Scaled Agile Framework, or SAFe, is a framework that helps organizations to scale their Agile practices to the enterprise level. It is designed to help organizations to implement agile practices across multiple teams and projects in a coordinated and integrated way.
SAFe is a comprehensive framework that provides guidance on various aspects of scaling agile, such as planning and executing large-scale initiatives, aligning strategy and execution, coordinating across multiple teams, and continuously improving the delivery of value to customers.
SAFe is based on the Agile Manifesto, which emphasizes customer satisfaction through continuous delivery of value, and it aims to provide a framework for implementing agile practices at scale. SAFe is used by many organizations across various industries, including software development, healthcare, finance, and government.
There are four core values of SAFe: alignment, built-in quality, transparency, and program execution. Alignment means that all teams and stakeholders are aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives, and everyone is working towards the same outcomes. Built-in quality means that quality is an inherent part of the development process, and not an afterthought. Transparency means that information is shared openly and honestly, and everyone has visibility into the progress of the initiative. Program execution means that there is a continuous flow of value delivery, and the teams are able to deliver high-quality products on a regular basis.
SAFe is organized into three levels:
- The Team Level: It is the basic building block of SAFe, and it is where the agile teams work on their specific projects.
- The Program Level: It is where multiple teams work together on a larger initiative, and it is where the coordination and integration of work across teams occurs.
- The Portfolio Level: The Portfolio Level is where the strategic alignment and prioritization of initiatives occur, and it is where the organization’s overall strategy is translated into actionable initiatives.
SAFe also provides a set of core values, principles, and practices that guide the implementation of agile practices at each level. These include practices such as Agile Release Trains (ARTs), which are cross-functional teams that work together to deliver value in a regular cadence, and Lean-Agile leadership, which emphasizes the importance of leaders in creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
SAFe is a powerful framework for organizations that are looking to scale their agile practices to the enterprise level. It provides a comprehensive set of guidance, practices, and tools for aligning strategy and execution, coordinating across multiple teams, and continuously improving the delivery of value to customers. If you are considering scaling your agile practices, SAFe is definitely worth exploring.
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