As always, the Scaled Agile Framework team at SAI have done a great job of presenting complex ideas in an accessible and integrated way. Unlike most previous updates of the Framework, it isn’t just an attempt to catch up with the latest trends and fashionable buzz-words or to grow the framework to cover more areas of product development (as necessary as these things are) but a refocusing back onto some of the basics that are integral to succeeding with Agile.

Not only does it make SAFe a better fit for more organizations, but it provides an opportunity for existing SAFe adopters to take their implementation to the next level.

So, what is it that makes this version of the framework so exciting and what difference will it make to you as either an established SAFe shop or a new adopter?

1. It’s all in on Flow

SAFe has always been a flow-based framework but sometimes this has got a bit lost in amongst all the other advice.

SAFe version 6 establishes flow as central to SAFe and central to success at scale.

Flow is now much more visible everywhere:

• from the underlying principles (principle #6 is now a much improved “make value flow without interruption” rather than the more opaque and cumbersome “Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths”)
• to the role descriptions and key collaborations,
• to the addition of credible flow metrics and the provision of 8 flow accelerators to provide practical advice on how to improve flow for teams, trains, and portfolios
• to support for both Scrum and Kanban as a starting place for teams to get into flow
• to its appearance at all levels of the big picture.

Flow is now the primary driver of success at all the levels of SAFe – the team, the ART, and the Portfolio.

2. It refocuses on the underlying values (and stops saying Program)

When engaged with anything Agile or Lean it’s always good to take some time out to revisit the underlying principles and values as well as consider the practices that you use.
 
So it's absolutely fantastic to see that the SAFe Framework Team have taken the time to do the same for the principles and values that underly SAFe, and have done some work to 1) make them more accessible and 2) ensure that they are still relevant.

This includes:

• A refresh of the 4 core values which used to be Built in Quality, Program Execution, Transparency and Alignment and have now evolved into Respect for People, Relentless Improvement, Transparency and Alignment.
• A refresh of the 10 SAFe Principles to reinforce the importance of Flow and Respect for People that goes way beyond the renaming of Principle 6 (as mentioned above).
• Closing the gap between the agile and lean-thinking principles that have always been at the heart of SAFe.

They’ve also addressed the technical debt associated with the use of the word program making the whole framework cleaner, more accessible and less hijackable by those with a traditional, change resistant mindset.

3. Adding an Agile Executive Team

For many years now I’ve recommended that Executives lead by example and that the best way for them to do this is to become an Agile Team, so it’s good to see this appear in SAFe version 6.

Conclusion

SAFe version 6 is great for anyone new to SAFe as the unrelenting focus on improving flow has led to improvements in all the SAFe training and support materials across the board.

More importantly it is great for everyone who is already using SAFe as it provides the tools and supports the thinking needed to take your SAFe adoption to a new level.