The document discusses challenges faced in scaling Scrum efforts within large teams and explores the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodology as a potential solution. It emphasizes the need for effective communication, a single product owner, and minimizing context switching to improve agile practices. The author expresses skepticism about SAFe but encourages keeping an open mind towards alternative strategies while focusing on continuous improvement.

1. QAI Quest 2016

2. Angela@PolarisSolutions.com Twitter: @OakParkGirl

3. There are lots of agile frameworks, I do not know which one is best and I had to
start SOMEWHERE? Tell me more!
I already use the SAFe framework, and am interested in hearing another
perspective 
My team has grown too big and we are struggling with scaling our scrum efforts!!
I’ve seen the SAFe diagram and it looks (scary |overwhelming | complex) and I
need the crib notes
SAFe seems like a bad idea, but I am open to hearing some alternative ideas about
how to apply it
I already hate SAFe and am hoping to heckle you the entire talk

4. http://www.scaledagileframework.com/continuous-delivery/

6. PMO, plannin’ and budgeting
projects and initiatives, 12
months at a time
A Scrum team, kickin’ butt and
taking names on their product, 2
weeks at a time
Now let’s assume we have 5, 10, maybe
even 100 active scrum teams!

8. Scrum Team 1
Scrum Team 2
Scrum Team 3
Scrum Team 4
DevOps Team

9. Scrum Team 1
Scrum Team 2
Scrum Team 3
Scrum Team 4

10. http://www.scaledagileframework.com/continuous-delivery/

13. http://www.scaledagileframework.com/downloads/

19. SAFe is based on nine
immutable, underlying Lean
and Agile principles.

21. THE
LEVELS

23. THE
PEOPLE

27. 27
“A system is a network of interdependent components
that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the
system.
A system must have an aim. Without an aim, there is
no system.”
—W. Edwards Deming

28. THE
BACKLOGS

30. THE
CADENCE

32. Deliver on Demand
Major
Release Customer
Upgrade
Customer
Preview
Major
Release New
Feature
Develop on Cadence
PSI PSI PSI PSI PSI

33. Economic Prioritization
Code Quality
Relentless Improvements

35. http://www.scaledagileframework.com/downloads/

37. Take a systems view
Visualize and LIMIT Work in Process (WIP)
Deliver on a cadence but release on demand
Unlock intrinsic motivations
Trust your team!

38. Fear? Uncertainty? Doubt?
Maybe they haven’t ever really looked at SAFe beyond the “Big
Picture”
I honestly don’t know. But keep an open mind and check it out.
And in the end, maybe it just really isn’t right for your team…

39. Do you have a single product worked on by many teams?
Do you have a single team working on many products at the
same time?
Do you deliver many products that are worked on by many
teams?
Do you have one product worked on by a single team?

40. Focus on having a single product owner, not a product owner per
team
Minimize sources of work, if possible use one consolidated
portfolio backlog
Consolidate onto a minimum set of ALM/DevOps tools
Encourage and continually support EFFECTIVE and CONSTANT
communication
Make sure progress across teams is transparent and easily
discoverable

41. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
Context switching to work on multiple products should NOT be
tolerated
Keep sprints short to allow for fast pivoting and integration of
learnings
Scrum may not be the only solution, be creative!
Extreme focus on quality – crap doesn’t scale!

42. First off  OH MY!!
Second off, this is where SAFe strategies shine
Leverage techniques already discussed
Bring the work to the team, always!
All teams must already be operating as highly effective agile
teams before you bring in SAFe strategies!!

43. Move along… and keep focusing on continuous improvement

45. ©2008-2014 Scaled Agile, Inc. and Leffingwell, LLC. All rights reserved.
A proven, publicly-facing framework for applying Lean and Agile practices at enterprise scale
ScaledAgileFramework.com
Synchronizes
alignment,
collaboration and
delivery for large
numbers of teams
CORE VALUES
1. Program Execution
2. Alignment
3. Code Quality
4. Transparency
45

47. SAFe Guidance: http://www.scaledagileframework.com/guidance/
Principals of Product Development Flow:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1935401009
Lean Change Management by Jason Little: www.amazon.com/Lean-
Change-Managment-Innovative-Organizational/dp/0990466507/

48. Email: Angela@PolarisSolutions.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andugan
Slideshare.NET: http://www.slideshare.net/angelabinkowski
Twitter: @OakParkGirl, @ChicagoALM, @TeamPolaris
Blog - http://www.tfswhisperer.com/
Chicago Visual Studio ALM User Group - http://www.chicagoalmug.org/
Polaris Solutions website - http://www.polarissolutions.com/
Angela@PolarisSolutions.com Twitter: @OakParkGirl