Role of Solution Train Engineer (STE) in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) - IT Engagements.

As a Solution Train Engineer (STE) in a complex real-time IT project using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), your responsibilities are multifaceted and pivotal for ensuring successful delivery. Here are some of the perspectives of this role Solution Train Engineer (STE).

• Roles and Responsibilities: Facilitate the effective execution of Program Increments (PIs) across Agile Release Trains (ARTs). Coordinate and align multiple ARTs towards the delivery of a common solution. Ensure adherence to SAFe principles, practices, and processes. Collaborate with Agile teams, Release Train Engineers (RTEs), Product Owners (POs), Scrum Masters, Project Managers, Product Managers, Architects, Release Managers, and Business Sponsors. Facilitate problem-solving and conflict resolution within and across ARTs. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the Solution Train. Act as a servant leader and coach for Agile teams and individuals.
• OKRs, KRAs, and KPIs: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) should align with the strategic goals of the organization, focusing on aspects like delivery predictability, quality, customer satisfaction, and business value. Key Result Areas (KRAs) may include PI execution, alignment across ARTs, stakeholder satisfaction, continuous improvement, and adherence to SAFe principles. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) could encompass metrics such as velocity, lead time, cycle time, defect rate, customer satisfaction scores, and Net Promoter Score (NPS).
• Cadences: Attend various SAFe ceremonies and events such as PI Planning, Solution Demo, System Demo, Inspect & Adapt Workshop, Scrum of Scrums, and Release Planning. Regularly sync up with RTEs, POs, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders to address challenges and ensure alignment.
• Coaching and Consulting: Guide SAFe principles, practices, and roles. Coach RTEs, POs, Scrum Masters, and other team members on effective Agile and SAFe implementation. Offer support in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
• Interactions with Stakeholders: Collaborate with Architects to ensure architectural alignment and integrity. Coordinate with Release Managers for smooth release execution. Engage with Business Sponsors to understand and address their needs and priorities.
• Optimizing Solution Train Flow: Identify bottlenecks and impediments in the flow of work and take proactive measures to address them. Continuously optimize processes and practices to improve delivery efficiency and effectiveness.
• Inspect & Adapt Workshop: Facilitate the Inspect & Adapt Workshop to review the outcomes of the PI, identify lessons learned, and plan improvements for the next PI.
• Stakeholders of Solution Train: Stakeholders include executives, business sponsors, customers, Agile teams, RTEs, POs, Scrum Masters, Architects, Release Managers, and other relevant parties.
• Ownership of Enterprise Solution Delivery: Take ownership of end-to-end solution delivery across ARTs. Drive alignment with enterprise architecture, strategic goals, and business priorities.
• Solution Backlog: The Solution Backlog comprises epics, features, enablers, and other items necessary for delivering the solution. Ensure the Solution Backlog is prioritized based on business value and dependencies.
• Agile Transformation Roadmap and Solution Train Implementation Roadmap: Develop a roadmap for implementing SAFe and establishing the Solution Train. Define key milestones, activities, and timelines for the transformation journey.

Metrics: Metrics should focus on delivery predictability, quality, customer satisfaction, and business value. Examples include velocity, lead time, cycle time, defect rate, customer satisfaction scores, and NPS. Here are some key metrics you can use at the level of the STE to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Solution Train:

• Velocity, Throughput, Number of Feature points: Measure the rate at which the Solution Train is delivering value to customers. Velocity can be calculated by summing up the story points or other estimation units completed by Agile teams within a given time frame, such as a Program Increment (PI). Because Velocity is a relative unit of measurement, you can also take a holistic look at the Throughput. Number of Capabilities that are delivered by that solution train within a specified time interval say PI boundary as an example.
• Lead Time: Track the time it takes from when a feature or epic is identified until it is delivered to the customer. Lead time provides insights into the efficiency of the delivery process and helps identify opportunities for optimization.
• Cycle Time: Measure the time it takes for a single work item to move through the entire delivery process, from start to finish. Cycle time helps identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement in the delivery pipeline.
• Release Frequency: Monitor how often releases are deployed to production. Higher release frequency indicates greater agility and responsiveness to customer needs.
• Feature Completion Rate: Track the percentage of planned features that are completed within a Program Increment (PI) or other specified time frame. This metric helps gauge the predictability and reliability of the Solution Train.
• Defect Rate: Measure the number of defects identified in the delivered features or enhancements. A low defect rate indicates high-quality delivery and adherence to best practices in development and testing.
• Customer Satisfaction Scores: Gather feedback from customers or stakeholders on the delivered features and solutions. Customer satisfaction scores provide insights into how well the Solution Train is meeting customer expectations and delivering value.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): Measure the likelihood of customers to recommend the product or service to others. NPS reflects overall customer satisfaction and loyalty and can help identify areas for improvement.
• Dependency Management Metrics: Track the number of dependencies between Agile teams or ARTs, as well as the time taken to resolve dependencies. Effective dependency management is crucial for ensuring smooth collaboration and delivery across the Solution Train.
• Business Value Delivered: Quantify the business value delivered by the Solution Train in terms of revenue generated, cost savings, or other relevant metrics. This helps demonstrate the impact of Agile practices on organizational outcomes.
• Resource Utilization: Monitor the utilization of resources, including people, time, and budget, within the Solution Train. Optimizing resource utilization ensures efficient delivery and maximizes return on investment.
• Continuous Improvement Metrics: Measure the effectiveness of continuous improvement initiatives implemented within the Solution Train, such as the adoption of new practices, tools, or techniques. This helps assess the maturity of Agile practices and identifies opportunities for further improvement. Also, Solution Train flow time aggregates the ART’s flow times. We also have metrics on Flow Lead and Flow Distribution.

Now from a pragmatic approach, you can also correlate or corroborate these metrics with the Program Predictability Measure report (PPM) too.