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There is great demand for training and consulting on scaling agility, but not all expectations of the framework are fulfilled.",{"tag":10,"attributes":19},{"name":20,"content":17},"abstract",{"tag":10,"attributes":22},{"name":23,"content":24},"icbm","51.525772, -0.082716",{"tag":26,"attributes":27},"link",{"rel":28,"href":29},"shortlink","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fapi\u002Fgraphql",{"tag":26,"attributes":31},{"rel":32,"href":33},"canonical","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fsafe-agile-treasure-chest-or-ballast",{"tag":10,"attributes":35},{"name":36,"content":37},"robots","index, follow",{"tag":26,"attributes":39},{"rel":40,"href":41},"image_src","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Fmax_1300x1300\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg?itok=OuECbrui,https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fzuhlke_innovation_social.jpg",{"tag":10,"attributes":43},{"name":44,"content":45},"referrer","unsafe-url",{"tag":10,"attributes":47},{"name":48,"content":49},"rights","Copyright ©2026 | Zühlke Engineering AG | All rights reserved.",{"tag":10,"attributes":51},{"property":52,"content":53},"og:site_name","Zühlke Engineering AG",{"tag":10,"attributes":55},{"property":56,"content":57},"og:type","website",{"tag":10,"attributes":59},{"property":60,"content":61},"og:url","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zuehlke.com\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fsafe-agile-treasure-chest-or-ballast",{"tag":10,"attributes":63},{"property":64,"content":65},"og:title","SAFe – Agile Treasure Chest or Ballast? – Zühlke",{"tag":10,"attributes":67},{"property":68,"content":17},"og:description",{"tag":10,"attributes":70},{"property":71,"content":72},"og:image","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Fmax_1300x1300\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg?itok=OuECbrui",{"tag":10,"attributes":74},{"property":71,"content":75},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fzuhlke_innovation_social.jpg",{"tag":10,"attributes":77},{"property":78,"content":72},"og:image:url",{"tag":10,"attributes":80},{"property":78,"content":75},{"tag":10,"attributes":82},{"property":83,"content":72},"og:image:secure_url",{"tag":10,"attributes":85},{"property":83,"content":86},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fzuhlke_innovation_social.jpg",{"tag":10,"attributes":88},{"property":89,"content":90},"og:updated_time","2025-11-20",{"tag":10,"attributes":92},{"property":93,"content":94},"og:image:alt","image",{"tag":10,"attributes":96},{"property":97,"content":98},"place:location:latitude","46.947944",{"tag":10,"attributes":100},{"property":101,"content":102},"place:location:longitude","7.438014",{"tag":10,"attributes":104},{"property":105,"content":106},"og:street_address","80 Great Eastern Street",{"tag":10,"attributes":108},{"property":109,"content":110},"og:locality","London",{"tag":10,"attributes":112},{"property":113,"content":114},"og:region","England",{"tag":10,"attributes":116},{"property":117,"content":118},"og:postal_code","EC2A 3JL",{"tag":10,"attributes":120},{"property":121,"content":122},"og:country_name","United Kingdom",{"tag":10,"attributes":124},{"property":125,"content":126},"og:email","london@zuhlke.com",{"tag":10,"attributes":128},{"property":129,"content":130},"og:phone_number","+44 20 7113 5000",{"tag":10,"attributes":132},{"property":133,"content":134},"og:locale","en_CH",{"tag":10,"attributes":136},{"property":137,"content":138},"og:locale:alternate","de_CH",{"tag":10,"attributes":140},{"property":137,"content":141},"de_DE",{"tag":10,"attributes":143},{"property":137,"content":144},"en_DE",{"tag":10,"attributes":146},{"property":137,"content":147},"en_AT",{"tag":10,"attributes":149},{"property":137,"content":150},"de_AT",{"tag":10,"attributes":152},{"property":137,"content":153},"en_HK",{"tag":10,"attributes":155},{"property":137,"content":156},"en_SR",{"tag":10,"attributes":158},{"property":137,"content":159},"en_BG",{"tag":10,"attributes":161},{"property":137,"content":162},"en_SG",{"tag":10,"attributes":164},{"property":137,"content":165},"en_GB",{"tag":10,"attributes":167},{"property":168,"content":169},"article:publisher","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fzuehlke.group",{"tag":10,"attributes":171},{"property":172,"content":173},"article:published_time","2020-06-15",{"tag":10,"attributes":175},{"property":176,"content":90},"article:modified_time",{"tag":10,"attributes":178},{"name":179,"content":180},"twitter:card","summary_large_image",{"tag":10,"attributes":182},{"name":183,"content":184},"twitter:site","@zuehlke_group",{"tag":10,"attributes":186},{"name":187,"content":188},"twitter:site:id","247189965",{"tag":10,"attributes":190},{"name":191,"content":192},"twitter:image","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Fmax_1300x1300\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg?itok=OuECbrui,https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fzuhlke_innovation_social.jpg",{"tag":10,"attributes":194},{"name":195,"content":94},"twitter:image:alt",{"tag":10,"attributes":197},{"name":198,"content":199},"google-site-verification","VEzolc1Vxy1KyRIlIqUSmVS7fqP_3_ZeBqPRby4g2mE",{"tag":201},"script","764","\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fsafe-agile-treasure-chest-or-ballast",null,"SAFe – Agile Treasure Chest or