Scaled Agile SP-SAFe-Practitioner SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner Exam Practice Test

According to SAFe, the Product Owner (PO) is the member of the Agile Team who serves as the customer proxy and is responsible for working with Product Management and other stakeholders to define and prioritize stories in the Team Backlog1. The PO has the primary role of ensuring that the team delivers value to the business and aligns with the Program Backlog2. The PO collaborates with the team, the Scrum Master/Team Coach, and other stakeholders to refine, order, and maintain the Team Backlog3. The PO also participates in PI Planning, Iteration Planning, System Demo, and Inspect and Adapt events4. References: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework, Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team | Scaled Agile, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner – scaledagile.com.

The Team and Technical Agility Core Competency describes the critical skills and Lean-Agile principles and practices that high-performing Agile teams and Teams of Agile teams use to create high-quality solutions for their customers. It consists of three dimensions: Agile Teams, Team of Agile Teams, and Built in Quality1. Built in Quality is the dimension that ensures that every aspect of the solution, from code to compliance, is designed and implemented with high standards and practices that guarantee quality. Built in Quality enables fast and reliable delivery of value, reduces waste and rework, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Some of the practices that support Built in Quality in SAFe are Test-First, Behavior-Driven Development, Acceptance Test-Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and Communities of Practice2. References: Team and Technical Agility - Scaled Agile Framework, Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework.

Organize around value is one of the 10 SAFe Lean-Agile Principles that guide the implementation of SAFe in any context. It states that enterprises must align their people, processes, and technology to the full and continuous flow of value that delivers customer and business outcomes. This principle helps enterprises to eliminate silos, reduce handoffs, improve collaboration, and optimize value streams. It also enables faster feedback, shorter lead times, higher quality, and better economics. References: SAFe Lean-Agile Principles, Organize Around Value, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner

 Features are used to describe functional and non-functional requirements in SAFe. Features are services that fulfill stakeholder needs and deliver value to the customer. They are typically 10-12 weeks of development effort and can span multiple iterations. Features are derived from the Program Backlog and are prioritized by the Product Management. Features are also used to define the PI Objectives and measure the business value delivered by the Agile Release Train (ART). References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 3; v6.scaledagileframework.com/features/

The System Demo is a significant event that provides an integrated view of new features for the most recent iteration delivered by all the teams in the Agile Release Train (ART). Each demo gives ART stakeholders an objective measure of progress during a Program Increment (PI) and the opportunity to give feedback on the solution. The System Demo is the one real measure of value, velocity, and progress of the fully integrated work across all the teams. The purpose of the System Demo is to demonstrate new functionality, not to evaluate the full PI, introduce new architectural designs, or identify PI Objectives. Those activities are done in other events, such as the Inspect and Adapt, the Architectural Runway, and the PI Planning. References: System Demo, System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, Why System Demo Considered A Significant Event In SAFe®? - Learnow, System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework.

Batch size is the size, measured in work product, of one completed unit of work. Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to complete one batch of work. What we focus on with lean development is reducing batch sizes, thereby reducing cycle times, thus increasing potential learning points over time1. The bigger a batch of work, the slower it flows through the system. We also have greater variability in the system because one big batch item may take 5 days to flow through the system whilst another big batch item may take 25 days to flow through the system. So that variability will impact the rate at which we can deliver value to customers2. Therefore, large batch sizes increase variability and reduce flow, which is contrary to the principles of lean development. References: Principle #6 – Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, Principle #6 - Make Value Flow Without Interruptions, What is the good batch size for large datasets?, Understanding Lean product development: Batch Size, Work in Process (WIP), Risk for Small Teams, SAFe Principle 6: Visualise and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queued lengths

Establishing flow is a basic Agile quality practice that reduces bottlenecks and ensures consistency by removing errors, rework, and other waste that slows throughput. It also supports faster learning and feedback by shifting left on the timeline. Flow is one of the four core values of SAFe and a key principle of the Lean-Agile Mindset. References: Built-In Quality, SAFe Core Values, Lean-Agile Mindset

= The Agile Team responsibility that is associated with the Iteration Retrospective is “Improve relentlessly”. This responsibility reflects the SAFe Core Value of Relentless Improvement, which means that the team continuously reflects on their practices, identifies improvement opportunities, and implements them in the next iteration. The Iteration Retrospective is a regular event where the team members discuss the results of the iteration, review their practices, and identify ways to improve. The team uses various techniques to collect feedback, perform root cause analysis, and prioritize improvement actions. The improvement actions are added to the Team Backlog and reviewed in the next Iteration Planning event. References: = Relentless Improvement - Scaled Agile Framework, Iteration Retrospective - Scaled Agile Framework1

One benefit of Story acceptance criteria is to provide Story details from a testing point of view. Acceptance criteria are the conditions or rules that a user story must meet to be considered complete and acceptable by the customer or stakeholder. They define the scope and boundaries of the user story and help the team to understand what needs to be done and how to test it. Acceptance criteria also facilitate communication and collaboration between the team and the customer or stakeholder, as they provide a common language and a shared understanding of the expected outcome. References: What is User Story and Acceptance Criteria (Examples), Acceptance Criteria: Everything You Need to Know Plus Examples

A Story is a short description of a small piece of desired functionality written from the user’s perspective and in their language. A Story has three primary components: Card, Conversation, and Confirmation. The Card captures the essence of the Story using the format: “As a (who), I want (what), so that (why).” The Conversation is the ongoing dialogue between the team and the customer or product owner to elaborate and refine the Story details. The Confirmation is the set of acceptance criteria and tests that verify the Story is done and meets the customer’s expectations. A Story provides just enough information for both business and technical people to understand the intent, but not so much that it becomes a specification or a contract. Details are deferred until the Story is ready to be implemented, which allows for more flexibility and feedback. A Story is not a static artifact, but a dynamic one that evolves through collaboration and learning12. References: Story - Scaled Agile Framework, [What is User Story? -

cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a visual tool that shows the amount of work in each stage of a process over time. It helps teams identify bottlenecks, work in progress (WIP), and the overall progress of a project or program increment (PI). By looking at the width of the bands in a CFD, teams can easily see how much work is in each workflow state at any given time. This allows them to monitor and optimize their flow of value delivery. References: Cumulative Flow Diagram SAFe: Complete Guide, Measure and Grow - Scaled Agile Framework

