Scaled Agile Framework

Tags: SAFe Tooling, Scaled Agile Framework

Is it SAFe to Kanban?

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 31, 2024

In the beginning, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) advocated using Scrum at the team level. As the framework grew in popularity, practitioners started to ask if teams must use Scrum or if team-level kanban was an acceptable alternative. I recall Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Kanban, PI Planning, Scaled Agile Framework, Scrum

Where do UX Designers fit in SAFe?

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 25, 2024

When a person attends their first Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) class, the first thing they tend to do is look for their current role in the SAFe Big Picture. When it comes to UX Designers, they are quick to notice the Design Thinking and Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, UX

Measuring the Business Benefits of SAFe - Defining Outcomes that Matter

SAFe Australia Online Meetup - September 12, 2024

In this edition of the SAFe Australia Online Meetup, we had the pleasure of hosting Marx Rix from Scaled Agile, Inc. Marc is one of Scaled Agile’s foremost thought leaders and executive advisors. In addition to co-authoring SAFe’s core Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Metrics, Scaled Agile Framework

How to Choose a SAFe Certification

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 01, 2024

One of the most common questions we are asked - both prior to and during courses is: How do I know which SAFe training to take? Those who are new to SAFe want to know which one to start with. Those who already have one SAFe Certification want to Read more...

Category:

Tags: Safe Certifications, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework

How monday dev Supports SAFe

Rohini Sharma, Head of GTM for monday dev in APAC - August 31, 2024

Recording of the monday dev demo at the SAFe Australia Online Meetup - SAFe Tooling Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe Tooling, Scaled Agile Framework

How SAFe Can Be Applied to Technology Migration & Greenfield Initiatives

Pretty Agile - August 27, 2024

In this webinar, Em Campbell-Pretty and Adrienne Wilson explore challenges and strategies for migrating off legacy platforms while continuing to deliver value. The session examines the complexities of outdated technology infrastructures and the Read more...

Category:

Tags: Impact Mapping, Product Management, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, System Architect

Shared Services and External Services: Partnering to Support ART Flow

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 21, 2024

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) describes Shared Services as the “specialty roles, people, and services required for the success of an ART or Solution Train, but that are not dedicated full-time.” The Shared Services guidance article provides Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, ART Launch, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

How Comparative Agility Supports SAFe

Jorgen Hesselberg, co-founder of Comparative Agility - July 29, 2024

Recording of the Comparative Agility demo at the SAFe Australia Online Meetup - SAFe Tooling Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, SAFe Tooling, Scaled Agile Framework, Self Assessment

How TeamForm Supports SAFe

Sam Yeats, founder and CEO of TeamForm - June 28, 2024

Recording of the TeamForm demo at the SAFe Australia Online Meetup - SAFe Tooling Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, SAFe Tooling, Scaled Agile Framework

How Easy Agile Apps Support SAFe

Hayley Rodd, Senior Partnerships Manager, Easy Agile - May 31, 2024

Recording of the Easy Agile demo at the SAFe Australia Online Meetup - SAFe Tooling Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, SAFe Tooling, Scaled Agile Framework

5 Ways Product Advisory Can Support SAFe Business Owners & Product Managers

Em Campbell-Pretty, Melissa Hay - May 23, 2024

Sometimes, a framework does not provide all of the answers needed to apply concepts in the real world. This is to be expected as a framework is a framework! At the SAFe Summit in Berlin last month, Scaled Agile Chief Methologist Andrew Read more...

Category:

Tags: Product Advisory, Product Management, Product Manager, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

The ART of Healthcare: Non-IT applications of SAFe

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 09, 2024

In this edition of the SAFe Australia Online Meetup, we had the pleasure of hosting Rebecca Davis from Scaled Agile, Inc. Rebecca, a SAFe Fellow and a member of the framework team, shared her unique experiences applying SAFe (Scaled Agile Read more...

Category:

Tags: Business Agility, SAFe, SAFe in Healthcare, Scaled Agile Framework

Understanding the Role of the Release Train Engineer in SAFe 6.0: An Essential Guide

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 24, 2024

In Leading SAFe 6.0, the Release Train Engineer (RTE) is described as “a coach for the Agile Release Train.” While this is definitely part of the role, it is not the whole story. In a recent RTE certification class, one participant Read more...

Category:

Tags: Release Train Engineer, RTE, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

What is the Role of a Technical Lead on a SAFe Agile Team

Em Campbell-Pretty - March 26, 2024

If you look at the Agile Team guidance in SAFe, you won't find a Technical Lead listed as one of the speciality roles (i.e. Scrum Master and Product Owner). That said, a Tech Lead or Lead Engineer is a construct we have found to be a valuable Read more...

