultancies, funded and built his own products, led UX/UI work, and managed products within agile teams before coaching large-scale organizational transformations across dozens of companies.
This experience allows Arlen to focus the workshop on the practical side of facilitation. Participants learn techniques for guiding conversations, helping groups collaborate effectively, and creating productive working sessions. Students consistently appreciate the practical advice and real-world examples drawn from Arlen’s work with teams and organizations.
Arlen also draws on his background in instructional and game design to create engaging exercises that allow participants to practice facilitation techniques during the workshop.
Arlen was amazing, he took the time and effort to answer every question that I asked and others asked. I would definitely sign up for a course with him again.
Arlen was AWESOME in the CAL E & O course. I took away tons of stuff to try out with my organization. I will be back! I'll also send some colleges your way.
It was a great class and Arlen was an excellent instructor. He adapted and adjusted the focus of the course as we went to make sure that everyone in the class got the most they could out of it.
David Bulkin and Arlen (Grow-Lean) are great instructors! I've already taken part on three certifications provided by them, and am every time grateful that I took the time to do it. They have a lot of experience and thrive on teaching us how to use Scrum on an real-life Agile Environment! Would recommend to anyone!
Arlen is a wonderful instructor and comes prepared to coach up and down. He brings a wide variety of domain knowledge, practical shared experience, and remains open to ideas from students. A class is only as good as the instructor leading it. Thank you!
The entire course was well structured and started with asking attendees what they wanted from the course. Arlen made sure to check in multiple to make sure we were covering the topics we asked for from the beginning. I found the exercises to be very well thought out and beneficial to applying the techniques and topics reviewed.
Arlene was very much experienced and knowledgeable instructor who answered all our questions. Provided us opportunities to work on product. All the different breakout sessions helped us a lot.
This was an excellent class. There are several educational options out there, and I am glad I chose this one because Arlen's real-life experience and skill in designing this course made it valuable and fun. It was two days, and Arlen made it so relevant and interesting, I would be happy to spend many more days learning from him! Thank you!
Arlen is knowledgeable and clearly explained all the concepts
Great course. Interactive and very interesting. Arlen Bankston was a great instructor.
ARLEN IS A GREAT INSTRUCTOR! Scrum is about people > process, and Arlen made everyone feel like they were a part of the training! GREAT TRAINER!
Great course! The content was very relevant and the way it was presented made it immediately applicable. The collaborative nature of the course also enabled for more meaningful delivery of the concepts AND different perspectives on how to apply it. Arlen is great and I would definitely attend another session led by him in the future. Thanks!
Arlen is a skilled facilitator and brings a wealth of experience to the table. This enriches the experience significantly.
Great training with lots of additional, personalized material. Arlen was terrific.
Arlen was excellent and brought some excitement to the course. Perfect blend of practical exercises, class discussion and instructor lead information.
One of the better Agile courses I have taken. The content was very well presented, interesting, and useful. The format was engaging and interactive, and it moved at a smart pace (I didn't doze off once). The instructor (Arlen) clearly put a lot of effort into preparing the course material/resources. I would definitely recommend.
One reason I selected this course is it was completed without one PowerPoint slide. The instructor, Arlen Bankston, would facilitate the lesson and move the participants into break outs using a Mural board. It was beneficial to be hands on and partnering with others while learning.
Arlen was well organized and the class ran smoothly. I enjoyed that he not only knew the material but also the history behind it. The exercises were great.
Working Grow-Lean was a very professional company to work with. Their materials were informative and all of their correspondence was thorough and helped with learning the material.
The practice sessions, lecture material all very informative and very detailed. It would be good idea to provide how to's on MIRO software, but not critical. Whole class was very well instructed
Grow-lean mentors are very welcoming and always check on their students to make sure they are receiving they knowledge being transferred. I will definitely recommend it who ever try to enroll with Grow-lean
Had an informative and engaging time over these last two days learning all things Scrum! Grow-Lean definitely prepared me and I feel confident proceeding both into this exam as well as into my career! Any and all should come and take this course!
Loved the course, really interactive and with lots of useful exercises and examples on how to apply the practices we have been taught during the class. Would totally recommend it!
The class was very engaging, lots of discussion and fun as well. Instructor had a unique ways of explaining the concept. Loved it. The Mural board was a bit annoying in start and eventually got used to it.
Very detailed and engaging class. I like how interactive the class is and we got to collaborate in the different break-out rooms. I highly recommend Grow-lean and I plan on taking additional courses with them to advance my knowledge and career.
Get the best discounts specific to your situation
At Grow-Lean, we understand that job loss and financial hardships can be overwhelming. Many of our customers and community members have shared their challenges, and we want to help.
