How to Scale Agile the Correct Way and Avoid Pitfalls: Tips for Scaling Up

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) was created with the intention of solving challenges faced by enterprises that want to adopt Scrum. Scaling up agile has always been an issue in large organizations, and this framework is designed to help those companies overcome those hurdles. However, many people do not know how to correctly implement SAFe into their company's environment.

In this blog post, you will learn about common pitfalls when scaling agile in an enterprise and how to avoid them using tips on Scaled Agile Framework implementation.

Its best to start with a minimum viable product when implementing SAFe framework.

The best way to start implementing agile in a large enterprise is with a minimum viable product. This will allow you to create an agile project and start seeing the benefits of Scrum or Scaled Agile Framework without all the bureaucracy that comes with enterprise projects, ultimately helping you figure out if SAFe framework is right for your company.

This does not mean creating something of poor quality, but rather starting small and working your way up. Scaling agile is a process that takes time, and the best thing you can do is to start with something small and build from there.

Starting something small also allows you to test Scrum and SAFe framework on a small scale before scaling it up. This means making sure that Scrum runs smoothly for everyone involved including the product owner, scrum master, development team, stakeholders and a Scaled Agile Framework management is in place properly with all of the relevant people involved.

Creating a single product backlog.

Its best to create a single product backlog when Scrum and SAFe framework are first being implemented. This will help with prioritization of features, which is a very important step to scaling agile the right way. When you start working on Scaled Agile Framework projects there's going to be more than one product owner involved in creating user stories for your backlog(s).

Creating multiple backlogs can lead to prioritization issues and ultimately inefficient Scrum sprints. Make sure you have a process in place for how product owners will work together on backlog creation, avoiding the pitfalls of Scaled Agile Framework projects that create multiple redundant user stories.

Focusing on a single product backlog will help Scrum and SAFe framework teams prioritize effectively.

Developing a cooperative and collaborative atmosphere in the enterprise.

Encouraging a collaborative atmosphere in Scrum and SAFe framework teams is key to scaling agile the correct way. You want all members of Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework projects to be open with each other, working together for a common goal.

It's important that not only Scrum masters are able to work well with their development team but also the product owners and all of the stakeholders who are involved in the Scaled Agile Framework projects. The best way to encourage this is with transparency, open communication, encouraging all members of Scrum teams to work cohesively no matter what their role in the company.

When working together as a cohesive unit there will be fewer issues scaling agile when new people come into play or the team structure or team resources have to be shared.

This is especially important when Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework teams are being created out of existing departments within the enterprise, encouraging a collaborative atmosphere will help make this transition easier for everyone involved.

Taking courses or obtaining certificates to improve your skills.

Training the teams and stakeholders on agile and encouraging them to improve their knowledge on agile by taking courses or obtaining Scrum or Scaled Agile Framework certificates is key to scaling agile the correct way.

When all members of Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework projects have a good understanding of Scrum, SAFe framework and how they work together it will help avoid pitfalls common with companies who don't take training seriously. By taking courses on Scrum or Scaled Agile Framework you will learn the proper way to implement Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework projects, avoiding issues that can lead to a project failing.

When everyone knows how Scrum works with other members of Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework teams it leads to increased productivity within these frameworks. This means less time is wasted trying to figure out who's responsible for what in a Scrum team and teams can get started on their work right away.

Using a Large-Scale Agile Framework like SAFe.

The advantages of using a large scale agile framework like SAFe is that Scaled Agile Framework management will be in place from day one. This means the Scrum master, product owners, stakeholders are all part of Scrum or Scaled Agile Framework projects from start to finish.

With a large-scale agile framework everyone is aware of what's going on Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework projects. This allows Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework teams to be more efficient, there will be less confusion about who is doing what or where specific work should go within the backlogs.

Large-scale agile framework also has a lot of flexibility for new members coming into play mid-project, Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework teams will be able to seamlessly integrate new members into the team because everyone involved is aware of what's going on from start to finish.

Which means that a large-scale agile framework like SAFe allows projects to scale more efficiently.

In conclusion a framework like SAFe is a phased approach that an enterprise can use to ensure their Agile transformation process goes smoothly. By following the right approach It has been successfully deployed in over 3,000 enterprises and is used by companies like Microsoft, IBM, GE Healthcare and Amazon Web Services to name a few. The business benefits include increased productivity, better quality of product delivered to the customer and enhanced organizational agility. Have you tried Scaled Agile? Let us know how it went! Which framework was implemented in your organization, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading.