Scaling Business Agility and Agile Planning with the Scaled Agile Framework
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe) provides a structured approach for scaling agile across multiple teams and programs to achieve better business outcomes. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what SAFe is, its key principles and practices, benefits, and how to implement it.
SAFe is one of the most effective frameworks for scaling agile in large enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees working on multiple projects. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across all levels of an organization. By providing a common language and cadence, SAFe helps coordinate the work of multiple agile teams to build large, complex solutions in a structured manner.
In this 4000-word guide, you’ll learn:
What is the Scaled Agile Framework and what problems does it solve
Key principles and practices of SAFe
Main components and roles in SAFe implementation
Essential SAFe configuration for starting with SAFe
Benefits of using SAFe and results achieved by organizations
SAFe implementation roadmap and launch checklist
FAQ on adopting SAFe, training, and certifications
So if you want to understand how leading enterprises like IBM, Cisco, HP, Intel, and others are leveraging SAFe to achieve business agility, increased productivity, and quicker time-to-market, then this guide is for you. Let’s get started.
What is The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) provides a structured model for scaling scrum-based agile practices across the enterprise. It helps coordinate the work of multiple scrum teams working on a portfolio of projects.
Created by Dean Leffingwell and colleagues in 2007, SAFe integrates principles and practices from lean, systems thinking, agile development, scrum, kanban, and more. It provides an end-to-end view of value delivery across large organizations.
SAFe helps businesses address challenges like:
Coordinating the work of multiple scrum teams working on large projects and programs
Managing dependencies and scaling communication between multiple teams
Aligning teams to organization’s business objectives and improving visibility
Implementing lean-agile practices across the portfolio, programs, teams, and culture
In a nutshell, SAFe provides a framework for scaling scrum-based agile development to the enterprise level. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across large product and solution portfolios.
The SAFe principles align with the values and principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. However, it provides more specific guidance around scaling. Let’s look at the core values next.
SAFe Core Values and Principles
SAFe is based on nine core values and beliefs:
Take an economic view - The highest business value governs all decisions
Apply systems thinking - Continuously visualize and improve the whole, not just the parts
Assume variability, preserve options - Adapt solutions and decisions to current knowledge
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Grow systems iteratively and incrementally
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems - Anchor all decisions on demonstrated system capabilities, not plans or documents
Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch size, and manage queue lengths - Limit work in process to match capacity
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning - Organize development around fixed, repeatable cycles
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers - Let workers self-organize around problems, build a shared vision, and hold each other accountable
Decentralize decision-making - Push authority and decision-making down to the level of real information
Additionally, SAFe promotes twelve underlying principles derived from lean, systems thinking, scrum, and agile development:
Take an economic view
Apply systems thinking
Assume variability; preserve options
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
Visualize and limit work in process (WIP), reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
Decentralize decision-making
Organize around value
Enable self-organization within boundaries
Grow actively and evolve continually
With a strong foundation established, let’s look at how SAFe is structured and some of the key components involved in implementation.
SAFe Configuration Levels
SAFe has four configuration levels, allowing it to scale up or down depending on the size and context of an organization:
1. Essential SAFe
Essential SAFe is the foundation for implementing SAFe and should be the starting point for most organizations. It focuses on the team and program level and covers the critical roles, events, and activities needed to build solutions successfully.
Essential SAFe establishes Team and Program Increment (PI) cycles which synchronize teams to a single cadence and continuous flow of value. It introduces key roles like System/Solution Architect, Product Manager, Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the roles needed to establish the Agile Release Train (ART).
2. Large Solution SAFe
The Large Solution Level expands the Framework to support building the largest and most complex solutions that require multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and suppliers.
It coordinates multiple ARTs through the Solution Train, which uses Value Stream Coordination, Solution Intent, Solution Context, and Solution Backlogs to connect and align ARTs to the portfolio vision and backlogs.
3. Portfolio SAFe
Portfolio SAFe helps the enterprise align software development around a common strategy across a portfolio of large solutions. It does this by establishing portfolio strategy and investment funding, Agile program management and governance with Lean-Agile budgeting, and Lean portfolio operations.
This level of SAFe provides the Business Owners and Enterprise Architects the environment they need to improve productivity, time-to-market, and quality for a continuously changing, innovating, and sustaining portfolio of solutions.
4. Full SAFe
Full SAFe includes all levels of the Framework: Team, Program, Large Solution, and Portfolio. It provides the most comprehensive toolset for applying Lean-Agile practices across the entire enterprise.
Very large enterprises building the most complex solutions, supporting hundreds of teams and thousands of people, will likely require adoption of the Full SAFe configuration.
