SAFe.md

title	Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
description	A set of organization and workflow patterns for scaling lean and agile practices across large enterprises.
tags	Risk Frameworks Agile SAFe
featured	class element c <image-artifact imgsrc="/public/templates/risk-first/posts/safe.svg">SAFe</image-artifact>
method	practices tag reason use Approvals SAFe uses Program Increment (PI) Planning events where objectives are agreed and approved by stakeholders. PI Planning Inspect and Adapt tag reason use Automation SAFe promotes built-in quality through continuous integration and automated testing. Continuous Integration Built-in Quality tag reason use Change Management SAFe manages change through structured backlogs and regular planning cadences. Program Backlog Enabler Stories tag reason use Coordination Risk SAFe specifically addresses coordination across multiple teams through Agile Release Trains. Agile Release Train (ART) Scrum of Scrums tag reason use Delegation SAFe emphasizes decentralized decision-making to empower teams. Decentralize Decision-Making tag reason use Demo System Demos occur at the end of each iteration to show integrated work to stakeholders. System Demo Solution Demo tag reason use Estimating SAFe uses story points and capacity-based planning during PI Planning. Story Points Capacity Allocation tag reason use Issue Management SAFe uses program and team backlogs to track and prioritise work. Program Backlog Team Backlog tag reason use Measurement SAFe measures progress through PI Objectives, velocity, and flow metrics. PI Objectives Flow Metrics Predictability Measure tag reason use Meeting SAFe uses regular ceremonies including daily stand-ups, iteration planning, and PI Planning. PI Planning Daily Stand-up Iteration Planning tag reason use Monitoring SAFe monitors progress through Program Boards, Kanban boards, and regular sync meetings. Program Board ART Sync tag reason use Prioritising SAFe uses Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) to prioritise work by economic value. WSJF Economic Prioritisation tag reason use Release SAFe promotes continuous delivery through the Release on Demand capability. Release on Demand Continuous Delivery Pipeline tag reason use Requirements Capture SAFe captures requirements as Features and Stories, refined through backlog grooming. Features User Stories Enablers tag reason use Retrospectives SAFe includes Inspect and Adapt workshops for systematic improvement after each PI. Inspect and Adapt Iteration Retrospective tag reason use Stakeholder Management SAFe engages stakeholders through Business Owners, Product Management, and regular demos. Business Owners Product Management tag reason use Automated Testing SAFe emphasises built-in quality through test automation at all levels. Built-in Quality Test-First

Description

"The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a set of organization and workflow patterns intended to guide enterprises in scaling lean and agile practices. SAFe promotes alignment, collaboration, and delivery across large numbers of agile teams." - Scaled Agile Framework, Wikipedia

SAFe addresses the challenge of Coordination Risk at scale by organising teams into Agile Release Trains (ARTs) that plan and deliver together in Program Increments (PIs). Key practices include PI Planning (a face-to-face event to align all teams), WSJF prioritisation (to maximise economic value), and Inspect and Adapt workshops (for continuous improvement). SAFe integrates Scrum, Kanban, and XP practices while adding coordination mechanisms for enterprise-scale delivery.

See Also