The document outlines strategies for implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), emphasizing the importance of lean-agile principles and decentralized decision-making. It recommends engaging leadership, prioritizing training, and utilizing open space discussions to foster a successful adoption of SAFe in organizations. Additionally, it suggests leveraging marketing techniques to attract interest and ensure sustainability in the implementation process.

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SAFe – A dangerous weapon.
Techniques to implementing a
lasting adoption of the Scaled
Agile Framework
Yuval Yeret
Jan 27
2016

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3. 3© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.V4.0.0© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Foundations of the
Scaled Agile Framework®
4.0
Values, Principles, Practices, Implementation
http://scaledagileframework.com/videos-and-presentations/

4. 4© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4
Apply Lean-Agile 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
Leffingwell et al. © 2015 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved 4

5. 5© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SAFe for midsize solutions
Expand
one level

6. 6© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SAFe for large solutions
Collapse
one level

7. 7© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Build value with Agile Release Trains
 Apply cadence and synchronization
 Communicate with Vision and Roadmap
 Manage the flow of work
 Apply objective Milestones to measure progress

8. 8© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Synchronize with PI Planning
 Requirements and design emerge
 Important stakeholder decisions
are accelerated
 Teams create—and take
responsibilty—for plans
 All stakeholders face-to-face,
(but typically multiple locations)
 Management sets the mission,
with minimum possible
constraints
Future product development tasks can’t be pre-determined. Distribute planning
and control to those who can understand and react to the end results.
— Michael Kennedy, Product Development for the Lean Enterprise

9. 9© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9
Lead the implementation

10. 10© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Leadership Foundation
People are already doing
their best; the problems are
with the system.
Only management can
change the system.
—W. Edwards Deming
‣ Lead the change
‣ Know the way; emphasize
life-long learning
‣ Develop people
‣ Inspire and align with mission;
minimize constraints
‣ Decentralize decision-making
‣ Unlock the intrinsic motivation of
knowledge workers
Respectfor
peopleandculture
Flow
Innovation
Relentless
improvement
VALUE
LEADERSHIP

11. 11© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Implementing SAFe 1,2,3

12. 12© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.V4.0.0© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

13. 13© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sustainable Pace – Not just for engineers…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGfplQ1FUFs

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Guided Tour vs Self Guide

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Freedom on the Freedom Trail

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Organizations ARE Snowflakes

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Sometimes a walk with an expert IS much better …

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Come Soon…
COME SOON

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How we achieved a healthy transformation 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
N
“Pull from management & executives”
E
D
Market/Sell more depth
Q
R
Market/Sell the change to LOBs
G

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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 Implementation Workshop” for a specific VS/ART
http://bit.ly/ImplSAFe

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Open the space “SAFe @ our company/org – What does it mean? Why? How?”
https://twambeke.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/openspace.gif

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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
Sample Open Space Agenda

26. 26© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12.
Open the space in the SAFe QuickStart
When you find a Value Stream, go all in and all at once for each
Train. The one-week launch is a proven adoption model.
SAFe
Scrum
Master
Orientation
SAFe
Product
Owner
Orientation
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Tooltraining
Go.
SAFe.
Now.
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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Follow a Confidence Vote with a mini-open-space

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Use guerilla marketing to grow – leveraging the beach
head
Improve/
Boost
Backlog
I
DecideProspects Stable/
Recharging
D
Leading
SAFe
Mgmt
Workshop
Kickoff/
Quick
Start
Stabilize
–
I&A
L
N
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 implementation:
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.

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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

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Suggestions/ Followup…
Yuval@AgileSparks.com
T: 857-218-9585