Agile is a new standard in the development paradigm within the industry, and the challenges of ‘Agile at Scale’ are realized every day.

With a belief that better software and systems make the world a better place, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) has a knowledge base of proven, integrated principles, practices, and competencies for Lean, Agile, and DevOps. They want companies to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital age.

“Every business is a software business now. Agility isn’t an option, or a thing just for teams, it is a business imperative. But we struggle building big systems …”

Dean Leffingwell, Creator of SAFe, Scaled Agile Inc.

Edwards Deming, creator of the 14 Points on Quality Management says, “It is not enough that management commits themselves to quality and productivity.  … They must know what it is they must do.” Further his 1982 book, Out of the Crisis, Deming says, “Such responsibility cannot be delegated.”

But, what does this mean?  

It means that leaders have the responsibility for implementing this digital transformation within the organization. It means that the leadership will be the one that will make this effective and sustainable.

If this is the case then what shall the leadership do?

As Scaled Agile Inc. puts it, they must:

  • Embrace a Lean-Agile mindset.
  • Implement Lean-Agile practices.
  • Lead the implementation.

The Agile Manifesto uncovers better ways of developing software. While reading it you can clearly see the similarities and the practices that SAFe incorporates in the Framework is consistent with the Manifesto.

The SAFe Configurations

The Framework’s simplest configuration, Essential SAFe provides the core practices and roles needed to ensure business results.

Now if you want to align the company strategy with the actual execution then you would look at Portfolio SAFe. The Portfolio SAFe configuration is for enterprises that build multiple solutions which have minimal dependencies on one another but require Portfolio-level coordination, strategy, investment, and governance.

If you are building big systems then you would use the Large Solution SAFe configuration. The Large Solution SAFe configuration is intended for enterprises that are building large and complex solutions that require the contribution of multiple Agile Release Trains and Suppliers, but do not require the portfolio considerations. This is common for industries like Aerospace and Defense, and Government, where they have very large programs, but do not need the constructs of the Portfolio level.

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The benefits

Following the framework gives pretty impressive results such as:

  • 10-50% happier, more motivated employees
  • 30 to 75% faster time to market
  • 50%-plus defect reduction, and a
  • 20 to 50% increase in productivity.

You can also view specific case studies of SAFe.

So, how does Applied SAFe fit into all of this?

SAFe in Practice with Applied SAFe

Companies are currently asking themselves, “How do we ensure that our organization will be one of those who succeeds with its digital transformation?” Our product Applied SAFe® allows companies to master the complexity of such an endeavor.

We provide a practical platform to master the complexity of bringing a lean agile organization to life, in the smoothest and most effective way!

PEDCO has direct access to the thought leadership and all the content of SAFe, which as we mentioned, is the de-facto standard for agility at scale. Combined with that, we have access to Stages from Method Park, the world leading process management tool. We as system integrators have integrated both the framework and the platform into one product called Applied SAFe.

We know how frustrating and difficult it can be to switch from theory to practice, especially when we implement changes in the most complex global environments, we enter unchartered territory. Even when the team has the highest intentions, you can experience conflicts to interpret SAFe® leading to high delays in SAFe® practical implementations.

We help your organization in the set-up, selection, operation and further development of lean and effective processes. Applied SAFe helps companies to implement SAFe fast and precise, customize it to their individual exact needs and to truly establish relentless improvement; if needed in compliance with several reference models like CMMI, Automotive Spice, Med-Tech and many more. Such organizations depend on their process and their process authoring and being able to stand up in terms of an auditor against an audit.

PEDCO created the product Applied SAFe which creates a dynamic where you can author your entire process and instantiate to your community internal or external and ensure that you have the best and most compliant process for your organization.