Ballast? ",[207,210],{"path":203,"langcode":208},{"id":209},"en",{"path":211,"langcode":212},"\u002Fde\u002Finsights\u002Fsafe-agile-schatztruhe-oder-ballast",{"id":213},"de",{"id":215,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":216,"name":237},"815",{"url":217,"width":218,"height":219,"alt":220,"title":204,"size":221,"mime":222,"variations":204,"headerMinimalVariations":223},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg",693,520,"SAF workshop",265310,"image\u002Fjpeg",[224,228,229,233,236],{"name":225,"url":226,"width":218,"height":227},"FOCAL_POINT32_SMALL","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg.webp?itok=2KVfQRzO",462,{"name":225,"url":226,"width":218,"height":227},{"name":230,"url":231,"width":218,"height":232},"FOCAL_POINT169_MEDIUM","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_16_9_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg.webp?itok=n5Dr3bEc",390,{"name":234,"url":235,"width":218,"height":232},"FOCAL_POINT169_LARGE","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_16_9_large\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fsaf.jpg.webp?itok=EbHkoiRA",{"name":234,"url":235,"width":218,"height":232},"saf.jpg",{"processed":239},"\u003Cp>Swisscom, BMW, Deutsche Bahn, TomTom and many other companies use the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®). There is great demand for training and consulting on scaling agility, but not all expectations of the framework are fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"id":215,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":241,"name":237},{"url":217,"width":218,"height":219,"alt":220,"title":204,"size":221,"mime":222,"variations":204},[243,250,255,260,266,272,278,284,290],{"__typename":244,"id":245,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":246,"pgSharedTitle":204,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"ParagraphPgText","23171",{"value":247,"processed":248,"format":249},"\u003Cul>\r\n\t\u003Cli>\r\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe is controversial, but much better than its reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\t\u003Cli>\r\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe is undoubtedly the most complex, heavyweight and restrictive of the major approaches to scaling Agility, but it also offers an extensive armoury of effective practices.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\t\u003Cli>\r\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe should by no means be thought of simply, and without some reflection, as a blueprint. It may also be a suitable intermediate step in some companies that are working on their agility.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\t\u003Cli>\r\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">Companies that use the framework as a tool(box) and remain organisationally flexible can benefit from SAFe.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n","\u003Cul>\n\t\u003Cli>\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe is controversial, but much better than its reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe is undoubtedly the most complex, heavyweight and restrictive of the major approaches to scaling Agility, but it also offers an extensive armoury of effective practices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">SAFe should by no means be thought of simply, and without some reflection, as a blueprint. It may also be a suitable intermediate step in some companies that are working on their agility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>\n\t\u003Cp class=\"text-lead\">Companies that use the framework as a tool(box) and remain organisationally flexible can benefit from SAFe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\t\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>","full_html",{"__typename":244,"id":251,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":252,"pgSharedTitle":204,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"10000",{"value":253,"processed":254,"format":249},"\u003Cp>Swisscom, BMW, Deutsche Bahn, TomTom and many other companies use the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®). There is great demand for training and consulting on scaling agility, but not all expectations of the framework are fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>This post was originally written by Johannes Kling about SAFe version 4.0. Since then, SAFe has been further developed and some of the criticism voiced at that time has been taken into account. To reflect the latest state of development, the post has been revised accordingly, most recently by Romano Roth and Johannes Kling jointly.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>Swisscom, BMW, Deutsche Bahn, TomTom and many other companies use the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®). There is great demand for training and consulting on scaling agility, but not all expectations of the framework are fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>This post was originally written by Johannes Kling about SAFe version 4.0. Since then, SAFe has been further developed and some of the criticism voiced at that time has been taken into account. To reflect the latest state of development, the post has been revised accordingly, most recently by Romano Roth and Johannes Kling jointly.