SAFe Business Agility Podcast: Recent Episodes
Scaled Agile
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If you’re a change agent, such as a SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), your job is to bring about change—even if the organization doesn’t want to change. Eduardo Alvim, SAFe Fellow and principal business agility consultant at Gladwell Academy shares his advice for leading change in challenging situations. Like what you hear? Connect with Eduardo on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Emily Lint, senior technical Release Train Engineer at ICON Agility Services, is here to remind you not to be critical of yourself when dealing with the many changes that come with an Agile transformation. In fact, she says, “You’re doing just fine.” Tune in to find out why. Like what you hear? Connect with Emily on LinkedIn. Learn more about Women in Agile. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the difference between a good Release Train Engineer (RTE) and an exemplar RTE? Glenn Smith, SPCT and director of Nimbility, explains in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Jeroen Jan Elzinga, CEO of Connected Movement, explains the key advantages of collaboration. Like what you hear? Connect with Jeroen on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
When Business Owners assign business value during events such as PI Planning, they’re considering a lot more than just a number. In this episode, Piotr Wojtera, Agile coach at Nordea describes a very important interaction that helps business owners determine the right number. Like what you hear? Connect with Piotr on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
If you’re a Release Train Engineer (RTE) aspiring to become a Solution Train Engineer (STE), what should you consider before making a move? In this episode, Lech Babula, SPCT at Nordea offers three key tips based on his personal experience. Like what you hear? Connect with Lech on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Picture this: Your organization continues to train internal SPCs as it undergoes an Agile transformation. How do you manage that growing community to keep people engaged, informed, and empowered to drive success? Piotr Wojtera, Agile coach at Nordea shares his experience, advice, and key tips. Like what you hear? Connect with Piotr on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“It’s hard to master, yes, because there’s so much value. You need to have the right people to help you disseminate that advice, to apply the right approach to implement it in your organization.” In this episode, Adam has an honest, transparent discussion about Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) with Darren Wilmshurst, managing director, and Ken France, VP enterprise agility practice, both at Cprime. Topics covered in the conversation include the evolution of Agile at scale and the increasing importance of portfolio management as organizations look to connect strategy with execution and move to a product operating model. A look at the results from the State of SAFe Report 2025, which shares data on how organizations are transforming with SAFe and highlights struggles they have with LPM. And Darren’s and Ken’s insights and advice for achieving mastery in LPM. Like what you hear? Connect with Darren and Ken on LinkedIn. Download the State of SAFe Report here. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the best way to motivate people during an Agile transformation and set them up for success? In this episode, Quinn Dodsworth, Agile learning consultant at PM Partners in Australia answers that question and shares his advice. Like what you hear? Connect with Quinn on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Following through on the information output from a Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshop is critical. Just as important is paying attention to a small but mighty metric that has to do with quality. Stefano Giovannini, business agility director at Capgemini Invent, explains and shares a real-world example. Like what you hear? Connect with Stefano on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
"You can’t do it alone. If you need to do everything for your client … then you’re also blindfolded in only looking one way. You need to get many partners all together … so we have multiple visions, multiple cultures, and can be flexible. “ What started as a small network is now Connected Movement, an international consultancy that taps into the value and power of partnerships. In this episode, Adam talks to Jeroen Jan Elzinger, CEO, and Sukie Kang, SPCT, executive coach, and transformation architect about how the company is bringing people together to solve customers’ problems. The trio discusses topics including why understanding cultural differences is important to extend their reach and expertise in more regions and markets, why building a diverse network and team is a strength, and they share examples of how communication styles and decision-making processes vary greatly across different countries. Like what you hear? Connect with Jeroen and Sukie on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
If an organization’s executives and managers don’t understand the new way of working associated with an Agile transformation, how can they lead effectively? In this episode, Sukie Kang with Connected Movement shares his tips for coaches to help leaders become fully engaged. Like what you hear? Connect with Sukie on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
"Whenever I work with companies, I always challenge the leaders and the managers to rethink what they are paying the people for … are you paying them to stare at the screen from nine to five or are you paying them to actually generate outcomes?" In this episode, Adam talks to Oskar Kawecki, the first SAFe Practice Consultant-T (SPCT) in Poland, about the state of business agility adoption in Eastern Europe. The two discuss topics including the strong industries that are accelerating the need for companies to better adapt to changing market conditions, younger workers seeking more flexible and empowering work environments, and how SAFe can help enable those cultural and generational shifts to solve real business problems. Like what you hear? Connect with Oskar on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the best way to help Business Owners do their jobs better to empower an Agile transformation? In this episode, Kurt Jäger with KEGON explains why part of it involves speaking their language. Like what you hear? Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Changing your mindset can change your behaviors. In this episode, SPCT and Strategic Advisor Hiroaki Nakaya explains why this is so important to a successful transformation for any organization. Like what you hear? Connect with Hiroaki on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
"Partnerships make a lot of sense to me … I feel that if two different parties come together and align on goals, then there are so many wonderful things that you can do." Today’s conversation between Adam and Benjamin Perlzweig, EMEA and DACH partner development manager at Atlassian, explores a wide range of topics. The discussion covers Atlassian’s push into generative AI to provide customers with actionable insights and help them drive ROI, the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the software industry to create better solutions, and how the company is fundamentally shifting its mindset about how to help its customers. Like what you hear? Connect with Benji on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations building hardware products realize the need to adopt Agile ways of working. But many struggle with how to do it. In this episode, Rune Christensen, a strategic advisor with Scaled Agile shares his advice and experience around what experiments to run and investments to make. Like what you hear? Connect with Rune on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
If your organization is laser-focused on epics, features, and user stories, you may want to shift your attention to something else that can have an even greater impact on your product or solution. Michele Lanzinger, strategic advisor at Scaled Agile, explains what and why in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the best strategy for an organization undergoing a very large Agile transformation to see tangible, sustainable results? Scaled Agile strategic advisor Travis Moorer shares his tips in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Travis on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations that focus solely on the planning part of PI Planning are missing out on the larger goal of the event. In this episode, Scaled Agile Strategic Advisor Michele Lanzinger explains why. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Why is it critical for organizations to follow up and act on outcomes from retrospectives and problem-solving workshops? Steve Adolph, strategic advisor with Scaled Agile, explains in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Steve on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“More and more IT organizations are realizing that there’s more to agility than just managing your projects in an Agile fashion … to deliver the value on your agility, you need to orient teams around outcomes to have them really relate to the business that they own and empower them.” In this episode, Adam talks to SAFe® Fellow Yuval Yuret about the evolution of product management. The conversation covers topics related to Agile transformation and product management, including how technology is driving change in the financial industry, the difference between how technology organizations apply product management compared to consumer product companies, and how a product operating model can help organizations become more product-centric. Like what you hear? Connect with Yuval on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations practicing SAFe have questions as they work to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements into their business strategy. In this episode, Odile Moreau, strategic advisor at Scaled Agile, offers tactical advice for including ESG using a popular prioritization model in SAFe. Like what you hear? Connect with Odile on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Transformation is not big bang.” In this episode, SPCT Saahil Panikar shares his tips—from both a human- and value-delivery perspective—to achieve a successful Agile transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Saahil on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“The portfolio leadership team are real human beings and they sometimes got into the position that they're in from being really good at a certain style of leadership that worked really well for execution and they're now asked to think from a more strategic point of view and … nobody helps them get to that point.” In this conversation, Adam talks to Rebecca Davis, SAFe methodologist on the Framework team about the importance of portfolio leadership and why it’s back on people’s radars. The two dive into topics including the difference between portfolio leaders and portfolio managers, the challenges portfolio leaders face, and the new, simplified Framework article that provides guidance on who should be on a portfolio leadership team and the critical behaviors and responsibilities that can make that team successful. Like what you hear? Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Read the new Portfolio Leadership article here. Learn more about the 2025 SAFe® Summit Sorrento, Italy here.
Having the right Agile tool is critical to any successful transformation. In this episode, Charlene Cuenca, SPCT and principal consultant with Icon Agility Services, explains why, shares her tips about when to implement one, and how to use it to collect key data. Like what you hear? Connect with Charlene on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Shifting to an Agile way of working is much more than checking boxes for standups and user stories. In this episode, Harry Narang, transformation leader and Agile coach with Skillbook Academy discusses the importance of understanding the why behind Agile practices, rather than just implementing them at face value. Like what you hear? Connect with Harry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How can you embrace AI to accelerate value for your organization and yourself? Dr. Wiselin Mathuram, SPCT at International Business Consultants, shares real-world examples and actionable advice.
Like what you hear? Connect with Wiselin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What makes a good coach? Niko Kaintantzis, SPCT at Kegon in Switzerland, explains in this episode.
Like what you hear? Connect with Niko on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“We're starting to see that lightbulb moment in folks' minds to say, ‘It's okay to be a little bit vulnerable. It's okay to talk about some painful things.’ It's hard to do that within the government world because of the old ways of thinking and working, but we're starting to break those barriers down.”
In this episode, Adam talks to Scott Sinclair, Agile Coach within the U.S. Army PEO and Shawn Lowe, SPCT at Accenture about driving successful transformations in a government context. The trio dives into topics including the need for strong leadership to overcome cultural resistance to change, clearly communicating to explain the why behind the transformation, and the importance of defining and measuring the impact of the changes, rather than just monitoring metrics.
Like what you hear? Connect with Scott and Shawn on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. This podcast panel was recorded in October 2024.
On October 1, 2024, PEO EIS rebranded to PEO Enterprise to reflect a more modern, Agile organization that includes enterprise software and technology services. To learn more about PEO Enterprise, visit their website.
Coaching can be hard, especially when people are scared and skeptical of change. In this episode, Martha Ann Oliver, SPCT candidate, shares lessons learned and practical tips to stay resilient.
Like what you hear? Connect with Martha Ann on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Many things can go wrong—and right—in an Agile transformation. In today’s episode, Enterprise Agile Coach and SPCT Ray Angelone shares his succinct wisdom about how to handle those existing and potential challenges.
Like what you hear? Connect with Ray on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“I was really nervous and scared starting my first [Agile Release] Train. It would have been awesome if I had a mentor or coach initially to help me with that. You have to have mentors in your life. Those areas that I struggled with as I was growing my career, I reflected on ‘how can I make it better for others?’ and that’s what I strived to do.” In this mentor-focused episode, Adam talks to Sarah Blaesing, an SPCT at TEKsystems who found her passion in tech and determination while balancing her roles as a working mom and military spouse.