Lean Thinking is a philosophy that aims to create value for customers by eliminating waste and unnecessary steps in company processes. One of the main sources of waste is delay, which can be caused by long lead times, large batch sizes, excessive inventory, poor quality, and lack of coordination. Reducing delays can improve customer satisfaction, increase efficiency, and lower costs. Lean Thinking is based on two pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement. Respect for people means empowering and engaging employees, customers, and stakeholders to participate in problem-solving and innovation. Continuous improvement means constantly seeking ways to improve the process and the product by applying the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and the scientific method. References: Lean-Agile Mindset - Scaled Agile Framework, Lean Thinking: Overview, Principles, Benefits, & Applications Explained, The Focus of Lean - Collin College, What is Lean? - Project Management Institute

A program board is a visual summary of the features or goals, when they need to be reached, and any cross-team dependencies impacting their delivery. The program board helps teams within the Agile Release Train (ART) to coordinate their work and communicate their plan to the entire organization. One of the main purposes of the program board is to help teams identify and manage dependencies between teams, which can affect the delivery of value and increase the risk of delays or failures. By visualizing and tracking dependencies on the program board, teams can avoid or resolve them during the Program Increment (PI) planning event or throughout the PI execution. References: SAFe Program Board 101: Everything You Need To Know, SAFe Program Board: Good Practices for SAFe PI Planning, Tips for using a SAFe program board

Decentralized decision-making is one of the principles of the Lean-Agile mindset, which is the foundation of SAFe. It empowers teams and individuals to make decisions based on the local context and the best available information, rather than waiting for approval from higher authorities. This reduces delays, increases speed, and improves responsiveness to customer needs. It also fosters innovation, learning, and ownership of the outcomes. References: Lean-Agile Mindset, Unlock the Intrinsic Motivation of Knowledge Workers, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner

Culture is the first element of the CALMR approach to DevOps in SAFe. It refers to the shared mindset and values that support successful DevOps adoption. Culture in SAFe is influenced by the Lean-Agile principles and practices that guide the entire framework. Culture in DevOps requires customer-centricity, collaboration, trust, empowerment, learning, and feedback among all the stakeholders involved in the value stream. Culture also fosters a shift-left mentality, where operational and quality concerns are addressed early and often in the development process. Culture is the foundation for the other elements of CALMR: automation, lean flow, measurement, and recovery1. One of the aspects of culture is to establish a work environment of shared responsibility, where everyone in the value stream is accountable for the quality and security of the solution, and for the outcomes delivered to the customer2. This means breaking down the silos and barriers between development, operations, security, and other teams, and creating a culture of mutual trust and respect3. Shared responsibility also means that everyone in the value stream has the authority and autonomy to make decisions and take actions that support the delivery of value, while following the guardrails and policies established by the enterprise4. References: CALMR - Scaled Agile Framework, Culture - Scaled Agile Framework, What Is DevOps? - Scaled Agile Framework, Decentralize Decision Making - Scaled Agile Framework

Organizing around value means aligning teams and individuals to the value streams that deliver the most value to the customer and the enterprise. This reduces the handoffs and dependencies that slow down the delivery process and create waste. Reorganizing when required means being able to adapt to changing customer needs and market conditions by forming new value streams or reconfiguring existing ones. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Agile Release Train, Organizing Around Value

 The system demo is the best measure of progress for complex system development because it provides an integrated, comprehensive view of the new features delivered by the Agile Release Train (ART) over the past iteration. The system demo offers the ART a fact-based measure of current, system-level progress within the Program Increment (PI). It also allows the stakeholders to give feedback on the solution’s fitness for purpose and alignment with the vision. The system demo tests and evaluates the complete solution in a production-like context to receive feedback from stakeholders, including Business Owners, executive sponsors, other Agile Teams, development management, and customers (and their proxies). References: System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, Principle #4 - Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Scaled Agile Framework

The final plan review is the last activity of the PI planning event, where the teams present their final plans and objectives to the group. The Business Owners review the plans and propose adjustments or accept the plan, in which case, the team brings out their PI Objective sheet for everyone to view1. The final plan review is also an opportunity to assess the program risks and ROAM them (Resolved, Owned, Accepted, Mitigated)2. The final plan review helps achieve alignment and commitment among all the stakeholders and teams on the ART3. References: PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, ROAMing Risks - Scaled Agile Framework, Final Plan Review - Scaled Agile Framework

 ROAM is an acronym that stands for Resolve, Own, Accept, and Mitigate, and it is a framework for making risks visible and actionable in SAFe. During the final plan review, teams present their PI plans and risks to the other teams and stakeholders, and then use the ROAM board to categorize and prioritize the risks. Resolved risks are no longer a threat, owned risks are assigned to a team member for further action, accepted risks are acknowledged but not addressed, and mitigated risks are reduced by a plan. ROAM helps teams collaborate and align on how to handle risks effectively and transparently. References: SAFe Roam Board for Risk Management | Miro, Managing Risks with ROAM in Agile - Planview Blog

The Portfolio canvas is a tool that helps define the value streams, solutions, customers, budgets, and other key aspects of a SAFe portfolio. One of the inputs to the Portfolio canvas is the Enterprise Strategy, which describes the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the organization. The Enterprise Strategy provides the context and direction for the portfolio vision, which in turn guides the identification and prioritization of portfolio epics and value streams. The Enterprise Strategy also influences the allocation of lean budgets and the alignment of strategic themes across the portfolio. References: Portfolio Vision, Portfolio SAFe, What Sections Are Included In SAFe® Portfolio Canvas?, [Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner]

