Book Image

SAFe® Coaches Handbook

By : Darren Wilmshurst, Lindy Quick
Book Image

SAFe® Coaches Handbook

By: Darren Wilmshurst, Lindy Quick

Overview of this book

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) is widely recognized as an eff ective methodology for implementing Agile practices at the Enterprise level. However, the complexity of SAFe® can make it challenging for Teams and organizations to determine which practices can be safely adapted to their unique needs. Although SAFe® is a framework rather than a set of rules, promoting adaptation, it’s crucial to understand why SAFe® practices are designed the way they are along with the consequences of modifying them. The SAFe® Coaches Handbook is a comprehensive resource that goes beyond a how-to guide, providing a deep understanding of SAFe® principles and practices. The chapters are designed in a way to teach you how to successfully implement SAFe® in your organization and eff ectively manage the Team’s Backlog while avoiding common pitfalls. You’ll discover optimal ways to create SAFe® Teams and run successful Events. You’ll also learn how to plan Agile Release Trains (ARTs), manage the ART Backlog, conduct PI Planning, and grasp the importance of Value Stream Identifi cation in driving value delivery. By the end of this book, you’ll be armed with practical tips and advice to help you successfully customize the Scaled Agile Framework to your Enterprise’s needs while preserving the aspects that make it work successfully.
Table of Contents (26 chapters)
Free Chapter
2
Part 1: Agile Teams
7
Part 2: Agile Release Trains
13
Part 3: Portfolio
20
Chapter 17: Embracing Agility and Nurturing Transformation
21
Glossary
Appendix A

The ART Backlog

The ART Backlog is a Kanban system that manages the work of the ART. Product Management is responsible for its management and maintenance. The ART Backlog contains bot Features and Enablers.

The ART Backlog differs from the Team Backlog in that the items span across the entire ART and are worked on during the Planning Interval (PI). Alternatively, compared to the Portfolio Backlog, the ART Backlog is more granular. The Portfolio Backlog often contains work for several Development Value Streams and spans multiple PIs.

While Product Management has the primary responsibility of managing the ART Backlog, key contributors and collaborators include the System Architect, Business Owners, and Product Owners.

The work in the ART Backlog should come from the Portfolio Epics and Portfolio Enablers. It is split into Features and Enablers that the ART will be able to deliver in a PI or less:

Figure 8.1 – Example flow from Portfolio Backlog to ART Backlog (© Scaled Agile, Inc.)

Figure 8.1 – Example flow from Portfolio Backlog...