Most businesses get started with Essential SAFe first, then evolve in complexity overtime as they master Agile Release Trains and expanding the Framework to multiple teams and programs. Let’s look at some of the key roles next.
Key SAFe Roles
Some of the most common SAFe roles involved across the various levels include:
Lean-Agile Leaders - Promote lean-agile values and practices across the organization and drive implementations of SAFe
Product Managers - Responsible for the program vision, roadmap, and business benefits realization
Solution Managers - Manage system qualities through intentional architecture evolution
Product Owners - Responsible for defining Stories in the Team Backlog to empower teams to deliver maximum business value
Scrum Masters - Coach teams in self-organization, deliver Stories reliably every Sprint, and foster continuous improvement
Release Train Engineers - Help facilitate synchronization, cross-team coordination, and continuous delivery for the Agile Release Train
Solution Train Engineers - Facilitate the operation of a single Agile Release Train or multiple synchronized trains in the ARTs program
System Architects - Evolve system architecture and help ensure fitness for the intended solution purpose using an intentional lean-agile architecture approach
Business Owners - Ensure accountability, authority, and responsibility are pushed to the level of decentralized decision-making
There are more advanced SAFe roles like Release Management Executives, Enterprise Architects, and others. But this foundational overview will be common across most implementations. Now let’s look at some key events and processes that bring it all together.
Key SAFe Events, Cadences and Processes
To help multiple teams align, efficiently collaborate, and build integrated solutions effectively, SAFe establishes fixed cycles and synchronizing events such as:
Program Increment (PI) - The strategic planning interval where business and technical objectives are defined, teams are organized and mobilized, and the solution is demonstrated and evaluated with stakeholders
Iteration (Program Increment) - Timebox during which each Agile Team applies Scrum to deliver value in functional software-based increments aligned with the PI objectives
Inspect & Adapt (I&A) - A significant event that serves as a synchronization point and provides opportunities to inspect and adapt strategic plans and programs
Backlog Refinement - Ongoing process where Product Owners and teams detail User Stories preparing for the next level of planning
Release on Demand - Releasing value anytime by decoupling Releases from Increments to increase flexibility
Concurrent Testing - Agile development testing practices focused on shifting testing left and continuously testing System Increment
Built-in Quality - Emphasizing quality by building it incrementally into solutions instead of inspecting it in later
Through the PI cadence, Release on Demand capability, alignment to roadmaps, and shared business intent, SAFe helps deliver coordinated solutions with faster time-to-market.
Now that we’ve outlined some of the core components, let’s examine the benefits of SAFe to see what value it offers organizations.
Benefits of SAFe
Implementing SAFe offers a range of benefits for organizations struggling to scale agile practices across the enterprise:
Improved Business Agility - SAFe improves velocity, productivity, time-to-market, and adaptability to deliver customer value faster
Scalability - It provides a proven model for scaling Agile methods to the team, program, and portfolio level even across thousands of people
Strategy Alignment - Increased visibility and alignment of portfolios to a central strategy coordinated across programs and teams
Higher Employee Engagement - Allows teams to self-organize around problems with a shared vision, increased transparency, and continuous feedback promoting engagement
Reduced Time-to-Market - Coordinating multiple teams allows larger, complex solutions to come together faster through synchronization and improved collaboration
Better Quality - Building in quality continuously with accelerated testing cycles and shared standards
Improved Predictability - Program execution is more predictable through regular planning, inspecting, and adapting events and objective milestones
Increased Productivity & Performance - Studies show 20-50% and higher developer productivity after adopting SAFe along with financial benefits from accelerated time-to-market
Support for Innovation - SAFe provides teams space for continuous exploration, learning, and innovation within Program Increments
Continuous Learning Culture - With Lean-Agile mindset baked in, SAFe organizations pivot towards a culture focused on experimentation, innovation, and learning powered by engaged teams
So in summary, SAFe offers a solution for many of the typical challenges of scaling agile in large organizations by improving alignment, coordination, visibility, and business results.
Implementing SAFe - Getting Started
The Scaled Agile Framework is a proven model. But to achieve success, organizations need an effective implementation plan combined with leadership support.
