SAF (Scaled Agile Framework)

SAF in agile refers to the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), a set of organizational and workflow patterns for implementing agile practices at an enterprise scale. It is a widely adopted framework that helps large organizations manage complex software development projects by providing a structured approach to planning, collaborating, and delivering value.

SAFe is based on three primary bodies of knowledge:

• Agile software development: SAFe integrates agile practices like Scrum, XP, and Kanban to deliver customer value quickly and efficiently.

• Lean product development: SAFe incorporates lean principles to focus on value delivery and reduce waste.

• Systems thinking: SAFe takes a holistic view of the organization and its processes, ensuring that all teams are working towards the same goals.

The core of SAFe is a set of cadences, which are recurring events that bring together teams to plan, review, and improve their work. These cadences include:

• Program Increment (PI) Planning: Teams plan their work for the next PI, which is a 10-week period.

• Inspect and Adapt: Teams review their work and make adjustments based on feedback.

• Sprint Planning: Teams plan their work for the next sprint, which is a 1-4 week period.

• Daily Standup: Teams meet daily to discuss their progress and identify any roadblocks.

• Sprint Review: Teams demo their completed work to stakeholders.

• Sprint Retrospective: Teams reflect on their sprint and identify areas for improvement.

SAFe also includes a set of roles and responsibilities for different levels of the organization, from portfolio executives to agile team members. These roles help to ensure that everyone is aligned and working together towards the same goals.

SAFe is a powerful tool for large organizations that want to adopt agile practices. It provides a structured approach to planning, collaborating, and delivering value, and it has been shown to improve productivity, time to market, and customer satisfaction.

Here are some of the benefits of using SAFe:

• Increased agility: SAFe helps organizations deliver software more quickly and reliably.

• Improved collaboration: SAFe breaks down silos and encourages collaboration between teams.

• Reduced waste: SAFe helps organizations identify and eliminate waste in their processes.

• Improved decision-making: SAFe provides a structured approach to decision-making, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved.

• Increased customer satisfaction: SAFe helps organizations deliver products and services that meet customer needs.

If you are an organization that is looking to scale your agile practices, SAFe is a valuable framework to consider. It can help you to improve your organization's ability to deliver value to its customers, reduce waste, and increase agility.