https://agile2016.sched.org/event/6ecx/how-to-make-safe-really-safe-scaling-agile-using-pullinvite-rather-than-pushmandate-yuval-yeret Abstract: The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe(tm)) is a powerful and popular framework for implementing agile at large scale across the enterprise. In this talk we will examine some dangerous Agile at Scale implementation anti-patterns from real-world cases I've been involved in such as: Planned/Mandate-based implementation across the enterprise - Pushing implementations onto people regardless of their interest/motivation to change. Prescribed-based implementation - Either by the book or as designed by a central committee or an external consultant. Total focus on practices starting from training all the way through assessment/metrics and lack of attention to spirit/principles. Expecting every group in the organization to work the same way and implement change the same way. We will then look at some healthier alternatives I used to drive more successful & sustainable change in several organizations. You will learn some concrete techniques that help live up to the Lean/Agile principles of respecting and engaging people. Using SAFe as the specific backdrop for discussion, we will review field-proven ideas such as pull-based crossing the chasm approach to implementation, use of open space as part of the different SAFe ceremonies, and how Open Space Agility can combine with SAFe. Note that the ideas and practices have also been tried with other Scaled Agile approaches such as Enterprise Kanban, LeSS. Learning Outcomes: Get familiar with some scaled agile implementation anti-patterns related to push/mandate. Understand when to choose pull/invitation as a healthier more sustainable and successful alternative. Get some concrete techniques to bring pull/invitation into a scaled agile implementation approach - focusing on SAFe 1-2-3 implementation approach specifically. Have a high-level understanding of how to implement SAFe using "Open Space Technology". Understand how to apply these ideas to any Scaled Agile approach (not just SAFe)

1. @YuvalYeret #Agile2016
How to make SAFe really SAFE
Scaling Agile using Pull/Invite
rather than Push/Mandate
Yuval Yeret
July 2016

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We’re always told to aim for the Tipping Point

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Classic
post-­‐,pping-­‐point
situa,on
Backlog
I
Stable/
Recharging
F
B
Kickoff/
Quick
Start
Stabilize
–
I&A
L
M
N
H
E
D
Push/Mandate
O
Q
R
C
G
J
K

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Tomato
Watermelon
Salad
Anyone?
Stable/
Recharging
F
B
Kickoff/
Quick
Start
Stabilize
–
I&A
H
E
D
O
Q
R
C
G
J
K

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The Agile Theater
Starring Scrum, SM, PO,
Agile Team, The Sprint.
Guest Appearance – The Waterfall
9

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The SAFe Theater
Starring the Managers-Only PI Planning,
The Command & Control RTE,
w/ special guest - Waterfall Thinking
10

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It’s Hard.
http://www.shino.de/2010/11/04/software-g-forces-the-effects-of-acceleration/

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The Law of Raspberry
Jam: the wider any
culture is spread, the
thinner it gets.
Alvin Toffler

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Sustainable
Pace
–
Not
just
for
engineers…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGfplQ1FUFs

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Come
(Too)
Soon…
COME SOON

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How
can
we
close
the
curtain
on
the
Agile/SAFe
Theater
and
run
safer
more
sustainable
enterprise-­‐level
agile
transforma,ons?

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20. The SAFe Big Picture
Start
Here

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22. Implementing SAFe 1,2,3

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Guided
Tour
vs
Self
Guide

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Freedom
on
the
Freedom
Trail

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People/Tourists
are
Snowflakes.
So
are
Organiza?ons
#YMMV**Your Mileage May Vary

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Though
some,mes
a
walk
with
an
expert
IS
much
beHer
…

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How would you
apply Pull thinking
to the SAFe 1-2-3
implementation
model?
Thinking
Exercise

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How
we
achieved
a
healthy
transforma,on
flow
at
companies
like
HP,
Siemens,
Amdocs
Improve/
Boost
Backlog
I
DecideProspects Stable/
Recharging
F
B
Leading
SAFe
Mgmt
Workshop
Kickoff/
Quick
Start
Stabilize
–
I&A
L
M
N
“Pull from management & executives”
H
E
D
A
Market/Sell more depth
O
Q
R
Market/Sell the change to LOBs
C
G
J
K