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"__typename":244,"id":256,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":257,"pgSharedTitle":204,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"1512",{"value":258,"processed":259,"format":249},"\u003Cp>Both of them know SAFe and the relevant courses run by the Scaled Agile Institute (SAI) from several perspectives. Initially, they took part in courses such as Leading SAFe or Implementing SAFe; they help companies to implement agile methods (at least some of which are oriented towards SAFe) and provide training on agility, including SAFe.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>We, Romano and Johannes, remember it well: at the beginning we had big reservations about SAFe. The model at that time seemed to us unnecessarily complicated and difficult to communicate, and insufficient in terms of content. Some aspects fundamentally contradicted our understanding of the agile principles. In short, SAFe seemed to us like methods-dominated ballast. (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkenschwaber.wordpress.com\u002F2013\u002F08\u002F06\u002Funsafe-at-any-speed\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">An assessment\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fagileforest.com\u002F2018\u002F06\u002F24\u002Fwhy-safe-is-not-the-scaled-agile-approach-you-need\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">that some loud voices\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheitriskmanager.com\u002F2019\u002F02\u002F03\u002Fsafe-is-the-trojan-horse\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in the community also express.\u003C\u002Fa>)\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, we have both retained a critical attitude towards SAFe and the SAI. In the meantime, however, we no longer see SAFe as ballast, but primarily as a treasure chest of proven samples (in Agility, Lean Production and Lean Startup, but also in traditional approaches such as RUP) that are arranged in a logical context.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>Is SAFe above criticism? Certainly not. There are a few points in particular that we would like to address and compare with our assessment:\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>Both of them know SAFe and the relevant courses run by the Scaled Agile Institute (SAI) from several perspectives. Initially, they took part in courses such as Leading SAFe or Implementing SAFe; they help companies to implement agile methods (at least some of which are oriented towards SAFe) and provide training on agility, including SAFe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>We, Romano and Johannes, remember it well: at the beginning we had big reservations about SAFe. The model at that time seemed to us unnecessarily complicated and difficult to communicate, and insufficient in terms of content. Some aspects fundamentally contradicted our understanding of the agile principles. In short, SAFe seemed to us like methods-dominated ballast. (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkenschwaber.wordpress.com\u002F2013\u002F08\u002F06\u002Funsafe-at-any-speed\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">An assessment\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fagileforest.com\u002F2018\u002F06\u002F24\u002Fwhy-safe-is-not-the-scaled-agile-approach-you-need\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">that some loud voices\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheitriskmanager.com\u002F2019\u002F02\u002F03\u002Fsafe-is-the-trojan-horse\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in the community also express.\u003C\u002Fa>)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, we have both retained a critical attitude towards SAFe and the SAI. In the meantime, however, we no longer see SAFe as ballast, but primarily as a treasure chest of proven samples (in Agility, Lean Production and Lean Startup, but also in traditional approaches such as RUP) that are arranged in a logical context.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Is SAFe above criticism? Certainly not. There are a few points in particular that we would like to address and compare with our assessment:\u003C\u002Fp>",{"__typename":244,"id":261,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":262,"pgSharedTitle":265,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"1550",{"value":263,"processed":264,"format":249},"\u003Cp>For a long time, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">SAFe \u003C\u002Fa>was primarily a framework for product development with lean-agile methods. When SAFe versions prior to 5.0 referred to 'Value Streams', they almost always meant '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fdevelopment-value-streams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Development Value Streams\u003C\u002Fa>' – not \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Foperational-value-streams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Operational Value Streams\u003C\u002Fa> that directly influence business value. \u003Cbr \u002F>\r\nIn the enthusiasm for supposedly simple solutions (such as an 'Agile Transformation'), it was easy for this fact to be ignored and false expectations to be created. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cul>\r\n\t\u003Cli>Take the case of a technology manufacturer without any idea of how to deal with competitors in the digitalisation process; agile development can only help if the manufacturer also shows the courage to innovate.