Here is an overview of key steps when launching SAFe:
Train Leaders and Teams - Getting alignment among executives while training leaders and teams on SAFe principles is a critical starting point
Identify Value Streams - Map current process flows focused on delivering customer value to identify constraints when scaling
Organize into Agile Release Trains - Organize people into smaller ART teams with common vision, backlog, and cadence promoting alignment
Establish Cadence with Program Increments - Establish PI planning events for ART teams for regular Roadmap alignment, planning, and Inspect & Adapt
Launch the Implementation with ART Startup - Train the initial ART teams covering all roles, events, and processes for the first PI execution
Inspect & Adapt at the Program Level - Continuously inspect progress at the Program Level making adaptations to improve outcomes
Expand to Large Solution SAFe - Grow the implementation by adding more ART teams and expanding levels of SAFe overtime across the portfolio
Implement Essential SAFe First - Rather than attempting a full SAFe rollout across the enterprise at once, take an incremental approach and focus on Essential SAFe practices first
Don’t Customize, Use SAFe As Designed - Resist the urge to customize practices or change defined processes, roles, and terminology -This dilutes the impact. Leverage as designed instead.
So in summary, take an incremental approach focused on training, organizing into ARTs, launching the first PI, and continuously improving. Overtime, additional teams, programs, and practices can be added based on what works best.
For those considering SAFe, having the support of leadership, aligning teams to a central mission, establishing an incremental rollout, and leveraging existing practices for implementation is key for a successful transformation.
Now let’s cover some frequently asked questions on adopting and using SAFe.
FAQ on SAFe Training and Implementation
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions around SAFe:
How long does it take to implement SAFe?
For larger enterprises, it typically takes 6 to 12 months to fully adopt SAFe across the organization. Starting with the Essential SAFe configuration can help establish critical roles, events, and cycles within the first 1-2 months however.
What training is needed?
There is a range of SAFe training offerings from foundational to advanced. But starting with Leading SAFe or SAFe for Teams is recommended to establish shared language and principles.
Do teams need to be certified?
While not formally required, having members certified in SAFe helps ensure practices are applied properly. There are various SAFe certifications including SAFe Agilist (SP), SAFe Practitioner (SP), and more advanced credentials.
How can SAFe be customized to our context?
Rather than customize, leverage SAFe as designed to start. Once principles and practices are established, some components can be adapted overtime after several PIs based on measurable outcomes.
Is special software or tooling required?
There are helpful SAFe software tools available, but besides standard collaboration software, no proprietary solutions are required.
How does SAFe compare to Disciplined Agile, LeSS, DAD, Nexus?
While these frameworks have their place and value, SAFe provides the most comprehensive and proven approach for achieving business agility at scale based on Lean, Agile, Scrum, and over a decade of enterprise implementations globally.
Final Thoughts
The Scaled Agile Framework provides a proven path to achieve business agility that meets modern market realities. SAFe has enabled numerous organizations to improve alignment, productivity, time-to-market, and innovation at scale.
While adopting SAFe requires commitment and leadership support, the payoff can also be substantial. Taking an incremental approach starting with Essential SAFe practices, training leaders and teams, establishing PI execution, and continuous inspecting and adapting allows the benefits to be realized without major business disruption.
Hopefully this overview has provided clarity on what the Scaled Agile Framework is and how it can enable enterprise agility. To learn more about SAFe, visit the Scaled Agile website for additional articles, training opportunities, and resources.
Scaling Business Agility and Agile Planning with the Scaled Agile Framework
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe) provides a structured approach for scaling agile across multiple teams and programs to achieve better business outcomes. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what SAFe is, its key principles and practices, benefits, and how to implement it.
SAFe is one of the most effective frameworks for scaling agile in large enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees working on multiple projects. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across all levels of an organization. By providing a common language and cadence, SAFe helps coordinate the work of multiple agile teams to build large, complex solutions in a structured manner.
In this 4000-word guide, you’ll learn:
What is the Scaled Agile Framework and what problems does it solve
Key principles and practices of SAFe
Main components and roles in SAFe implementation
Essential SAFe configuration for starting with SAFe
Benefits of using SAFe and results achieved by organizations
SAFe implementation roadmap and launch checklist
FAQ on adopting SAFe, training, and certifications
So if you want to understand how leading enterprises like IBM, Cisco, HP, Intel, and others are leveraging SAFe to achieve business agility, increased productivity, and quicker time-to-market, then this guide is for you. Let’s get started.
What is The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) provides a structured model for scaling scrum-based agile practices across the enterprise. It helps coordinate the work of multiple scrum teams working on a portfolio of projects.
Created by Dean Leffingwell and colleagues in 2007, SAFe integrates principles and practices from lean, systems thinking, agile development, scrum, kanban, and more. It provides an end-to-end view of value delivery across large organizations.
