Alexis Kestler
Friend, implementing functional Scrum teams is hard enough, but when you have multiple interdependent teams working on the same product, things get even trickier. You need a framework to align and coordinate all those Scrum teams. Otherwise, you end up with siloed teams narrowly focused on their own goals, barely aware of the overall program vision. This is precisely why Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) was created.
As a fellow technology geek, I want to walk you through how SAFe builds on Scrum to scale agile practices across large enterprises. Stick with me, and you‘ll learn:
- What SAFe is and how it works
- The key roles and events in SAFe
- How to approach transitioning from Scrum to SAFe
- Challenges to expect and how to overcome them
Let‘s dig in!
What Exactly is SAFe and How Does It Work?
SAFe is an agile framework designed for coordinating multiple Scrum teams working on large, complex projects. It provides structures and processes so teams stay aligned while remaining agile.
According to 2021 data from Scaled Agile Inc, over 70% of the Fortune 100 use SAFe, so it‘s widely adopted. But how does it work?
SAFe reimagines traditional hierarchical organizations using agile principles. Rather than completely restructuring an enterprise, it layers a second agile system on top of existing structures. This provides familiarity for stakeholders used to the old system while enabling greater agility.
Four core values form the foundation of SAFe:
Alignment
SAFe facilitates alignment up, down and across organizations with mechanisms like:
- A shared vision and roadmap
- Common terminology
- Regular cross-team coordination
This prevents siloed teams all marching to their own beat.
Transparency
Open communication and visibility create transparency in SAFe. Teams:
- Share information freely
- Visualize work
- Admit and learn from failures early
This builds trust and collaboration.
Respect for People
SAFe emphasizes individuals over roles. It:
- Values diversity of perspectives
- Focuses on customer needs
- Enables people to do their best work
Empowered, fulfilled teams create better outcomes.
Relentless Improvement
The SAFe mindset rejects complacency and seeks constant improvement through:
- Continual feedback cycles
- Dedicated time for innovation
- Problem-solving focus
Regular tuning keeps programs responsive and effective.
These values enable large-scale coordination while preserving team agility. So how does that actually happen?
The key organizing structure in SAFe is the Agile Release Train (ART). An ART is a long-lived team of teams (typically 5-12 Scrum teams) that build solutions in a value stream.
ARTs deliver new functionality on a fixed schedule with clear objectives and milestones. This cadence provides alignment and visibility.
So in summary, SAFe uses ARTs, shared purpose and regular coordination events to scale Scrum across programs with hundreds or thousands of people.
Now let‘s explore how role definitions and ceremonies keep ARTs humming.
Roles and Events That Make SAFe Work
SAFe defines specific roles and ceremonies to enable alignment, planning and continuous improvement across ARTs. Here are some key ones:
Roles
Release Train Engineer (RTE): The RTE leads the ART, facilitating alignment and flow. They serve as the Scrum Master for the entire train.
Product Management: Product Management guides the vision and priorities for the ART, acting as the voice of the customer.
System Architect/Engineering: This role develops technical architecture and solutions to enable team delivery.
Business Owners: These stakeholders provide vision and validate progress for the ART.
Agile Teams: Cross-functional dev teams building the solution, similar to Scrum.
Events
Program Increment (PI) Planning: A cadenced 2-3 day event where teams plan objectives for the next development interval based on business priorities.
System Demo: Teams demonstrate completed features at the end of each PI for stakeholder feedback.
Inspect & Adapt Workshop: ART reflects on progress and tunes processes after each PI.
These roles and rituals provide the alignment, visibility and feedback loops needed to apply Scrum at scale.
Now that you understand how SAFe is structured, let‘s discuss how to approach rolling it out.
How To Approach Transitioning From Scrum to SAFe
Migrating from basic Scrum to SAFe is challenging but doable. Here are some recommendations from my experience:
Prep Work
Master Scrum first. SAFe assumes proficiency with core Scrum, so get teams working well before adding complexity.
Build a transition team. Involve leadership, change managers, admins and team reps to guide the rollout.
Train extensively. Conduct SAFe workshops for all stakeholders so everyone understands the new system.
Gradual Implementation
Start with a pilot ART. Introduce SAFe in one ART before expanding enterprise-wide. Learn and adjust.
Rinse and repeat. Add more ARTs in waves once existing ones work smoothly. Don‘t bite off more than you can chew.
Coach teams. Provide ongoing support as teams adapt to new roles, rituals and coordination needs.
Cultural Shifts
Communicate, communicate, communicate. Transparency and alignment require extensive communication at all levels.
Flatten hierarchies. SAFe distributes control across teams. Leadership should be coaches rather than commanders.
Break down silos. Reward collaboration between teams and departments.
Decentralize decision-making. Empower teams to determine how best to achieve objectives.
Adjusting an enterprise‘s structures and culture takes patience and perseverance. But the payoff of well-coordinated agile teams is immense.
Expect Challenges – And How to Conquer Them
SAFe transformation will inevitably encounter obstacles. Here are some common ones and how to overcome:
Old habits die hard. Long-entrenched behaviors like top-down control can creep back in. Reinforce SAFe principles continuously.
Coordination growing pains. Increased alignment across ARTs has overhead. Streamline ceremonies and build collaborative habits.
adoption slows. Reinforce value of shared purpose. Consider incentives for adopting new practices.
Technical debt escalation. Architectural issues multiply with scale. Build remediation into each PI.
SAFe = more safe? Some use SAFe to reassert control, compromising agility. Train why SAFe works and auditor frequently.
With concerted leadership and commitment to SAFe‘s values, these hurdles can be cleared to reach full transformation.
The road from basic Scrum to enterprise SAFe is long but rewarding. Take small steps, expect challenges and keep aligned to values, and you‘ll see great results. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to help fellow geeks implement SAFe successfully.
