Article
Revolutionize your Agile process with SAFe 6.0's groundbreaking new features
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) for implementing agile at scale
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is one of the most popular frameworks for implementing agile at scale. SAFe 6.0, the latest version of the framework, brings several new features that further enhance its capabilities. In the past years, Deloitte has used SAFe as a framework to scale agility across numerous agile transformation projects in multiple industries. In this article, we will explore the key features of SAFe 6.0 and how they can help organizations achieve their agile goals.
The new features in SAFe 6.0 are categorized in six main themes:
- Strengthening the foundation of Business Agility
- Empowering teams and clarifying responsibilities
- Accelerating value flow
- Enhancing business agility with SAFe across business
- Building the future with AI, Big Data and Cloud
- Delivering better outcomes with measure & grow and OKRs
Update in SAFe implementation roadmap
SAFe 6.0 includes an update to the SAFe implementation roadmap, which is a step-by-step guide to implementing SAFe in an organization. The updated roadmap includes several new features, such as the SAFe executive workshop toolkit, the SAFe Implementation Planning Checklist, which helps organizations assess their readiness to implement SAFe, and the Value Stream and ART Identification Workshop to help teams to identify the value streams that are most important to their business. The updated roadmap also includes guidance on how to use SAFe in a variety of contexts, including distributed teams, government organizations, and regulated industries.
Continuous learning culture
SAFe 6.0 retains the three configurations as in previous version: Essential, Large Solution and Portfolio. The Portfolio SAFe configuration provides strategy and investment funding, Agile portfolio operations, and Lean governance for one or more value streams:
Fig. 1: Agile Transformation Projects - https://scaledagileframework.com
However, continuous learning culture which was only part of the Portfolio configuration is now added to the SAFe foundation making it part of all SAFe configurations. The framework now includes role-based learning paths with targeted training for specific SAFe roles. Another important aspect of the continuous learning culture is the emphasis on creating Communities of Practice (CoPs) as an effective way to share knowledge and best practices across an organization. SAFe 6.0 provides guidance on how to establish and maintain them.
Flow
SAFe 6.0 emphasizes the flow of work product in a smooth, linear, and fast manner, which introduces the concept of value stream management (VSM). VSM helps businesses maximize the flow of value through the entire solution delivery life cycle. In addition, SAFe principle #6 is updated to "make value flow without interruptions." Eight flow properties and corresponding flow accelerators are introduced as shown in the figure below:
Fig. 2: Eight flow properties and corresponding flow accelerators
These eight flow accelerators can help teams increase throughput and deliver value more quickly. They also give people a sense of control, which leads to fast and measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and employee engagement.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in SAFe
Over the past few months, we have observed so much discussion around AI fueled by the rise of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT. AI is becoming increasingly important in many industries, but how exactly can we leverage the power of AI to scale agility?
SAFe 6.0 provides guidance on how organizations can accelerate the successful adoption of AI and provides three primary ways to apply AI in organizations:
Fig. 3: Three ways to apply AI in organizations -https://scaledagileframework.com/ai/
Organizations can leverage big data to power AI applications that provide real-time guidance and insights for decision making across various levels of the organization. These AI capabilities could help decision makers identify risks, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources more effectively. However, there are challenges in organizing to deliver the AI solution. SAFe 6.0 provides observed organizational models for AI maturity in SAFe and details a five-step solution path to delivering and scaling the AI solution.
Objective Key Results (OKRs)
When it comes to most transformation projects, most clients would ask “how exactly do I quantify the transformation impact?”. Finally, SAFe 6.0 introduces Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) as a framework to help teams and individuals set clear, measurable goals and track progress towards them. This helps organizations to have a more focused and aligned workforce that is better able to achieve their goals. OKRs can be implemented at the team, program, and portfolio levels, and can be aligned with the overall strategy of the organization.
In conclusion, SAFe 6.0 brings several new features that enhance its capabilities as an agile frame-work. This article only highlighted a few features, and more information can be found on SAFe website. These features are designed to help organizations stay ahead of the curve in today's fast-paced business environment, and to ensure that they are delivering value to customers as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
Ihre Ansprechpartner
Stephan Kahl
Director | Agile & DevOps Transformation
Mobile: +49 151 5807 4853
skahl@deloitte.de
Benjamin Scheffold
Senior Manager | Enterprise Performance
Mobile: +49 711 1655 47467
bscheffold@deloitte.de
Collins Ronoh
Consultant | Enterprise Performance
Mobile: +49 892 9036 7520
cronoh@deloitte.de