The conversation covers topics including finding career success by building connections and being willing to take risks; developing and empowering others, especially women, in tech and Agile careers; and how she created a unique academy program that provides newly certified Agile coaches and practitioners with hands-on experience and mentorship.
Like what you hear? Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn to learn more about the SAFe Academy at TEKsystems and check out their Agile Transformation Services. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Lindy Quick, SPCT and transformation architect, explains why taking a step back from your day-to-day activities and remembering to breathe can provide important perspectives and help spark new ideas.
Like what you hear? Connect with Lindy on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Whether you’re working with a customer who is just starting an Agile journey or further along in the process, it’s important to meet them where they are. In this episode, Ramesh Nori, SPCT, consultant, and transformation architect shares his advice for getting back to basics in your research, approach, and actions, to help that customer succeed.
Like what you hear? Connect with Ramesh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Technology is evolving quickly … and the government is embracing that. And so as they look at modernization and transformation initiatives, how can we look at AI and machine learning and different ways to incorporate these technologies into improving their solutions, improving their services to their constituents, and then integrating that into this whole mindset of agility.” How does a small but mighty Agile consulting firm help government clients tackle the unique challenges and opportunities of large-scale enterprise transformation? Adam finds out in this episode with Beth Hatter, Director of Agile Training, and Jason Fair, CEO of Genesis Consulting Partners. The discussion covers topics including the influx of new, tech-savvy talent seeking to improve government services for citizens, how agencies are adopting a different approach to deliver and manage their products, and the opportunities ahead for both the government and Genesis Consulting. Like what you hear? Connect with Beth and Jason on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
As an organization starts its transformation, it’s critical that leadership is actively involved. In this episode, Michael Robertson, Enterprise Coach at Engaged Agility, and SPCT candidate, shares his tips to engage leaders. He also explains why things aren’t always what they seem when leaders appear to be uninterested. Like what you hear? Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations know that it’s important to use various tools and approaches to build better systems faster. In this episode, Robin Yemen, Space Domain Lead at Carnegie Mellon University elaborates on that topic and offers a different perspective on specializing. Like what you hear? Connect with Robin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Adam talks to Mike Idengren, Principal Owner of LSA Digital, about the future of IT services. The two discuss topics including the need to move away from the concept of digital transformation and instead embrace continuous evolution, why it’s important to build modular digital architectures that enable rapid experimentation, the challenges of modernizing legacy systems and how to do it, and the critical role of collaboration and communication in designing effective digital solutions. Mike also shares his perspective on why AI is not a magic solution but how it can be helpful. Like what you hear? Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
That’s not a typo in the episode title, it’s a thing. So, what exactly is an Agile Release Tram and how can it provide value to your organization? Em Campbell-Pretty, CEO of Pretty Agile, and SPCT and SAFe Fellow, explains. Like what you hear? Connect with Em on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Architecture should be leading the delivery, not just the parts … And when I say delivery, I don’t mean the tech delivery. I mean the overall business product delivery.” This episode explores the evolution of digital transformation and the role of architecture in enabling product-centric thinking and Agile delivery. Adam talks to Ravi Purushothaman, Director, Head of Enterprise Agility, and Logan Daigle, Director of Business Transformation, both with NTT Data. The three dive into topics including the importance of architects leading the delivery process, the challenges of transforming legacy “brownfield” environments versus building new “greenfield” solutions, and the need for a holistic, product-oriented approach. Ravi and Logan also share how they think leaders can best support product-centric thinking in any organization undergoing a digital transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Ravi and Logan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Whether you’re a Release Train Engineer (RTE), a member of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), a Scrum Master, or another type of coach, artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance your skills. Roni Dolev Tamani, Lead Lean-Agile Coach with AgileSparks and SPCT candidate, explains how. Like what you hear? Connect with Roni on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
When an organization is building a product for its customers, why does predictability rise to the top as most important? Javier Morillo, SPCT candidate and Agile coach at Estratecno explains. Like what you hear? Connect with Javier on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“The language people are using now is ‘we’re on this continuous journey of improvement’ and the ability to adapt the Framework has always been there. … Rather than make it something that you have to discover for yourself, we want to make it part of the fabric of the Framework.” In this episode, Adam talks to Andrew Sales, Chief Methodologist at Scaled Agile, about making SAFe more accessible, understandable, and adaptable for organizations. The two discuss the why behind reimagining SAFe, the focus on clearly explaining the purpose and rationale behind the practices, the intentional design of the new Big Picture and reworked articles, and the future evolution of the Framework. Like what you hear? Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Check out the new Big Picture. Explore SAFe courses here.
If an Agile Release Train (ART) is a team of Agile teams, how do you make sure your teams are collaborating effectively? In this episode, Mohamed Zouaghi, Lean-Agile coach and transformation architect, shares his tips. Like what you hear? Connect with Mohamed on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Why do we do PI Planning? It’s so expensive.” When a leader or manager asks that question, how do you respond? Alex Menzinsky, an SPC, RTE, and Agile Coach in Spain shares his very convincing answer in today’s episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Alex on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“The value of the enterprise strategy room is to bring forward the information that the enterprise leaders need to do their jobs, enable others to be successful, and support the things that most need support at that moment.” Tune in as Adam talks to Rebecca Davis, Methodologist for the Framework Team, and Saahil Panikar, SPCT and CIO at Atlas Revolutions, about the concept of an enterprise strategy room—a tool designed to help leaders reconnect portfolio performance data to the overall enterprise strategy. The discussion dives into what benefits the enterprise strategy room aims to achieve and why it’s the right forum to make informed decisions to drive the business forward, the growing need to focus less on transformation and more on achieving the benefits of having transformed, and pitfalls to avoid. Like what you hear? Connect with Rebecca and Saahil on LinkedIn. Read the Enabling Strategic Alignment with an Enterprise Strategy Room article. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Stefano Giovannini Agile Transformation Director at Capgemini Invent, shares a story from the field about a recent PI Planning event that he and his team supported for a financial services company. He shares what they learned and what they’ll do differently in the future to improve. Like what you hear? Connect with Stefano on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What does an ant have to do with SAFe and becoming a more effective organization? Ludvig Åhlin, Lean-Agile Coach at Swedbank and iSPCT candidate explains in today’s epsiode. Like what you hear? Connect with Ludvig on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“In all the SAFe transformations I’ve been involved in, there have been struggles for managers. I often meet people who suddenly have their staff moving into teams and ARTs, and those people get a lot of guidance, training, and support from coaches. And they’re well-equipped to take on that mindset shift. But for managers ... they are left to somehow figure it out themselves.” In this episode, Adam talks to Mikael Broomé, Lean-Agile coach and SPCT candidate at Think Flow in Sweden, and Dr. Steve Mayner, VP Framework, Methodologist, and SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc., about new guidance that offers managers much-needed support throughout this transition. The trio discusses topics including the challenges managers face, why investing in training and development for managers is crucial, and why organizations should create parallel career paths for managers. Like what you hear? Connect with Mikael and Steve on LinkedIn. Read the new guidance article, The Role of People Managers in SAFe. Explore SAFe courses here.
Sometimes, how you frame something can make all the difference. In this episode, Mylène Boutet, Manager of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) at Amadeus in France, shares how she helped the HR department have a bigger impact on the company’s Agile transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Mylène on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
As your organization progresses through an Agile transformation, how do you make SAFe—and ultimately business agility—stick? In this episode, Baptise Galea, manager of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) for FedEx in Europe, shares three key tips around people, communication, and culture. Like what you hear? Connect with Baptiste on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“I had a bet with some folks during an engagement a couple of years ago … that if I ever say ‘SAFe says’ then I have to do 10 burpees. That’s the rule because it’s not about dogma. It’s about how can we facilitate conversations and find different ways to explore things.” In this episode, Adam talks to Tim Jackson, SPCT and Agile coach, who actually learned about Agile and product management from being in a band. The two discuss topics including why it’s important to be pragmatic when implementing frameworks like SAFe, the value of effective discovery to understand the real problems and goals before jumping into a solution, and the distinction between consulting and coaching and how to be aware of your own limitations. Like what you hear? Connect with Tim on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Looking for another tool to add to your coaching toolkit? In this episode, Tim Jackson, SPCT, Agile coach, and trainer, explains the OSCAR coaching model and how to use it to guide a conversation and help people take meaningful action on something that is important to them. Like what you hear? Connect with Tim on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the difference between transaction costs and holding costs? Is working in smaller batch sizes always best? SPC Aishwarya Radhakrishnan with Deloitte explains and shares clarifying examples. Like what you hear? Connect with Aishwarya on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“How do we get you from a culture of getting things done to a culture of process innovation at the core? We can compute what the opportunity value of a change would be and how speeding up your processes and increasing your throughput … actually relates to real-world value and real-world returns.” In this episode, Adam talks to Millie Paniccia, Brian Paniccia, and Devan Corona with TecVeris about the company’s AI-powered value stream mapping platform, nVeris. The group talks about why Millie’s and Brian’s personal experiences led them to start TecVeris and how that founding mission motivated the organization to make value stream management more collaborative, interactive, and accessible to more organizations and industries. The discussion also dives into how nVeris uses AI to help organizations quickly and collaboratively map out value streams and quantify the business impact of improving their processes. “For a lot of people, when they see their value stream mapped out end to end, that’s the first time they’ve ever seen it in their lives. Seeing future states and what could become with a little process innovation is another aha moment. We keep those in mind at every step of the process.” Like what you hear? Connect with Millie, Brian, and Devan on LinkedIn. Sign up for a special extended nVeris trial offer here. Explore SAFe courses here.
It’s not uncommon for Agile teams to encounter challenges as they try to improve efficiency in their product delivery flow. In this episode, Mahesh Varadharajan, SPCT and SAFe practice lead at KnowledgeHut explains why this happens and offers some insights and tips on how to overcome those challenges. Like what you hear? Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How do you talk to a senior leader about why agility is good for your organization? In this episode, SAFe® Strategic Advisor and SPCT Michele Lanzinger shares some key suggestions. Hint: it has a lot to do with language. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“I think there is magic in SAFe, and it’s called Inspect and Adapt because it’s such an important moment for an [Agile Release] train at a company to inspect the product delivered.” In this episode, Adam talks to Gerben Kollaard, Release Train Engineer (RTE) at the Dutch Tax Authority. The two discuss Gerben’s experience switching from the commercial insurance industry to a government context where Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshops were not being done regularly or effectively. Gerben highlights the challenges of defining and identifying customers at a government organization and how that impacts the Agile mindset and practices. He also shares some of his favorite facilitation techniques for problem-solving workshops, including the 50-percent solution mindset. Like what you hear? Connect with Gerben on LinkedIn where you’ll also find his I&A blog series. Explore SAFe courses here.
