Principle 2: "Design the SAFe framework for enterprise needs." - SAFe PART 4
Dimitrios Mitrentsis
Department Manager System & Infrastructure, License & Contract Manager, Senior Programm Manager, Agile Transformation, Global Transition & Transformation, Outsourcing Services, M&A
This is a series from the SAFe maturity concept, which is based on living practice examples. This is Part 4 - "Design the SAFe framework for enterprise needs".
To introduce agility according to standard or to make it right for everyone is just as realistic as introducing SAFe according to textbook. Both make no sense and will end in chaos. In this respect, you should carefully consider the steps of agilization and SAFe for success. The task and changes compared to the so-called established status Quo should be documented in a customized so called SAFe-book or manual.
All tasks will be summarized into a company SAFe-book. The following content should be documented inside of the enterprise edition of your SAFe-book:
- The procedure for the collection, prioritization and budgeting of requirements
- Quarterly alignment of the business roadmap to the benefit / value of the company
- Structuring requirements in smart features and dependencies between them
- Structuring your organization into existing Products and ARTs or Programs
- The decentralization of decision-making with appropriate regulations and boards
- The cooperation model and delivery model for the implementation of requirements
- The control mechanisms and key figures for the control of supply chains
- And the framework (rules) for all levels(team/program/portfolio) as an orientation
The introduction kit that is created thereby serves as a rule and guidance manual for the entire company.
Experts among you will soon realize: The introduction of SAFe requires more than the introduction of SAFe principles in a single agile transformation program.
"Help, introduction of PI Planning is not SAFe!"
Many companies are already talking about a SAFe introduction even after starting successfully with PI Planning and even if stakeholders and decision-makers are not present. But doesn’t matter, it can be at least the starting point for the organization. Bringing more structure to your enterprise implementation roadmap will help you to introduce SAFe.
If you are ready finished documentation of your enterprise SAFe book, your designed delivery and execution model should be look like the following quarterly business review approach (your company collaboration "big picture").
Most of that what you see and will see in the next 9 articles, as was expected by all, is no magic. It's the result of an accurate study of the SAFe and PM makers of the past.
SAFe itself is the result of studies and many years of best practices by many renowned companies in their attempts to implement a strategic roadmap more quickly and more often. Today it is more important than ever to be fast, more flexible and customer oriented in implementation and innovation approaches.
Through intensive exchange with several SAFe implementers and many years of experience of numerous reorganizations, I have developed a comprehensive 45 action point catalog for the implementation of SAFe along the SAFe principles. This catalog can be used for the maturity measurement of a continuous SAFe introduction.
On closer analysis, it is no surprise that all 45 action points of the SAFe maturity concept are aligned among of principles of SAFe. In addition to the enabling of the company and concreting of SAFe (= customize to organization fit), you have to fulfill all 9 principles of SAFe to reach an acceptable SAFe maturity degree for your company.
“Impossible things can be done immediately, miracles need a little bit longer time.”
From various implementations and evaluations of the SAFe basics, it is no surprise that you could only use the words "reference implementation of SAFe" after finishing the implementation of about 25-30 action points.
The SAFe maturity concept can be used to determine which action points should be implemented along the reference implementation.
Go on and don't forget to start with the design of your quarterly business plan and delivery model. Only if you figure out your new delivery and business planning approach and get the acceptance by all stakeholders and employees, you can continue introduction of SAFe in your company (see next article).
Do not hesitate to contact me to provide you with the SAFe Maturity Concept and more detailed information.
Next article will be PART 5: Principle 3 "Taking an economic view"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dimitrios Mitrentsis publishes and comments on LinkedIn various topics as a private individual. All statements or opinions expressed in the articles reflect a purely personal opinion.
Take a look at my other articles:
The SAFe Maturity Concept - a way become agile and to be
SAFe - PART 3: Principle 1 "enabling the organization"
"being agile" - the will for a controlled transformation - part 2
Mensch 2 Mensch... Emotionen entscheiden!
Culture eats transformation first...