Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®)

Overview

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a comprehensive and proven approach to implementing Agile practices at scale in large and complex organisations. It is a set of principles, practices, and frameworks that have been designed to enable organisations to deliver high-quality software products and services effectively and efficiently in a timely manner.

The SAFe framework is based on Agile principles and incorporates Lean thinking, systems thinking, and product development flow. It provides a structured and scalable approach that helps organisations to align their strategy, execution, and delivery, and to coordinate the work of multiple Agile teams working together towards a common goal.

SAFe agile is organised around three key levels: Team, Program, and Portfolio.

Team level

At the Team level, Scaled Agile Framework provides guidance on how to implement Agile practices such as Scrum and Kanban to deliver high-quality software products.

Program level

At the Program level, Scaled Agile Framework focuses on coordinating the work of multiple Agile teams to deliver a large and complex solution.

Portfolio level

At the Portfolio level, Scaled Agile Framework helps organisations to align their strategy with their execution, and to ensure that they are investing in the right initiatives.

Scaling agile

Scaled Agile Framework provides a range of practices and frameworks that help organisations to overcome the challenges of scaling Agile practices. These include the Agile Release Train (ART), which is a long-lived team of Agile teams that plan, commit, and execute together, and the Solution Train, which is a longer-term, strategic initiative that spans multiple ARTs.

Summary

In conclusion, Scaled Agile Framework is a powerful and flexible framework that has been designed to help organisations to implement Agile practices at scale. It provides a structured approach that helps organisations to align their strategy, execution, and delivery, and to coordinate the work of multiple Agile teams working together towards a common goal.

Scaled Agile Framework has been successfully implemented in a wide range of industries and organisations and has been proven to deliver high-quality software products and services in a timely and efficient manner.

Organisations

Using the Scaled Agile Framework can bring many benefits to organisations, especially those with complex systems and large-scale software development.

1. Improved business agility

Scaled Agile Framework helps organisations to respond to market changes and customer needs quickly and effectively. By enabling rapid feedback loops and continuous delivery, SAFe can reduce the time it takes to bring products to market, allowing organisations to stay ahead of the competition.

2. Enhanced collaboration

SAFe agile framework promotes collaboration among different teams, departments, and stakeholders within an organisation. It helps to break down silos and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and teamwork.

3. Higher productivity

SAFe agile framework enables organisations to achieve higher levels of productivity by streamlining processes, reducing waste, and optimising resource utilisation. It also provides a clear roadmap and framework for executing projects, making it easier to plan and manage workloads.

4. Improved quality

Scaled Agile Framework encourages a focus on quality throughout the entire development process, from planning to delivery. By emphasising continuous testing, integration, and delivery, SAFe helps to ensure that products are delivered with high quality and reliability.

5. Reduced risk

SAFe agile provides a structured approach to managing risk, allowing organisations to identify and mitigate potential issues early on in the development cycle. This helps to reduce the likelihood of project failures and delays and can also reduce the costs associated with rework and defect remediation.

6. Greater transparency

SAFe agile provides a transparent view of project status and progress, making it easier for teams and stakeholders to understand the work being done and the value being delivered. This can improve communication and collaboration across the organisation.

7. Better customer satisfaction

The SAFe framework helps organisations to focus on delivering value to the customer by enabling customer-centric thinking and a focus on outcomes rather than outputs. This can lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.

By adopting Scaled Agile Framework organisations can achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently, while delivering high-quality software products and services that meet the needs of their customers.

Individuals

There are several benefits to an individual of gaining SAFe agile certification, including:

1. Increased marketability

SAFe agile is widely adopted in various industries, and having certification can enhance an individual’s marketability and career prospects.

2. Improved knowledge and skills

Scaled Agile Framework certification courses provide comprehensive training on various aspects of SAFe, including principles, practices, and tools. This can improve an individual’s knowledge and skills related to agile methodologies, lean thinking, and product development.

3. Networking opportunities

Scaled agile certification courses offer opportunities to connect with other professionals in the industry, share experiences and learn from each other.

4. Recognition and credibility

SAFe agile certification is recognised globally and provides credibility to an individual’s skills and expertise in agile practices and methodologies.

5. Career growth

Scaled Agile Framework certification can open up opportunities for career growth within an organisation, such as promotion to leadership or management roles.

6. Better collaboration and communication

Scaled agile certification courses emphasise collaboration and communication among team members, which can improve overall team performance and productivity.

7. Increased efficiency

SAFe agile certification courses provide training on various tools and techniques to improve organisational efficiency, such as agile planning, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement.

There are several different SAFe agile certifications that individuals can pursue to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the agile scaled framework.

Here are some of the most widely recognised and respected scaled agile certifications from Scaled Agile Inc..

Scaled agile certifications

Certified SAFe Agilist

This certification is ideal if you want to implement Lean-Agile change, adopt a Lean-Agile mindset, and utilise SAFe practices to support teams, programs, and portfolio management.

Certified SAFe Program Consultant

SAFe 5 Program Consultants teach SAFe, coach teams, launch Agile Release Trains, and enable a Lean portfolio as part of a business transformation.

Certified SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager

SAFe Product Owners/Product Managers drive program execution, enable product development flow, and continuously deliver value in the enterprise using Lean-Agile values and principles.

Certified SAFe Scrum Master

SAFe Scrum Masters facilitate events, explore Scrum in an enterprise context, and coach teams to deliver maximum business value in a scaled agile environment.

Certified SAFe Lean Portfolio Manager

For portfolio managers wanting to learn to implement Lean Portfolio Management functions, strategy, investment funding, agile operations, and governance.

Certified SAFe Practitioner

For Lean-Agile team members to learn about the SAFe Agile Release Train (ART), writing user stories, improving processes, and executing Iterations.

Certified SAFe Release Train Engineer

SAFe Release Train Engineers enhance servant leadership, plan events, foster improvement, and enable end-to-end value delivery in an enterprise scaled agile environment.

Certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master

SAFe Advanced Scrum Masters learn to facilitate program execution, implement scalable engineering, DevOps practices, and improve cross-team interactions in an enterprise. They gain a systems view of the Scrum Master role in larger Agile programs.

How to earn your scaled agile certification

To gain a scaled agile certification you must attend a training course and pass the certification exam.

A physical classroom course requires you to travel to the venue. In a virtual classroom course, you participate using a computer and headset (and optional video camera) over the internet.

Instructor-led courses

All instructor-led scaled agile training courses are taught by experienced and certified scaled agile trainers. Take instructor-led scaled agile training if you can commit to a fixed classroom schedule.

To check whether there is instructor-led scaled agile training near you, or a virtual instructor-led scaled agile course, check the dates on the Certified Scaled Agilist page.

To read more about many more scaled agile frameworks, their pros and cons, read the article Are Scaled Agile Frameworks Necessary?