A lot of changes happen when companies organize and reorganize around value, which can feel overwhelming. In this episode, SAFe® Fellow and SPCT Eric Willeke from Shaping Agility shares his tips for what to focus on and when, as well as four key things to do to achieve flow throughout your portfolio. Like what you hear? Connect with Eric on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Working in smaller batches increases flow. But splitting a sticky note into smaller pieces doesn’t guarantee that those doing the work will achieve business goals. In today’s episode, Strategic Advisor and SPCT Rune Christensen explains why and how enabling team members on solid old and new technical practices can be a big advantage. Like what you hear? Connect with Rune on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What can we learn from someone who has spent a large part of his career taking software things and bringing them to the hardware world? A lot it turns out. In this episode of Business Agility Now, Adam talks to SAFe® Fellow and Methodologist Harry Koehnneman. The two discuss topics including the significant challenges the hardware industry faces and why hardware organizations have been slower to adopt Agile ways of working compared to software organizations. Harry also shares how growing recognition of the integration of hardware and software in complex systems has sparked him and his team to bring guidance and best practices for applying SAFe to hardware. Like what you hear? Connect with Harry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations worldwide are creating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to demonstrate their commitment to social issues and meet sustainability goals. In today’s episode, Odile Moreau, SPCT and strategic and ESG advisor at Scaled Agile, shares how you can use SAFe to achieve those goals. Like what you hear? Connect with Odile on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Be bold … it takes courage to do things differently.” In this episode, Adam talks to Alena Keck and Silke Eggert from Vodafone about their journey toward digital transformation and Lean Portfolio Management. Hear about the challenges, opportunities, and the cultural shift needed to implement participatory budgeting. The group also discusses why it’s important to have a culture that allows for experimentation and fun, the value of attending conferences and events as a team, and why it’s critical that leaders take risks and lead by example. Like what you hear? Connect with Alena and Silke on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Middle managers often feel lost, including within a SAFe organization. In this episode, Konrad Swistelnicki shares three points to summarize how middle managers can support teams, people, and the organization on a daily basis. Like what you hear? Connect with Konrad on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How is moving a couch the perfect metaphor for joint problem-solving and joint cognition? Gene Kim explains in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Gene on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
"We chase job titles, and then we chase salary, and we chase status, but we don't chase our version of happiness and success." In this episode, Adam talks to Adele Leah, a personal branding expert and career coach, about personal and professional growth. The two discuss why a personal brand is valuable, why evolving your career requires continuous growth, and the importance of finding happiness in work. The conversation touches on having clarity about your skills, strengths, and values, and the need to show your human side. Adele also offers advice and insights on how to start building your own personal brand. Like what you hear? Connect with Adele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
If you’re an indirect leader, for example, a Release Train Engineer (RTE) or business owner, how can you ensure your intent is accurately communicated to the people doing the work? In this episode, Carl Starendal, SAFe® Fellow, shares proven science from Sweden about giving orders from an indirect leadership position. Hint: it involves the how, the what, and the why. Like what you hear? Connect with Carl on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Ali Hajou, an SPCT and self-proclaimed Agile nerd, shares his take on the many elements contributing to the challenges and evolving landscape for organizations producing physical products. Like what you hear? Connect with Ali on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Leadership involvement can make or break any Agile transformation. In this episode, Alena Keck, head of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) at Vodafone shares four detailed tips to help you keep leaders informed and keep the transformation headed in the right direction. Like what you hear? Connect with Alena on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How can you help an existing Agile Release Train (ART) be successful and ensure that any new ARTs you launch can do the same? Heidi Hatch, Agile coach and iSPCT candidate shares her tips. Hint: leadership plays a big part. Like what you hear? Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.c
“I got to teach a group of high school kids some Agile basics. The kids went through a couple of iterations to design a classroom. Then they had to give feedback. And it was funny how some of them were afraid to say anything. So I told them, don’t hold back, this is Agile, you let it loose because feedback is good.” In this episode, Adam talks to Karen Lewison, a senior events manager who is part of the team that designs and executes the SAFe® Summits. Based on her background in marketing and event planning, Karen offers a different perspective on SAFe and Agile. She and Adam dive into topics including why SAFe and Agile aren’t as intimidating as they seem, why experimenting and continuous improvement are so important, and how positive thinking, kindness, and compassion contribute to a successful work environment. Like what you hear? Connect with Karen on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
From the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) to Agile teams, collaboration is key to success. In this episode, Eshan Chawla, SPCT candidate, explains where else you can find that theme in SAFe and why it’s critical to solving complex problems. Like what you hear? Connect with Eshan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
RTEs are very busy people, particularly when it comes to keeping tabs on commitments, such as PI objectves, features, and the work that teams committed to during PI Planning. Good news! SPCT candidate and former RTE Diego Groiso with Cprime has two amazing tips to help RTEs like you track all the stuff to work smarter. Like what you hear? Connect with Diego on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“If you aren’t clear on what your values are and the way that you think about answering questions or making decisions, that doesn’t empower people.” In this episode, Adam talks to Andrew Hall, co-founder of No Story Lost, a company that turns people’s life stories into personalized coffee-table books. The two discuss Andrew’s professional history as business-consultant-turned-entrepeneur to make the world a better place, the difference between academic lessons versus actual lessons learned when launching a startup, and the power of flow, empowerment, and decentralized decision-making. Like what you hear? Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Check out the books mentioned in the podcast: Anything You Want by Derek Sivers and Turn the Ship by David Marquet.
More often than not, team members estimate story points based on time—something we’re advised to avoid. Jeff Wilson, iSPCT candidate with RTX explains why and shares a key tip to help teams correctly and realistically estimate their story points. Like what you hear? Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Read the Framework article on Stories here.
Agile estimation is a balancing act and it’s important to understand the larger purpose behind it. Amogh Joshi with Advance Agility, a Scaled Agile Gold Partner, shares his tips to achieve that balance. Like what you hear? Connect with Amogh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“[Middle managers] are the only ones who have certain keys to enable engagement in their organization, and they have unique abilities to create trust.” In this episode, Adam interviews Mikael Broomé, an SPCT candidate, and enterprise coach and trainer at Think Flow, about the critical role of a middle manager in an Agile transformation. The two discuss topics including the challenges around people and human dynamics, the importance of leading by example, and an upcoming article about the role of middle managers in SAFe that Mikael is writing in collaboration with the Framework team. Mikael also offers three tips for managers to be more effective in their roles and improve their organization’s ways of working. Like what you hear? Connect with Mikael on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How well does your ART structure its features for the next PI? Harry Narang, a coach and consultant with Skillbook Academy, offers tips to craft great features and shares real-world examples. Like what you hear? Connect with Harry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
When making decisions in product development, how do you decide whether to take them or delegate them? And what does delegating mean in context? In this episode, Stefan Becker, SPCT candidate and Agile coach with KEGON AG, shares his approach and a unique tool to help you move the needle from centralized decision-making to fully delegated. Like what you hear? Connect with Stefan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“What are the right ways that we can change that organizational wiring so that people can actually do work easily and well? That's really the goal and if you can make that happen, that is the key to high performance.” In this episode, Adam talks to Gene Kim, author of The Phoenix Project and The Unicorn Project, researcher, DevOps enthusiast, and founder of IT Revolution. The two discuss topics including the concept of the danger zone and the winning zone in organizations, the challenges and consequences of poor leadership on individuals and the broader organization, and the importance of codifying and sharing knowledge to drive positive change. Gene also shares his journey in the world of technology, what motivates him, and his advice for the SAFe community. Like what you hear? Connect with Gene on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
A key reason to organize around value is to get products to customers faster than your competitors. But the principle is also valuable when it comes to culture. In this episode, Amogh Joshi with Advance Agility, a Scaled Agile Gold Partner, shares a scenario that resonates with both benefits. Like what you hear? Connect with Amogh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What is one of the most important things an organization should do before launching an Agile Release Train? In this episode, Michael Krug, Agile coach and SPCT candidate, explains why assessments are invaluable to determine whether an organization is on the right track with its SAFe implementation. Like what you hear? Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“When you open yourself up to people and to experiences, the most amazing things can happen.” In this episode, Adam talks to Michelle Jimenez about a unique career journey that ultimately led her to product management. The two discuss the importance of keeping an open mind, why it’s OK not to have all the answers, and the value of taking on new challenges. Michelle also shares her advice for those interested in becoming a product manager. Like what you hear? Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Don’t come to the table with problems if you don’t have ideas for solutions.” In this episode, Michelle Jimenez, product manager at Scaled Agile, shares her tips for starting positive dialogue and creating a collaborative mindset in tense situations. Like what you hear? Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Benjamin Scheffold, senior manager of Agile transformation at Deloitte shares his top tips for success in the three key phases of a participatory budgeting event. He also explains why preparation, adaptation, communication, and repetition are critical for everyone involved. Like what you hear? Connect with Benjamin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“I was deeply skeptical [about hybrid training] as an idea. This goes against all I’ve learned …This is going to be a challenge for me, but I said, “Challenge accepted.” Let’s figure out what we need to do.” In this episode, Adam is joined by Carl Starendal and Ola Gedenryd to talk about hybrid training sessions that combine both in-person and online participants. They discuss the challenges and benefits of hybrid training, offering suggestions for the ideal technical setup and providing recommendations for those looking to facilitate their own hybrid training, emphasizing the importance of creating a sense of togetherness and ensuring equal engagement for all participants. Like what you hear? Connect with Carl and Ola on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Identifying value streams is a cornerstone element of the SAFe® Implementation Roadmap for good reasons. In this episode, SPC and SPCT candidate Stephan Khal explains the why behind that strategy and how combining that activity with value stream mapping can produce powerful outcomes for the business. Like what you hear? Connect with Stephan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In the spirit of relentless improvement, how do you make your next PI Planning event even better than the last one? In this episode, SPC Marcin Cieslinski offers four key tips to make sure everyone is prepared to plan successfully. Like what you hear? Connect with Marcin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Improv as a teaching tool connects people in real-time, in a real way, and it does it magically.” Today’s episode is … a little different. Adam is joined by Erin Diehl, founder and CEO of improve it!, a professional development company helping teams work better together through improvisation. Erin shares her personal journey and how she discovered not only her passion for improv but how it can be used to help others. They discuss the effectiveness of using improv to combat some of the biggest challenges facing businesses today and also share personal stories of burnout and the importance of self-care, especially for leaders. Like what you hear? Connect with Erin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Helen Fleming, SAFe Coach and SPCT candidate dives into the powerful philosophy of servant leadership, which prioritizes the needs of others to empower