SAFe Scaled Agile Framework – Certification, Core Values

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is an agile framework developed and designed for software development teams and large organizations. SAFe Scaled Agile Framework certification is useful for large organizations working on complex projects that require collaboration across multiple teams and departments. SAFe is one of the most popular frameworks based on three primary bodies of knowledge: agile development, lean product development, and system thinking.

What is Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a framework, designed to handle the unique challenges that large organizations face when trying to adopt and scale Agile principles and practices. SAFe provides a structured approach to implementing Agile practices while preserving the flexibility and adaptability that are at the core of Agile methodologies.

SAFe is like a roadmap for big companies to make their work more organized and efficient. It gives them a plan to follow and patterns for how teams should work together. The main aim is to help companies provide value to customers in a better and faster way. So, SAFe helps them be more organized and deliver things that customers want more quickly.

SAFe was formed around four foundational bodies of knowledge: systems thinking, Agile development, Lean product development, and DevOps.

History of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

History of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

SAFe was developed by Scaled Agile, Inc., founded by Dean Leffingwell. The framework was first introduced in 2011 and has since undergone several updates to improve its concepts and practices. It has gained widespread adoption across various industries, including software development, finance, healthcare, and more.

The history of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) find its development and evolution over the years:

Origins in Agile and Lean Practices	SAFe can be linked directly to the beginnings of Agile and Lean techniques. It was established to address the need to expand these techniques to larger organizations. These methodologies had proven successful at the team level, but organizations needed a way to apply them across the entire enterprise.
Founding of Scaled Agile, Inc.	SAFe was officially introduced by Dean Leffingwell, a software industry veteran with extensive experience in Agile and Lean practices. In 2011, Dean founded Scaled Agile, Inc., with the aim of creating a framework that would help organizations achieve Agile transformations at scale.
SAFe 1.0 (2012)	SAFe 1.0 is the first version of Scaled Agile Framework that was introduced by Dean Leffingwell the Agile 2012 conference in Dallas.
SAFe 2.0 (2012)	This version of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) was introduced in 2012 and improve the limitation in portfolio level structure and navigation icon.
SAFe 3.0 (2014)	This version of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) was introduced in 2012. Lean-Agile Leadership and coordinating multiple Agile Release Trains was introduce in SAFe 3.0 that helps leaders in understanding the agile principle and enhance team collaboration.
SAFe LSE (2015)	This version of SAFe was introduced in 2015 for Lean Systems Engineering (SAFe LSE). This was especially designed for Software Engineering.
SAFe 4.0 (2016)	This version of SAFe was introduced in 2016. It integrate both software development and system development into single framework which makes it more scalable and modular.
SAFe 4.5 (2017)	SAFe 4.5 was introduced in 2017. Full SAFe, Portfolio SAFe, Large Solution SAFe, and Essential SAFe these 4 configuration was introduce in this version.
SAFe 4.6 (2018)	SAFe 4.6 was introduce in 2018. In SAFe 4.6 five essential qualities of the lean enterprise was introduce that are Lean-Agile Leadership, Team and Technical Agility, DevOps and Release on Demand, Business Solutions and Lean Systems, and Lean Portfolio Management.
SAFe 5.0 (2019)	SAFe 5.0 was introduce in 2019. This is an updated version of the Scaled Agile Framework, designed to enhance and refine the framework’s concepts and practices. Its main focus toward Enhancements for Business Agility, Renewed Focus on Customer-Centricity, Support for Continuous Learning and Updated Practices makes it a popular choice.

