SAFe- Scaled Agile Framework

SAFe- Scaled Agile Framework

Think of SAFe as an agile and lean methodology for large and complex portfolio, programs. SAFe has two different levels of implementations, one is SAFe 4.0 and the other is SAFe 3.0.

SAFe 4.0 has Portfolio, Value Stream, Project, and Team levels. And this is for larger teams that require hundreds of people to develop and deploy products and solutions.

SAFe 3.0 has Portfolio, Program and Team levels. And this is for relatively smaller teams of 100 or less and requires less collaboration.

Let’s look at each level in detail for deeper understanding and it’s easier when we discuss from the bottom – top.

TEAM Level

 

 

At the TEAM level, it is pretty much the same as an Agile Scrum Framework. You would have a Product Owner, Scrum Master and the team working towards a sprint goal and in iterations of two weeks each. And you would have the agile ceremonies like Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, Retrospection, Demo etc. If you like to read further on this framework, refer here.

The iteration starts with planning meeting which discusses the user stories that they can deliver by the end of the iteration/sprint and after each iteration, they demo and get together for retrospection to improve for the upcoming sprints, in the guidance of the scrum master.

 

PROGRAM level

 

SAFe looks at aligning with the strategic and business value of the organization. If you are a Portfolio/Program/Project Manager in the waterfall model, that have worked on business plan, project charter and under a PMO that has governance process across Portfolio/Program and Project Management, tying these areas together so it aligns with the overarching business strategic initiatives, you can easily connect SAFe Agile in a similar fashion(and we have already learned that this is for large, complex initiatives).

  • A Larger team of multiple scrum teams work together to deliver a larger system. This team of teams is called ART(Agile Release Train).
  • The team size ranges from 50-100 teams
  • Just like Scrum is, the program level SAFe framework also is a Timeboxed effort and this is called a PI(Program Increment)
  • Each PI is 5 weeks long by default. Each PI starts with planning- vision, and roadmap of the train features for the next PI.
  • The team commits to the PI providing visibility to the business on the objectives of the PI.
  • The content is decided by the program manager/product manager: Program backlog as features
  • Governed by RTE acts as a trained scrum master(program manager of the program level)
  • The Product Owner, Program Manager, RTE and the ART teams work towards the objectives they can achieve and identify risks, dependencies on the train.
  • The Program level SAFe provides visibility and objectives of the program.
  • Bi-weekly meetings are held with team scrum masters and RTE.
  • At the end of the PI, a System demo is carried out with the whole train together which is the demo of the integrated system
  • When the train is running together, the architecture and infrastructure is taken care of, and this is done by the trained system architect called the architectural runway so the train can run smoothly and as fast as they can.
  • Each PI serves as a track.
  • From the 5 week iteration of the PI, the last and the 5th iteration is called IP(Innovation and Planning Iteration: Innovation part is the creative time for the team- shipping days or hackathons.
  • Planning part- Maintenance for the train and collaboration and finally estimation and plan for the next PI.

 

VALUE STREAM level

 

  • Provides means to collaborate with ART and build even larger solutions
  • Solution management as the content authority
  • Value stream engineer as the coach and guide
  • Solution architect helps ensure good architecture
  • Value streams run as the same PI cadence as ART in which the last iteration is used for IP(Innovation and Planning)
  • Value Stream can be optional and if it is not used, SAFe3.0 can be implemented.

PORTFOLIO Level

 

  • Dictates direction for all underlying value streams by driving strategic themes from the enterprise solution
  • Allocates budget to value stream
  • Manages cross value stream initiatives in the form of epics

As you see that the SAFe Agile mindset trains leaders, coaches, and the teams to apply lean methods from both Scrum and Kanban frameworks for larger teams to achieve portfolio level objectives and running the programs that require large teams and are complex in nature.

For full detailed reading and reference on Scaled Agile Framework, visit, https://www.scaledagileframework.com/

#AgileScrum #SAFeImplementation #SAFe4.0 #ScaledAgileFramework #ProjectManagement #ScrumMaster

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