Scaled Agile frame work (SAFe)

Scaled Agile frame work:

The Wikipedia definition: Scaled Agile Framework (or SAFe) is an Agile software development framework designed by Scaled Agile, Inc. It consists of a knowledge base of integrated patterns intended for enterprise-scale Lean-Agile development. Its proponents consider SAFe to be scalable and modular, allowing an organization to apply it in a way that suits its need.

Or it can also be looked at if you are developing a product or products with more then one development team.

NINE PRINCIPLES OF SAFe:

• Take an economic view.
• Apply systems thinking.
• Assume variability; preserve options.
• Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles.
• Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems.
• Visualise and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes and manage queue lengths.
• Apply cadence, synchronise with cross-domain planning.
• Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers.
• Decentralise decision-making.

With SAFe (Scaled Agile frame work) pay close attention to the dependencies and inter-dependencies between the teams.

With SAFe remember to frequently integrate and deliver continuously. 🙂

5 Minute intro to SAFe.

The video below goes into more detail regarding SAFe and is presented by Dean Leffingwell, the creator of SAFe.

LEGO Flow Game

I recently attended another workshop that was very insightful and also entertaining. This was the LEGO Flow Game. The rules are outlined in the link below if you want to read about how the game works.

It was extremely interesting to see how the different methodologies used (Waterfall, Scrum, Kanban) affected the process and outputs of the work that was being done. I have to say that Waterfall seemed the least affective, but the tasks were very ‘product line creation’ driven so perhaps its not best suited to begin with.

However the presenter, Julian Daddy, who works at the Discovery channel did state that he has done the game numerous times and with every team there is a different result, no matter what the methodology. So the team, the people and the communication is just as important as the process that is used.

The rules are outlined in the page below, but if you run this game yourself feel free to adapt them; as there is not a set in stone way of doing them.

LEGO_Flow_Game 

Agile Kanban

A great video giving a good overview of Kanban.