SAFe helps businesses address challenges like:
Coordinating the work of multiple scrum teams working on large projects and programs
Managing dependencies and scaling communication between multiple teams
Aligning teams to organization’s business objectives and improving visibility
Implementing lean-agile practices across the portfolio, programs, teams, and culture
In a nutshell, SAFe provides a framework for scaling scrum-based agile development to the enterprise level. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across large product and solution portfolios.
The SAFe principles align with the values and principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. However, it provides more specific guidance around scaling. Let’s look at the core values next.
SAFe Core Values and Principles
SAFe is based on nine core values and beliefs:
Take an economic view - The highest business value governs all decisions
Apply systems thinking - Continuously visualize and improve the whole, not just the parts
Assume variability, preserve options - Adapt solutions and decisions to current knowledge
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Grow systems iteratively and incrementally
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems - Anchor all decisions on demonstrated system capabilities, not plans or documents
Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch size, and manage queue lengths - Limit work in process to match capacity
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning - Organize development around fixed, repeatable cycles
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers - Let workers self-organize around problems, build a shared vision, and hold each other accountable
Decentralize decision-making - Push authority and decision-making down to the level of real information
Additionally, SAFe promotes twelve underlying principles derived from lean, systems thinking, scrum, and agile development:
Take an economic view
Apply systems thinking
Assume variability; preserve options
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
Visualize and limit work in process (WIP), reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
Decentralize decision-making
Organize around value
Enable self-organization within boundaries
Grow actively and evolve continually
With a strong foundation established, let’s look at how SAFe is structured and some of the key components involved in implementation.
SAFe Configuration Levels
SAFe has four configuration levels, allowing it to scale up or down depending on the size and context of an organization:
1. Essential SAFe
Essential SAFe is the foundation for implementing SAFe and should be the starting point for most organizations. It focuses on the team and program level and covers the critical roles, events, and activities needed to build solutions successfully.
Essential SAFe establishes Team and Program Increment (PI) cycles which synchronize teams to a single cadence and continuous flow of value. It introduces key roles like System/Solution Architect, Product Manager, Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the roles needed to establish the Agile Release Train (ART).
2. Large Solution SAFe
The Large Solution Level expands the Framework to support building the largest and most complex solutions that require multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and suppliers.
It coordinates multiple ARTs through the Solution Train, which uses Value Stream Coordination, Solution Intent, Solution Context, and Solution Backlogs to connect and align ARTs to the portfolio vision and backlogs.
3. Portfolio SAFe
Portfolio SAFe helps the enterprise align software development around a common strategy across a portfolio of large solutions. It does this by establishing portfolio strategy and investment funding, Agile program management and governance with Lean-Agile budgeting, and Lean portfolio operations.
This level of SAFe provides the Business Owners and Enterprise Architects the environment they need to improve productivity, time-to-market, and quality for a continuously changing, innovating, and sustaining portfolio of solutions.
4. Full SAFe
Full SAFe includes all levels of the Framework: Team, Program, Large Solution, and Portfolio. It provides the most comprehensive toolset for applying Lean-Agile practices across the entire enterprise.
Very large enterprises building the most complex solutions, supporting hundreds of teams and thousands of people, will likely require adoption of the Full SAFe configuration.
Most businesses get started with Essential SAFe first, then evolve in complexity overtime as they master Agile Release Trains and expanding the Framework to multiple teams and programs. Let’s look at some of the key roles next.
Key SAFe Roles
Some of the most common SAFe roles involved across the various levels include:
Lean-Agile Leaders - Promote lean-agile values and practices across the organization and drive implementations of SAFe
Product Managers - Responsible for the program vision, roadmap, and business benefits realization
Solution Managers - Manage system qualities through intentional architecture evolution
Product Owners - Responsible for defining Stories in the Team Backlog to empower teams to deliver maximum business value
Scrum Masters - Coach teams in self-organization, deliver Stories reliably every Sprint, and foster continuous improvement
Release Train Engineers - Help facilitate synchronization, cross-team coordination, and continuous delivery for the Agile Release Train
Solution Train Engineers - Facilitate the operation of a single Agile Release Train or multiple synchronized trains in the ARTs program
System Architects - Evolve system architecture and help ensure fitness for the intended solution purpose using an intentional lean-agile architecture approach
Business Owners - Ensure accountability, authority, and responsibility are pushed to the level of decentralized decision-making
There are more advanced SAFe roles like Release Management Executives, Enterprise Architects, and others. But this foundational overview will be common across most implementations. Now let’s look at some key events and processes that bring it all together.
