SAFe Principle 5: Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems.
SAFe principle 5 – base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems – reminds us that we can’t measure the effectiveness of what we are doing based on time elapsed, instead we need to measure the effectiveness of what we have built and how well it is working or performing.
In the context of SAFe, and this principle, we are talking about technology integrated solutions rather than simple or complicated work, such as a bridge for example.
In an autonomous car, there is a hardware, software, and firmware component.
We can’t make a judgement call on our effectiveness if we are only evaluating the hardware components of the car. Whilst great engineering in the hardware component is important, it isn’t a fully working system if it doesn’t incorporate the software and firmware components too.
So, in an environment where we have integrated components that work together to create a working system, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of that working system rather than base our success on an arbitrary benchmark such as ‘12 weeks into production’.
Alignment with Agile values and principles
This SAFe principle ties into the principles and values outlined in the Agile Manifesto.
The second Agile value – Working software over comprehensive documentation – highlights the importance of delivering working software, or working systems, over progress according to a documented plan or extensive documentation.
The first Agile principle – Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software – reinforces the idea that we are focused on delivering working software or systems that meet and exceed customer expectations.
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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