Category:

Tags: Built-in-Quality, SAFe Agile Team, Scaled Agile Framework, System Architect, Technical Lead

SAFe in Government - Where are we now?

Em Campbell-Pretty - February 05, 2024

For over a decade, government agencies have gradually become more open to adopting the Lean-Agile and DevSecOps ways of working described in SAFe. Today, Agile is the preferred technical approach for many public sector and defence software Read more...

Category:

Tags: Government, SAFe, SAFe in Government, Scaled Agile Framework

HR as an Accelerator of Business Agility

- November 10, 2023

Pretty Agile was super excited to host our friend and Agile HR guru Fabiola Eyholzer at the SAFe Australia Online Meetup for an exploration of Agile HR and its role in enabling Business Agility. Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile HR, Business Agility, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

The ART of Selecting SAFe Product Owners

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 09, 2023

A few weeks ago, I was teaching an executive Leading SAFe class, and our Business Owners were clearly very new to Agile, SAFe and Scrum. As I started the lesson on Team and Technical Agility, I noticed them leaning in to try and better Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Product Owner, SAFe, SAFe Agile Team, SAFe Product Owner, Scaled Agile Framework

Can We Use Agile to Build Gas Stations in Space? And Other Cyber-Physical Systems

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 18, 2023

Agile practices have empirically shown to increase adaptability, reduce lead times, reduce cost, increase quality, and increase employee morale for small software application teams. Scaled Agile expanded these benefits beyond teams to release trains Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Coaching Flow: Implementing an effective flow system

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 03, 2023

Delivering a continuous flow of value to the customer is one of the defining characteristics of an effective SAFe enterprise. But flow is not easy to achieve, and many impediments occur along the way. Success requires a knowledge of what flow is Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Coaching, Coaching Flow, Flow, Kanban, SAFe, SAFe Agile Team, Scaled Agile Framework

5 Use Cases for an Agile Release Tram (aka Small Scale SAFe)

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 31, 2023

What is an Agile Release Tram? Well, that is a great question. It sounds a bit like Agile Release Train; however, there are no references to it in the Scaled Agile Framework. While I’m sure we are not the only people who have Agile Release Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Release Tram, Agile Teams, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Ask Me Anything about SAFe 6.0 with Inbar Oren

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 28, 2023

Pretty Agile was super excited to have Scaled Agile's Chief Product Officer, Inbar Oren, join the SAFe Australia Online Meetup for an Ask Me Anything session on the day of the SAFe 6.0 launch. Inbar started with a quick overview of the changes to Read more...

Category:

Tags: Business Agility, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

How do I justify full-time Scrum Masters for my Agile Release Train?

Em Campbell-Pretty, Claire Sanders - July 18, 2023

It feels like every time we launch an Agile Release Train, one of the first hard conversations we have is the need for a full-time dedicated Scrum Master for every Agile team. I suspect there are two main reasons this conversation comes up time Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Coaching, Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Facilitation, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, ScrumMastery, Team Building

How Fletcher Building Implemented SAFe to Successfully Drive Digital Transformation

Em Campbell-Pretty - February 07, 2023

This is the story of how Fletcher Building partnered with Pretty Agile to implement Scaled Agile and rapidly launch multiple products across the group over the last four years to create market-leading omnichannel experiences and drive real value Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Case Study, Culture, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Training

Scaling Agile Marketing with SAFe

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 29, 2022

In this talk, Melissa explores the patterns of scaling Agile marketing, including how to utilize SAFe, or the Scaled Agile Framework, to expand beyond a few pilot teams. How do you interact with other parts of the organization? What happens to Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

When Worlds Collide: Hardware Engineering meets Lean-Agile development

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 04, 2022

Business Agility requires everyone involved in product delivery to use Lean and Agile practices to create innovative, high-quality products. As Agile adoption extends beyond software, hardware development needs to keep pace. Although the hardware Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, SAFe for Hardware, Scaled Agile Framework

Value Stream Management with SAFe Fellow Marc Rix

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 13, 2022

Value Stream Management (VSM) is a leadership and technical discipline that enables the maximum flow of business value through the end-to-end solution delivery life cycle. SAFe enables VSM through its alignment with the five principles of Lean Read more...