them to succeed. Helen shares why servant leadership is experiencing a resurgence at AT&T and describes real-world examples of the effect it’s having inside the company. Like what you hear? Connect with Helen on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Does presenting in front of a large group of people make you anxious? You’re not alone. In this episode, self-proclaimed introvert Robert Dunlap, an SPCT candidate at a telecommunications company, shares his tips to help you overcome your fears and teach a great class. Like what you hear? Connect with Robert on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“AI is not coming for your job. You don't have to fear AI. You have to fear the person who knows how to use AI better than you do.” On today’s episode, Adam sits down with William Kammersell, Director of Product Management at Scaled Agile to discuss technology and AI in the workplace and how to use both to enhance productivity and learning. They talk through their own experiences using AI, how the tools are only as powerful as the data they have access to, and their ideas for how AI might factor into the future of SAFe® Studio. Books mentioned in the podcast include: Deep Work by Cal Newport Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath Like what you hear? Connect with William on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How are your behaviors as a manager or a leader affecting others in your organization? In this episode, Carl Starendal, SAFe Fellow in Sweden, shares his advice to help you model positive behaviors, stay involved when shifting responsibility to someone else (decentralized decision-making), and invest in developing strong relationships with your colleagues during good and bad times. Like what you hear? Connect with Carl on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Organizations that focus too much on shiny new software features often forget about other key elements like technical debt, security, and performance. And that can compromise the software they deliver. In this episode, Lech Babula, iSPCT at Nordea Bank, shares some tips to help you avoid the software death spiral loop and take action. Like what you hear? Connect with Lech on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“We were shipping six linear feet of technical documentation with every system that we sold. And it occurred to me that a lot of what we were documenting was just bad design and challenges using the system. I proposed that we take a look at what documentation we would prefer to write … and adjust the software to match the documentation.” In this episode, Adam talks to Harry Max about user experience design and prioritization. Harry is an executive coach and the author of Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions. The two discuss topics including why prioritization is important in decision-making and planning, how fear can hinder effective decisions, and strategies to improve productivity. Books mentioned in the podcast include: The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander Wiring the Winning Organization by Gene Kim and Steven J. Spear Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Deep Work by Cal Newport. Like what you hear? Connect with Harry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Does your organization have a vision? In this episode, Susan Gibson, CEO, cofounder, and SPCT at Temenos+Agility shares her perspective on how vision is critical to execution—and why it’s often missing from organizations’ large change initiatives. Like what you hear? Connect with Susan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
In this episode, Konrad Swistelnicki, SPCT candidate at Kegon, explains why the evolution of commitment in Agile approaches and in SAFe is a good thing. And why value delivered is really what matters. Like what you hear? Connect with Konrad on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
“Be present. Be engaged. Participate in everything and anything—sit at a round table, talk with an expert one-on-one, and network at the partner marketplace. You never know what you’ll learn.” Twice a year, a small but mighty team of six people plans and executes the SAFe Summit. In this episode, Adam talks to two of those six people, Karen Lewison and Eric Neal, to find out what happens behind the scenes to successfully pull off these popular events. Karen and Eric talk about the challenges and excitement of organizing and hosting the SAFe Summit, and why it’s so important to select the right venue and create a positive attendee experience. They also offer advice for first-time attendees, especially around networking, and share details for both the SAFe Summit Berlin and SAFe Summit Washington, D.C. Like what you hear? Connect with Karen and Eric on LinkedIn. Check out details on the SAFe Summits and other events here. Explore SAFe courses here.
What do you do when you are trying to implement or improve new ways of working but management isn’t hearing your message? Fernando Razo, Enterprise Lean-Agile Coach at Softtek, shares his key tips for navigating the human element of those conversations. Like what you hear? Connect with Fernando on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How are cyber-physical systems different than software and what does SAFe look like in that environment? Oliver Wörl, SPC at NTT Data explains and shares a tip for improving that system, one element at a time. Like what you hear? Connect with Oliver on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
"If we don’t get the people side … we are not going to be a successful organization going forward.” In this people-focused episode, Adam talks to Fabiola Eyholzer from Just Leading Solutions about the importance of Agile HR and its role in organizational agility. The two discuss the why behind the shift to a more human-centered approach and what being on the cusp of the augmented era means for humans. Fabiola also introduces the Agile HR Explorer course designed to help HR professionals understand and embrace Agile principles and practices. Like what you hear? Connect with Fabiola on LinkedIn. Learn more about the Agile HR Explorer course from Just Leading Solutions. And explore other SAFe courses here.
Tune in as Mahesh Varadharajan, SPCT and SAFe practice lead at KnowledgeHut shares a short story about how having the right person in the right role helped an organization avoid derailing its PI Planning event. Like what you hear? Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
The early stages of adopting Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) can feel a bit overwhelming. In today’s episode, Deema Dajani, SAFe Fellow and product management director has some essential advice to help you stay calm and carry on. Like what you hear? Connect with Deema on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Connect with Deema on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How can an approach that originated in finance help you better evaluate epics and initiatives in SAFe, particularly around uncertainty and risk? In today’s episode, Adam talks to SAFe Fellow and SPCT Joe Vallone about real options. The two discuss how the approach is best applied at the portfolio level and why it’s useful in evaluating MVPs and in deciding whether to pivot, persevere, or refactor. Read the article mentioned in the podcast. Like what you hear? Connect with Joe on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Scaled Agile Framework Improving Portfolio Outcomes with Real Options - Scaled Agile Framework Because traditional valuation tools such as NPV ignore the value of flexibility, real options are important in strategic and financial analysis. —McKinsey Quarterly [1] Improving Portfolio Outcomes with Real Options By Joe Vallone, SAFe Fellow, Scaled Agile Inc., and Claus Hirzmann, Strategic-Finance SAS Note: This article is part of the Community Contributions series, which provides additional points of view and guidance based on the experiences and opinions of the extended SAFe community of experts. Abstract To maintain portfolio flow andRead more Est. reading time 12 minutes Scaled Agile Framework Improving Portfolio Outcomes with Real Options - Scaled Agile Framework Because traditional valuation tools such as NPV ignore the value of flexibility, real options are important in strategic and financial analysis. —McKinsey Quarterly [1] Improving Portfolio Outcomes with Real Options By Joe Vallone, SAFe Fellow, Scaled Agile Inc., and Claus Hirzmann, Strategic-Finance SAS Note: This article is part of the Community Contributions series, which provides additional points of view and guidance based on the experiences and opinions of the extended SAFe community of experts. Abstract To maintain portfolio flow andRead more Est. reading time 12 minutes Scaled Agile Which SAFe Course is Right for Me? SAFe Course Finder Use our Course Wizard to find the SAFe® course that’s right for you. Start the path toward your Scaled Agile certification today. (8 kB)
You need to be customer-centric, speaking to customers and validating, but how do you do that? Deema Dajani, Product Management Director at Scaled Agile, Inc., recommends the Double Diamond of Design Thinking. Like what you hear? Connect with Deema on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. linkedin.com Deema Dajani - Scaled Agile, Inc. | LinkedIn SAFe Business and Portfolio Agility Experiences | Learn more about Deema Dajani's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn Scaled Agile Which SAFe Course is Right for Me? SAFe Course Finder Use our Course Wizard to find the SAFe® course that’s right for you. Start the path toward your Scaled Agile certification today. (8 kB)
Adam is making the most of his time at the 2023 SAFe® Summit Nashville, this time sitting down with Alexis Williams of Atlassian, Josh Fruit with Accenture, and Dana Buttera of Norfolk Southern. They talk about some emerging trends in business and enterprise agility before launching into a thorough conversation about how, together, they’ve successfully helped Norfolk Southern, a centuries-old train company, embrace an Agile way of working by focusing on the people, the problems that need to be solved, and the “why” of it all. Like what you hear? Connect with Alexis, Josh, and Norfolk Southern on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Listen to today’s conversation in two languages—the first half in English and the second half in Portuguese. In this episode, Adam talks to economist Marcio Tambelini who is responsible for Agile training at B3 in Brazil, one of the world’s largest stock exchanges. Marcio shares why B3 decided to adopt Agile methodologies, his experience implementing SAFe, and the outcomes that the company has realized around speed, autonomy, and customer satisfaction. He also highlights why he treats value streams like small businesses, and the importance of customer-centricity and product-based budgeting. Like what you hear? Connect with Marcio on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
What’s the best way to get people to love your product when you release it? Deema Dajani, Product Management Director at Scaled Agile has some tips to consider before you even start building it. Like what you hear? Connect with Deema on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
On today’s episode, Adam is joined by Richard Knaster, a longtime SAFe® Fellow and a leading voice in the area of value stream management. Richard shares his own journey to SAFe and tells us more about the work he’s doing today: encouraging organizations to embrace SAFe through the adoption of Atomic Habits. And how breaking things down into manageable chunks of work can help anyone achieve their goals—whether it’s eating better and exercising more or successfully completing an Agile transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Richard on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
So, you’re running your first participatory budgeting event and you’re nervous. What’s the best way to demystify the event for everyone involved? Deema Dajani, Product Management Director at Scaled Agile has some suggestions in today’s episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Deema on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
How are you supporting the people who support your people? Whether your organization is on its way or just getting started with incorporating HR into your Agile way of working, Fabiola Eyholzer, CEO of Just Leading Solutions, has some advice to help you on that journey. Like what you hear? Connect with Fabiola on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Adam welcomes Aly Orloff, Lead Agile Instructor and Coach at Lockheed Martin to the podcast to talk about all things innovation. They discuss the importance of encouraging a culture of innovation (which includes letting go of your fear of failure) and considering whether a healthy appetite for risk might have changed the fates of companies like Blockbuster or Kodak. Aly also shares her experience implementing SAFe at Lockheed Martin. To close out, she leaves us with three tips to convince others to adopt the IP iteration. Like what you hear? Connect with Aly on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Is your funding rationale the best match for your organization’s MVPs and development value stream? In today’s episode, Joe Vallone, SPCT and SAFe® Fellow, describes the Real Options financial framework and why it’s attractive for funding Lean-Agile development. Read the article Joe mentions in the podcast. Like what you hear? Connect with Joe on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Today’s episode is in French and features Odile Moreau, SAFe Strategic Advisor and SPCT at Scaled Agile. She shares three key areas where organizations can use the eight flow accelerators to constantly improve. Like what you hear? Connect with Odile on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Today, Adam talks to Terry Densmore, principal product manager at Digital.ai, about—you guessed it—artificial intelligence (AI). Terry describes how the company is using AI to improve Agile planning, deployment, and other aspects of business agility—and how that benefits customers. Adam and Terry also dive into the importance of value stream management, using AI to surface data and compare the plan to the truth, and the implications of commitment to simplify the business. Finally, Terry describes the future of digital.ai, including further integration of AI capabilities to enhance—not replace—human decision-making and creativity. Like what you hear? Connect with Terry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Today, Saahil is back to talk about how to go from good to great with your strategic themes. He shares what kind of strategic themes he’s seeing in the field, what’s missing, and tips to make them better to drive success for the entire enterprise. Like what you hear? Connect with Saahil on Linked In. Explore SAFe courses here.
