Introduction

Leading SAFe is a framework designed to help organizations scale Agile practices beyond individual teams and align efforts across the entire organization. While many organizations begin with Agile at the team level, this often leads to fragmented efforts without a connection to the broader business strategy. SAFe provides the proven methods for aligning Agile teams at the program level, ensuring that efforts are synchronized to meet organizational goals. The framework guides leaders in managing large-scale Agile transformations, from aligning multiple teams to coordinating program-level initiatives, all aimed at maximizing shareholder value.

Objectives

By the end of the Leading SAFe training program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the SAFe framework and its application to align Agile practices across teams, programs, and portfolios.
• Implement Lean and Agile principles within an organization to optimize value delivery.
• Align Agile teams with the organization's strategic goals.
• Lead and manage Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and the related value streams.
• Navigate the responsibilities of leadership in a SAFe environment, including managing change, coaching teams, and driving continuous improvement.

Target Audience

• Executives: Leaders who are responsible for implementing SAFe at the organizational level.
• Managers: Those overseeing Agile teams or multiple programs, looking to scale their Agile practices.
• Change Agents: Individuals involved in driving organizational change through Agile transformations.
• Program Managers: Professionals managing programs and working with cross-functional teams.
• Coaches: Coaches guiding teams or organizations in adopting and scaling Agile practices.
• Anyone Helping Lead the SAFe Implementation: Individuals assisting in the introduction, implementation, and scaling of SAFe practices.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to SAFe

• What is SAFe?
  • Understanding the Scaled Agile Framework.
• SAFe Implementation Strategy
  • How to effectively implement SAFe across an organization.
• History of SAFe
  • The evolution and development of SAFe.
• SAFe Core Values
  • Exploring the principles that form the foundation of SAFe.
• Lean Thinking
  • Introduction to Lean principles and their role in SAFe.
• Lean Tools
  • Key tools used in Lean methodologies.
• House of Quality
  • How to ensure quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Optimal Batch Size
  • Managing batch sizes for efficient delivery.
• Product Development Flow
  • Streamlining the flow of work and value.
• Controlling Flow Under Uncertainty
  • Techniques for managing uncertainty in Agile environments.
• Decentralized Control
  • Empowering teams to make decisions.
• Value Stream Mapping
  • Mapping the flow of value in an organization.

Day 2: Agile Development

• Accelerating Value Delivery
  • Techniques for speeding up value delivery.
• Brief Agile Overview
  • An introduction to Agile methodologies.
• Business Benefits
  • Understanding the business value of Agile.
• Case Studies
  • Real-world examples of SAFe implementation.
• SAFe at the Team Level
  • How SAFe impacts teams and their workflows.
• Overview of Scrum and XP in SAFe
  • Applying Scrum and XP practices within SAFe.
• Roles in ScrumXP
  • Understanding the key roles in Scrum and XP.
• The Power of “Ba”
  • The concept of creating shared space for collaboration.
• Backlog Sizing and Estimating
  • Techniques for sizing and estimating product backlogs.
• Estimating and Planning
  • How to accurately estimate and plan for Agile projects.
• Code Quality and Continuous Integration
  • Ensuring high code quality through continuous integration.

Day 3: SAFe at the Portfolio Level

• What is Portfolio Program Management (PPM)?
  • Introduction to the concept of Portfolio Management in SAFe.
• PPM’s Role in Strategy and Investment Funding
  • How PPM aligns investments with business strategies.
• PPM’s Role in Governance
  • Managing governance in a SAFe organization.
• Dealing with Legacy Mindsets
  • Overcoming traditional thinking in a SAFe environment.
• 8 Transformational Patterns for Agile PPM
  • Key patterns for transforming portfolio management with Agile.

Day 4: SAFe at the Program Level

• What is an ART (Agile Release Train)?
  • Understanding the ART and its role in SAFe.
• Rules of an ART
  • Guidelines for running an ART effectively.
• New Roles in ART
  • Key roles added in a SAFe ART.
• Identifying ART Opportunities
  • Finding opportunities to implement ARTs.
• Program Vision and Roadmap
  • Defining a clear vision and roadmap for the program.
• Optimal ROI and the Cost of Delay
  • Analyzing ROI and understanding the financial impact of delays.
• ART Duration Estimating
  • How to estimate the duration of ARTs.
• Release Planning and Managing the Train
  • Managing the ART throughout its lifecycle.
• Agile Architecture
  • Introduction to the role of architecture in SAFe.
• Architecture in SAFe
  • Understanding how architecture aligns with Agile principles.
• ART and System Architecture
  • How ARTs and system architecture work together.
• 7 Principles of Agile Architecture
  • Principles for scaling Agile architecture.
• SAFe’s Architectural Runway
  • How to maintain a solid architectural foundation in SAFe.

Day 5: Scaling Leadership

• Managing Your Knowledge Workers
  • How to lead and support knowledge workers in an Agile environment.
• Creating Purpose and Articulating Product Vision
  • How to define and communicate a compelling product vision.
• Analyzing the Value Stream
  • Mapping and analyzing the value stream to optimize flow.
• Assessing Agile Teams
  • How to assess the maturity and performance of Agile teams.
• Coaching with Powerful Questions
  • Coaching techniques that promote deeper thinking and insight.