Scaled Agile Framework SAFe® 5.

0 What is it and How do I Implement it

SAFe® for Lean Enterprises is a knowledge base of proven, integrated principles, practices, and
competencies for Lean, Agile, and DevOps. The Scaled Agile Framework encompasses a set of
principles, processes, and best practices that helps larger organizations adopt agile
methodologies, such as Lean and Scrum, to develop and deliver high-quality products and
services faster.

SAFe® synchronizes alignment, collaboration, and delivery for large numbers of teams. It is
particularly well-suited for complex projects that involve multiple large teams at the project,
program, and portfolio levels.
SAFe® includes three levels: Essential (Team, Program), Large Solution, and Portfolio processes.
At the Team level, the techniques outlined are those used in scrum, recommending two-week
iterations.
This framework has several icons supported by an article explaining it in detail.

https://www.scaledagileframework.com/

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The Program level works on a Release Train, which is composed of approximately five iterations
for each team. The last iteration is called an innovation planning sprint, which allows teams to
innovate, inspect, and adapt. Roles and processes are defined at the Essential level, which allows
for consistency and collaboration across the teams. SAFe® also provides a Large Solution level to
synchronize multiple Agile Release Teams (ARTs). The Portfolio level uses lean principles, such as
optimizing value streams, to help executives and leaders identify and prioritize Strategic Themes
and Epics.
There are seven core competencies of the Lean Enterprise, each of which is essential to achieving
Business Agility. Mastering these competencies empowers organizations to successfully navigate
the transformation to Lean, Agile, and DevOps. To support these competencies, SAFe® includes
sets of recommended improvement opportunities for developing mastery in each competency.

Organizational Agility*
Organizational Agility competency describes how Lean-thinking people and Agile teams optimize their
business processes, evolve strategy with clear and decisive new commitments, and quickly adapt the
organization as needed to capitalize on new opportunities.

Lean Portfolio Management*

The Lean Portfolio Management competency aligns strategy and execution by applying Lean and
systems thinking approaches to strategy and investment funding, Agile portfolio operations, and
governance.

Enterprise Solution Delivery*

The Enterprise Solution Delivery competency describes how to apply Lean-Agile principles and practices
to the specification, development, deployment, operation, and evolution of the world’s largest and most
sophisticated software applications, networks, and cyber-physical systems.

Agile Product Delivery*

Agile Product Delivery is a customer-centric approach to defining, building, and releasing a continuous
flow of valuable products and services to customers and users.

Team and Technical Agility*

The Team and Technical Agility competency describes the critical skills and Lean-Agile principles and
practices that high-performing Agile teams and Teams of Agile teams use to create high-quality solutions
for their customers.

Continuous Learning Culture*

This competency describes a set of values and practices that encourage individuals—and the enterprise
as a whole—to continually increase knowledge, competence, performance, and innovation. This is
achieved by becoming a learning organization, committing to relentless improvement, and promoting a
culture of innovation.

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Lean-Agile Leadership*

The Lean-Agile Leadership competency describes how Lean-Agile Leaders drive and sustain
organizational change and operational excellence by empowering individuals and teams to reach their
highest potential. They do this through leading by example; learning and modeling SAFe’s Lean-Agile
mindset, values, principles, and practices; and leading the change to a new way of working.

*© Scaled Agile, Inc.

We have developed this simple 5 step process for implementing SAFe 5.0

SUMMARY
Did you enjoy this white paper, “SAFe: What is it and how can I implement it”? I hope you did and that
you have gained insight into SAFe and how it adds program and portfolio management for Agile Teams. Out 5
Step Roadmap shows how to implement SAFe but please contact me for more information.

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keith E. Wilson, MBA, B.Comm., PMP, MCT, MCP, CSM, CSPO, KMP, SPC 5.0, DASSM, CDAI, CDAC

Keith Wilson’s background includes over 25 years of successful coaching, training,

management, and consulting experience. He is a welcomed facilitator at numerous
fortune 500 corporations, universities, and associations worldwide and is well
known for his public speaking skills and enthusiasm. He has successfully
consulted, developed courses for, and coached and trained thousands of
people worldwide virtually, in person and through on-demand recordings in
all areas of Agile Scrum, Kanban, SAFe and Disciplined, Project, Program and
Portfolio Management, Business Analysis, Microsoft Project, Project
Online/Server, SharePoint, Microsoft Azure DevOps, Leadership and
Interpersonal skills. Keith is consistently rated as a top coach, trainer, and
facilitator with outstanding evaluations and comments that include: Very Engaging,
Energetic, Entertaining, Informative, Over The Top Interesting, Great Presenter, Very
Enthusiastic; Humorous, Clear, Concise and Effective, Extremely Knowledgeable, The
Best trainer I have had in 30 years.

For more details, feel free to contact Keith Wilson at:

kwilson@at-llc.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-wilson-6604806/

https://www.agile-transformational.comPMP, M