Today’s episode contemplates a unique approach to address system team challenges. Tune in to hear SPCT Saahil Panikar describe the idea of a profit-to-owner for the system team and how it has the potential to generate powerful results. Like what you hear? Connect with Saahil on Linked In. Explore SAFe courses here.
In today’s episode, Adam sits down with Tegan Harbridge from Easy Agile. After getting her expert opinion on how the 2023 SAFe® Summit Nashville holds up from an event design perspective, the two dive into conversation. They discuss the importance of knowing that you can’t be everything to everyone, accepting that not all feedback is created equal, and answering the question of why you’re doing what you’re doing—in SAFe, and in life. Like what you hear? Check out Easy Agile. Explore SAFe courses here.
In today’s episode, SPCT Vikas Kapila explains why SAFe is a lot more than a framework—and why you should use it when planning your next vacation. Like what you hear? Connect with Vikas on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.
Today’s episode finds Adam at the 2023 SAFe® Summit Nashville, where he sits down with David Gipp, an SPCT with Agile Velocity. After bonding over their shared experiences in the athletic retail space, and the value of the energy found there, they discuss the importance of outcome (not output), why the improv principle of “yes, and” is relevant, and how the “COVID pivot” is informing how the Agile community is working today.
Gez Smith wants to have coffee with you. Actually, he wants to have coffee with 100 of you. Inspired by a colleague who is setting out to have coffee with 100 random people, Gez makes an argument for why doing something similar will help encourage social connection and spark creativity on your next Agile Release Train.
How do you foster innovation at an organization? Hazurasingh Siviya, SPCT with Temenos + Agility, is here today to offer three tips on just that—from looking at enhancements to current products and services to being a disruptor and adopting innovation as a mindset. He also highlights the importance of MVPs to drive innovation.
Adam sits down with Justin Oke, cofounder of Kendis, to talk all things PI Planning. They dive into what Kendis has to offer, how it evolved from an idea born from a social conversation over a few drinks to what it is today, and where it’s headed next—including the three things that Justin is most excited about. Adam and Justin also reflect on how their time spent in the military and law enforcement has had a lasting impact on their approach to the work they do today.
How do you foster innovation at an organization? Hazurasingh Siviya, SPCT with Temenos + Agility, is here today to offer three tips on just that—from looking at enhancements to current products and services to being a disruptor and adopting innovation as a mindset. He also highlights the importance of MVPs to drive innovation.
What do quotes from Spiderman, Adam Grant, and Steve Jobs have to do with SAFe? Find out in this engaging conversation with Adam and Anand Murthy Raj, SAFe Fellow, SPCT, and Managing Director at Gladwell Academy – Asia. They discuss what they’ve learned over the course of their careers—both inside and outside of SAFe. And they highlight the importance of being relentlessly curious, seeking discomfort, and remembering to enjoy the space between point A and point B.
Eren Özdemir is here to offer a few quick tips and things to keep in mind when working with an external client on a SAFe® transformation.
In this episode, Adam sits down with Gez Smith to talk about his specialty: applying SAFe in highly regulated environments, specifically banks. They discuss the unique challenges of matching SAFe with a regulatory framework and how at the end of the day, SAFe is all about people and relationships. The two also share some lessons learned the hard way during SAFe workshops in other countries—and why that kind of learning has been some of the best.
There are few things worse than getting to the end of a project and realizing that things just aren’t working the way you anticipated. That’s where SAFe® Principle 5 comes in. Hear from Natalia Kuzmina, Head of Agile Practices at S&P Global, about how using a system demo is a better way to evaluate a project.
In today’s episode, Adam takes a step back from SAFe to explore something a little different with Brent Hurley from Agility Health, one of the leading Agile team management platforms. After hearing a little bit about Brent’s background, the two take a deep-dive into all things Agility Health, including the history of the company, and how the tool helps companies build, assess, and grow Agile teams.
In today’s episode, Mauricio Gambini, enterprise Agile coach from Enterprise Agility, offers his eight suggestions to start coaching on a well-established ART to help facilitate continued growth and improvement.
In today’s episode, Adam sits down with Markus Vogg, SPCT and global head of business agility at Capgemini Invent, and Em Sperring, SPC and business agility senior consultant, to discuss their Agile journeys. You’ll hear about their experience in bringing Agile to traditionally non-Agile spaces, like HR and accounting, and how that experience informs their approach to any Agile transformation—big or small. They also discuss the joys of working with intercontinental teams and share some advice they would give to their younger, pre-Agile selves.
It’s no secret that the SAFe implementation roadmap encourages a variety of training throughout the journey, but have you ever considered bringing along a co-trainer? Sarah Blaesing is here today to make a case for why a co-trainer just makes sense.
What does high performance military training have to do with Lean portfolio management? Find out in today’s episode when Adam sits down again with Eduardo Alvim, senior trainer/consultant and SPCT. The two catch up since their last meeting and discuss portfolios, some trends they’re seeing, and how value, especially when it comes to things like PI planning, is more than just making money.
How do you get numerous stakeholders with different priorities and limited budgets to agree what to fund and how? Hint: the answer involves everyone in one room and some Monopoly money. In today’s episode, Vanessa Martens, Agile coach and SPCT candidate with Cprime, shares her experience and key observations leading a participatory budgeting event with an insurance company in Africa.
In this episode, Adam hands the reins over to Alexis Williams and Christian Kelly of Atlassian to lead a discussion with Florian Lukitsch from Deutsche Telekom. The company is five years into its Agile transformation and, according to Florian, the transformation never truly ends — there will always be opportunities to adapt. The trio also discusses the importance of communication, experimentation, and OKRs, and how looking at an Agile transformation as a culture change instead of simply a project will benefit everyone in the long run.
What can simultaneously hold an organization back and move it forward in an Agile transformation? And what do dark jeans have to do with it? In this episode, Vanessa Martens, Agile coach and SPCT candidate with Cprime shares her experience and advice around helping an organization shift from a control-based environment to a collaborative one.
In today’s episode, SPCT Niko Kaintantzis shares three key elements to becoming a great coach. He also talks about what coaches need to stay productive, make a difference, remove obstacles, and explore their passion.
Having the right people in the room at the right time to have the right conversations can make all the difference. In today’s episode, Adam talks with Glenn Smith, SPCT and transformation consultant, about his experience running a successful enterprise transformation. Glenn shares lessons learned, recounts some big wins, and reveals his top three tips for someone looking to start their own successful, large-scale transformation.
Can you be a good coach even if you aren’t familiar with the subject? Actually, yes. In this episode, SPCT Niko Kaintantzis shares four key elements to becoming a great coach. And he explains how to react when the person you’re coaching has no idea what you’re talking about.
What exactly are PI objectives and iteration goals for? Communication from teams to the business about what the teams will do in a PI? Not entirely. In this episode, SPCT Saahil Panikar explains how the answer to the value of PI objectives and iteration goals lies in multiple elements—a feedback loop with two parts, speaking the same language, and the what, the who, and the why.
Today’s episode is for all the managers out there feeling like they’re no longer necessary after an Agile transformation. In fact, according to enterprise coach and SPCT candidate, Mikael Broomé, managers are absolutely critical for success. Listen as he shares some tips on what you can do as a manager to support your team during their Agile journey.
If you’re a manager wondering where you fit on a newly Agile team, today’s episode is for you. Enterprise coach and SPCT candidate, Mikael Broomé, offers some simple tips: start by asking yourself what you're most passionate about in your role, and from there, make sure you understand what the new system looks like, observe your team as often as you can, and keep collecting feedback. Tune in to learn more!
“In a really large organization, there is still a certain level of complexity that we don't appreciate when we look at a single SAFe portfolio and put in a Lean portfolio structure.” When it comes to key elements of enterprise portfolio management, words matter. In today’s episode, Adam and SPCT Saahil Panikar discuss the difference between value stream identification and value stream mapping, strategy and execution versus intent and contribution, and what different organizations consider a portfolio and its associated roles. Saahil shares a specific experience with an LPM engagement at a large organization, as well as his top three quick tips for successful portfolio management.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Hofstadter’s Law: “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.” In today’s episode, SPCT, Gez Smith, offers some tips on how to make peace with the law by adjusting expectations during PI planning, adding your IP iteration to your ART planning board, and implementing a “not going to happen column.”
Have you ever felt a lack of support from HR during an Agile transformation? You’re not alone. On today’s episode, SPCT and SAFe® Fellow, Michael Stump, argues that HR can actually be a big accelerator for business agility, and offers tips on how to make that happen by asking for support, sharing knowledge, and collaborating on experiments.
“As a product manager, I know that product is never the end goal, right? The end goal is value to the customer. And that comes again with a huge people problem or an opportunity, to put it differently. How do I make my people customer-obsessed?” In today’s episode of the SAFe Business Agility Podcast, Adam talks to Natalia Baryshnikova, head of product at Atlassian, about customer obsession, starting with the relevance of an intern’s perspective. The two also discuss topics including parallels between art and digital transformation, the importance of value stream management, and highlights from the Atlassian product roadmap. Natalia also shares her recommendation for listeners around the million-dollar question.
In today’s episode, SPCT and SAFe® Fellow, Charlene Cuenca, has some tips about building a well-balanced, cross-functional Lean-Agile center of excellence (LACE). And she explains why you should consider inviting the COO and HR to be a part of your guiding coalition.
