Scaled Agile Framework Levels

 

Today agile has gained popularity as people are getting aware of the efficiency it provides with its techniques and concepts for corporate and commercial businesses. Once organizations adapt and transform to agile they found relief as it provides many benefits over the traditional system. Organizations many times try agile methodology firstly in some projects and transform teams in agile. When they obtain benefits and profits from it they step to scale agile at the complete enterprise level. The SAFe is first introduced in 2011 to society and its latest version was released in Oct 2018. People continuously look into courses and updates to learn and implement in their projects and enterprises.

As agile puts complete thought into every action they take and every process or concept they create or use, how can they just implement a scaling framework without thought or proper understanding? With a complete understanding of the requirement and system scaling agile is categorized into four different levels.

How agile decided that these four levels are vital for scaling agile lean adoption smoothly?

To understand it let’s see the path to decision.

The very basic configuration of agile is Essential SAFe. Agile considers minimizing the work done as smart and maximizing the not done work as a simple way, implementing this in agile two essential levels are created the team and program level. On top of the essential level, an extra level of large level is introduced to coordinate multiple ARTS, events, artifacts, and roles for a larger solution level. When the problem is complex and cannot be solved in a simpler way then a large level is used for huge and complex requirements.

Governance and initiation of a set for every value stream are also required to be carried out for which portfolio level is introduced. This helps to align strategy with portfolio execution. By considering all the benefits this entire configuration essential, portfolio and large provide agile has classified them into four levels for scaling agile.

The configuration consists of the subset mentioned below

1.     Real Team, trains

2.     Agile Principles

3.     Synchronization and rhythm

4.     DevOps

5.     Demo

6.     Product Increment planning

7.     Inspection and Adaptation

8.     Architectural Runaway

9.     Iteration and adaptation

10.  Agile Leadership

11.  Solution Train

12.  Solution Intent

13.  Solution Kanban

14.  Solution Context

15.  Lean Budget

16.  Portfolio Kanban

17.  Portfolio Canvas

18.  Value Stream

The first ten subsets are involved in the Essential SAFe, the next four are in Large solution SAFe, and the last four are involved in Portfolio SAFe.

Let’s see the four fully industry-proven and market-tested scaled agile levels which help enterprises to deliver fully tested and valuable products to customers in the most efficient manner.

Team Level

At this level, SAFe becomes similar to scrum and kanban. Teams at this level adopt an iterative process, that is splitting the job in between sprints. Activities and artifacts are identical to the scrum mat at this level. Product owners, developers, and scrum masters are the roles at this level.

Program Level

At this level of ART, the concept is content. In this UX, architect, BA, DevOps, and release train engineers collaborate. System and DevOps teams are the two major teams at this level.

Portfolio Level

In agile at this level investment funding, lean portfolio management, focusing on governance and organizational agility is carried out. Enterprise Architect, program portfolio management, and epic owners are some of the roles at this level. This is the level where tight boundaries of rules are not applied.

Value Stream Level

To ensure that quality products are delivered to customers this extra level is added to SAFe afterward in the fourth (4.0) version of SAFe. It’s the combination of ARTs and program teams. This level consists of two main splits that are operational stage and the development stage. The operational stage is a money-making stage as it company provides services to its clients. The development stage involves the development of new products and system capabilities.

The important part of standing in the competition with competitors requires standing firmly on the client's toes and delivery. This scaled framework helps an organization to handle complexity in technology and system both and hence helps in managing the delivery with quality. While expanding the need of introducing and managing complex and complicated systems without causing any quality dent is always raised. Scaled agile with its four well-planned levels will always be the solution to this rising need. As scaled agile has a well-planned implementation that gives value and faster delivery to clients.

About Advance Agility

We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at contact@advanceagilty.com for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.