Core Values of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Core Values of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is built upon a set of four core values and nine key principles that guide its approach to scaling Agile practices within organizations. These values and principles are intended to enhance alignment, collaboration, transparency, and the efficient delivery of value. Here they are:

Core Values of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe):

1. Alignment: Teams and individuals should be aligned with a common mission, vision, and set of goals. Alignment ensures that everyone is working toward the same objectives and reduces conflicting priorities within the organization. Alignment in SAFe optimizes the collaboration in team.
2. Built-In Quality: Quality should be built into the product from the beginning of the development process. By focusing on quality at every stage, SAFe aims to reduce defects, improve customer satisfaction, and increase the speed of value delivery by doing regular practice such as continuous testing and integrating quality measures into the development process.
3. Transparency: SAFe promotes a culture of openness and visibility. Transparency is vital for effective collaboration, as it enables teams to share information, learn from one another, and make informed decisions.
4. Program Execution: SAFe give more importance of achieving business goals through effective program execution. This value ensures that work at the program level aligns with the organization’s strategic objectives.

Principles of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

The principles of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) serve as the foundation for SAFe and guide organizations in implementing Agile practices at scale while maintaining alignment, quality, and a customer-centric focus.

Principals of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Key Principles of Scaled Agile Framework:

1. Take an Economic View: SAFe encourages organizations to consider the economic impact of their decisions. This principle guides decision-making processes to maximize value delivery while minimizing costs and risks.
2. Apply Systems Thinking: Understanding the complex interactions within an organization is essential. Systems thinking encourages a holistic view, ensuring that decisions consider the broader context.
3. Assume Variability; (Preserve Options): Organizations should acknowledge and plan for variability. By preserving options, they can make informed choices when circumstances change, improving their adaptability.
4. Build Incrementally with Fast, Integrated Learning Cycles: SAFe promotes incremental development with short, integrated learning cycles. This approach allows organizations to gain rapid feedback and make adjustments based on real-world information.
5. Base Milestones on Objective Evaluation of Working Systems: Milestones in SAFe should be based on the delivery of working systems and measured against objective criteria. This approach emphasizes the delivery of tangible value.
6. Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths: Visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), reducing batch sizes, and managing queue lengths are lean principles that help optimize flow, reduce delays, and enhance efficiency.
7. Apply Cadence, Synchronize with Cross-Domain Planning: Cadence and synchronization are critical for improving alignment and coordination across teams and domains. SAFe introduces a rhythmic schedule of events and ceremonies to facilitate this synchronization.
8. Unlock the Intrinsic Motivation of Knowledge Workers: Knowledge workers are motivated when they have autonomy, mastery, and purpose. SAFe encourages organizations to create environments that foster these elements to enhance employee engagement.
9. Decentralize Decision-Making: Empowering teams and individuals to make decisions closer to the work is central to Agile practices. Decentralization promotes faster response to changing circumstances and greater innovation.
10. Organize around Value: Most of the organization are organize around principal. Organize around value means setting up the people and teams in a way that helps deliver the most important and useful things to customers. This involves arranging the structure of the organization to match the flow of value or benefits to the customers.

Working of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is designed to help large organizations implement Agile practices at scale, enabling them to deliver value more efficiently to customers. SAFe operates at multiple levels, each with its set of roles, artifacts, and ceremonies. Here’s a simplified explanation of how SAFe works:

Team Level:

• Roles: At the team level, SAFe follows traditional Agile roles, including Scrum Master, Product Owner, and development team members.
• Artifacts: Teams work on user stories and features, which are part of the product backlog.
• Ceremonies: Teams conduct ceremonies like Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-Ups, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective, adhering to Scrum or Kanban practices.

Program Level:

• Roles: SAFe introduces additional roles like Release Train Engineer (RTE) and Product Owner for the program level. RTEs facilitate program execution, while Product Owners focus on the program backlog.
• Artifacts: At this level, teams collaborate to develop features and align them with the Program Backlog. Features are prioritized and planned for delivery during Program Increments (PIs).
• Ceremonies: A key ceremony is the Program Increment (PI) Planning, which brings together all teams working on the same value stream to plan the features they’ll deliver in the upcoming PI.

Large Solution Level:

• Roles: When solutions require multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to work together, SAFe introduces roles like Solution Architect, Solution Train Engineer, and System Architect, who collaborate to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Artifacts: This level deals with the development of large solutions. ARTs collaborate to deliver features within the large solution context.
• Ceremonies: Solution Demo showcases the integrated large solution, while Solution PI Planning aligns the work of multiple ARTs.

