SAFe 5.0 Distilled

Synopsis

SAFe® 5.0: The World's Leading Framework for Business Agility

"Those who master large-scale software delivery will define the economic landscape of the twenty-first century. SAFe 5.0 is a monumental release that I am convinced will be key in helping countless enterprise organizations succeed in their shift from project to product."
-Dr. Mik Kersten, CEO of Tasktop and author of the book Project to Product

Business agility is the ability to compete and thrive in the digital age by quickly responding to unprecedented market changes, threats, and emerging opportunities with innovative business solutions.

SAFe® 5.0 Distilled: Achieving Business Agility with Scaled Agile Framework® explains how adopting SAFe helps enterprises use the power of Agile, Lean, and DevOps to outflank the competition and deliver complex, technology-based business solutions in the shortest possible time.

This book will help you

• Understand the business case for SAFe: its benefits, and the problems it solves
• Learn the technical, organizational and leadership competencies needed for business agility
• Refocus on customer centricity with design thinking
• Better align strategy and execution with Lean Portfolio Management
• Learn the leadership skills needed to thrive in the digital age
• Increase the flow of value to customers with value stream networks

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Summary

Chapter 1: SAFe Essentials

* Defines SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) as a comprehensive set of practices and principles for scaling Agile across multiple teams and programs.
* Outlines the four key pillars of SAFe: Continuous Delivery Pipeline, Team and Technical Agility, Architectural Runway, and Lean Portfolio Management.
* Example: A software development team using SAFe to coordinate their release cycles and ensure smooth integration.

Chapter 2: The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Model

* Describes the hierarchical structure of SAFe, from Teams through Value Streams to Large Solutions.
* Explains the concept of a Program Increment (PI) as a fixed-length planning and execution cycle.
* Example: A large organization using SAFe to manage multiple teams working on different projects and products.

Chapter 3: Team and Technical Agility

* Emphasizes the importance of self-organizing, cross-functional teams and technical practices that support agility.
* Introduces Kanban, Scrum, and XP as core Agile methodologies integrated into SAFe.
* Example: A software development team using Kanban to manage their backlog and track progress.

Chapter 4: Continuous Delivery Pipeline

* Outlines the Continuous Delivery (CD) Pipeline as the backbone of SAFe, enabling frequent and reliable software releases.
* Explains the stages of the CD Pipeline and the tools used to support it, such as CI/CD tools and automated testing.
* Example: A software company using the CD Pipeline to deploy new features to production multiple times per day.

Chapter 5: Architectural Runway

* Describes the Architectural Runway as a long-term plan that guides technical decisions and ensures architectural stability.
* Introduces architectural principles, such as modularity, loose coupling, and service-oriented architecture (SOA).
* Example: A team of architects using the Architectural Runway to plan the future technical roadmap for a complex software system.

Chapter 6: Lean Portfolio Management

* Introduces Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) as the process of managing a portfolio of projects and programs based on Lean principles.
* Outlines the key activities of LPM, such as portfolio prioritization, investment planning, and risk management.
* Example: A company's product management team using LPM to prioritize and fund new product initiatives.

Chapter 7: Implementation

* Provides guidance on implementing SAFe within an organization, including adopting a Lean-Agile mindset and establishing a change management plan.
* Discusses the role of SAFe Program Consultants (SPCs) in supporting implementation.
* Example: A company hiring an SPC to guide their implementation of SAFe and train staff on Agile practices.

Chapter 8: Scaling Agile in Practice

* Shares case studies and lessons learned from organizations that have successfully scaled Agile using SAFe.
* Discusses the challenges and benefits of implementing SAFe, and provides tips for overcoming obstacles.
* Example: A large healthcare provider implementing SAFe to improve collaboration and deliver software solutions faster.