Is Kanban the Right Fit for Your SAFe Team?

When SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) began, Scrum was the go-to method for Agile teams. But over time, SAFe introduced Kanban as an option for teams looking for flexibility. While this change opened up new possibilities, it also raised questions about how Kanban aligns with SAFe’s structured cadences and roles.

Unlike Scrum, Kanban doesn't prescribe time-boxed events but encourages visualizing work, limiting WIP (work-in-process), and optimizing flow. Many SAFe Kanban teams align with the Agile Release Train (ART) cadence to manage dependencies across teams effectively.

Teams often choose Kanban when facing unpredictable work—common in operations, business support, or complex infrastructure tasks. However, shifting to Kanban requires discipline in managing WIP and flow metrics, which can be challenging for teams struggling with Scrum's structure.

The bottom line? Both Scrum and Kanban teams in SAFe aim to deliver value by aligning around shared ART objectives. Kanban teams achieve this by focusing on flow, using data-driven insights to plan and collaborate across the ART. Whether it's Scrum or Kanban, the goal remains the same: create value through teamwork and continuous improvement.