 This statement is one of the four values of the Agile Manifesto, which is a foundational document for the Agile movement and the SAFe framework. The value emphasizes the importance of working closely with the customers and stakeholders to deliver value and meet their needs, rather than relying on rigid and formal contracts that may not reflect the changing requirements and expectations. References: Agile Manifesto, The 4 Values and 12 Principles of the Agile Manifesto, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

 In SAFe, a clear distinction is made between the purpose, structure and content of features, and that of stories (including enablers). Features are visible units of business intent that the customer recognizes, and it’s at this level of detail that the customer is able to prioritize their needs1. Features are maintained in the ART Backlog and sized to fit in a PI so that each delivers new value2. Stories are short descriptions of a small piece of desired functionality written from the user’s perspective. Stories are the primary artifact used to define system behavior in Agile3. Stories are small and must be completed in a single iteration3. Therefore, features can be larger than an iteration but stories should be small enough to fit into an iteration. References: Story - Scaled Agile Framework, Features and Capabilities - Scaled Agile Framework, Right-Sizing Features for SAFe Program Increments - Scaled Agile Framework

According to the book Team Topologies by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais, the four types of team topologies are stream-aligned, platform, enabling, and complicated subsystem. These team types are designed to optimize the flow of work and information in an organization, and to align with the principles of DevOps and agile. A stream-aligned team is focused on a single stream of work, such as a product, a feature, a user journey, or a user persona. A platform team provides the infrastructure and services that enable other teams to deliver value to customers. An enabling team helps other teams overcome obstacles and learn new skills and technologies. A complicated-subsystem team handles tasks that require specialized knowledge and expertise, such as mathematics, algorithms, or cryptography. References: Team Topologies: The 4 Team Types Explained | Shortform Books, Team Topologies | Atlassian, Key Concepts — Team Topologies, The Four Team Types from Team Topologies - IT Revolution, What are the core team types in Team Topologies?

During the draft plan review, the teams present their draft PI objectives and plans to the other teams and the Business Owners. The Business Owners then assign a business value to each PI objective, based on the conversation with the team and the alignment with the vision and goals. The business value is a number between 1 (lowest) and 10 (highest) that reflects the relative importance and expected benefit of the objective. The business value is used to measure the ART’s predictability and performance at the end of the PI. References: PI Objectives, PI Planning, Your Guide to Writing Great Iteration and PI Objectives

The role of the Scrum Master in SAFe is to act as a servant leader who helps teams self-organize, self-manage, and deliver using effective Agile practices. The Scrum Master educates the team on various frameworks and methods, including Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming, and SAFe, ensuring that the agreed-upon Agile process is followed. The Scrum Master also helps remove impediments, facilitates team and program events, coaches the team and stakeholders on how to apply the SAFe principles and values, and fosters an environment of continuous improvement and high performance. References: Scrum Master - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Scrum Master Roles and Responsibilities - KnowledgeHut

The concept of “shift-left” means moving testing and validation activities earlier in the work cycle to get faster or continuous feedback. This helps to identify and fix defects, errors, or issues as soon as possible, reducing the cost and risk of rework and delays. Shift-left testing also supports the agile principle of delivering working software frequently and the lean principle of building quality in. By shifting testing left, teams can ensure that the solutions they deliver meet the customer needs and expectations, as well as the quality standards and compliance requirements. References: Built-In Quality, Shift Left Testing: What, Why & How To Shift Left, What Executives Should Know About Shift-Left Security, What is Shift Left Security?

This statement is one of the Lean budget Guardrails, which describe the policies and practices for budgeting, spending, and governance for a specific portfolio1. Continuous Business Owner engagement means that the Business Owners, who are key stakeholders for each Agile Release Train (ART), are actively involved in the planning, execution, and review of the value delivery1. They provide feedback, guidance, and approval for the PI objectives, features, and enablers, as well as participate in the Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshop and the Program Increment (PI) system demo2. Continuous Business Owner engagement helps ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability for the value streams and ARTs1. References: Lean Budget Guardrails, Business Owners

 Agile Teams are the basic building block when organizing around value in SAFe. They are cross-functional, self-organizing, and empowered to deliver value in short iterations. They are aligned to a common mission and vision through the Agile Release Train (ART), which is a long-lived team of Agile Teams that delivers value streams. Agile Teams apply Scrum, Kanban, and XP practices to collaborate and deliver solutions that meet customer needs and provide business value. References: Agile Teams, Agile Release Trains, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner

The portfolio’s Strategic Themes and SWOT and TOWS analysis are critical inputs to exploring alternatives for the future state. LPM uses the current state portfolio canvas as a starting point to explore the different ways in which the portfolio could evolve in alignment with the strategic themes. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and TOWS stands for Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Strengths. These are tools for identifying and analyzing the internal and external factors that affect the portfolio. SWOT and TOWS help LPM to brainstorm potential portfolio future states and prioritize the most promising ones. References: Portfolio Vision - Scaled Agile Framework, Portfolio Vision - Scaled Agile Framework

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, the Inspect and Adapt event is a significant event held at the end of each PI, where the current state of the solution is demonstrated and evaluated. Teams then reflect and identify improvement backlog items via a structured problem-solving workshop. The purpose of the Inspect and Adapt event is to increase the quality and reliability of the next PI by applying the following practices:

• Reflection: Teams review the PI objectives, the system demo, and the quantitative and qualitative measurements to assess the current state of the solution and the ART performance. Teams also share their learnings, successes, and challenges with each other and the stakeholders.
• Data collection: Teams collect data from various sources, such as team and program metrics, customer feedback, surveys, and assessments, to measure the outcomes and the health of the solution and the ART. Teams also use tools such as the PI burndown chart, the cumulative flow diagram, and the team self-assessment to visualize the data and identify trends and patterns.
• Problem solving: Teams use a structured problem-solving workshop to identify the most critical issues or impediments that are affecting the solution or the ART. Teams use techniques such as brainstorming

Uncommitted objectives are used to identify work that can be variable within the scope of a PI. The work is planned, but the outcome is not certain. Teams can use uncommitted objectives whenever there is low confidence in meeting the objective. They are not included in the team’s commitment or counted against teams in the ART predictability measure. They are extra things teams can do if they have time and capacity, but they will not be penalized if not achieved. References: PI Objectives, What is an uncommitted objective in SAFe?, SAFe 5.0, PI Objectives - Easy Agile