\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\t\u003Cli>A bank needs more than just scaled agility to strengthen the customer orientation of its business organisation and make its offerings more attractive.\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\t\u003Cli>A public authority that wants to improve its attractiveness as an employer in the marketplace doesn't need to introduce '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fessential-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Essential SAFe\u003C\u002Fa>': instead, it needs to change systemically to create space for the intrinsic motivation of its employees, to then benefit from those employees.\u003C\u002Fli>\r\n\u003C\u002Ful>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>With version 5.0, SAFe has taken these points on board and expanded its model considerably. Since then, SAFe (in the '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fportfolio-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Portfolio\u003C\u002Fa>' and 'Full' configurations) has focussed on pursuing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fbusiness-agility\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Business Agility\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, it places additional emphasis on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Forganizational-agility\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Organisational Agility\u003C\u002Fa> and a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-learning-culture\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Learning Culture\u003C\u002Fa>. Accordingly, it has incorporated further methods, such as the analysis of operational value chains, or the Objectives and Key Results method (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fblog\u002Fkpis-and-okrs-in-safe-a-new-and-more-complete-story\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">OKR\u003C\u002Fa>), and adapted elements from Eric Ries' 'Lean Startup' and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fportfolio-vision\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Business Model Canvas\u003C\u002Fa> by Alexander Osterwalder \u002F Strategyzer. SAFe is based – for the whole company – on the Learning Organisation, Innovation Culture and Relentless Improvement and focusses on the process organisation instead of the organisational structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>In this respect, SAFe has become even more ambitious in the latest stages of expansion and promises even more than in the past; in addition, it offers a variety of valuable new tools that can be leveraged throughout the organization, allowing the use of SAFe to better fulfil its value proposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>For a long time, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">SAFe \u003C\u002Fa>was primarily a framework for product development with lean-agile methods. When SAFe versions prior to 5.0 referred to 'Value Streams', they almost always meant '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fdevelopment-value-streams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Development Value Streams\u003C\u002Fa>' – not \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Foperational-value-streams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Operational Value Streams\u003C\u002Fa> that directly influence business value. \u003Cbr>\nIn the enthusiasm for supposedly simple solutions (such as an 'Agile Transformation'), it was easy for this fact to be ignored and false expectations to be created. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\t\u003Cli>Take the case of a technology manufacturer without any idea of how to deal with competitors in the digitalisation process; agile development can only help if the manufacturer also shows the courage to innovate.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>A bank needs more than just scaled agility to strengthen the customer orientation of its business organisation and make its offerings more attractive.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>A public authority that wants to improve its attractiveness as an employer in the marketplace doesn't need to introduce '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fessential-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Essential SAFe\u003C\u002Fa>': instead, it needs to change systemically to create space for the intrinsic motivation of its employees, to then benefit from those employees.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>With version 5.0, SAFe has taken these points on board and expanded its model considerably. Since then, SAFe (in the '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fportfolio-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Portfolio\u003C\u002Fa>' and 'Full' configurations) has focussed on pursuing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fbusiness-agility\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Business Agility\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, it places additional emphasis on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Forganizational-agility\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Organisational Agility\u003C\u002Fa> and a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-learning-culture\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Learning