In the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), an Agile Release Train (ART) is a long-lived, self-organising team that is responsible for delivering value to the customer through the continuous delivery of a flow of incremental value in the form of working, tested software.
An ART is composed of multiple Agile Teams, which are cross-functional teams that are responsible for delivering a working increment of value to the customer at the end of each iteration (typically two weeks). The ART is a train metaphor, with each Agile Team representing a train car that is connected to the others. The ART moves forward together as a unit, delivering value to the customer on a regular cadence through the continuous delivery of working software.
The ART operates within the context of a Program Increment (PI), which is a timeboxed iteration in which the ART plans, commits to, and delivers a defined increment of value. The PI typically lasts for 8-12 weeks, and during this time the ART works to deliver a set of features and capabilities that are aligned with the strategic goals of the organization.
One of the key principles of SAFe is that it is designed to enable organisations to scale Agile practices to large, complex projects and programs. In order to do this, SAFe introduces the concept of the ART, which is a way for organisations to coordinate the work of multiple Agile Teams and align their efforts with the strategic goals of the organisation.
The ART is led by a Release Train Engineer (RTE), who is responsible for facilitating the PI Planning process, ensuring that the ART stays on track, and helping to resolve any issues or impediments that may arise. The RTE also serves as a coach and mentor to the Agile Teams, helping them to improve their practices and become more effective at delivering value to the customer.
In addition to the Agile Teams and the RTE, the ART also includes a number of other roles and practices that are designed to support the work of the Agile Teams and ensure that the ART is able to deliver value to the customer on a regular basis. These include:
Solution Management: This team is responsible for defining and prioritising the features and capabilities that will be delivered by the ART.
System Team: This team is responsible for designing and building the technical infrastructure that will be used to support the ART.
Lean-Agile Leaders: These individuals are responsible for coaching and mentoring the Agile Teams and helping them to improve their practices.
Lean Portfolio Management: This practice is responsible for aligning the work of the ART with the strategic goals of the organisation and ensuring that the ART is delivering value to the customer.
Lean-Agile Governance: This practice is responsible for establishing and enforcing the rules and processes that the ART will follow in order to deliver value to the customer.
Overall, the Agile Release Train is a key component of the Scaled Agile Framework and is designed to help organisations coordinate the work of multiple Agile Teams and deliver value to the customer on a regular basis. By aligning the work of the ART with the strategic goals of the organisation and empowering the Agile Teams to continuously deliver working software, organisations can become more responsive to the needs of their customers and more competitive in the marketplace.
If you’re wondering which SAFe-certified course is best to learn more about the ART, you can pick any of Release Train Engineer (RTE), SAFe for Teams (SP), or Implementing SAFe (SPC).