 One way to understand current work in progress (WIP) in a system is to make current work visible to all stakeholders. This means using visual tools, such as Kanban boards, to show the status, flow, and bottlenecks of work items in the system. Making current work visible helps to identify and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, which are key principles for achieving flow and delivering value faster1. Making current work visible also enables faster feedback, collaboration, and improvement, as well as transparency and alignment of goals and expectations23. References: = 1: Principle #6 - Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths - Scaled Agile Framework1; 2: Controlling Work-in-Process (WIP) - Project Management Institute2; 3: How to Identify and Measure Your Work in Progress (WIP)3

 A high-functioning Agile Team is a cross-functional group of typically ten or fewer individuals with all the skills necessary to define, build, test, and deliver value to their customer1. Team A is not cross-functional because they depend on another team to test and deploy their work, which creates handoffs and delays in the value delivery process. A cross-functional team should be able to perform all the activities required to deliver a potentially releasable increment of value in each iteration2. Team A should collaborate with the other team to integrate their testing and deployment capabilities and form a single Agile Team that can deliver value independently. References: Agile Teams - Scaled Agile Framework, 7 Qualities of High-Performing Agile Teams | AgileConnection

One way to quickly address impediments to flow is to identify them on the Planning Board, which is a visual tool that shows the status of work items and dependencies in an iteration. By making impediments visible, the team can collaborate to resolve them and prevent them from blocking the delivery of value. The Planning Board also helps the team monitor their progress and adjust their plan as needed. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Planning the Iteration, [Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths]

Guiding investments by horizon is one of the four Lean budget guardrails that describe the policies and practices for budgeting, spending, and governance for a specific portfolio. This guardrail helps ensure that the portfolio allocates its budget to solutions that reflect different time horizons and risk profiles, balancing near-term opportunities with long-term strategy and growth1. The portfolio-level guidance for investments by horizon is based on the four horizons model2, which categorizes solutions into four types: Horizon 0 (solutions that are being decommissioned), Horizon 1 (solutions that are mature and generate most of the current revenue), Horizon 2 (solutions that are emerging and have high growth potential), and Horizon 3 (solutions that are exploratory and have high uncertainty). Each value stream should allocate its budget to solutions in these horizons according to the portfolio’s vision and roadmap1. References: 1: Lean Budget Guardrails - Scaled Agile Framework2: Investment Horizons - Scaled Agile Framework

The PO’s best course of action is to communicate the status of the Iteration to all stakeholders, including the other teams on the Agile Release Train (ART), the Release Train Engineer (RTE), the System Architect/Engineer, the Product Management, and the Business Owners. This will help to align expectations, manage dependencies, and mitigate risks. The PO should also collaborate with the team and the stakeholders to prioritize the remaining work and identify the most valuable Stories to deliver by the end of the Iteration. The PO should not defer acceptance testing to the next Iteration, as this would violate the Definition of Done and compromise the quality of the system increment. The PO should not have an emergency Iteration Planning meeting, as this would disrupt the cadence and synchronization of the ART and waste time and resources. The PO should not stop the current Iteration and plan a new Iteration with the new knowledge, as this would also disrupt the cadence and synchronization of the ART and create confusion and uncertainty.

References: Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework, Iteration Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Iteration Execution - Scaled Agile Framework

The confidence vote is a measure of the teams’ and ARTs’ belief in their ability to deliver the established PI objectives. It is conducted at the end of the PI planning event, after the teams have presented their plans and identified the risks. Each person votes using their fingers (fist of five) or a digital tool for remote events. The scale is as follows:

• 5: I am confident we can meet or exceed our objectives
• 4: I am confident we can meet our objectives
• 3: I think we can meet our objectives, but I have some concerns
• 2: I doubt we can meet our objectives, and I have major concerns
• 1: I am sure we cannot meet our objectives

The purpose of the confidence vote is to surface any issues or impediments that might prevent the teams from achieving their goals. It also helps to align the expectations of the stakeholders and the teams. If the average vote is below 3, the teams and the ARTs need to revisit their plans and address the root causes of the low confidence. The confidence vote is repeated until the average vote is 3 or higher, or until the timebox expires. References: PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Confidence Vote - Scaled Agile Framework, Confidence Vote in PI Planning: Role and Benefits - Dee Project Manager

 An Agile Team collects the Iteration Metrics they have agreed upon during the quantitative part of the team retrospective. This is the part where the team assesses whether they met the Iteration Goals using a binary (yes or no) measure, and reviews the metrics that provide visibility and insight into the team’s performance and process improvement. Examples of Iteration Metrics include flow metrics, such as flow velocity, load and distribution, defects addressed, and automated test coverage. The team uses these metrics to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement, and to inform their qualitative feedback and improvement stories. References: Iteration Retrospective - Scaled Agile Framework, Metrics - Scaled Agile Framework

The Product Owner (PO) in the team is responsible for sequencing backlog items to program priorities, events, and dependencies. The PO works with the Product Manager, who owns the Vision and the Roadmap, to define and sequence the features in the Program Backlog1. The PO also collaborates with other POs in the Agile Release Train (ART) to manage dependencies and ensure alignment across teams2. The PO maintains and prioritizes the Team Backlog, which is the single source of truth for the upcoming features of the system3. The PO also participates in the Program Increment (PI) Planning, where the team’s PI objectives are aligned with the program priorities and dependencies4. References: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework, Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework, Program Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework

Respect for People is one of the four SAFe Core Values that guide the behaviors and actions of everyone participating in a SAFe portfolio. Respect for People means that everyone is valued and deserves respect, regardless of their role, background, or experience. It also means that everyone is empowered to contribute, learn, and grow within the organization. Respect for People involves coaching aspiring developers to grow their skillsets and fill new roles throughout the organization, as well as providing them with opportunities for feedback, recognition, and career development. Respect for People also fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety, where people can express their ideas, opinions, and concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation. References: Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, Respect for People - Scaled Agile Framework