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Let
Leaders
Pull
Training
• Run Leading-SAFe /
Foundations every X
weeks
• Market internally using
“Launch” techniques
(Scarcity, Deadline,
etc.)
• Let people opt-in
• Will identify champions
and potentially
interested value
streams/ARTs

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Use
a
“SAFe
Implementa,on
Strategy
Workshop”
http://bit.ly/ImplSAFe
8:00-
9:00
9:00-
10:30
1:00-
4:00
10:30-
11:30
4:00-
5:00
11:30-
1:00
R
O
A
M

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Various
opportuni,es
for
invi,ng
discussion
about
how
to
shape
a
SAFe
implementa,on

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8:00-
9:00
9:00-
10:30
1:00-
4:00
10:30-
11:30
4:00-
5:00
11:30-
1:00
Open
the
space
“SAFe
@
our
company/org
–
What
does
it
mean?
Why?
How?”

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Open
the
space
in
the
SAFe
QuickStart
SAFe
Scrum
Master
Orientation
SAFe
Product
Owner
Orientation
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Tooltraining
Training:
SAFe for Teams
Prepare
PI Planning
• Leave some of the HOW
decisions open for discussion
• Mini-open-space addressing
“Vote of confidence” concerns
regarding “What are the
implications of running SAFe on
our train”

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Let
Teams
Self-­‐Select

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Follow
a
Confidence
Vote
with
a
mini-­‐open-­‐space

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Maybe
even
try
“Open
Space
Agility”
as
a
way
to
run
your
first
Agile
Release
Train/Program
Increment?
http://openspaceagility.com/big-picture/

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Use guerilla marketing to grow – leveraging the beach
head
Improve/
Boost
Backlog
C
I
DecideProspects Stable/
Recharging
D
Leading
SAFe
Mgmt
Workshop
Kickoff/
Quick
Start
Stabilize
–
I&A
J
L
M
N
O
Q
R
Share success, publicly visualize,
invite prospects to PI Demo
Invite prospects to
QuickStart/
PI Planning
Any other ideas?

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In
summary
-­‐
Try
this
on
your
next
SAFe
implementa,on:
1. Treat the enterprise/portfolio as an open market, use marketing
techniques, let trains/value streams pull.
2. Invite people to pull/opt into training (Foundations, Leading
SAFe, ScrumXP, PO, etc.) and use that to identify leads/prospects.
3. Use open space to invite interested people to discuss the
potential and implications of Scaling Agile w/ SAFe in the
organization.
4. Use Leading SAFe combined with Management Workshop for
Trains/VSs that pull and want to start – make them own their SAFe
approach.
5. Spice QuickStart with mini-open-space vignettes e.g. around
“Vote of confidence” in first PI Planning.
6. Use guerilla marketing to grow – share successes, invite
prospects to exciting ceremonies such as PI Planning, PI
Demo, invite excited leaders to share their story in periodical
training or directly send prospects to hear a testimonial from
them.

43. @YuvalYeret #Agile2016
Yuval@
AgileSparks.
com
T: 857-218-9585

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• http://scaledagileframework.com/videos-and-presentations/
• http://scaledagileframework.com/videos-and-presentations/
• http://yuvalyeret.com/pull-based-change-management/
• http://yuvalyeret.com/2015/11/02/safe-invitations-part-13-pull-based-change/,
• http://yuvalyeret.com/2015/11/03/safe-invitations-part-23-management-workshop-and-vote-
of-confidence-driven-open-space-in-quickstart/
• http://yuvalyeret.com/2015/11/04/safe-invitations-part-23-combining-open-space-agility-and-
safe/
• http://www.agilesparks.com/safe-implementation-strategy-leadership-focusing-workshop
• http://openspaceagility.com/
References