How to launch an Agile Release Train for SAFe Framework

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PEOPLE | PROCESSES |
TECHNOLOGY

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Launching a SAFe
Agile Release Train
and Essential SAFe
Sue Shreve – cPrime SAFe Practice Lead, SPCT4, Enterprise
Agile Coach and Trainer, CSPO, CSP, CSM

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For more information, visit www.cprime.com

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AGILE
WHO IS CPRIME?

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Sue Shreve
• SAFe Practice Lead for cPrime. Experienced Enterprise Agile
Coach and Trainer focusing on large scale transformations using
the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
• Over 30 years in software development in a range of industries
and companies, from startups to enterprise applications
vendors. Extensive background in Product Management
• Assisted in enterprise Agile transformations at Greendot, LG
Electronics, Philips Medical, Greenplum, Syniverse, others
• Certified Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Program Consultant
and Trainer (SPCT4), Certified Scrum Professional (CSP),
Certified Product Owner (CSPO), Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Strong expertise in coaching. Completed courses through the
Agile Coaching Institute, ICAgile Enterprise Coach certifications
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Today’s Presenter

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AGENDA
Todays discussion:
 Understand a high level timeline for launching an Agile Release Train
with SAFe
 What is “Essential” for doing SAFe – the minimum set of practices,
roles for doing SAFe

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THE SCALED AGILE FRAMEWORK

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The First Train, More Like This…

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OVER TIME…

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Essential SAFe - Focus Here
1. SAFe Lean Agile Principles
2. Lean Agile Leaders
3. Agile Teams, Agile Trains, Value Streams
4. Critical Roles
5. Vision and Backlog
6. Key Program Events
7. Architectural Runway
8. Cadence
9. IP Iteration

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SAFe 1–2–3 Implementation

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Timeline
Executing the PI
Time

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Train SPCs
SPCs are the change agents. They lead the transformation.
They teach the company’s leaders and stakeholders
They are the coaches and trainers, launch the ARTs
They connect the Scaled Agile Framework to your enterprise
Executing the PI

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Train Lean Agile Leaders
Lean Agile leaders understand the
principles and philosophy of the
framework and base decisions on
these
They understand what is in the
framework – practices, roles,
activities and artifacts
They take responsibility to lead
and facilitate the adoption
Executing the PI

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SAFe Principles
#1 - Take an economic view
#2 - Apply systems thinking
#3 - Assume variability; preserve options
#4 - Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
#5 - Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
#6 - Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
#7 - Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
#8 - Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
#9 - Decentralize decision-making

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Perform Value Stream Workshop
Value Streams – fundamental
construct, a sequence of steps that
deliver value to our customer
Conduct a Value Stream workshop to
• Understand and Identify your
value streams
• Select your first value stream
• Identify your first Agile Release
Train
• You may only have 1 Value Stream
in your enterprise
Executing the PI

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Setup the ART/Teams
Agile Release Train:
• Clear, defined “product”
• Leadership support
• Established collaboration
• Significant challenge or
opportunity
Agile Teams:
• Feature/Component
• Minimize dependencies
• Integration addressed
• DevOps activities are
performed
Executing the PI

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Fill Important Roles
Critical Roles
Release Train Engineer
System Architect
Product Management
Scrum Masters
Product Owners
Customer!
Executing the PI

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Groom Program Backlog
Feature
Feature
Feature
Feature
Feature
Feature
WSJF

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Train the Teams, Set a Date for the Launch
Executing the PI
Architectural
Runway

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Executing the PI
PI Planning – Launch ART
• Meet face to face
• Plan and commit PI
objectives
• Identify
dependencies
• Identify and
disposition risks
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5
Objectives:
Interface 10
Feature 8
Refactor UI 5

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Executing the Program Increment
Key Program Events
• PI Planning
• System Demo
• Inspect and Adapt
Architectural Runway
Cadence
Executing
the PI

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Innovation and Planning (IP)
Iteration Absorb estimate variances
 Build in some time for innovation
 Grooming backlogs for upcoming PI planning
 Conduct Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshop
 Conduct the next PI Planning
Executing the PI
What? Why?

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Inspect and Adapt Workshop
Let’s take time to
• Demo what we built –
System Demo
• Look at how we did –
Program level metrics
• Let’s figure out how to do
better – Problem solving
workshop
Our biggest
problem was this…
Executing the PI

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In Summary…
Executing the PI
7. Architectural Runway
2. Lean-Agile Leaders
8. Cadence
3. Teams, Trains,
Value Streams
4. Critical Roles
5. Vision and Backlog
9. IP Iteration
6. Key Program Events
PI Planning, System Demo, I&A
1. Principles
1. Principles
Essential SAFe

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Thank You!
QUESTIONS?

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