A cross-functional team is a group of people with different functional expertise working toward a common goal1. In SAFe, a cross-functional team has all the necessary skills to turn an idea into a working product2. This means that each team member can define, build, and test a component or Feature, without relying on external dependencies or handoffs3. This enables the team to deliver value faster, with higher quality and lower risk. References: What Are Cross Functional Teams? – Forbes Advisor, What is Cross-Functional Team in Agile? - Visual Paradigm, SAFe for Teams | SAFe Practitioner (SP) Certification, [Cross-functional teams: what are they and how to make them work]

Product Management is responsible for defining and prioritizing the ART Backlog, which consists of features and enablers that align with the program vision and roadmap. Product Management also collaborates with System Architects/Engineering, Release Train Engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure the ART delivers value to the customers and users. References: SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team | Scaled Agile, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner - scaledagile.com, SAFe 6.0 for Teams with SP Certification - ICON Agility Services

During the draft plan review, teams present their preliminary plans for the upcoming PI, including their iteration goals, capacity and load, and risks and impediments1. Iteration goals are a set of SMART objectives that provide a clear vision and alignment for each iteration2. They also help teams communicate their progress and dependencies to other teams and stakeholders during the PI planning event3. References: PI Planning, Iteration Goals, Presenting PI Planning Draft and Final Plan Reviews

he Problem Solving Workshop is a structured approach to identifying the root cause and actions to address systemic problems. It is part of the Inspect and Adapt event that occurs at the end of each Program Increment. The six steps in the Problem Solving Workshop are:

• Choose a problem to solve—agreement not required: The Release Train Engineer (RTE) facilitates a brainstorming session to generate a list of potential problems that affect the ART’s performance. The participants use dot voting to prioritize the problems and select the most important one to solve. Agreement is not required, as the majority vote determines the problem to focus on.
• Perform root cause analysis: The RTE leads the team in applying the ‘Five Whys’ technique to drill down to the root cause of the problem. The team asks ‘why’ repeatedly until they reach a cause that is actionable and within their control.
• Brainstorm solutions: The team generates a list of possible solutions to address the root cause. They use divergent thinking to come up with as many ideas as possible, without judging or evaluating them.
• Decide on the best solution: The team uses convergent thinking to narrow down the list of solutions and select the best one. They can use criteria such as feasibility, impact, cost, and alignment with the SAFe Principles and Values to evaluate the solutions.
• Define and visualize the improvement backlog items: The team defines the improvement backlog items that will implement the chosen solution. They write them in the format of ‘As a [role], I can [action], so that [outcome]’. They also visualize the items on a Kanban board or a similar tool to track their progress and status.
• Assign owners and agree on the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals: The team assigns owners to each improvement backlog item and agrees on the SMART goals that will measure the success of the solution. They also define the acceptance criteria and the expected benefits of the improvement.

References: Inspect and Adapt - Scaled Agile Framework, Problem-solving workshop: Step-by-Step - Agilephoria, SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 7, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

 The purpose of the Iteration review is to measure the team’s progress by showing working stories to the Product Owner and other stakeholders and getting their feedback. The Iteration review provides a way to gather immediate, contextual feedback from the team’s stakeholders on a regular cadence. The Iteration review also allows the team to demonstrate their contributions, receive feedback to improve the solution, and adjust the Team Backlog based on new opportunities1234. References: Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework, Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework, What is Iteration review in SAFe® 6.0? - premieragile.com, Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework

Building incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles is one of the ten SAFe Lean-Agile Principles. It means that the enterprise delivers value in small batches of work, frequently and reliably, to provide fast feedback and foster innovation. By building incrementally, the enterprise can reduce risk, complexity, and uncertainty, and validate assumptions before committing to large investments. By integrating frequently, the enterprise can ensure quality, collaboration, and alignment across the value stream. By creating learning cycles, the enterprise can test hypotheses, measure outcomes, and pivot as needed to achieve the desired results1. References: 1: Build Incrementally with Fast, Integrated Learning Cycles - Scaled Agile Framework

Precisely specify value by product” is one of the five key principles of Lean Thinking, as defined by James Womack and Daniel Jones in their book “Lean Thinking”. It means that value should be determined by the customer’s needs and preferences for each specific product or service, rather than by the producer’s assumptions or standards. This principle helps to eliminate waste, optimize flow, and increase customer satisfaction. References: Lean-Agile Mindset, Lean Manufacturing, What is Lean?

The Agile Manifesto is a set of values and principles that guide the software development process. One of the values is “responding to change over following a plan”. This means that the team values the customer’s needs and feedback over the plan and process. The team embraces change as an opportunity to deliver better solutions and adapts to changing requirements and priorities. References: The 4 Values and 12 Principles of the Agile Manifesto - Smartsheet, 12 Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto | Agile Alliance

Resizing the work is one method for reducing queue length in SAFe. Queue length is the number of work items waiting to be processed in a system. Reducing queue length can improve flow, reduce cycle time, and increase throughput. Resizing the work means breaking down large work items into smaller ones that can be completed faster and with less variability. Smaller work items also reduce the risk of rework, defects, and delays. Resizing the work can be done at any level of SAFe, from portfolio epics to team stories. SAFe provides several techniques for resizing the work, such as Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF), Minimum Marketable Features (MMFs), Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and Spikes1. References: Principle #6 - Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths - Scaled Agile Framework

cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a graphical tool that shows the status of work items for a given period of time. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the number of work items. The CFD is composed of different colored bands, each representing a different stage of the workflow (such as “to do”, “in progress”, “done”, etc.). The CFD helps visualize the flow of work, identify bottlenecks, and monitor cycle time and throughput1. A cumulative flow diagram focuses on two main curves: the arrival curve and the departure curve. The arrival curve is the top edge of the “to do” band, and it shows the rate at which new work items are added to the system. The departure curve is the top edge of the “done” band, and it shows the rate at which work items are completed and delivered. The difference between the arrival curve and the departure curve represents the amount of work in progress (WIP) in the system2. By comparing the arrival curve and the departure curve, one can assess the stability and predictability of the system. Ideally, the arrival curve and the departure curve should be parallel and close to each other, indicating a smooth and consistent flow of work. If the arrival curve is steeper than the departure curve, it means that more work is entering the system than leaving it, which can lead to increased WIP, longer cycle time, and lower quality. If the departure curve is steeper than the arrival curve, it means that more work is leaving the system than entering it, which can lead to reduced WIP, shorter cycle time, and higher quality3. References: Cumulative Flow Diagram - Scaled Agile Framework, Cumulative Flow Diagrams - Kanbanize, Cumulative Flow Diagram - LeSS