Key SAFe Events, Cadences and Processes
To help multiple teams align, efficiently collaborate, and build integrated solutions effectively, SAFe establishes fixed cycles and synchronizing events such as:
Program Increment (PI) - The strategic planning interval where business and technical objectives are defined, teams are organized and mobilized, and the solution is demonstrated and evaluated with stakeholders
Iteration (Program Increment) - Timebox during which each Agile Team applies Scrum to deliver value in functional software-based increments aligned with the PI objectives
Inspect & Adapt (I&A) - A significant event that serves as a synchronization point and provides opportunities to inspect and adapt strategic plans and programs
Backlog Refinement - Ongoing process where Product Owners and teams detail User Stories preparing for the next level of planning
Release on Demand - Releasing value anytime by decoupling Releases from Increments to increase flexibility
Concurrent Testing - Agile development testing practices focused on shifting testing left and continuously testing System Increment
Built-in Quality - Emphasizing quality by building it incrementally into solutions instead of inspecting it in later
Through the PI cadence, Release on Demand capability, alignment to roadmaps, and shared business intent, SAFe helps deliver coordinated solutions with faster time-to-market.
Now that we’ve outlined some of the core components, let’s examine the benefits of SAFe to see what value it offers organizations.
Benefits of SAFe
Implementing SAFe offers a range of benefits for organizations struggling to scale agile practices across the enterprise:
Improved Business Agility - SAFe improves velocity, productivity, time-to-market, and adaptability to deliver customer value faster
Scalability - It provides a proven model for scaling Agile methods to the team, program, and portfolio level even across thousands of people
Strategy Alignment - Increased visibility and alignment of portfolios to a central strategy coordinated across programs and teams
Higher Employee Engagement - Allows teams to self-organize around problems with a shared vision, increased transparency, and continuous feedback promoting engagement
Reduced Time-to-Market - Coordinating multiple teams allows larger, complex solutions to come together faster through synchronization and improved collaboration
Better Quality - Building in quality continuously with accelerated testing cycles and shared standards
Improved Predictability - Program execution is more predictable through regular planning, inspecting, and adapting events and objective milestones
Increased Productivity & Performance - Studies show 20-50% and higher developer productivity after adopting SAFe along with financial benefits from accelerated time-to-market
Support for Innovation - SAFe provides teams space for continuous exploration, learning, and innovation within Program Increments
Continuous Learning Culture - With Lean-Agile mindset baked in, SAFe organizations pivot towards a culture focused on experimentation, innovation, and learning powered by engaged teams
So in summary, SAFe offers a solution for many of the typical challenges of scaling agile in large organizations by improving alignment, coordination, visibility, and business results.
Implementing SAFe - Getting Started
The Scaled Agile Framework is a proven model. But to achieve success, organizations need an effective implementation plan combined with leadership support.
Here is an overview of key steps when launching SAFe:
Train Leaders and Teams - Getting alignment among executives while training leaders and teams on SAFe principles is a critical starting point
Identify Value Streams - Map current process flows focused on delivering customer value to identify constraints when scaling
Organize into Agile Release Trains - Organize people into smaller ART teams with common vision, backlog, and cadence promoting alignment
Establish Cadence with Program Increments - Establish PI planning events for ART teams for regular Roadmap alignment, planning, and Inspect & Adapt
Launch the Implementation with ART Startup - Train the initial ART teams covering all roles, events, and processes for the first PI execution
Inspect & Adapt at the Program Level - Continuously inspect progress at the Program Level making adaptations to improve outcomes
Expand to Large Solution SAFe - Grow the implementation by adding more ART teams and expanding levels of SAFe overtime across the portfolio
Implement Essential SAFe First - Rather than attempting a full SAFe rollout across the enterprise at once, take an incremental approach and focus on Essential SAFe practices first
Don’t Customize, Use SAFe As Designed - Resist the urge to customize practices or change defined processes, roles, and terminology -This dilutes the impact. Leverage as designed instead.
So in summary, take an incremental approach focused on training, organizing into ARTs, launching the first PI, and continuously improving. Overtime, additional teams, programs, and practices can be added based on what works best.
For those considering SAFe, having the support of leadership, aligning teams to a central mission, establishing an incremental rollout, and leveraging existing practices for implementation is key for a successful transformation.
Now let’s cover some frequently asked questions on adopting and using SAFe.
FAQ on SAFe Training and Implementation
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions around SAFe:
How long does it take to implement SAFe?
For larger enterprises, it typically takes 6 to 12 months to fully adopt SAFe across the organization. Starting with the Essential SAFe configuration can help establish critical roles, events, and cycles within the first 1-2 months however.
What training is needed?