How do you evolve a value stream into a profit stream? That’s exactly what Adam discusses in today’s episode with Luke Hohmann, CEO of Applied Frameworks, who recently wrote a book on the topic. The two explore the concept of flow-based economics, the importance of pricing and licensing software, understanding the value of a product, and measuring and validating metrics for better business outcomes. Plus, you’ll hear some funny and humbling personal stories involving a dishwasher, an RV, and agile basics.
On today's episode, we're offering a behind-the-scenes look at the SPCT program. Adam sits down with three professionals who recently completed SPCT Immersion Week to discuss the entire journey -- from nomination, to interviews, traveling to Boulder, and beyond. Learn what it takes to earn that coveted invitation and how to take new skills and relationships with you back home. Finally, hear firsthand why SPCT candidates say the hard work is worth it.
On today’s episode, Adam sits down (face-to-face!) with three Scaled Agile framework team members—Rebecca Davis, Andrew Sales, and Dean Leffingwell—to discuss all things SAFe 6.0 and what excites them most about this release (hint: it might have something to do with flow). They acknowledge that change is hard and it’s easy to want to resist. But they take a deeper look at what really goes into Framework changes and assure us that the tweaks and changes are more than just shower thoughts—even if they maybe start out that way.
Today’s episode about flow with Adam and SPCT and SAFe® Fellow Yuval Yeret covers a lot of ground. The two discuss why now is the time to introduce flow properties and accelerating flow at multiple organizational levels before launching Agile Release Trains. How flow metrics don’t just benefit organizations at an advanced level of Agile maturity. Why it’s critical to connect people who have an intimate understanding of operational work with the development value stream. And why Agile is carrying some baggage that’s not useful.
DevOps may have started out as a foreign concept a decade ago, but today, it’s front and center in many organizations’ product strategies. In today’s episode, Adam interviews Robert Wen about his new book, SAFe for DevOps Practitioners. They discuss the three key themes of the book—one of which might be the most valuable skill to learn for the next evolution of the digital age—as well as topics including the recent release of SAFe® 6.0, where Robert got his inspiration for the book, and the holy grail of hardware-software integration.
How about a stroll down memory lane? On today’s episode, Eric Willeke, SAFe® Fellow and co-founder of Elevate.to joins Adam to discuss the evolution of SAFe over the years, what excites them the most about the newest revisions, and talk about how, at least for Eric, everything comes back to flow. Plus, hear why the skills that make for the best Scrum Master often aren’t found on a resume—and why that’s important.
Senior Consultant at Cprime and newly minted SPCT Steve Adolph sits down with Adam to discuss one of his passions: the role of the architect and architecture in SAFe. Hear about why Steve says the purpose of architecture in an organization is to enable business agility, full stop. The two also discuss why good leadership involves courage, humility, and letting go of the fear of failure.
Have you heard the news? 2023 is the year of the product manager. Well, it is according to Eduardo Alvim, senior trainer/consultant and SPCT. In this episode, he and Adam dive into why product management will be front and center this year—and what that means. They also discuss the five types of product managers and the importance of storytelling in product management.
Is design thinking just a buzzword? In today's episode, Adam explains what design thinking is and how you can start using it right now to make your job a little easier.
Today's question is about The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). While SAFe acknowledges TOGAF, how do the different roles in that framework map to SAFe roles? Adam discusses what roles related to TOGAF are and aren't in SAFe, and why.
You're probably familiar with the term NFRs but do you know how they can impact your backlog, and your life? In today's episode, Adam explains what NFRs are and suggests some ways you can use them to your advantage.
Today's topic tackles a common question: I'm a certified SPC. What training should I take next to advance my career? In addition to the easy answer, "it depends," Adam offers tactical advice and suggestions on ways to answer that question yourself.
You may know SPCT and SAFe® Fellow Carl Starendal for his work around the RTE role, but did you know he has a Norwegian Grammy Award? And that a lot of what he learned about project management and group dynamics happened on a tour bus? In this episode, Carl and Adam discuss parallels between SAFe and the music business, leadership behaviors, and how to modify cultural patterns.
Deciding how to build teams is complicated, especially when reporting structures and workplace politics are involved. In today's episode, learn about a more productive approach designed to help you organize teams effectively around delivering value in your organization.
What's the difference between the portfolio vision and the portfolio canvas? One is the why and one is the how. Find out which one is which in today's episode.
We’re living in a digital age where pretty much everyone is a technologist in some way. In fact, Tom Boswell never thought he’d find himself working in tech while he was studying art at university. In this episode, Adam sits down with Tom to talk about his journey from artist to Agile coach, lessons he’s learned along the way, and advice he has for those just getting started with SAFe. Hear why they both agree that SAFe skills are for everyone and that starting with “why?” is integral for success.
A key way to understand what your customers really want is to get unbiased answers to your questions, which is sometimes easier said than done. In this episode, Adam shares an important tool to help you get that information so you can make smart, customer-centric decisions.
Good product design is all about problem-solving. No one knows that better than Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon, former executives at Nike, Puma, and Under Armour and co-founders of Speedland. In this episode, Adam talks with Dave and Kevin about how to get closer to your customer, fail fast and innovate, and build the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Hear why innovation is more than just tweaking existing products, and learn how to sort through feedback to find the best path forward.
In today’s episode, two SPCs at Lufthansa Group, Toby Knopp and Alex Radzio, describe a SAFe adoption that centered the customer and helped the airline quickly respond to travel headaches. Hear how partnering with other SAFe enterprises can streamline digital transformations and reduce your time to market. And, learn what it takes to become a mature group that other organizations look up to.
An expert crew from Scaled Agile, Atlassian, and Accenture gathered at the 2022 SAFe Summit to discuss brand new SAFe guidance and the evolution of enterprise agility. Deema Dajani (SAFe Fellow & Product Manager at Scaled Agile, Inc.), Tracey Nott-Seward (Managing Director - Global Talent & Organization/Human Potential at Accenture), and John May (Principal Solutions Architect at Atlassian) joined host Alexis Williams (Global Head of Strategic Alliances at Atlassian) for a conversation that covered multiple industry hot topics, including: The latest SAFe® guidance on flow accelerators, Lean Portfolio Management, value streams, new releases, and more 2023 trends (and beyond) driving agile transformations Common misconceptions about enterprise agility Best practices and real-world strategies for engaging executives in the agility journey Hear first-hand accounts from Tracey, Deema, and John on how to embrace agility and overcome common obstacles during the transformation process.
An expert crew from Scaled Agile, Atlassian, and Accenture gathered at the 2022 SAFe Summit to discuss brand new SAFe guidance and the evolution of enterprise agility. Deema Dajani (SAFe Fellow & Product Manager at Scaled Agile, Inc.), Tracey Nott-Seward (Managing Director - Global Talent & Organization/Human Potential at Accenture), and John May (Principal Solutions Architect at Atlassian) joined host Alexis Williams (Global Head of Strategic Alliances at Atlassian) for a conversation that covered multiple industry hot topics, including: The latest SAFe® guidance on flow accelerators, Lean Portfolio Management, value streams, new releases, and more 2023 trends (and beyond) driving agile transformations Common misconceptions about enterprise agility Best practices and real-world strategies for engaging executives in the agility journey Hear first-hand accounts from Tracey, Deema, and John on how to embrace agility and overcome common obstacles during the transformation process.
In today’s episode, SAFe® Fellows and close friends Rebecca Davis and Cheryl Crupi answer the most pressing questions that people have about SAFe—and that they have for each other. Learn how they inspire teams to be candid and make quicker decisions, why they don’t recommend doing SAFe halfway, and how to find meaning and happiness in the midst of struggle.
Today's tip is all about how to be better in your role as a PM, and it involves becoming a customer yourself. Do it, and you might be surprised at what you learn about your competitors and your own product.
Today's topic comes from a listener seeking to solve an internal debate about the definition of an MVP in SAFe. Tune in to hear helpful examples, in context, that answer this common question.
If you're a PM or a PO, do you know how your customers are using your product? What do and don't they love about it? If you don't know, there's an easy way to find out. Learn more in today's episode.
Welcome to this special edition of the SAFe Business Agility podcast featuring in-person conversations captured at the 2022 SAFe Summit. In today’s episode, we’re discussing the demand for digital healthcare with two experts at CVS Health: Zach Wanerus, Director of Scaled Agile Execution, and Matt Bergenholtz, Solution Train Engineer. Find out how leaders can stay connected to teams through big transformations, and learn why empathy is the hidden key to success.
DevOps isn’t just for IT. Whether you write marketing communications or develop courseware, DevOps can help you improve quality and deliver value to your customers, technology or otherwise. In this episode, Adam explains how to apply DevOps in multiple contexts using the CALMR acronym.
Launching your first ART is simultaneously stressful and exciting. Spoiler alert: There's no perfect answer to deciding which ART to launch first and how. Sometimes, it revolves around what's good enough to get started. In this episode, Adam shares his advice.
When it comes to program risks, a lot of questions come up. Who's responsible? Who owns them? Who owns their resolution? One thing is for sure: the teams shouldn't own the risks. Adam explains in today's episode.
While prioritizing the program backlog is a productive exercise, it often triggers hard conversations and trade-offs. And it's an exercise that can seem counterintuitive to how people have worked before. In today's episode, Adam shares three tips to make WSJF easier.
Welcome to this special edition of the SAFe Business Agility podcast featuring in-person conversations captured at the 2022 SAFe Summit. In today’s episode, Josh Burdick, a Certified Agile Coach and Project Manager at Chevron, explains how a century-old company shifted its culture to embrace an Agile mindset, make faster decisions, and respond to new markets. Plus, Josh and our host, Tim Shisler, discuss the flexibility and adaptability of SAFe, and Josh shares his number-one tip for new trainers. We hope you enjoy the show!
Who should introduce Agile engineering practices to Scrum and Kanban teams? Senior developers? Scrum Masters? Find out as Adam gives us the short and long(ish) answer to the question.
Change is hard no matter what, but it doesn't have to be painful. In this episode, Adam explains why the guidance in the Framework isn't rigid, and how you can incorporate that guidance as it applies to your context and environment.