The recommended user voice format for writing a Story is to use the following template: As a , I want , so that . This format helps to capture the user’s perspective, the user’s need, and the user’s outcome in a clear and concise way. The user voice format also helps to create a testable and valuable Story that can be prioritized and estimated by the Agile team. Therefore, the best example of the user voice format for the Story enabling book shoppers to access their shopping cart from any page on the website is: As a book shopper, I want access to my shopping cart from any page, so that I can review what I am purchasing. This example specifies the user role (book shopper), the goal or desire (access to shopping cart from any page), and the benefit or value (review what I am purchasing). References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Story

Differentiating business objectives are those that provide competitive differentiation and strategic advantage for the enterprise. They reflect the unique value proposition and vision of the enterprise and guide the portfolio strategy and decision-making. One example of differentiating business objectives is Strategic Themes, which are portfolio-level business objectives that connect a portfolio to the strategy of the enterprise. They are written in Objective and Key Result (OKR) format and influence the vision, budget, and backlogs for the portfolio, large solution, and program levels. They also provide business context and alignment for the agile teams and ARTs in the portfolio. References: Strategic Themes, SAFe 4.5 Reference Guide: Scaled Agile Framework for Lean Enterprises, How to use GOST + SAFe to increase your company’s agility

Iteration planning for Kanban teams is different from Scrum teams in that Kanban teams do not estimate their velocity, do not commit to service level agreements, and do not plan the Iteration in detail. Instead, Kanban teams use a flow-based process that allows them to pull work items from the backlog as they become available and deliver value continuously. However, Kanban teams still operate within the ART iteration cadence and often publish Iteration goals to align with the ART vision and objectives, as well as to communicate their priorities and dependencies to other teams and stakeholders. References: SAFe Team Kanban, Agile Iteration Planning Effectively

The team capacity is the sum of the allocation percentages of all team members. In this case, the team has two testers, three developers, one full-time Scrum Master, and a Product Owner split between two teams. Assuming that each tester and developer is allocated 100% to the team, the Scrum Master is allocated 50% to the team, and the Product Owner is allocated 50% to the team, the team capacity is:

2 x 100% + 3 x 100% + 1 x 50% + 1 x 50% = 600%

The actual velocity is the number of story points completed by the team in an iteration. Assuming that the team completed 40 story points in the first iteration, the actual velocity is:

40

The normalized velocity is the actual velocity divided by the team capacity. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

40 / 600% = 6.67

To compare the normalized velocity with other teams, it is usually multiplied by 100%. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

6.67 x 100% = 66.67

To compare the normalized velocity with other teams that have five full-time members, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

66.67 / 5 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team,

The PI Planning event is a two-day event that brings together all the teams and stakeholders of an Agile Release Train (ART) to align on a common vision, mission, and goals for the upcoming Program Increment (PI). The PI Planning event involves everyone in the program, including the Business Owners, Product Management, System Architects, Agile teams, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Release Train Engineers, and other relevant roles. The PI Planning event also fosters collaboration, communication, and commitment among the participants, and helps identify and address the risks and impediments that may affect the delivery of value. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, PI Planning

The SAFe Implementation Roadmap is a strategy and an ordered set of activities that have proven to be effective in successfully implementing SAFe. It is based on organizational change management strategies and provides the critical moves for adopting SAFe. The roadmap consists of 14 steps, from reaching the tipping point to sustaining and improving1. References: 1: Implementation Roadmap - Scaled Agile Framework

Reducing the batch sizes of work is critical to improving flow, as it enables faster delivery of value, lower risk, higher quality, and better feedback1. Batch size is the amount of work that moves as a unit through the value stream2. Smaller batches reduce the cycle time, the total time from the beginning to the end of the process to provide value to a customer3. Smaller batches also reduce the variability and uncertainty in the system, leading to less waste and rework2. SAFe provides several practices to reduce the batch sizes of work, such as using User Stories, Features, and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) as units of work, applying Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines, and limiting Work in Process (WIP)1. References: Accelerating Flow with SAFe, Make Value Flow without Interruptions, Optimize Flow

A System Demo is one way to show true progress of business outcomes. A System Demo is a significant event that provides an integrated view of new features for the most recent iteration delivered by all the teams in the Agile Release Train (ART). The System Demo is attended by customers, stakeholders, and ART members, who evaluate the system and provide feedback. The System Demo is a key measure of solution quality, customer value, and ART velocity. It also helps to validate the alignment of the PI Objectives with the business outcomes. References: System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team | Scaled Agile, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner - scaledagile.com

Collective ownership and standards are basic quality practices that apply to all teams, regardless of their domain or work product. They promote shared responsibility, accountability, and alignment among team members and across teams1. They also enable faster feedback, continuous improvement, and reduced waste2. The other options are not basic quality practices, but rather specific techniques or approaches that may be useful for some teams or domains, but not all. Agile architecture is a way of designing and evolving systems that support the delivery of value and quality3. Rapid prototyping is a way of creating and testing a minimum viable product (MVP) to validate assumptions and learn from customers4. Modeling and simulation are ways of representing and analyzing complex systems or phenomena using mathematical or computational methods.