Culture\u003C\u002Fa>. Accordingly, it has incorporated further methods, such as the analysis of operational value chains, or the Objectives and Key Results method (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fblog\u002Fkpis-and-okrs-in-safe-a-new-and-more-complete-story\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">OKR\u003C\u002Fa>), and adapted elements from Eric Ries' 'Lean Startup' and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fportfolio-vision\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Business Model Canvas\u003C\u002Fa> by Alexander Osterwalder \u002F Strategyzer. SAFe is based – for the whole company – on the Learning Organisation, Innovation Culture and Relentless Improvement and focusses on the process organisation instead of the organisational structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>In this respect, SAFe has become even more ambitious in the latest stages of expansion and promises even more than in the past; in addition, it offers a variety of valuable new tools that can be leveraged throughout the organization, allowing the use of SAFe to better fulfil its value proposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n","\"Our company won't become better with SAFe (more profitable, more customer-oriented, more innovative, ...).\"",{"__typename":244,"id":267,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":268,"pgSharedTitle":271,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"1551",{"value":269,"processed":270,"format":249},"\u003Cp>This criticism was and is understandable. The inconsistency of SAFe nomenclature has long been an obstacle. Occasionally, the meaning of individual terms contradicted other, established models, so not everyone will find themselves within the SAFe definition of 'product management'. Some things have improved in the newer versions, however: for a long time, 'Value Stream' was very unclear and misleading and had multiple connotations, including that of a scaling level. (This is now called '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Flarge-solution-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Large Solution\u003C\u002Fa>'.) The absurdity of a 'Project Management Office' completely contradicted its own teachings – fortunately, the term has since been dropped. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>The 'Tailoring down' approach has been retained. It requires a knowledge of the whole model just to be able to determine what can and cannot be omitted in an individual case. Accordingly, even basic courses such as '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fscaledagile.com\u002Ftraining\u002Fleading-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Leading SAFe\u003C\u002Fa>' and the most basic certification as 'Certified SAFe Agilist (SA)' assume a knowledge of all levels and configurations.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>All of this requires a lot of energy from everyone involved in the project for the task of dealing with the methods and processes – contradictory in an approach that sees itself as agile. Didactically, SAFe has improved significantly, but the barrier to using it is still high. So the following principle is therefore important: don't scale if you don't really need to!\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>This criticism was and is understandable. The inconsistency of SAFe nomenclature has long been an obstacle. Occasionally, the meaning of individual terms contradicted other, established models, so not everyone will find themselves within the SAFe definition of 'product management'. Some things have improved in the newer versions, however: for a long time, 'Value Stream' was very unclear and misleading and had multiple connotations, including that of a scaling level. (This is now called '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Flarge-solution-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Large Solution\u003C\u002Fa>'.) The absurdity of a 'Project Management Office' completely contradicted its own teachings – fortunately, the term has since been dropped. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>The 'Tailoring down' approach has been retained. It requires a knowledge of the whole model just to be able to determine what can and cannot be omitted in an individual case. Accordingly, even basic courses such as '\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fscaledagile.com\u002Ftraining\u002Fleading-safe\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Leading SAFe\u003C\u002Fa>' and the most basic certification as 'Certified SAFe Agilist (SA)' assume a knowledge of all levels and configurations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>All of this requires a lot of energy from everyone involved in the project for the task of dealing with the methods and processes – contradictory in an approach that sees itself as agile. Didactically, SAFe has improved significantly, but the barrier to using it is still high. So the following principle is therefore important: don't scale if you don't really need to!\u003C\u002Fp>","\"SAFe is unnecessarily complicated.