Welcome to this special edition of the SAFe Business Agility podcast featuring in-person conversations captured at the 2022 SAFe Summit. In today’s episode, find out how what started out as a personal mission turned into a business friendship and a hot topic. Listen as Dean Leffingwell, co-founder and chief methodologist at Scaled Agile, and Mik Kersten, CTO of Planview and author of Project to Product, take a deep-dive into Flow. We hope you enjoy the show!
“Many people in organizations think they are just too complex to have that business agility. However, as a company, AT&T proved that we could pivot and establish new ways of working to meet an urgent need.” What started with a small Agile group in 2012 has evolved into a growing effort to scale Agile across AT&T—a large enterprise with 200,000+ employees. In this episode, Mary Ellen Ferrara, who leads the AT&T Business Lean-Agile Center of Excellence, and Chandra Srivastava, an Agile coach in the AT&T Enterprise Agile Center of Excellence, share their SAFe journey at the company.
The best way to improve your skills is through practice. But practicing the wrong way can lead to bad habits. In this episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, SPCT Dwayne Stroman discusses the concept of “practice makes permanent” and how it helps drive a successful SAFe implementation.
Technical expert, cat-herder, change leader, entrepreneur. Lots of terms have been used to describe an architect. But a marine pilot? In today’s episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, senior consultant at cPrime and SPCT candidate Steve Adolph joins us to talk about that metaphor, plus the importance of the architect role, and why it doesn’t get enough visibility.
In between running the Value Stream and ART Identification Workshop and actually launching an ART lies an informal process to determine what people should be involved where. And when that informal process is rushed, it can lead to less than optimal outcomes. At least that’s what SPCT Marshall Guillory experienced as he worked with organizations at that point in their SAFe journey. In today’s episode, Marshall joins us to discuss the importance of team formation and self-selection.
Sometimes an Agile transformation is a lot harder than it needs to be. It can happen when an organization is launching an ART, or it can happen during something as simple as helping an individual team improve its demos. So how do you spot that friction and remove it from your transformation? In this episode, Eric Willeke, SAFe Fellow and founder of Elevate, joins us to discuss how tactics and different investments make it easier to do the work of successful change
A continuous learning culture can positively impact an organization’s performance, innovation, competency, and competitive advantage. But what exactly is it and how do you create one in your organization? In this episode, Jeff Shupack, SAFe Fellow and SPCT at Product and Team, joins us to define continuous learning culture, explain why it’s important, and describe what it looks like in the real world.
Lean-Agile practices thrive in a trust-based environment. And leaders play a huge role in creating that environment for everyone in the organization. But leadership skills and behaviors aren’t necessarily intuitive for all leaders. And leaders often don’t get the help they need to learn how to evolve and grow in their role. In this episode, Dr. Steve Mayner, SAFe Fellow and principal consultant at Scaled Agile shares insights he’s observed about leaders (and himself) while developing his Leading in the Digital Age development series.
Learning doesn’t just start in the classroom. It continues as learners take the knowledge they’ve gained and apply it to their role. So, how can instructors and trainers create a more powerful learning experience and give learners the support they need to grow? In this episode, we turn to our Scaled Agile colleagues, Tamara Nation, director of product management, and Bill Sizemore, SAFe content advisor for advice, tips, and stories from the field about how to become a great SAFe instructor.
When people think of intelligence, most associate it with IQ. But emotional intelligence is actually a better indication of how a person will succeed in their career. In this episode, Jennifer Fawcett, SAFe Fellow and semi-retired Agile coach, consultant, and speaker, joins us to discuss emotional intelligence, how it can help individuals and organizations succeed, and the role it plays in SAFe.
Defining and effectively managing value streams can translate to satisfied customers and competitive advantage. But what is value stream management and how does it relate to SAFe? In this episode, Richard Knaster, SAFe Fellow and vice president and chief scientist at Digital AI, and Marc Rix continue their conversation about why value stream management is important, and how it can help organizations succeed in the digital age.
Defining and effectively managing value streams can translate to satisfied customers and competitive advantage. But what is value stream management and how does it relate to SAFe? In this episode, Richard Knaster, SAFe Fellow and vice president and chief scientist at Digital AI, and Marc Rix, SAFe Fellow and principal consultant at Scaled Agile explain what value stream management is, why it’s important, and how it can help organizations succeed in the digital age.
Objectives and key results (OKRs) are essential in guiding an organization in its Lean-Agile transformation. But what exactly are OKRs and how and why should leaders use them? In this episode, Vikas Kapila, SPCT at Enterprise Agility Consulting, shares three business agility transformation OKRs that leaders can use to accelerate adoption and outcomes.
Three technology trends—artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cloud—are converging to provide new ways of understanding, managing, and transforming products and services. What does that mean for enterprises now and in the future? In this episode, Dean Leffingwell, Scaled Agile co-founder and SAFe chief methodologist shares highlights from his 2021 Global SAFe Summit talk. He discusses the concept of the business agility value stream in applying SAFe to accelerate time-to-market and effectively compete in the second digital age.
Implementing Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) is a complex journey—one that an organization might not get a second chance to roll out. In this episode, Phil Gardiner, SAFe practice leader, executive consultant, and SPCT with Applied Frameworks, joins us to discuss how organizations can successfully launch and evolve their LPM implementation.
Organizational politics. Skeptical leaders. Differing perspectives and assumptions on how the organization actually delivers value. There are lots of potential hurdles to clear when an organization embarks on a Lean-Agile journey. In this episode, Adam Mattis, SPCT at Scaled Agile, joins us to discuss how business architecture affects value stream mapping.
In direct response to customer feedback, the Framework team recently released a significant update to its guidance on SAFe® Metrics. In this episode, Andrew Sales, member of the Framework team and SAFe Fellow, joins us to explain what’s changed, why these changes are important, and where enterprises can find key resources to help them apply the new guidance.
Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) is gaining momentum among enterprises seeking to connect strategy and execution with the teams that are doing the work. In this episode, SPCT Deema Dajani speaks with us about LPM and how to implement it.
“We reorganized our company from three distinct business units to a functionally aligned organization, where everyone is responsible for delivering value to the customer.” In this episode, we talk to Janice Murray and Adrienne Dieball at ACT.org about revisiting the organization’s value streams and Agile Release Trains (ARTs). Find out the aha moment that helped them move toward organizing around value, the benefits of integrating business teams onto ARTs, lessons learned, and next steps.
When enterprises extend SAFe into the business, complexities can arise as people within organizational value streams interact with those in development value streams. In this episode, members of our panel share their insights and stories from the field about the role of the operational and development value streams in an enterprise’s journey toward business agility.
Release Train Engineers (RTEs) play an important role in aligning the organization. In this episode, we talk to Kimberly Lejonö and Carl Starendal, both former RTEs and experienced Agile coaches, who share their tips for RTEs just getting started in their role. And we’ll dive into some questions we hear from RTEs in the field around inspiring change across teams and Agile Release Trains (ARTs), and managing the flow of value.
What happens when the strategy set by an organization’s leaders is disconnected from the work that’s actually happening on the Agile Release Train? In this episode, SAFe® Fellow and SPCT Eric Willeke joins us to discuss how to get leadership to focus on strategic direction, and how to make sure people on the trains know the why (not just the what) behind the work.
What happens when the strategy set by an organization’s leaders is disconnected from the work that’s actually happening on the Agile Release Train? In this episode, SAFe® Fellow and SPCT Eric Willeke joins us to discuss how to get leadership to focus on strategic direction, and how to make sure people on the trains know the why (not just the what) behind the work.
In part two of our scrum master tips and tricks series, Madi Fisher and Sam Ervin are back with even more advice. In this episode, we talk about managing timeboxes, why communication and trust within teams are so important, and how to be an awesome scrum master.
In part two of our scrum master tips and tricks series, Madi Fisher and Sam Ervin are back with even more advice. In this episode, we talk about managing timeboxes, why communication and trust within teams are so important, and how to be an awesome scrum master.
While lots of people are still working remotely, some are returning to company offices, creating hybrid team environments. What does this new normal mean for collaboration within Agile teams? We turned to two of our scrum masters, Madi Fisher and Sam Ervin, to find out.
Many organizations that develop and deliver software have been practicing Agile for a decade, if not longer. That hasn’t typically been the case for organizations developing hardware, until now. In this episode, Harry Koehnemann, Principal Contributor at Scaled Agile, joins us to discuss why organizations developing hardware are under pressure to deliver faster. And what guidance SAFe® 5 has to help them address these challenges.
It’s hard to practice SAFe effectively and achieve business agility if your key stakeholders aren’t fully engaged at the right levels. In this episode, Charlene Cuenca, principal consultant and SPCT at Icon Agility, joins us to discuss why business owners are critical to successfully connect strategy to execution—and deliver better business outcomes.
It’s hard to practice SAFe effectively and achieve business agility if your key stakeholders aren’t fully engaged at the right levels. In this episode, Charlene Cuenca, principal consultant and SPCT at Icon Agility, joins us to discuss why business owners are critical to successfully connect strategy to execution—and deliver better business outcomes.
Organizations practicing SAFe create value streams to accelerate time to value. But what’s the difference between an operational and a development value stream? How do they coexist to optimize flow? And how are value streams critical to achieving business agility? In this episode, Ian Spence, SAFe Fellow and Chief Scientist at Ivar Jacobson International, answers these questions, and much more.
Without internal alignment on a clear definition of value, how can an organization quickly respond to changing customer demands? In this episode, Shawn Lowe, business agility advisor at Accenture│SolutionsIQ, joins us to discuss how to bring clarity to what value is, as well as its effect on customer satisfaction and achieving business agility.
Earlier this year, we introduced new updates to SAFe® 5, including the new 5.1 Big Picture, several new articles, improvements to existing articles, and more. Andrew Sales, member of the Framework team and SAFe Fellow joins us to share details about the evolution of SAFe and explain why we’ve taken a slightly different approach with this release.
Leaders cultivate success by exemplifying behaviors that align with their organization’s values, and by integrating these values into their decision-making processes. In this episode, Audrey Boydston, SPCT and Scaled Agile senior consultant, joins us to talk about leading with intention, and why core values are so important personally and professionally.
Leaders cultivate success by exemplifying behaviors that align with their organization’s values, and by integrating these values into their decision-making processes. In this episode, Audrey Boydston, SPCT and Scaled Agile senior consultant, joins us to talk about leading with intention, and why core values are so important personally and professionally.
Many large finance and technology companies are vying for market share in a very competitive space. In this 50th episode of the SAFe Business Agility Podcast, we talk with Oden Hughes from American Express. She joins us to discuss what the company is doing to improve its business and technical agility and provide the best customer experience.