For a limited time, we are providing even deeper discounts, making it easier for you to continue learning and advance your career. This program applies courses taking place between now and 15 March 2026 and includes early bird (automatically applied), alumni, groups (3+ at one or many events), hardship, out of pocket, student, teacher and military. Apply for a discount on the session date you are interested in.
Use your mouse wheel, or finger to choose a discount, then click on it.
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
Your Primary Trainer
Arlen is the primary trainer for this session and will deliver the majority of, or all of, it.
Arlen Bankston, a pioneering figure in the agile movement, was one of the first to integrate lean systems thinking and user experience practices with agile software development methodologies. His innovative approach has left a lasting impact on the field.
Currently, Arlen is a sought-after coach and trainer, specializing in advanced courses such as the Advanced CSPO, Certified Scrum Professional PO, Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster, Certified Agile Leadership Essentials and Team, as well as custom sessions including the Grow-Lean Remote and Hybrid Work. His expertise extends beyond the realm of software, exploring Lean, Six Sigma, BPM and other process management and systems thinking approaches to provide organizations with a comprehensive perspective.
Arlen's journey in the agile world began with his early involvement in the Scrum Alliance (member number 41) and as one of the first Certified Scrum Trainers . He further expanded his knowledge by becoming a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt during his six-year tenure leading a Lean-Agile practice. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found the consultancy LitheSpeed, which he successfully led for fifteen years before joining Grow-Lean.
Known for his thought leadership and dynamic, entertaining, and practical training style, Arlen has trained and mentored thousands of ScrumMasters, Product Owners, team members and executives. He designed the Agile Leadership Academy to address the leadership and structural challenges that many successful companies still face.
Arlen's client list spans across every industry and includes notable names such as RBC, Monster, Marriott, NBC Universal, CNBC, NGA, Capital One, T. Rowe Price, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Armed Forces Benefits Association. His book “HR and the Agile Organization” provides valuable insights on how human resources departments can adapt to support organizations striving for adaptability while enhancing employee engagement and retention.
Co-Trainer Jessie Shternshus
Adjunct Trainer / Delivers Selected Material
Jessie is an adjunct trainer for the session and will be available to deliver a section or sections of the class material depending on class size, requirements and availability.
Jessie brings learning and collaboration to the next level as the founder and owner of the Improv Effect. Her applied improvisational techniques coupled with innovative and immersive experiences arm teams and organizations with the tools they need to create strong cultures and adapt to whatever comes their way. She embodies a culture of belonging and illustrates how play and curiosity helps teams tap into creativity and solve sticky problems.
She helps individuals, teams and companies shift their way of thinking, create collaborative environments and help people be their best selves through interactive and inclusive exercises. Jessie has been a key player in internal training and transformations for global companies and organizations such as The United Nations, Tyson Foods, PGATour, Ocean Spray, Mayo Clinic, Transferwise, Macy's, Johnson & Johnson, Getty Images, Adecco, CapitalOne, Crayola and many more. Her clients include cutting edge companies such as Coca-Cola, Crayola, Netflix, Capital One and Macy’s as well as a range of federal agencies such as the Department of Defense and the NSA.
She is the co-author of two books:
- CTRLShift 50 Games for 50 Days Like Today
- No More Meetings Unlearn ”bored room” Practices to Change the Way We Connect
Jessie has been a Keynote Speaker at conferences and Fortune 500 companies worldwide
- Keynote for Capital One's Agile Delivery Forum 2015, 2017, 2022
- Keynote for Agile Australia 2018
- Keynote for Craft Conf Budapest 2017
- Keynote for Agile 2015
Jessi is co-host of the Women Who Change Tech Podcast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Session Schedule
Certified Agile Facilitator (CAF)
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Certified Agile Facilitator Thu, 26 Mar to Fri, 27 Mar 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EDT) Online - 2 days Discounts |
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Certified Agile Facilitator Mon, 20 Apr to Tue, 21 Apr 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EDT) Online - 2 days Discounts |
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Certified Agile Facilitator Thu, 25 Jun to Fri, 26 Jun 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EDT) Online - 2 days Discounts |
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Thu, 26 Mar 10:00 AM (EDT) |
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Fri, 27 Mar 6:00 PM (EDT) |
Online - 2 days |
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Mon, 20 Apr 10:00 AM (EDT) |
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Tue, 21 Apr 6:00 PM (EDT) |
Online - 2 days |
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Thu, 25 Jun 10:00 AM (EDT) |
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Fri, 26 Jun 6:00 PM (EDT) |
Online - 2 days |
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