Portfolio Level:

• Roles: At the portfolio level, SAFe introduces roles like Epic Owner, Portfolio Product Owner, and Portfolio Scrum Master. These roles focus on prioritizing and funding value streams.
• Artifacts: The Portfolio Backlog prioritizes epics and aligns them with the organization’s strategy.
• Ceremonies: Portfolio Sync aligns strategy and execution, providing visibility into how the portfolio’s initiatives contribute to the organization’s goals.

In essence, SAFe creates an organizational structure with a hierarchy of roles, artifacts, and ceremonies. It ensures that Agile practices are applied consistently across the organization, promoting alignment, collaboration, and value delivery. The various levels (Team, Program, Large Solution, and Portfolio) are interconnected, and each serves a specific purpose in achieving business goals through Agile practices. The framework emphasizes the flow of value through the organization, from the team level to the portfolio level.

Why Use Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?

Benefits of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a light weight framework that are useful for large organization working on complex project. SAFe promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across large numbers of agile teams. By implementing Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) organization will get the following benefits

• Time to market increased from 30% to 75%
• Productivity increased by 20% to 50%
• Quality improved by more than 50%
• Also helps in increasing employee engagement and happiness.

SAFe vs Other Scaled Agile Frameworks – Like Scrum, Spotify

SAFe is not the only framework for scaling Agile practices. Other popular frameworks include Scrum of Scrums, Spotify Model, and Large Scale Scrum (LeSS). Here’s how SAFe compares:

• SAFe vs. Scrum: Scrum is a framework primarily designed for small teams, whereas SAFe is for large enterprises. Scrum focuses on the team level, while SAFe offers a more comprehensive approach that includes program, large solution, and portfolio levels.
• SAFe vs. Spotify Model: The Spotify Model is an organizational structure that emphasizes team autonomy. SAFe, on the other hand, is a framework that provides specific guidelines and practices for scaling Agile across an entire organization.

Aspect	Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)	Scrum	Spotify Model
Scale and Scope	Designed for large organizations to scale Agile practices across the enterprise.	Primarily focused on managing work at the team level.	Focuses on team autonomy and alignment within a single organization.
Structure	Provides a structured and prescriptive framework with roles, ceremonies, and artifacts at multiple levels.	A lightweight framework with defined roles, events, and artifacts for team-level work.	Less prescriptive, offering principles to create a culture of self-organizing teams.
Roles and Responsibilities	Introduces a wide range of roles, each with specific responsibilities at different organizational levels.	Defines three primary roles: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, primarily for the team level.	Encourages self-organizing teams within Squads and doesn’t introduce additional roles beyond standard Scrum.
Adoption Difficulty	Complex and may require significant organizational change. Suited for large enterprises.	Relatively easy to adopt at the team level, often used as a starting point for Agile adoption.	Adaptable but may require a cultural shift within the organization for effective implementation.
Flexibility and Customization	Less flexible and more prescriptive, providing a specific set of practices and roles.	Highly flexible, allowing organizations to adapt and customize practices to their specific needs.	Flexible and adaptable, with room for customization based on the organization’s context and culture.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe 5.0)

SAFe 5.0 is an updated version of the Scaled Agile Framework, designed to enhance and refine the framework’s concepts and practices. Here’s a brief explanation of SAFe 5.0:

• Enhancements for Business Agility: SAFe 5.0 places a stronger emphasis on business agility. It provides improved guidance for Lean-Agile principles, enabling organizations to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.
• Renewed Focus on Customer-Centricity: SAFe 5.0 highlights the importance of customer-centricity. It encourages organizations to prioritize delivering value to customers, ensuring that their needs and expectations are at the forefront of decision-making.
• Support for Continuous Learning: This version of SAFe encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement. It helps organizations identify areas for growth and optimization, fostering a mindset of ongoing self-assessment and adaptation.
• Updated Practices: SAFe 5.0 introduces updated and refined practices to help organizations implement Agile at scale more effectively. It includes guidance on topics such as Lean Portfolio Management, DevOps, and more.