\"",{"__typename":244,"id":273,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":274,"pgSharedTitle":277,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"1552",{"value":275,"processed":276,"format":249},"\u003Cp>The much-cited 'Spotify Model' takes the approach of using teams, preferably autonomous, that can independently implement end-to-end solutions. LeSS also clearly prefers autonomous, added-value-oriented Feature Teams to Component Teams. From an agile perspective, it's a catchy claim. For the reality in many organisations, however, it falls short of the mark. Companies have often developed very traditionally over years and even decades. Their teams have to deal with many dependencies on legacy systems, for example. Very complex solutions are often not so easy to take apart, and creating completely autonomous teams overnight is simply not feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>The SAFe approach of \"Nothing beats an Agile Team except a Team of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fagile-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Agile Teams\u003C\u002Fa>\" is definitely not a universal truth. But in many cases the 'Team of Agile Teams' will be the means of choice – or at least a necessary evil. It is important not to misunderstand SAFe as the perfect target picture. The feasible reduction of dependencies should be continuously and vigorously promoted, and the framework itself should be regularly reviewed with regard to its suitability for the respective organisation – and adapted as necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>The much-cited 'Spotify Model' takes the approach of using teams, preferably autonomous, that can independently implement end-to-end solutions. LeSS also clearly prefers autonomous, added-value-oriented Feature Teams to Component Teams. From an agile perspective, it's a catchy claim. For the reality in many organisations, however, it falls short of the mark. Companies have often developed very traditionally over years and even decades. Their teams have to deal with many dependencies on legacy systems, for example. Very complex solutions are often not so easy to take apart, and creating completely autonomous teams overnight is simply not feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>The SAFe approach of \"Nothing beats an Agile Team except a Team of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fagile-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Agile Teams\u003C\u002Fa>\" is definitely not a universal truth. But in many cases the 'Team of Agile Teams' will be the means of choice – or at least a necessary evil. It is important not to misunderstand SAFe as the perfect target picture. The feasible reduction of dependencies should be continuously and vigorously promoted, and the framework itself should be regularly reviewed with regard to its suitability for the respective organisation – and adapted as necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n","\"A scaled agile organisation should rely on independent teams. SAFe is taking the wrong approach by cementing interdependencies between teams.\"",{"__typename":244,"id":279,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":280,"pgSharedTitle":283,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"1553",{"value":281,"processed":282,"format":249},"\u003Cp>In fact, you might think that SAFe is completely focussed on delivery, but that description is too limited. SAFe defines the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-delivery-pipeline\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Delivery Pipeline\u003C\u002Fa> not just as CI\u002FCD (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-integration\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Integration\u003C\u002Fa> \u002F \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-deployment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Deployment\u003C\u002Fa>) but also adds \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-exploration\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Exploration\u003C\u002Fa> in front and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Frelease-on-demand\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Release on Demand\u003C\u002Fa> behind. This creates a continuous pipeline that covers all aspects from the idea through to production. Thanks to the all-embracing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fdevops\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">DevOps \u003C\u002Fa>approach with the 16 activities in the four dimensions, you have an end-to-end process including operation, which starts with the customer and ends with the customer. .\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>In fact, you might think that SAFe is completely focussed on delivery, but that description is too limited. SAFe defines the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-delivery-pipeline\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Delivery Pipeline\u003C\u002Fa> not just as CI\u002FCD (\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-integration\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Integration\u003C\u002Fa> \u002F \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-deployment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Deployment\u003C\u002Fa>) but also adds \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fcontinuous-exploration\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Continuous Exploration\u003C\u002Fa> in front and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Frelease-on-demand\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Release on Demand\u003C\u002Fa> behind. This creates a continuous pipeline that covers all aspects from the idea through to production. Thanks to the all-embracing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scaledagileframework.com\u002Fdevops\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">DevOps \u003C\u002Fa>approach with the 16 activities in the four dimensions, you have an end-to-end process including operation, which starts with the customer and ends with the customer. .