The Portfolio Kanban system is a method to visualize and manage the flow of portfolio Epics, from ideation through analysis, implementation, and completion. The Portfolio Kanban system is operated by the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) function, which is responsible for strategy and investment funding, Agile portfolio operations, and Lean governance. The LPM function consists of three collaborating roles: the Enterprise Architect, the Lean Portfolio Manager, and the Operational Excellence Manager. The LPM function uses the strategic portfolio review and portfolio sync events to manage and monitor the flow of work in the Portfolio Kanban system. References: Portfolio Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework, Lean Portfolio Management - Scaled Agile Framework

One of the roles of Product Management is to assign business value to Features. Features are services provided by the system that fulfill stakeholder needs. They are the primary artifact for defining, managing, and prioritizing the work of the Agile Release Train (ART). Product Management is responsible for defining and prioritizing the features in the Program Backlog, as well as assigning a business value to each feature based on its expected benefits and costs. The business value is used to guide the economic decision-making and trade-offs during PI Planning and execution. Product Management also collaborates with other roles, such as Solution Management, System Architects, and Business Owners, to ensure that the features align with the solution vision and roadmap, and meet the quality standards and nonfunctional requirements. References: Features - Scaled Agile Framework, Product Management - Scaled Agile Framework

According to the Lean-Agile Leadership competency of SAFe, management must commit to quality and take responsibility to change the system for a successful Agile transformation. This means that leaders must lead by example, learn and model the Lean-Agile mindset, values, principles, and practices, and lead the change to a new way of working. They must also empower and engage individuals and teams to reach their highest potential, and create a culture of relentless improvement and innovation1. Management cannot delegate or outsource the responsibility of leading the Agile transformation, as they are the ones who have the authority and influence to change and improve the systems that govern how work is performed2. References: 1: Lean-Agile Leadership - Scaled Agile Framework2: What Must Management Do for a Successful Agile Transformation?

 Product roles, such as Product Owner and Product Manager, act as proxies for the customer in representing their needs to the teams. They are responsible for defining, prioritizing, and validating the requirements that deliver value to the customer and the business. They also collaborate with the development teams and other stakeholders to ensure that the product vision, strategy, and roadmap are aligned with customer and stakeholder needs. Product roles are the voice of the customer for the teams and the primary link to business and technology strategy12. References: = 1: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework2; 2: Product Manager - Scaled Agile Framework3

 Pair work is a practice where two knowledge workers collaborate over the same asset in real time, providing feedback and quality assurance to each other. It comes from pair programming, a technique defined by the Extreme Programming (XP) agile development framework, where two developers work together on the same code. Pair work can be applied to other domains and disciplines, such as testing, design, business analysis, and more. Pair work can improve the quality, speed, and creativity of the work, as well as enhance the learning and collaboration of the team members. References: Pair Work (Pair Programming) - businessagility.institute, Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework

 = WIP limits are necessary in the ART Kanban to ensure large queues are not forming, which would slow down the flow of value and increase the lead time. WIP limits are a way of applying the Lean principle of reducing waste and optimizing the system for the whole. By limiting the amount of work that can be in progress at any stage of the Kanban system, the ART can balance the demand and capacity, avoid overloading the system, and focus on completing the work rather than starting new work. WIP limits also help to expose bottlenecks, dependencies, and impediments that need to be resolved to improve the flow efficiency and quality of the work. References: = ART Flow - Scaled Agile Framework, ART and Solution Train Backlogs - Scaled Agile Framework, Kanban And The Importance Of Work In Progress (WIP) Limits

= Mindset and Principles is one of the three dimensions of Lean-Agile Leadership, along with Leading by Example and Leading the Change. Mindset and Principles refers to how leaders embed the Lean-Agile way of working in their beliefs, decisions, responses, and actions. Leaders model the expected norm throughout the organization by learning and applying the SAFe Core Values, Lean-Agile Mindset, and SAFe Principles. References: = Lean-Agile Leadership - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

Design Thinking is a methodology that helps teams solve complex problems and create innovative solutions that meet the needs and desires of the users. One of the benefits of Design Thinking is that it produces solutions that are actionable, meaning that they can be implemented and tested in the real world. Actionable solutions are based on a deep understanding of the problem, a wide range of possible ideas, and iterative prototyping and testing. Actionable solutions are also aligned with the vision, values, and goals of the organization and the stakeholders. References: What is Design Thinking?, Design thinking, explained, What is design thinking?

Customer Centricity is a mindset that helps organizations make decisions that are based on a deep understanding of its effect on customers and end-users. It motivates teams to focus on the customer, understand their needs, think and feel like them, build whole product solutions, and know their lifetime value. Customer Centricity is related to Design Thinking, which provides the tools and practices to support creating desirable products that are profitable and sustainable over their lifecycle. References: Customer Centricity - Scaled Agile Framework, Design Thinking - Scaled Agile Framework, What is Customer Centricity in SAFe® 5.0? - Praecipio

One issue when organizing around functional silos is that they impede how value flows from concept to delivery. Functional silos create barriers and delays between different teams and departments, which can result in waste, rework, handoffs, and misalignment. To achieve business agility, enterprises need to organize around value streams, which are the primary constructs for understanding, organizing, and delivering value in SAFe. Value streams are long-lived series of steps that deliver value to the customer or end user. By organizing around value streams, enterprises can optimize the flow of value across functional boundaries, reduce lead time, and increase customer satisfaction. References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 1; [v5.scaledagileframework.com/organize-around-value/]; [v5.scaledagileframework.com/value-streams/]

According to SAFe, basing decisions on economics means applying the principles of Lean-Agile budgeting and Lean portfolio management to align investments with strategic outcomes and optimize value delivery. Lead time, product cost, value, and development expense are some of the key economic variables that influence the decision-making process. These variables are used to understand the tradeoffs between different solutions, such as choosing between faster delivery, lower cost, higher quality, or more features. By using these variables, teams and leaders can evaluate the economic impact of their choices and select the best option that maximizes value and minimizes waste. References: [Basing Decisions on Economics], [Lean-Agile Budgeting], [Lean Portfolio Management], [Economic Framework], [Economic Decision Rules].

