Understanding the Key Principles of Leading SAFe?

Imagine your business meeting customers' needs quicker with improved time to market like never before. Teams seem empowered and high-performing, and productivity has skyrocketed. Quality is integrated into every step of the development cycle. Sounds like a dream, right?

But that is exactly what SAFe delivers, especially to organizations struggling to scale agile. It provides a structured approach for scaling agile. The best frameworks generally have certain principles. So does SAFe. SAFe is based on ten immutable principles. A term from social media jargon that would accurately describe these ten principles together is “The GOAT" of SAFe. GOAT? Greatest of all time!

Why are these principles important?

Wikipedia defines principles as "a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behavior or a chain of reasoning. That is a guide for behavior or evaluation".

Apparently, the definition gives an idea of why any principle could be significant. However, it's necessary to go deeper to understand the "WHY" of SAFe principles to implement the framework and achieve business goals.

Creating complicated and advanced software and cyber-physical systems is one of the most challenging developments companies face. And the enterprises working on these systems are rapidly expanding and getting complex. Business expansion is a good sign, but the associated complexities can be problematic. SAFe addresses this challenge and, as mentioned earlier, is founded on ten immutable principles. They are interconnected, tested practices that raise team productivity, value, time-to-market, and employee engagement. These principles explain the fundamental rules. They enable a required mindset and the understanding of the nuances of implementing not just for the sake of implementation but to inspire others and passionately lead the change.

The suggested practices might be successful for certain organizations. And for some? Perhaps not. The complexity of different organizations varies and the exact needed practices may not be mentioned in the framework. Now, suppose you clearly understand the underlying principles of those practices. In that case, you will likely be able to modify those practices to fit the context of your organization while keeping the principles intact. This ensures that the teams consistently work towards the lean objectives.??

The Ten SAFe Principles

1. Take an economic view

Taking an economic view refers to optimizing lead time and providing the best, quality work. It focuses on the best product development flow and delivering work in the shortest time possible. Along with the broader economic foundation for each value stream, this also includes the strategy for incremental value delivery. The economic view helps understand the financial implications of delays and operating within small budgets.

2. Apply systems thinking

It refers to addressing challenges in a workplace in a holistic manner. It focuses on the bigger picture rather than solving problems in smaller compartments because problems are complex systems and are interlinked. One minor fix may not solve the overall problem or optimize the system. Thus systems thinking acts as a reminder to understand the system and focus on the larger aim of the system.

3. Assume variability; preserve options

Because things might sometimes go differently than planned, it refers to keeping a variety of solutions available. It's always preferable to have options in strategies for dealing with unexpected happenings, especially where innovations and discoveries are ruling the complicated digital age.

4. Build incrementally with fast integrated learning cycles

It refers to incrementally creating solutions through several brief iterations to get faster consumer feedback and reduce risk. It emphasizes how new developments build on earlier ones. These early feedback points assist in determining when to change direction if necessary. It's a reminder to focus on incremental building even while working with large teams in a complex environment.

5. Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems

Milestones are made to measure progress or to take feedback and understand the performance of product development. It also helps various stakeholders to collaborate and have an understanding of the progress. Because Lean-Agile principles break down traditional methods into set-based designs, rapid integrated learning cycles are built through these increments. Therefore, a milestone is involved at every point. This routine assessment of milestones offers the financial, technical, and fit-for-purpose oversight essential to ensure that every expense will provide an adequate return.

6. Make value flow without interruptions

This principle requires one to comprehend what flow is, the various qualities of a flow system, and how these attributes can speed up the flow of value through a given system. It highlights properties of the flow system and provides specific suggestions to eliminate impediments to flow.?

7.? Apply cadence, and synchronize with cross-domain planning

?Cadence refers to a rhythm of doing something. It's like a pattern that provides certainty and predictability for development. Synchronization refers to the alignment of various domains so that the patterns start matching, which helps resolve challenges as they arise while also improving the process. Applying cadence and synchronization with cross-functional planning creates the systems required to function well when inherent development uncertainty exists.

8. Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers

It refers to creating an environment that motivates people for internal innovation, employee engagement, and productivity. Higher levels of employee engagement can be attained by giving them autonomy and a sense of purpose, removing obstacles, fostering a culture of mutual influence, etc. This strategy ensures better results for individuals, clients, and businesses.

9. Decentralize decision-making

Decentralized decision-making shortens wait times, enhances product development flow, allows for quicker feedback, and generates more creative ideas from individuals. However, some choices also call for centralized decision-making. In short, it involves decisions of both types, so developing a reliable framework for decision-making is essential to speed up value flow and empower team members.

10. Organize around value

It focuses on creating cross-functional teams rather than organizing around functional expertise to prioritize value and speed. The teams should be set up such that they can work together, with members having varied areas of expertise, to deliver value while considering customer input. This speeds up the value delivery process, which would have taken longer if different teams operated as separate units. The ability of an organization to quickly respond to changes and client needs with new, cutting-edge solutions is the only way to sustain competition in this digital age.

The best part about having these principles defined is that you have specific guidelines to keep you on track. It's like a pathway that thought leaders have paved? with experience and knowledge.

SAFe Lean-Agile Principles; A subtle reminder to do things the right way. Don't you think so?