\u003C\u002Fp>","SAFe completely ignores the operational aspect. ",{"__typename":244,"id":285,"ctaLink":204,"pgSharedText":286,"pgSharedTitle":289,"pgSharedCtaLink":204},"7636",{"value":287,"processed":288,"format":249},"\u003Cp>Frameworks are not blueprints that you just have to lay onto companies, and voilà – success is guaranteed. SAFe is no exception. As we said at the beginning, SAFe is a treasure chest. But the road to recovery is different for every organisation; it means hard work and is not without risk. The value of each SAFe element is not immediately apparent to everyone. After the first test, some things can with confidence be left behind as ballast – perhaps to return to them at a later moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>What challenges do you face when it comes to scaling Agility? And: how do you view the suitability of SAFe for your organisation?\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n\r\n\u003Cp>Would you like to find out more about SAFe? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zuehlke.com\u002Fde\u002Facademy\" target=\"_blank\">Attend the courses at the Zühlke Academy\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\r\n","\u003Cp>Frameworks are not blueprints that you just have to lay onto companies, and voilà – success is guaranteed. SAFe is no exception. As we said at the beginning, SAFe is a treasure chest. But the road to recovery is different for every organisation; it means hard work and is not without risk. The value of each SAFe element is not immediately apparent to everyone. After the first test, some things can with confidence be left behind as ballast – perhaps to return to them at a later moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>What challenges do you face when it comes to scaling Agility? And: how do you view the suitability of SAFe for your organisation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Would you like to find out more about SAFe? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zuehlke.com\u002Fde\u002Facademy\" target=\"_blank\">Attend the courses at the Zühlke Academy\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","No blueprint",{"__typename":291,"id":292,"title":204,"pgContactRefContacts":293,"showEmail":204,"showPhone":204},"ParagraphPgContact","9995",[294],{"contactName":295,"contactProfession":296,"contactDesc":297,"contactLinkedinUrl":299,"sharedEmail":303,"sharedPhone":304,"sharedRefMedia":305},"Romano Roth","Chief AI Officer & Partner",{"value":298},"\u003Cp>His passion is helping companies bringing people, processes and technology together so that they can deliver continuously value to their customers. \u003C\u002Fp>\r\n",{"title":300,"url":301,"internal":302},"","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fromanoroth\u002F",false,"romano.roth@zuehlke.com","+41 43 216 6651 ",{"id":306,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":307,"name":322},"4009",{"url":308,"width":309,"height":309,"alt":310,"title":204,"size":311,"mime":222,"variations":204,"personVariations":312},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fromano_roth_0.jpg",500,"Romano Roth, Thought Leader DevOps",67675,[313,316,317,320,321],{"name":314,"url":315,"width":309,"height":309},"FOCAL_POINT11_SMALL","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_1_1_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fromano_roth_0.jpg.webp?itok=kxFcWKun",{"name":314,"url":315,"width":309,"height":309},{"name":318,"url":319,"width":309,"height":309},"FOCAL_POINT11_MEDIUM","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_1_1_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fromano_roth_0.jpg.webp?itok=W7DsBT7R",{"name":318,"url":319,"width":309,"height":309},{"name":318,"url":319,"width":309,"height":309},"romano_roth_0.jpg",[],[325],{"id":326,"name":327},"21","Software engineering",{"processed":329},"\u003Cp>This post was originally written by Johannes Kling about SAFe version 4.0. Since then, SAFe has been further developed and some of the criticism voiced at that time has been taken into account. To reflect the latest state of development, the post has been revised accordingly, most recently by Romano Roth and Johannes Kling jointly.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"timestamp":331},1493294400,[333],{"status":7,"contactName":334,"contactProfession":335,"contactLinkedinUrl":336,"sharedEmail":338,"sharedRefMedia":339},"Johannes Kling","Management Consultant bei KEGON AG",{"title":300,"url":337,"internal":302},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fjohannes-kling-2493b8102\u002F","johannes.kling@kegon.de",{"id":340,"sharedMediaLegend":341,"mediaImage":342,"name":354},"341","Test LIIP",{"url":343,"width":344,"height":344,"alt":345,"title":204,"size":346,"mime":222,"variations":204,"authorVariations":347},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fjohannes-kling-zuehlke_0.jpg",454,"Johannes Kling