12. SAFe
®
Lean-Agile Principles
12
1. Take an economic view
2. Apply systems thinking
3. Assume variability
4. Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
5. Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
6. Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
7. Apply cadence, synchronize with cross domain planning
8. Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
9. Decentralize decision-making
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17. SAFe
®
Case Study – Cisco*
The Solution
• Launched three Agile Release Trains (ARTs) in 2015 – capabilities,
defects and fixes, and projects
• Teams worked together – built and tested small features within on
SaaS+ component; regularly delivered tested features to the system
integration and testing team
• Team met for 15 minutes every day and determined action items
*Source: Case Study from Scales Agile, http://www.scaledagileframework.com/cisco-case-study/
+ SaaS – Software as a service – software licensing and delivery in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is
centrally hosted.
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18. SAFe
®
Case Study – Cisco*
Results
• Delivered new release on-time with all planned capabilities
• 16% drop in the defect reject ratio (DRR)
• 40% reduction in critical and major defects
• 14% increase in the defect removal efficiency (DRE) due to
greater collaboration across the teams
• Improved employee satisfaction – eliminated after-hours work
and reduced meetings and calls
* Source: Case Study from Scales Agile, http://www.scaledagileframework.com/cisco-case-study/
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20. Is SAFe
®
too safe?
Criticisms:
• SAFe®
isn’t really pure Agile - SAFe®
lacks the flexibility that is
practically the essence of Agile
• SAFe®
is generally regarded as a too
cautious way of implementing
Agile in large enterprises
• Not as good as implementing true
Agile
Source: https://intland.com/blog/agile/safe/facing-criticism-is-safe-
the-fast-food-of-agile/
Realities:
• Implementing strict Scrum + XP
with no standardized approach has
brought problems to larger
organizations forcing them to take
a new approach with SAFe®
• SAFe®
allos large enterprises to
take advantage of a framework
and also reap some advantages of
Agile, hopefully towards a journey
of true Agility.
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21. Summary
• SAFe is a great
framework for your
situation
• If you want to improve
the deliverability, quality,
and value of your
offerings – you need
SAFe
• SAFe is well-accepted
• We’re here to help you!
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