SAFe 5.0 is an updated and improved version of the framework that promotes business agility, customer-centricity, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement, while also offering enhanced practices for organizations looking to scale Agile effectively.

Application of Scaled Agile Framework

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) offers numerous benefits and has a ide range of applications across various industries. Here are the key benefits and applications of SAFe:

• Software Development: SAFe is widely applied in the software development industry to scale Agile practices for larger development teams and organizations. It helps manage complex software projects and improve product quality.
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing companies use SAFe to streamline processes, reduce waste, improve product quality, and respond quickly to changes in demand or market conditions.
• Healthcare: In healthcare, SAFe is applied to enhance patient care, optimize healthcare processes, and ensure compliance with regulations while maintaining quality and safety.
• Finance: Financial institutions utilize SAFe to manage complex projects, increase transparency in financial processes, adapt to changing regulatory requirements, and enhance the speed of product development.
• Government: Government agencies apply SAFe to increase the efficiency and responsiveness of government services. SAFe’s structured approach can help in managing large-scale government projects effectively.
• Retail: SAFe is used in the retail sector to respond rapidly to changing customer demands and market trends, enabling retailers to introduce new products and services efficiently.
• Education: Educational institutions adopt SAFe to optimize their processes and curricula development. This helps them respond to changing educational needs and deliver value to students.
• Aerospace and Defense: SAFe is employed in this sector to manage complex projects such as the development of aircraft and defense systems. It ensures alignment between engineering teams and requirements.

SAFe is a versatile framework with applications in a wide range of industries. Its benefits include improved alignment, faster value delivery, enhanced product quality, transparency, and increased employee engagement, making it an attractive choice for organizations looking to scale Agile practices and achieve better results.

Pros and Cons of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Pros of Scaled Agile Framework

• Structured Approach: SAFe provides a structured and comprehensive framework that guides organizations through the process of scaling Agile practices. This structure can be beneficial for large organizations that need a clear roadmap for their Agile transformation.
• Proven Success: SAFe has a track record of success in various industries, helping organizations achieve better alignment, faster delivery, and improved product quality.
• Alignment: SAFe places a strong emphasis on alignment across different levels of the organization, ensuring that everyone is working toward a common mission and vision.
• Improved Collaboration: By promoting collaboration and communication among teams, SAFe helps break down silos and fosters a culture of cross-functional cooperation.
• Increased Employee Engagement: SAFe encourages team empowerment, self-organization, and continuous improvement, leading to higher levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction.

Cons of Scaled Agile Framework

• Complexity: Implementing SAFe can be complex and challenging, particularly for organizations new to Agile. The framework introduces many roles, ceremonies, and artifacts, which may overwhelm teams and management.
• Resistance to Change: Organizations accustomed to traditional project management may resist the shift to SAFe and Agile practices. Cultural resistance can be a significant barrier to successful adoption.
• Resource-Intensive: SAFe requires significant resources, both in terms of training and time, to implement effectively. This can be a barrier for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
• Potential Overhead: Some organizations might find that SAFe introduces a level of overhead in terms of roles and ceremonies that may not be necessary for their specific context.
• Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution: SAFe is not suitable for every organization. Its structured nature may not align with the unique needs and culture of every company. It’s essential to assess whether SAFe is the right fit for a specific organization.

SAFe offers a structured and proven approach to scaling Agile, but it can be complex to implement and may face resistance. Organizations should carefully evaluate its pros and cons before adopting it and consider their specific context and readiness for Agile transformation.

Conclusion: Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) offers a structured and comprehensive approach to implementing Agile practices in large organizations. It provides a set of values, principles, and practices that help organizations achieve alignment, transparency, and faster delivery of value to customers. While SAFe is not the only option for scaling Agile, its track record of success and structured approach make it a valuable framework for organizations looking to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. However, it’s essential to carefully consider the organization’s specific needs and potential resistance to change when adopting SAFe or any Agile framework.