Zühlke",56239,[348,350,351,352,353],{"name":314,"url":349,"width":344,"height":344},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_1_1_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fjohannes-kling-zuehlke_0.jpg.webp?itok=gQNJOITi",{"name":314,"url":349,"width":344,"height":344},{"name":314,"url":349,"width":344,"height":344},{"name":314,"url":349,"width":344,"height":344},{"name":314,"url":349,"width":344,"height":344},"johannes-kling-zuehlke_0.jpg",[356,390,428,454],{"id":357,"path":358,"sharedTeaserTitle":359,"sharedTeaserRefMedia":360,"sharedTaxrefIndustries":381,"sharedTaxrefExpertises":385},"6883","\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fdigital-twin-for-covid-19","How a digital twin supported the COVID-19 response  ",{"id":361,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":362,"name":380},"6151",{"url":363,"width":364,"height":365,"alt":366,"title":204,"size":367,"mime":222,"variations":204,"relatedContentVariations":368},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fdigital-twin.jpg",1141,856,"Close-up abstract pattern of intertwined colorful light beams of color light blue yellow and green on a  black background",147388,[369,373,374,378,379],{"name":225,"url":370,"width":371,"height":372},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fdigital-twin.jpg.webp?itok=2MofF15f",800,533,{"name":225,"url":370,"width":371,"height":372},{"name":375,"url":376,"width":364,"height":377},"FOCAL_POINT32_MEDIUM","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fdigital-twin.jpg.webp?itok=WzaeJO-V",761,{"name":375,"url":376,"width":364,"height":377},{"name":375,"url":376,"width":364,"height":377},"digital-twin.jpg",[382],{"id":383,"name":384},"120","Government & public sector",[386,389],{"id":387,"name":388},"129","Experience design",{"id":326,"name":327},{"id":391,"path":392,"sharedTeaserTitle":393,"sharedTeaserRefMedia":394,"sharedTaxrefIndustries":412,"sharedTaxrefExpertises":420},"7521","\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Ffuture-of-the-nhs","Are MedTech partnerships the future of the NHS? ",{"id":395,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":396,"name":411},"152750",{"url":397,"width":398,"height":399,"alt":400,"title":204,"size":401,"mime":222,"variations":204,"relatedContentVariations":402},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Fnhs-worker-consulting-patient.jpg",1920,1280,"NHS worker consulting patient",103097,[403,405,406,409,410],{"name":225,"url":404,"width":371,"height":372},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fnhs-worker-consulting-patient.jpg.webp?itok=Lee9mQqZ",{"name":225,"url":404,"width":371,"height":372},{"name":375,"url":407,"width":408,"height":371},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Fnhs-worker-consulting-patient.jpg.webp?itok=uDvWSlDp",1200,{"name":375,"url":407,"width":408,"height":371},{"name":375,"url":407,"width":408,"height":371},"nhs-worker-consulting-patient.jpg",[413,414,417],{"id":383,"name":384},{"id":415,"name":416},"13","MedTech",{"id":418,"name":419},"12","Pharma",[421,424,427],{"id":422,"name":423},"19","Digital strategy",{"id":425,"name":426},"886","Tech innovation",{"id":326,"name":327},{"id":429,"path":430,"sharedTeaserTitle":431,"sharedTeaserRefMedia":432,"sharedTaxrefIndustries":449,"sharedTaxrefExpertises":451},"6301","\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fwinning-innovation-in-a-regulated-industry","Winning innovation in a regulated industry",{"id":433,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":434,"name":448},"5219",{"url":435,"width":436,"height":437,"alt":438,"title":204,"size":439,"mime":222,"variations":204,"relatedContentVariations":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Frollercoast.jpg",2000,1333,"Moving fast in a regulated environment",124475,[441,443,444,446,447],{"name":225,"url":442,"width":371,"height":372},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Frollercoast.jpg.webp?itok=erykcLfG",{"name":225,"url":442,"width":371,"height":372},{"name":375,"url":445,"width":408,"height":371},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Frollercoast.jpg.webp?itok=gUDEWGZG",{"name":375,"url":445,"width":408,"height":371},{"name":375,"url":445,"width":408,"height":371},"rollercoast.jpg",[450],{"id":383,"name":384},[452,453],{"id":422,"name":423},{"id":326,"name":327},{"id":455,"path":456,"sharedTeaserTitle":457,"sharedTeaserRefMedia":458,"sharedTaxrefIndustries":476,"sharedTaxrefExpertises":477},"1681","\u002Fen\u002Finsights\u002Fcontact-tracing-how-secure-is-swisscovid","Contact-tracing: How secure is SwissCovid?",{"id":459,"sharedMediaLegend":204,"mediaImage":460,"name":475},"1317",{"url":461,"width":462,"height":463,"alt":464,"title":204,"size":465,"mime":222,"variations":204,"relatedContentVariations":466},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fimages\u002Ftarget-pin.jpg",700,524,"Target Pin",51978,[467,470,471,473,474],{"name":225,"url":468,"width":462,"height":469},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_small\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Ftarget-pin.jpg.webp?itok=FGxmFaX7",467,{"name":225,"url":468,"width":462,"height":469},{"name":375,"url":472,"width":462,"height":469},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.zuehlke.com\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fstyles\u002Ffocal_point_3_2_medium\u002Fpublic\u002Fimages\u002Ftarget-pin.jpg.webp?itok=I0KvdXhG",{"name":375,"url":472,"width":462,"height":469},{"name":375,"url":472,"width":462,"height":469},"target-pin.jpg",[],[478],{"id":326,"name":327}]