Scaled agile framework made it easy for handling development and delivery even with larger and multiple teams. It still did not compromise in the Agile Manifesto. This framework is in general referred to as the Safe methodology in the industry. 

Managing projects in an efficient manner became easy with agile approach. It is an iterative process that helped in saving the cost and time of the resources. Also, it avoided redoing the entire work as the team worked collaboratively and met for daily stand up meetings, sprints, and sprint retrospective to make changes iteratively. This gave a great sign of relief from the traditional method. 

Having said that, this method also had hiccups when larger teams or multiple teams were involved in development and delivery. Scaled Agile Framework ® addressed this issue and fine-tuned the process there as well to live up to the Agile Manifesto. This framework is in general referred to as the SAFe® methodology in the industry. 

Let us understand this methodology in detail using this guide which is carefully drafted for all those who wish to update agile at the enterprise level.

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First things First – Definition and Intro

Application of lean-agile practice to enterprise-level projects can be done with the help of this scaled framework. The three sections of this framework are team level, portfolio level, and program level. The SAFe® agile framework has built its base on agile and lean principle. The purpose of Safe methodology is to match the expectation of the entire organization's stakeholders. 

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SAFe Methodology Principles

Recently, more significant and distributed organisations are facing many challenges. SAFe plays a substantial role in managing larger organisations. The SAFe principles are to be followed to implement SAFe agile framework effectively. Here are the scaled agile framework principles:

1. Economic View

The economic view principle is followed based on two factors economic impact and return on investment. This helps organisations work on every initiative's costs and benefits, focusing on maximising value while minimising waste. This will help organisations with fund-related decisions. 

2. Systems Thinking

The system thinking principle prefers that the system focus on isolated parts. The SAFe principle helps in understanding different system components that collaborate. By implementing a systems thinking approach, everyone can find the root causes of the issues involved. 

3. Variability

The SAFe agile framework principle of variability is to accept change and understand uncertainty in agile environments. Organisations should manage variations instead of eliminating them. This principle is used to adapt to changing market shifts. 

4. Incremental and Integrated Learning Cycles

The SAFe process uses incremental development methods. Integrated learning cycles define the organisation as working based on short iterations to provide small deliverables constantly. 

5. Milestone on Objective Evaluation

SAFe principle used in organisations for evaluation helps in tracking progress and reach milestones. orgnizations doesn't need to rely on subjective opinions, data, and performance indicators to find progress. Milestones are used to check a readiness and ensure every action is delivering measurable progress.

6. Value Flow without Interruptions

This principle focuses on the organisation's value flowing continuously without delays or interruptions. This process helps find and remove bottlenecks and optimise the organisation's workflow. The principle helps optimise resources to match the value efficiently.

7. Cadence, Synchronize, Cross-Domain Planning

Cadence is a regular rhythm. The SAFe emphasises that the organisation is in regular rhythm and synchronisation. Develop a deductible cadence before beginning the process. Cross-domain planning brings different teams and functions together to work collaboratively toward shared goals. Regular updation helps improve coordination and effectiveness.

8. Unlock Intensive Motivation of Knowledge Workers

Motivating skilled workers to improve production and efficiency is crucial. This principle shows that people are the core of successful agile implementations. Motivating individual enhances the culture of trust and collaboration will inspire the workforce to perform at their best. These scaled agile framework principles have encouraged innovation and allowed flexibility.

9. Decentralize

The SAFe principle shows the importance of decentralising organisational decision-making. this process can improve responsiveness and agility of entire team. Decisions can become bottlenecked in large organisations when they rely solely on top-level management. The process of decentralisation will allow the entire team at all levels to decide within their responsibility. 

10. Organize Around Value

This SAFe framework principle organises teams, the organisation of different departments, and the workflows involved in delivering value. With improving customer value, the structure and processes can be prioritised. This encourages cross-functional collaboration and creates a customer-centric culture.

Read More: Role of SAFe in US Financial Sector Transformation

History of SAFe®

Dean Leffingwell is the father of the SAFe® framework. He is the co-founder of scaledagile.com which is functioning since 2011. 

Roots of SAFe®

When Should We Use Safe Methodology in Agile

• Epics – Large user stories  
• Sub epics – Smaller user stories or story allotted to each team 

Top 5 situations to use SAFe® agile methodology for improving the organization performance 5x

1. Agile implementation to be done consistently across multiple teams and larger portfolios.
2. Teams that always face challenges in managing time in delivery. 
3. When the team requires independence, the organization can allow this model and manage things by objective 
4. Improving the development lead time for scaling the organization to the next level. 
5. When there is a lack of clarity on role, then the team can apply this model to take ownership to implement things effectively.

Also Read:Safe Books

Difference Between SAFe® and Other Practices Followed in Agile 

With this basic introduction, let us move into the basic foundation of SAFe®.

Also Read: SAFe DevOps

Basic Building Block

The framework lies on the following basic building blocks and that form the strong foundation of SAFe®. 

1. Principle – Lean-Agile

2. Values 

 3. Leaders – Lean-Agile

• Adoption 
• Success 
• Improvement of lean-agile development 

Basic 7 characteristics of the lean-agile leader include the following 

1. Leading to change 
2. Learn as though it is a lifelong process
3. People development 
4. Minimizing constraints   
5. Inspiring and aligning the team with the mission 
6. Decentralizing decision making 
7.  Motivating the workers 

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4. Mindset – Lean-Agile

Agile Manifesto 

5. Practice communities 

• Domain – The common interest area  - WHAT is cared about – Interest 
• Practice – skill, techniques, and experiences shared – WHAT is done together – Techniques 
• Community – Team of people who work together with a common goal and interact regularly to achieve the goal – WHO does it. 

Example: 

•   Scrum master from various agile teams group together to form a CoP. They exchange their practices, and experience to make their agile team highly productive. 
• CoPs consisting of testers and developers form an automated testing community. 

Also Read: What is OKRs in Agile?

Stages of Development of CoPs:

Levels of the CoPs

There are 5 types of members present in the CoP team namely the core team, active, occasional, peripheral and transactional. 

• The core team includes the nucleus of the CoPs who will make decisions. 
• The active team consist of people who work actively 
• The occasional team participates only for a specific need and dissolve
• The peripheral team is an extra team which get engaged on a need basis 
• The transactional team will connect for completing the transactions 

Also Read: LeSS vs SAFe

6. Implementation

The steps in implementing the framework in lean-agile practice are 12. It is briefly described and based on your project you may want to get into the detail of each step to accomplish the goal. 

After Exploring Scaled Agile Framework it is really necessary to know that Top 10 SAFe Agilist Certification Exam Questions with Answers, in which kind of questions asked by people, that is necessary to know to clear the exams.