Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
What is SAFe? A
Beginner’s Guide for
Aspiring Scrum
Masters
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a
popular framework used by organizations
to scale Agile practices across large teams
and multiple departments. It provides a
structured approach for implementing
Agile at an enterprise level, integrating
principles from Agile, lean, and product
development flow to ensure successful,
large-scale delivery of solutions.
For aspiring Scrum Masters, understanding
SAFe is essential because it extends the
foundational principles of Scrum to a
broader, enterprise-scale context. Here's a
beginner’s guide to help you understand
the core concepts of SAFe:
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
1. Overview of SAFe
SAFe is a set of guiding principles and practices
that help organizations implement Agile practices
on a large scale. It includes a structured framework
that addresses various aspects of Agile
implementation, such as governance, roles,
responsibilities, and interaction across teams and
departments.
SAFe operates at four levels:
Team Level: This is the basic Scrum level where
small teams work in Agile sprints.
Program Level: Focuses on coordinating multiple
teams working together to deliver large solutions.
Large Solution Level: Ensures coordination across
complex, multi-team systems.
Portfolio Level: Aligns strategic goals with the
outcomes of the different Agile teams, ensuring that
initiatives are aligned with the business strategy.
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
2. Key Components of SAFe
Agile Teams: These are Scrum or Kanban teams
that work iteratively and incrementally, delivering
features in a consistent, collaborative way.
Program Increment (PI): A timebox (usually 8-12
weeks) where multiple teams deliver value, ensuring
alignment across the organization.
Roles in SAFe: In addition to the typical Scrum roles
(Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Team
Members), SAFe introduces additional roles such as
the Release Train Engineer (RTE), who is a Scrum
Master at the program level, and Product
Management.
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
3. SAFe’s Core Principles
Take an economic view: Aligning efforts with
delivering customer value and minimizing delays.
Decentralize decision-making: Empowering teams
and individuals to make decisions to ensure quicker
responses to change.
Organize around value: Structuring teams and
initiatives based on the value they create for the
customer, rather than being siloed by function.
Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning
cycles: Ensuring that teams deliver frequently and
receive feedback to adapt quickly.
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Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
4. SAFe for Scrum Masters
Scrum Masters in SAFe help ensure that their teams work
effectively within the larger scaled Agile context. Here are
some key responsibilities:
Facilitate the Scrum process: Helping teams adhere to
the principles and practices of Scrum within a scaled
environment.
Support teams within the ART (Agile Release Train):
Ensure the coordination and synchronization of work
within the broader program, assisting with team-level
impediments.
Collaborate with RTE: The Release Train Engineer is
similar to a Scrum Master at the program level, and Scrum
Masters collaborate closely with them to ensure
alignment and smooth execution of PI objectives.
Coaching: Scrum Masters in SAFe also serve as coaches,
helping other Scrum Masters and teams understand SAFe
principles and how to implement them effectively.
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
Benefits of SAFe
Better alignment: Ensures that all teams across the
organization are aligned towards common goals and
objectives.
Increased productivity: By scaling Agile principles,
organizations can optimize the delivery of products
and services, leading to higher productivity.
Improved collaboration: With multiple teams working
together across levels, SAFe fosters greater
collaboration and transparency.
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
How SAFe Helps Scrum Masters
For Scrum Masters, SAFe offers:
A clear framework for scaling Agile.
An opportunity to work across multiple teams and
play a key role in coordinating and ensuring
alignment.
A comprehensive training path (SAFe
certifications), which provides a structured
approach for professional development as an Agile
leader.
www.skillyantra.com
Jitendra Kumar
@Jitendrab4u
Conclusion
For aspiring Scrum Masters, SAFe offers a robust
framework to not only practice Scrum at the team
level but also to play a critical role in aligning and
coordinating larger Agile initiatives within the
enterprise. By embracing SAFe principles, Scrum
Masters can help guide their teams towards greater
efficiency, better collaboration, and more successful
outcomes in complex organizational environments.
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