There is a range of SAFe training offerings from foundational to advanced. But starting with Leading SAFe or SAFe for Teams is recommended to establish shared language and principles.
Do teams need to be certified?
While not formally required, having members certified in SAFe helps ensure practices are applied properly. There are various SAFe certifications including SAFe Agilist (SP), SAFe Practitioner (SP), and more advanced credentials.
How can SAFe be customized to our context?
Rather than customize, leverage SAFe as designed to start. Once principles and practices are established, some components can be adapted overtime after several PIs based on measurable outcomes.
Is special software or tooling required?
There are helpful SAFe software tools available, but besides standard collaboration software, no proprietary solutions are required.
How does SAFe compare to Disciplined Agile, LeSS, DAD, Nexus?
While these frameworks have their place and value, SAFe provides the most comprehensive and proven approach for achieving business agility at scale based on Lean, Agile, Scrum, and over a decade of enterprise implementations globally.
Final Thoughts
The Scaled Agile Framework provides a proven path to achieve business agility that meets modern market realities. SAFe has enabled numerous organizations to improve alignment, productivity, time-to-market, and innovation at scale.
While adopting SAFe requires commitment and leadership support, the payoff can also be substantial. Taking an incremental approach starting with Essential SAFe practices, training leaders and teams, establishing PI execution, and continuous inspecting and adapting allows the benefits to be realized without major business disruption.
Hopefully this overview has provided clarity on what the Scaled Agile Framework is and how it can enable enterprise agility. To learn more about SAFe, visit the Scaled Agile website for additional articles, training opportunities, and resources.
Scaling Business Agility and Agile Planning with the Scaled Agile Framework
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe) provides a structured approach for scaling agile across multiple teams and programs to achieve better business outcomes. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what SAFe is, its key principles and practices, benefits, and how to implement it.
SAFe is one of the most effective frameworks for scaling agile in large enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees working on multiple projects. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across all levels of an organization. By providing a common language and cadence, SAFe helps coordinate the work of multiple agile teams to build large, complex solutions in a structured manner.
In this 4000-word guide, you’ll learn:
What is the Scaled Agile Framework and what problems does it solve
Key principles and practices of SAFe
Main components and roles in SAFe implementation
Essential SAFe configuration for starting with SAFe
Benefits of using SAFe and results achieved by organizations
SAFe implementation roadmap and launch checklist
FAQ on adopting SAFe, training, and certifications
So if you want to understand how leading enterprises like IBM, Cisco, HP, Intel, and others are leveraging SAFe to achieve business agility, increased productivity, and quicker time-to-market, then this guide is for you. Let’s get started.
What is The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) provides a structured model for scaling scrum-based agile practices across the enterprise. It helps coordinate the work of multiple scrum teams working on a portfolio of projects.
Created by Dean Leffingwell and colleagues in 2007, SAFe integrates principles and practices from lean, systems thinking, agile development, scrum, kanban, and more. It provides an end-to-end view of value delivery across large organizations.
SAFe helps businesses address challenges like:
Coordinating the work of multiple scrum teams working on large projects and programs
Managing dependencies and scaling communication between multiple teams
Aligning teams to organization’s business objectives and improving visibility
Implementing lean-agile practices across the portfolio, programs, teams, and culture
In a nutshell, SAFe provides a framework for scaling scrum-based agile development to the enterprise level. It promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across large product and solution portfolios.
The SAFe principles align with the values and principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto. However, it provides more specific guidance around scaling. Let’s look at the core values next.
SAFe Core Values and Principles
SAFe is based on nine core values and beliefs:
Take an economic view - The highest business value governs all decisions
Apply systems thinking - Continuously visualize and improve the whole, not just the parts
Assume variability, preserve options - Adapt solutions and decisions to current knowledge
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Grow systems iteratively and incrementally
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems - Anchor all decisions on demonstrated system capabilities, not plans or documents
Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch size, and manage queue lengths - Limit work in process to match capacity
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning - Organize development around fixed, repeatable cycles
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers - Let workers self-organize around problems, build a shared vision, and hold each other accountable
Decentralize decision-making - Push authority and decision-making down to the level of real information
Additionally, SAFe promotes twelve underlying principles derived from lean, systems thinking, scrum, and agile development:
Take an economic view
Apply systems thinking
Assume variability; preserve options
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
Visualize and limit work in process (WIP), reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
Decentralize decision-making
Organize around value
Enable self-organization within boundaries
Grow actively and evolve continually
With a strong foundation established, let’s look at how SAFe is structured and some of the key components involved in implementation.