 WIP stands for work in process, which is the amount of work that is currently being done in a system. One way to understand WIP is to make it visible to all stakeholders, using tools such as Kanban boards, cumulative flow diagrams, or burn-up charts. By making WIP visible, we can see the current state of the work, identify bottlenecks, limit WIP to match capacity, and improve flow efficiency. References: Principle #6 – Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, Make Value Flow without Interruptions, SAFe Principle 6: Visualise and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queued lengths

The Portfolio Kanban is a method to visualize, manage, and analyze the flow of portfolio epics from ideation to implementation1. It brings structure to analysis and decision making around epics by defining the states and Work in Process (WIP) limits for each state, as well as the entry and exit criteria1. The Portfolio Kanban also helps prioritize and sequence the epics based on the Lean business case and the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) technique1. The Portfolio Kanban enables the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) to align the portfolio strategy and investment funding with the implementation capacity of the value streams2. References: Portfolio Kanban, Lean Portfolio Management

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, one of the core values of SAFe is alignment, which means that everyone involved in the solution development has a common understanding of the vision, strategy, and goals. To achieve alignment, teams need to demonstrate progress by showing the actual working product to the stakeholders and getting feedback. This is done through the sync events such as the Team Demo and the System Demo, where teams showcase the features and stories they have completed in the iteration or the PI. By showing the actual working product, teams can validate their assumptions, measure the value delivered, and identify improvement opportunities. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, SAFe for Teams | SAFe Practitioner (SP) Certification

The Lean Thinking principle, “make value flow without interruptions” means identifying and eliminating any delays that prevent the smooth and fast movement of work product from step to step in a value stream. Delays are a form of waste that reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, increase the lead time and cost, and lower the customer satisfaction. Delays can be caused by various factors, such as handoffs, queues, bottlenecks, rework, defects, approvals, dependencies, and variability. To make value flow without interruptions, SAFe applies the following eight flow accelerators: Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths Implement full test automation and continuous integration Take an economic view Apply product development flow principles Understand and exploit variability Implement fast feedback and integrated learning Build quality in Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems References: Principle #6 - Make Value Flow Without Interruptions - Scaled Agile Framework, Accelerating Flow with SAFe - Scaled Agile Framework

Business Owners are key ART stakeholders who have the primary business and technical responsibility for return on investment (ROI), governance, and compliance. They evaluate the fitness for use and actively participate in ART events and solution development. They also use a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to assign the business value to the team PI objectives after negotiation with the teams and other stakeholders. They typically assign the highest values to the customer-facing objectives. References: Business Owners - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Objectives - Scaled Agile Framework

A cadence-based PI Planning event is a face-to-face event that serves as the heartbeat of the Agile Release Train (ART), aligning all the teams on the ART to a shared mission and vision. It is essential to SAFe and should not be skipped or delayed. It is an opportunity for all team members and stakeholders to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate their work for the next Program Increment (PI), which is typically 8-12 weeks long. The PI Planning event has a standard agenda that includes a presentation of business context and vision, followed by team planning breakouts, where the teams create their Iteration plans and objectives for the upcoming PI. The event also includes a management review and problem-solving session, where the teams identify and resolve dependencies, risks, and impediments. The event concludes with a confidence vote and a final plan review, where the teams present their PI objectives and receive feedback from the business owners. The PI Planning event is a key enabler of alignment, transparency, and collaboration across the ART. References: PI Planning, Planning Interval, PI Planning vs Sprint Planning: What Is the Ultimate Goal of the PI Planning Event?

Roadmaps are a visual tool that assists in the development and communication of planned deliverables, milestones, and investments over time and help distinguish different types of work1. Roadmaps are the glue that links strategy to execution and offer the ability to develop, evolve and adjust planned activities1. Roadmaps communicate intent, not commitment, as they are subject to change based on feedback, learning, and market conditions1. Roadmaps are not fixed at PI boundaries, but rather are updated frequently to reflect the current state of the solution and the environment1. Roadmaps provide multiple planning horizons, such as near-term, mid-term, and long-term, to show how the solution will evolve over time1. References: 1: Roadmap

 The Agile Release Train Sync is a weekly meeting that synchronizes the ART stakeholders and provides visibility into the ART’s progress and impediments1. The Scrum Masters represent their Agile teams, provide updates on their status, relay questions, and help address challenges. They safeguard the team’s needs and effectiveness2. The visibility that Scrum Masters provide during the Agile Release Train Sync is mainly into the progress and impediments of their teams, such as the completion of features, stories, and enablers, the resolution of dependencies, the identification of risks and issues, and the demonstration of value3. The other options are not the primary focus of the Scrum Masters’ visibility during the Agile Release Train Sync. References: Agile Release Train - Scaled Agile Framework, PRACTICE TEST: SAFe 4 Practitioner Certification Flashcards - Brainscape, Agile Release Train Sync Meetings: Maximizing Success - Dee Project Manager

 The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a servant leader and coach for the Agile Release Train (ART), which is a group of Agile teams that work together to deliver value. The RTE facilitates the ART events and processes, and supports the teams in delivering value. They communicate with stakeholders, escalate impediments, help manage risk, and drive relentless improvement. The RTE also serves as the ART Chief Coach, which means they help the teams apply and improve the SAFe principles and practices, such as PI planning, system demos, inspect and adapt, and innovation and planning1. The RTE is not the team backlog owner, the ART-level content authority, or the technical leader of the ART, but rather the facilitator and enabler of the ART’s success. References: Release Train Engineer - Scaled Agile Framework, Release Train Engineer(RTE): Roles & Responsibilities - KnowledgeHut, Release Train Engineer - Scaled Agile Framework

= A cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a tool used to visualize the flow of work in a process over time. It shows the quantity of work in different stages or states, such as backlog, in progress, done, etc. A CFD helps to monitor the work in process (WIP) across the whole team, as well as the arrival and departure rates of work items. A CFD can also reveal bottlenecks, queues, variability, and cycle time in the process. References: = Cumulative Flow Diagram - Scaled Agile Framework, Cumulative flow diagram - Wikipedia, Cumulative Flow Diagram - What Information Does It Provide - Kanban Zone