“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 

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.

“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.

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.