SAFe Configuration Levels
SAFe has four configuration levels, allowing it to scale up or down depending on the size and context of an organization:
1. Essential SAFe
Essential SAFe is the foundation for implementing SAFe and should be the starting point for most organizations. It focuses on the team and program level and covers the critical roles, events, and activities needed to build solutions successfully.
Essential SAFe establishes Team and Program Increment (PI) cycles which synchronize teams to a single cadence and continuous flow of value. It introduces key roles like System/Solution Architect, Product Manager, Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the roles needed to establish the Agile Release Train (ART).
2. Large Solution SAFe
The Large Solution Level expands the Framework to support building the largest and most complex solutions that require multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and suppliers.
It coordinates multiple ARTs through the Solution Train, which uses Value Stream Coordination, Solution Intent, Solution Context, and Solution Backlogs to connect and align ARTs to the portfolio vision and backlogs.
3. Portfolio SAFe
Portfolio SAFe helps the enterprise align software development around a common strategy across a portfolio of large solutions. It does this by establishing portfolio strategy and investment funding, Agile program management and governance with Lean-Agile budgeting, and Lean portfolio operations.
This level of SAFe provides the Business Owners and Enterprise Architects the environment they need to improve productivity, time-to-market, and quality for a continuously changing, innovating, and sustaining portfolio of solutions.
4. Full SAFe
Full SAFe includes all levels of the Framework: Team, Program, Large Solution, and Portfolio. It provides the most comprehensive toolset for applying Lean-Agile practices across the entire enterprise.
Very large enterprises building the most complex solutions, supporting hundreds of teams and thousands of people, will likely require adoption of the Full SAFe configuration.
Most businesses get started with Essential SAFe first, then evolve in complexity overtime as they master Agile Release Trains and expanding the Framework to multiple teams and programs. Let’s look at some of the key roles next.
Key SAFe Roles
Some of the most common SAFe roles involved across the various levels include:
Lean-Agile Leaders - Promote lean-agile values and practices across the organization and drive implementations of SAFe
Product Managers - Responsible for the program vision, roadmap, and business benefits realization
Solution Managers - Manage system qualities through intentional architecture evolution
Product Owners - Responsible for defining Stories in the Team Backlog to empower teams to deliver maximum business value
Scrum Masters - Coach teams in self-organization, deliver Stories reliably every Sprint, and foster continuous improvement
Release Train Engineers - Help facilitate synchronization, cross-team coordination, and continuous delivery for the Agile Release Train
Solution Train Engineers - Facilitate the operation of a single Agile Release Train or multiple synchronized trains in the ARTs program
System Architects - Evolve system architecture and help ensure fitness for the intended solution purpose using an intentional lean-agile architecture approach
Business Owners - Ensure accountability, authority, and responsibility are pushed to the level of decentralized decision-making
There are more advanced SAFe roles like Release Management Executives, Enterprise Architects, and others. But this foundational overview will be common across most implementations. Now let’s look at some key events and processes that bring it all together.
Key SAFe Events, Cadences and Processes
To help multiple teams align, efficiently collaborate, and build integrated solutions effectively, SAFe establishes fixed cycles and synchronizing events such as:
Program Increment (PI) - The strategic planning interval where business and technical objectives are defined, teams are organized and mobilized, and the solution is demonstrated and evaluated with stakeholders
Iteration (Program Increment) - Timebox during which each Agile Team applies Scrum to deliver value in functional software-based increments aligned with the PI objectives
Inspect & Adapt (I&A) - A significant event that serves as a synchronization point and provides opportunities to inspect and adapt strategic plans and programs
Backlog Refinement - Ongoing process where Product Owners and teams detail User Stories preparing for the next level of planning
Release on Demand - Releasing value anytime by decoupling Releases from Increments to increase flexibility
Concurrent Testing - Agile development testing practices focused on shifting testing left and continuously testing System Increment
Built-in Quality - Emphasizing quality by building it incrementally into solutions instead of inspecting it in later
Through the PI cadence, Release on Demand capability, alignment to roadmaps, and shared business intent, SAFe helps deliver coordinated solutions with faster time-to-market.
Now that we’ve outlined some of the core components, let’s examine the benefits of SAFe to see what value it offers organizations.
