The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) has been instrumental in helping organizations successfully navigate the complexities of scaling agile practices. As the demand for agility continues to grow, SAFe has released its latest version, 6.0, packed with new features and enhancements. In this blog post, we will explore the key updates introduced in SAFe 6.0 and their impact on organizations embracing scaled agile practices.

1. The Agile Product Delivery Process

SAFe 6.0 introduces the Agile Product Delivery process, which redefines the way organizations plan, develop, and deliver value. This process combines Lean-Agile principles with continuous exploration, continuous integration, and continuous deployment to enable faster feedback cycles and accelerate time-to-market. It provides a comprehensive framework for managing product delivery and aligning it with customer needs and business outcomes.

2. Lean Portfolio Management

In SAFe 6.0, Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) receives significant updates, emphasizing the importance of strategy and investment funding. LPM now incorporates a new Lean Portfolio Canvas that helps organizations define their strategy and align it with the enterprise vision. It also provides improved guidance on creating Lean Budgets, enabling organizations to fund value streams and allocate resources more effectively.

3. Organizational Agility

SAFe 6.0 places a greater emphasis on organizational agility by introducing the Organizational Agility competency. This competency focuses on empowering leaders and teams to drive change and navigate the complexities of the digital age. It provides guidance on developing agile leaders, fostering a culture of innovation, and creating a learning organization that embraces continuous improvement.
 

SAFe 6.0 introduces new features and enhancements, including the Agile Product Delivery process, Lean Portfolio Management updates, and a focus on organizational and technical agility, revolutionizing the way organizations embrace scaled agile practices.

4. Value Stream Level Improvements

SAFe 6.0 enhances the value stream level by introducing Value Stream Coordination and Collaboration (VS^3). This new construct enables organizations to optimize the flow of value across the entire value stream, fostering better coordination and collaboration among teams and stakeholders. It provides a holistic view of value delivery, allowing organizations to identify bottlenecks, eliminate waste, and improve overall efficiency.

5. Technical Agility

Recognizing the crucial role of technical excellence in scaled agile, SAFe 6.0 introduces technical agility as a core competency. It emphasizes the importance of engineering practices, DevOps principles, and Agile Product Delivery to ensure high-quality and continuously evolving solutions. The Technical Agility competency provides guidance on Agile Product Delivery, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and practices like Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).

6. Remote PI Planning

In response to the global shift towards remote work, SAFe 6.0 introduces Remote PI Planning guidance. This helps distributed teams effectively plan their Program Increments (PIs) while leveraging digital tools and collaboration platforms. It provides practical advice on facilitating remote PI Planning events and ensuring that all participants can actively contribute to the planning process.

SAFe 6.0 represents a significant evolution in the Scaled Agile Framework, addressing the emerging needs of organizations in an increasingly complex and fast-paced business landscape. The new version introduces the Agile Product Delivery process, updates to Lean Portfolio Management, a focus on organizational agility, value stream level improvements, technical agility, and guidance for remote PI Planning.

By embracing SAFe 6.0, organizations can enhance their ability to deliver value at scale, respond rapidly to market dynamics, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The latest advancements in SAFe empower organizations to navigate the challenges of scaling agile practices effectively and achieve better business outcomes.
As organizations adopt SAFe 6.0, it is crucial to invest in proper training and ensure alignment across teams and leadership. By leveraging the updated framework and its comprehensive guidance, organizations can navigate the complexities of scaled agile with confidence, promoting collaboration, innovation, and successful value delivery in the ever-evolving digital landscape.