How does SAFe work?
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is an agile scaling framework that allows us to create alignment between organization and business strategy with delivery of products and services to customers.
The framework also allows us to create a regular cadence for delivery where we set a product goal or objective, and synchronise teams of teams to deliver valuable, working outcomes that matter most to customers and end-users.
The synchronised delivery allows us to receive feedback from customers, product stakeholders and agile leaders followed by a short period of reflection and team review that promotes conversation around what was attempted, what was achieved, and what needs to improve for us to be better in future.
Very similar to a sprint review and a sprint retrospective in Scrum.
There are two (2) cadences in SAFe:
- Iteration
- Planning cadence
Iteration Cadence
This is a shorter period than the planning cadence and typically occurs every two (2) weeks.
Planning Cadence
This takes longer than the iteration cadence and allows the team to plan effectively, set business goals and objectives to be achieved within the cycle, and provides enough time for the team to deliver everything that was planned for the increment.
This could take anywhere between eight (8) and twelve (12) weeks.
These periods ensure that the team is working on the most valuable items, in alignment with the customer’s needs and organizational strategy, to create and deliver value frequently and effectively.
So, in SAFe we have two alignments:
- Alignment of teams
- Organizational alignment
Alignment of teams
The SAFe framework ensures that each team is aligned with other teams and departments to deliver an outcome that is valuable to both the organization and the customer.
They will work on the same cadence and aim to deliver the outcomes at the same time.
Organizational alignment
SAFe ensures that the team are working on items, processes, and systems that are of strategic importance to the organization, specifically at this moment in time and within the delivery cycle.
Yes, we are focused on long-term strategic goals and objectives, but we also have alignment with short-term strategic goals and objectives.
Summary of how SAFe works.
When aligned, the teams are focused on building the right thing for the customer, at the right time, and are also focused on building what is most valuable for the organization, at the right time.
About Value Glide
Value Glide are a SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) consultancy, coaching practice, and training specialist who work with organizations to align business objectives with customer needs and wants.
As deeply experienced agile coaches and practitioners, our team are invested in continuous learning through each client engagement and use the data and evidence we gather from each implementation to inform our training, coaching, and consulting services.
In a nutshell, empirical process control or empiricism.
If you are thinking of adopting agile within your organization and have identified SAFe as a great agile framework to adopt, implement and improve your business agility, visit our SAFe Quickstart ART Launch program page or view our SAFe Consulting Services page.
If you have identified a need for an agile coach and SAFe coach to help your organization adopt and implement SAFe, visit our SAFe Coaching Services page.
If you want to know more about SAFe and how to lead SAFe, visit our SAFE Training page for a host of options, from Leading SAFe to a SAFe Release Train Engineer course.
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