The Scaled Agile Framework® (aka SAFe™) continues to gain mindshare in many organizations at scale. In addition, tools and certification are becoming a significant aspect of the adoption of SAFe™. We continue to be concerned that actual adoptions are prone to over-standardization and are tending towards large release practices, resulting in practices that hinder agile adoption. In its place, we continue to recommend lean approaches that include experimentation and incorporate continuous improvement practices like the Improvement Katas offer organizations a better model for scaling agile.

Scaled Agile Framework® and SAFe™ are trademarks of Scaled Agile, Inc.

Scaling agile across enterprises is a continuing challenge. Several approaches have been proposed, with SAFe™ being one gaining significant mindshare. While SAFe™ provides a useful checklist for areas of concern, they are easy to misuse, by introducing the same kind of large release tendencies like the release train and gated control processes that agile removes. Enterprises in particular look for a degree of commonality across endeavors that SAFe™ seems to provide, promoting aggressive standardization when some degree of customization provides significant value. Other lean approaches that include experimentation and incorporate continuous improvement practices like the Improvement Katas offer organizations a better model for scaling agile.

Scaled Agile Framework® and SAFe™ are trademarks of Scaled Agile, Inc.