While Agile practices often translate well in development and marketing organizations, it’s more challenging to apply them in other areas of the business. In this episode, Gez Smith discusses key topics around Agile HR, including where it makes the most sense and some implementation tips.
Organizations worldwide are shifting their focus toward customer centricity for lots of reasons, including to build loyalty and drive revenue. But an amazing customer experience isn’t just about customers. In this episode, Tiffani Bova shares her advice about why organizations need to start by creating a great employee experience.
In 1995, author and advisor Geoffrey Moore released Inside the Tornado, the second book in his popular three-part marketing series that offers strategies to get products into the mainstream market. Twenty-five years later, is the guidance in the book still relevant? In this episode, Dean Leffingwell takes over the mic to find out from the author himself—and to ask some other burning questions.
While the title release train engineer, or RTE, is specific to SAFe®, the role exists under different names, such as Agile delivery lead, and is critical to managing the flow of value in an organization. In this episode, SAFe Fellow Carl Starendal joins us to define exactly what problem the RTE solves, explore patterns and anti-patterns, and discuss the future of the role.
From their origins in software development, Agile practices are expanding to business teams, including marketing. But making that happen requires a different mindset and tactics. In this second of two episodes, host Tim Shisler speaks with three Agile marketing experts to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Agile transformations in technology and in marketing.
From their origins in software development, Agile practices are expanding to business teams, including marketing. But making that happen requires a different mindset and tactics. In this first of two episodes, host Tim Shisler speaks with three Agile marketing experts to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Agile transformations in technology and in marketing.
There are lots of key roles associated with SAFe—Business Owners, Product Managers, Release Train Engineers, Scrum Masters. But probably the most ubiquitous is the SAFe coach, a role that’s elemental throughout all of SAFe’s core competencies. But it’s also a role that doesn’t have its own guidance article on the SAFe website. In this episode, SAFe Fellow Jennifer Fawcett joins us as we dive into all the different aspects of the SAFe coach and how they facilitate change.
In this ongoing series, our customers and partners share their stories from the field about working with SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode features Vikas Kapila, SPCT at Enterprise Agility Consulting, who talks to us about the various patterns he’s seen in PI Planning and the impact they’ve had on organizations’ outcomes.
In this ongoing series, our customers and partners share their stories from the field about working with SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode features SAFe® Fellow Em Campbell-Pretty with Pretty Agile (a Scaled Agile partner) sharing her practical insights, advice, and personal stories about launching and operating effective Agile Release Trains, or ARTs.
In this ongoing series, our customers and partners share their stories from the field about working with SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode features SAFe® Fellow Em Campbell-Pretty with Pretty Agile (a Scaled Agile partner) sharing her practical insights, advice, and personal stories about launching and operating effective Agile Release Trains, or ARTs.
A majority of the events many of us are used to attending in person are now virtual, including our upcoming 2020 Global SAFe Summit in October. In this episode, we talk to the event’s program chair, Deema Dajani, to find out what’s in store for attendees and how we’re bringing the Summit to life in a virtual setting.
In this series, we talk to customers about their field experiences with remote SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode with Hilla Knapke, director, enterprise transformation office, and Charles Fleet, VP of transformation from Travelport dives into conducting a fully remote and distributed Inspect & Adapt workshop.
In this ongoing series, our customers and partners share their stories from the field about working with SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode features Phil Gardiner, enterprise Agile coach at SAIC (a Scaled Agile partner), who talks to us about his coaching experiences in the public sector.
In this ongoing series, customers and partners share their stories from the field about working with SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode features Mark Byers and Dan Montgomery from Octo Consulting—a Scaled Agile partner—who share their experiences working with federal government agencies and contractors in a fully virtual environment.
In this series, we talk to customers about their field experiences with remote SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode with Scott Frost, SAFe Fellow, SPCT, and senior business agility transformation coach from Accenture, dives into a fully remote, distributed ART launch.
In this series, we talk to customers about their field experiences with remote SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode with Rebecca Davis, SPC5 and SAFe enterprise digital coach at CVS Health, dives into fully remote, distributed PI Planning.
Listen to a candid conversation about what prompted Travelport to adopt SAFe®. Hint: it partially started with a grassroots movement. Hilla Knapke, director, enterprise transformation office, and Charles Fleet, VP of transformation share their stories, observations, and perspectives.
In this new series, we talk to customers about their field experiences with remote SAFe ceremonies and implementations. This episode with Hilla Knapke, director, enterprise transformation office, and Charles Fleet, VP of transformation from Travelport dives into fully remote, distributed PI Planning.
In this episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, Melissa Reeve, SPC, and Inbar Oren, SAFe® Fellow and principal contributor to the Scaled Agile Framework®, take a deep dive into how organizations can measure their progress toward business agility.
Learn more about enterprise strategy formulation as it relates to lean portfolio management and SAFe 5.0, as well as how organizational agility gives companies flexibility to respond to unexpected global events like the coronavirus.
In this deep-dive episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, Melissa Reeve, SPC and Dean Leffingwell, Chief Methodologist for the Scaled Agile Framework, explore the correlation between the structure of business and technology teams in delivering value faster to improve business outcomes.
On today's show, listeners will learn how the PMO is evolving in the face of business agility, hear about Dean Leffingwell’s new white paper on Enterprise Strategy, and learn how to create feedback loops between strategy and execution when implementing SAFe.
Learn about the benefits of using participatory budgeting in the public sector, and tips for adopting participatory budgeting in an organization.
In this deep-dive episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, Melissa Reeve, SPC and Inbar Oren, SAFe® Fellow and principal contributor to the Scaled Agile Framework®, explore what it takes to run dispersed and remote PIs, ARTs, and teams.
Learn how customer centricity ties to organizational agility how organizations are applying the mindset to their organizations, and how to find the customer in Large Solution environments.
In this Deep Dive episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, Melissa Reeve, SPC and Joe Vallone, SPCT and SAFe Fellow, explore the purpose of Organizational Agility, what it is made of, and how to get it.
In this Deep Dive episode of the SAFe Business Agility podcast, Melissa Reeve, SPC and Joe Vallone, SPCT and SAFe Fellow, explore design thinking, its nuances and how organizations can take the journey from a traditional product development approach to an approach driven by Customer Centricity and Design Thinking.
Learn how suppliers in a SAFe environment differ from Suppliers in a traditional environment, how to integrate a large number of suppliers into a SAFe transformation, what to do about supplier dependencies over which you have no control and more.
Dean Leffingwell highlights changes to the Big Picture on 5.0, including design thinking, continuous learning culture and organizational agility.
Learn how Airbus used SAFe to improve its operations, how value streams behave in a large solution environment how to conduct I & A for large solution trains and more.
Learn the meaning behind why there is no Portfolio Engineer role in Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) and how LPM is facilitated.
Learn how to integrate SAFe into a large ERP system to achieve business agility and the value of automation in these implementations
Learn the why and the how of applying the principles of SAFe to a marketing organization. Melissa Reeve, SPC and Dwayne Stroman, SPCT discuss the role modifications and correlations needed as well as success and anti-patterns of SAFe + Marketing.
Join Joe Vallone, SAFe Fellow and SPCT, and Don Reinertsen, author of Principles of Product Development Flow, as they discuss how to apply WSJF in a SAFe context using dollars, not just Fibonacci numbers, and how to involve finance in WSJF conversations.
Learn how continuous learning helps leaders lead the change, how one organization embraced a culture of continuous learning, how design thinking drives innovation and suggestions for becoming more empathetic with the customer.
A conversation between SAFe Fellow, Joe Vallone and newly minted SAFe Fellow, Brian Tucker, talking about patterns they see forming within the people, around teams, program layer, even up at portfolio, and how these patterns are the building blocks, the fundamentals of how everything gets put together.
From our 2019 Global Summit, we get up close and personal with our motivational keynote speaker, Jade Simmons, who moved our audience while teaching them how to “Move like a Maverick.”
Learn how assuming variability and preserving options helps unlock the value of data, how to quantify the impact of choices in SAFe. We’ll also answer questions around how deep to go with WSJF and using Monte Carlo simulations to predict epic completion rates.
Learn how Enterprise Architecture is evolving, how one company’s success patterns integrating Architecture when implementing SAFe and how to allocate capacity for Architecture enablers.
Learn how Intel is achieving business agility by streamlining data, as well as implementing Agile and DevOps. Hear how optimizing value streams helped an organization and answer questions about incorporating DevOps into a SAFe transformation.
Learn how the Department of Defense is using artificial intelligence and SAFe to reduce queue lengths for background checks, and how a government agency transformed itself from a lagging to a leading organization. We’ll also be addressing how to run remote problem solving workshops, along with how to measure the impact of an Agile Release Train on the organization.
Learn the six responsibilities of managers in an agile organization, success patterns for rolling out a SAFe transformation. We’ll also be addressing the difference between System Demo and PI system demo, along with how to estimate Epics and Features.
Learn how a media provider in the Nordics is using SAFe to keep up with market changes, how one organization moved from an annual planning based cadence to a more Agile planning cadence. We’ll also be addressing the role of the management review meeting and how to avoid antipatterns when developing PI and Solution Roadmaps.
Listeners will learn the benefits of adopting Lean-Agile UX into SAFe and how to balance the roles of the PO, PM and Business Owners. We’ll also be addressing how servant leadership differs from traditional leadership and common antipatterns when writing PI Objectives
Learn how SAFe is enabling smart devices to get smarter and examples on how SAFe is being used to enable Lean Portfolio Management. You will also learn about the role of systems architects in SAFe and about lean-agile budgeting.
Hear about Dean Leffingwell's keynote presentation at the 2019 European SAFe Summit - Digital Disruption is Dead: Welcome to the Age of Software!
Hear SAFe Creator and Chief Methodologist opine on the customer stories he heard at the 2019 European SAFe Summit.
Learn how SAFe embraces architectural roles, the struggles around identifying value streams and the meaning behind WSJF. You will also learn the minimum an organization can implement and still call it SAFe.
Learn how to weave agility throughout your corporate culture, why predictability is even more important than increased production and answer listener questions around DevOps and assigning business value.
Learn how the US Department of Defense is using SAFe to build out a cyber-factory to defend against cyber-attacks. Understand the difference between leadership buy-in and engagement, why engagement is so much more powerful and how to get it. Hear answers to commonly asked questions around remote PI planning and normalized story points.