Top 5 Things I Learned from Leading SAFe 6 Agilist

I recently completed Leading SAFe 6.0 - SAFe Agilist (SA) Certification , and learned a lot about how to lead and guide an organization through the adoption of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). Here are some fun notes for those who are interested in SAFe Agilist Certification.

Top 5 things I learned about SAFe 6:

1. SAFe is a framework, not a methodology. SAFe is not a prescriptive methodology. It provides a set of principles, practices, and roles that can be adapted to the specific needs of each organization.
2. SAFe is based on the Agile Manifesto. The Agile Manifesto is a set of values and principles that guide the development of Agile software. SAFe is based on the Agile Manifesto and incorporates many of its principles, such as iterative development, continuous delivery, and customer collaboration.
3. SAFe defines five levels of adoption..... 5 levels !!!!! (Adopting, Adopted, Scaling, Optimizing, Expert)
4. SAFe defines four core competencies. (Leadership, Lean Portfolio Management, Development, Operations )
5. SAFe is a living framework. This means that it is constantly evolving to meet the needs of organizations. SAFe is updated every two years to reflect the latest thinking on Agile and Lean.

How is Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is Different from Scrum?

• Scalability and Enterprise Perspective:

One of the key differentiators of Leading SAFe 6 Agilist from Scrum is its scalability and enterprise-level perspective. While Scrum is primarily designed for small teams working on a single project, SAFe addresses the challenges of large-scale projects involving multiple teams, departments, and even organizations. Leading SAFe 6 Agilist teaches the importance of understanding the enterprise context, aligning teams' goals with business objectives, and synchronizing activities across teams to achieve overall project success.

• ART and PI Planning:

Leading SAFe 6 Agilist introduced me to the concept of Agile Release Train (ART) and Program Increment (PI) planning. ART represents a virtual team of teams, where groups of Agile teams collaborate to deliver a common value stream. PI planning, on the other hand, is a structured event that occurs at the start of each program increment. It brings together all teams within an ART to establish a shared vision, define objectives, and plan the work for the upcoming increment. This synchronized planning approach ensures alignment and transparency across teams, enabling better coordination and predictability in large-scale projects.

• Roles and Responsibilities:

While Scrum focuses on specific roles like Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, Leading SAFe 6 Agilist introduces additional roles to support the larger SAFe implementation. These roles include the Release Train Engineer (RTE), Product Manager, and Solution Architect, among others. Each role has distinct responsibilities to ensure effective collaboration, alignment, and overall success in the scaled agile environment. Understanding these roles and their interactions is crucial for implementing SAFe successfully.

• Continuous Delivery Pipeline:

The Leading SAFe 6 Agilist training shed light on the importance of a Continuous Delivery Pipeline (CDP) in scaling agile practices. The CDP represents the end-to-end process that integrates people, processes, and tools to deliver value continuously. It encompasses activities such as continuous integration, continuous testing, continuous deployment, and release on demand. By establishing an efficient CDP, organizations can achieve faster feedback cycles, shorter lead times, and higher quality deliverables, thus enhancing their overall agility.

• Lean-Agile Leadership:

Another vital aspect emphasized in Leading SAFe 6 Agilist is the significance of Lean-Agile leadership. Unlike Scrum, where leadership roles are less explicit, SAFe emphasizes the active involvement of leaders at all levels. Lean-Agile leaders are responsible for creating an environment that fosters collaboration, empowering teams, promoting continuous improvement, and removing impediments. They act as change agents, driving the agile transformation throughout the organization.

What similarities does Scrum and SAFe have?

• Other than both being frameworks, these frameworks are based on the Agile Manifesto.
• Both frameworks emphasize iterative and incremental development. This means that software is developed in small increments, and each increment is delivered to the customer for feedback.
• Both frameworks value collaboration and communication. Agile development is successful when teams work together closely and communicate effectively.
• They promote self-organizing teams, continuous improvement, and a focus on delivering value.

If you are considering adopting Agile, you should carefully consider your organization's needs and choose the framework that is right for you, as there is no silver bullet!