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Introduction

Scaled Agile Framework or SAFe is a set of organization patterns used to implement Agile practices at any scale. It is implemented using three main levels: Program, Team, and Portfolio. It is a framework that can be used for every business. If you have a growing business, SAFe has a structured approach that fits into your system. 

SAFe is a preferred methodology used by organizations because it consists of proven practices that help them to grow. For example, product teams can use SAFe to deliver and distribute successful software products of all complexities and sizes. 

SAFe was released by Dean Leffingwell and Drew Jemilo in 2011. Their goal was to help organizations to design systems and software that meets the demands of their customers. They had the realization that the traditional project management processes could not keep up with the changing market conditions. 

SAFe Principles

These are principles used by SAFe to influence and implement the executives' decisions and the teams in the organization. It also conditions the mindset of everyone working to apply the lean-agile methodology in their processes. There are nine main principles used by SAFe, and we are going to discuss them for you to understand why they are used. 

First Principle- Taking or Having an Economic View

As a business owner, when you aim to deliver the best quality of products for your consumers, it is important to understand the economics of building such products. Understanding economics makes it easier to make better decisions for the economy. SAFe helps you to understand the economic trade-offs, operational costs, and Cost of Delays. Everyone from the leadership to the workers must understand the economic impact of their choices. Even though many causes are leading to failed products or solutions, poor economics is the most common. This is the reason why it is a principle of SAFe, and it minimizes this as a problem in every organization or business. 

Second Principle- Apply Systems Thinking

In SAFe, systems thinking is applied in three areas: the solution, the enterprise building of the system, and the value streams. The solutions can be in many forms, for example, in the form of products or services. Understanding the three areas helps the leaders and teams how complex it is to develop a solution, organize everything necessary, and the time it takes for the product to be released to the market.

Third Principle- Assume Variability; Preserve Options

Imagine this, and you are working on a project with only one design concept. You are halfway through with the project, and then you realize a problem from the start. When this happens, it takes a longer time to make adjustments that will fix the issue. SAFe encourages you to maintain multiple design options and requirements for a longer period during the development cycle. Empirical data is used to narrow the focus on the design option that creates optimum economic outcomes. 

Fourth Principle- Build Incrementally with Fast, Integrated Learning Cycles

It isn't easy to get the required feedback when developing a system because it is not yet ready. Also, the development process is not designed to allow customer feedback. Because of this, whatever risk or problem you have is kept in the system to it is deployed for use. When customers use a product or service with problems, it reduces your credibility and builds distrust. 

With the fourth principle, integrated points are used to understand such uncertainties. Integrated points can also be used as prototypes that gather feedback from customers. The feedback points are gathered to make it easier to understand what the customer needs. Hence having a better solution that satisfies the customer. 

Fifth Principle- Base Milestones on Objective Evaluation of Working Systems

When developing large systems sometimes requires large investments, which also means the investment of millions of dollars. With the investments involved, it is the responsibility of both the Developer and the customer to develop a system that brings economic benefits. The integration points used in SAFe provide objective milestones which evaluate the solution during the development cycle. The evaluation ensures that all the resources used will provide economic benefits. 

Sixth Principle- Visualize and Limit Work in Process, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths

Limiting the amount of work done in the process allows you to see how the productivity of your system. Reduces the batch sizes also makes it possible for the system to be fast and reliable. Managing the queue lengths reduces the waiting times in the system. This principle optimizes for the best results without overworking your staff or workers. 

Seventh Principle- Apply Cadence, Synchronize with Cross-Domain Planning

The use of cadence is a way of reducing complexity while creating predictability and rhythm for development. It makes routine everything meant to be routine and allows Developers to focus on variable portions of the development. Synchronizing the cadences provides multiple perspectives that can be understood and implemented at the same time. 

Eighth Principle- Unlock the Intrinsic Motivation of Knowledge Workers

The eighth principle mainly revolves around finding ways to motivate your workers to unleash the best potential. There are many ways to do this, for example, creating a better work environment or minimizing constraints. When workers or teams are motivated, they produce better outcomes for themselves and the enterprise at large. 

Ninth Principle- Decentralize Decision Making

One major goal of lean thinking is to deliver value within the shortest possible time. A decentralized decision-making system is needed to produce such results. When workers need to always contact their authorities before making a decision, a delay is introduced. When the one in authority does not give a reply immediately, the waiting time also increases. SAFe makes it possible for the leaders to decide on topics related to strategic importance, leaving the rest of the decisions to be made by the workers. 

Conclusion

In the end, it should be realized that to achieve market success, companies need to focus not only on product development but also on managing projects effectively. Any company can have development teams that are brilliant at what they do. But, if the teams are not clear on the requirements of each other, precious deadlines will be missed due to rework or miscommunication. 

Useful Links:

Leading SAFe Online Training Amsterdam, SAFe Agilist Virtual Training Course Coimbatore, CSPO Certification Shanghai, Certified Scrum Master Certification Course Bangkok, Advanced-CSM Online Course Wilmington, Advanced Scrum Master Certification United Arab Emirates, Advanced CSPO Online Training Augusta, Certified Scrum Master Course Training Hanoi, Leading SAFe Certification Course Washington, SAFe Agilist Course Training Charlotte