Benefits of SAFe
Implementing SAFe offers a range of benefits for organizations struggling to scale agile practices across the enterprise:
Improved Business Agility - SAFe improves velocity, productivity, time-to-market, and adaptability to deliver customer value faster
Scalability - It provides a proven model for scaling Agile methods to the team, program, and portfolio level even across thousands of people
Strategy Alignment - Increased visibility and alignment of portfolios to a central strategy coordinated across programs and teams
Higher Employee Engagement - Allows teams to self-organize around problems with a shared vision, increased transparency, and continuous feedback promoting engagement
Reduced Time-to-Market - Coordinating multiple teams allows larger, complex solutions to come together faster through synchronization and improved collaboration
Better Quality - Building in quality continuously with accelerated testing cycles and shared standards
Improved Predictability - Program execution is more predictable through regular planning, inspecting, and adapting events and objective milestones
Increased Productivity & Performance - Studies show 20-50% and higher developer productivity after adopting SAFe along with financial benefits from accelerated time-to-market
Support for Innovation - SAFe provides teams space for continuous exploration, learning, and innovation within Program Increments
Continuous Learning Culture - With Lean-Agile mindset baked in, SAFe organizations pivot towards a culture focused on experimentation, innovation, and learning powered by engaged teams
So in summary, SAFe offers a solution for many of the typical challenges of scaling agile in large organizations by improving alignment, coordination, visibility, and business results.
Implementing SAFe - Getting Started
The Scaled Agile Framework is a proven model. But to achieve success, organizations need an effective implementation plan combined with leadership support.
Here is an overview of key steps when launching SAFe:
Train Leaders and Teams - Getting alignment among executives while training leaders and teams on SAFe principles is a critical starting point
Identify Value Streams - Map current process flows focused on delivering customer value to identify constraints when scaling
Organize into Agile Release Trains - Organize people into smaller ART teams with common vision, backlog, and cadence promoting alignment
Establish Cadence with Program Increments - Establish PI planning events for ART teams for regular Roadmap alignment, planning, and Inspect & Adapt
Launch the Implementation with ART Startup - Train the initial ART teams covering all roles, events, and processes for the first PI execution
Inspect & Adapt at the Program Level - Continuously inspect progress at the Program Level making adaptations to improve outcomes
Expand to Large Solution SAFe - Grow the implementation by adding more ART teams and expanding levels of SAFe overtime across the portfolio
Implement Essential SAFe First - Rather than attempting a full SAFe rollout across the enterprise at once, take an incremental approach and focus on Essential SAFe practices first
Don’t Customize, Use SAFe As Designed - Resist the urge to customize practices or change defined processes, roles, and terminology -This dilutes the impact. Leverage as designed instead.
So in summary, take an incremental approach focused on training, organizing into ARTs, launching the first PI, and continuously improving. Overtime, additional teams, programs, and practices can be added based on what works best.
For those considering SAFe, having the support of leadership, aligning teams to a central mission, establishing an incremental rollout, and leveraging existing practices for implementation is key for a successful transformation.
Now let’s cover some frequently asked questions on adopting and using SAFe.
FAQ on SAFe Training and Implementation
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions around SAFe:
How long does it take to implement SAFe?
For larger enterprises, it typically takes 6 to 12 months to fully adopt SAFe across the organization. Starting with the Essential SAFe configuration can help establish critical roles, events, and cycles within the first 1-2 months however.
What training is needed?
There is a range of SAFe training offerings from foundational to advanced. But starting with Leading SAFe or SAFe for Teams is recommended to establish shared language and principles.
Do teams need to be certified?
While not formally required, having members certified in SAFe helps ensure practices are applied properly. There are various SAFe certifications including SAFe Agilist (SP), SAFe Practitioner (SP), and more advanced credentials.
How can SAFe be customized to our context?
Rather than customize, leverage SAFe as designed to start. Once principles and practices are established, some components can be adapted overtime after several PIs based on measurable outcomes.
Is special software or tooling required?
There are helpful SAFe software tools available, but besides standard collaboration software, no proprietary solutions are required.
How does SAFe compare to Disciplined Agile, LeSS, DAD, Nexus?
While these frameworks have their place and value, SAFe provides the most comprehensive and proven approach for achieving business agility at scale based on Lean, Agile, Scrum, and over a decade of enterprise implementations globally.
Final Thoughts
The Scaled Agile Framework provides a proven path to achieve business agility that meets modern market realities. SAFe has enabled numerous organizations to improve alignment, productivity, time-to-market, and innovation at scale.
While adopting SAFe requires commitment and leadership support, the payoff can also be substantial. Taking an incremental approach starting with Essential SAFe practices, training leaders and teams, establishing PI execution, and continuous inspecting and adapting allows the benefits to be realized without major business disruption.
Hopefully this overview has provided clarity on what the Scaled Agile Framework is and how it can enable enterprise agility. To learn more about SAFe, visit the Scaled Agile website for additional articles, training opportunities, and resources.