The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) is a comprehensive system developed by Scaled Agile® Inc. to enable organizations to implement agility on a large scale. It specifically addresses the needs of large organizations facing growing globalization, complexity, an increasing share of software, mechatronics and rapidly changing market conditions.
History of Origin
The emergence of SAFe® was heralded in 2011 with Dean Leffingwell’s book “Agile Software Requirements”. This work formed the foundation of the framework and presented the first concepts and principles that were incorporated into SAFe®. Dean Leffingwell was aware that scaling agile methods also required lean aspects to emphasize value streams, principles and tools that increase customer value and reduce waste. SAFe® takes a pragmatic approach to the challenge of gradually transforming large planning organizations into agile organizations. It offers a realistic and proven transformation path that constantly adapts to changing conditions. The first SAFe® certification class took place in 2012, and the framework has continued to evolve and expand ever since.
Spread
SAFe® has established itself globally in recent years and is used by over 20,000 companies as of 2024. More than one million people have recognized and implemented the benefits of scaling agile methods through SAFe®. The increasing spread of SAFe® can be attributed to the proven benefits that companies have gained by introducing this framework.
Industries and Companies
SAFe® is used across all industries, from financial services and telecommunications to aviation, medical technology, education, the automotive industry and public institutions. Well-known companies such as Volkswagen, Porsche, Daimler, SAP, Deutsche Bank and Siemens have successfully introduced SAFe® and have achieved impressive results. Numerous large corporations and medium-sized companies are currently implementing SAFe® on a large scale, leading to a high demand for experienced SAFe® employees. By implementing SAFe®, these companies have increased productivity, shortened time-to-market through iterative processes, improved quality and increased employee satisfaction.
Experiences
Companies using SAFe® are experiencing positive changes across the board. Johnson Controls has reduced the time to market by two to four times and now achieves one hundred percent prediction accuracy. Cisco has reduced its error rate by 40 percent and is creating new incentives for talent acquisition. Chevron increased productivity by comprehensively promoting remote working. Air France teams using SAFe® are 20 percent more efficient than teams using traditional waterfall methods. Nokia Software has improved team collaboration and predictability. Most importantly, these companies are now able to manage the increasing complexity of their products, services and structures and adapt quickly to dynamic market changes.
Advantages
The introduction of SAFe® offers a wide range of benefits for companies. The biggest advantages include:
- Faster time to market: By aligning their cross-functional teams to create value, companies can be more agile in responding to customer needs and make decisions with greater speed.
- Improved quality: SAFe® anchors quality in every step of the development process and shifts the focus from quality assurance to the responsibility of each individual.
- Increased productivity: SAFe® leads to demonstrable increases in productivity by empowering teams to eliminate redundancies, detect and eliminate delays, and continuously optimize.
- Better employee retention: SAFe® enables professionals to experience autonomy, self-realization and a sense of purpose, which strengthens intrinsic motivation and reduces the risk of burnout.
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) has proven itself as a robust system for scaling agile methods in large companies, especially since the Covid crisis. It provides organizations with the necessary tools and principles to succeed in a dynamic world. The implementation of SAFe® enables companies to increase their productivity and quality of their products, reduce time to market and at the same time promote employee satisfaction. The consistently positive feedback and the benefits achieved confirm SAFe® as a valuable strategy for solving current challenges.