Category:

Tags: DevOps, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Value Streams

Extreme SAFe: Turning Up the Flow in PI Execution

Pretty Agile - August 24, 2022

Presentation at the SAFe Summit Denver 2022. PI Planning is in the bag and the train has left the station, at last, you can relax. Or so you thought…. The first iteration is fairly quiet, the second seems smooth as well, and then it happens, Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, ART Sync, Chapters, Coaching Flow, Cocktail Hour, Communities of Practice, Discovery, Flow, Inspect & Adapt, SAFe, Safe Summit, Scaled Agile Framework, Tribal Unity, Turn Up the Good

The SAFe Scrum Masters' Guide to Successful PI Planning

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 11, 2022

Great PI Planning doesn't just happen! In this session, the Pretty Agile SPCT Candidate Claire Sanders shares PI Planning tips from her many years of working on and with Agile Release Trains. SAFe Scrum Masters play a significant role in PI Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, ScrumMastery

Measure What Matters for Business Agility: Outcomes, Flow and Competency

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 25, 2021

Everyone is always asking us what metrics they should be using with SAFe. Recently Scaled Agile updated their guidance on this very topic so we thought we would invite Andy to come and chat with us about what's new with Metrics in SAFe! Measure Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Metrics, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Let's get LACEy!

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 13, 2021

It was super exciting to have SAFe Fellow and iSPCT Rebecca Davis join the SAFe Australia Online Meetup on Wednesday 13th October at 8am AEDT. Rebecca is the Director of Digital LACE and Digital Lean Agile Practice Leader at CVS Health and an Read more...

Category:

Tags: LACE, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Turning Up the Magic in PI Planning

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 30, 2021

Presentation at the Global SAFe Summit Online 2021. Mob Programming thought leader Woody Zuill suggests that instead of always focusing on solving problems, we also take the time to notice the things that are going well and amplify them, Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Turn Up the Good

Agile Hartford Presents: Stayin’ Alive! Feature Disco Your Way to PI Planning

Em Campbell-Pretty - June 17, 2021

Category:

Tags: Discovery, Estimation, Feature Defintion, Impact Mapping, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

SAFe Transformation at PCCW Global

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 21, 2021

With the support of the executive leadership of PCCW Global, CTO, Paul Gampe, made the decision in early 2018 to adopt the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). Since 2018 PCCW Global has been on a continuous journey of launching Value Streams and Agile Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Respect for People, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Tribal Unity

Why Don’t We Pre-Write Stories for PI Planning?

Claire Sanders and Em Campbell-Pretty - March 24, 2021

This is a question I’m occasionally asked, but having been asked twice this week it prompted me to write this post. Why not pre-write stories for PI Planning? Sure, it takes the stress and pressure out of the two days of PI planning; Read more...

Category:

Tags: Discovery, Feature Defintion, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Scaling Culture

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 02, 2020

It is hard to believe it has been over a year since the Pretty Agile team was at Agile 2019 in Washington D.C. where I had the pleasure of presenting "Learning from the Books You Said You Read…" with Melissa Hay as well as "Is There a Place Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile2019, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Tribal Unity

Advice on Taking SAFe Certification Exams and retaining classroom learning

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 13, 2020

Updated February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 updates. It may not feel like it, but SAFe Certification exams are not designed to trick you! That said, they certainly can be tricky, so I thought I would share some advice to help you maximise Read more...

Category:

Tags: Learning, SAFe, SAFe Exams, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework

How to choose a SAFe training provider

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 13, 2020

With the recent emergence of remote SAFe training, the number of SAFe certification providers appears to have exploded. In many cities across the world you will find multiple Scaled Agile training classes being offered by different providers every Read more...

Category:

Tags: SAFe, Safe Certifications, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework

Our Learnings From Training in a #SuddenlyRemote World

Em Campbell-Pretty - July 23, 2020

Those who know me, would be aware that I am not much of a fan of digital tools as a substitute for post-it notes, index cards and flip charts and up until recently this had never been a problem. So you can imagine the state of sheer panic I was Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Training, Facilitation, Online Training, Remote SAFe, SAFe, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework, Suddenly Remote

Demystifying SAFe Scrum Master Certifications

Em Campbell-Pretty - July 12, 2020

Updated in September 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminology. In a recent Implementing SAFe class, we were asked - “What is a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, and how does this differ from a SAFe Scrum Master? I can’t see the SAFe Advanced Scrum Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Training, SAFe, SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, Safe Certifications, SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework

Is the future of SAFe Training Online?

Em Campbell-Pretty - June 03, 2020

Recently I was pondering if the future of SAFe would be remote? My hypothesis was that the global “work from home” regime introduced by various Governments as a response to COVID-19 may well continue once the pandemic has passed. Which raises Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Training, Online Training, SAFe, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework, Suddenly Remote

Will the Future Be Remotely SAFe?

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 20, 2020

As we all adjust to a truly new way of working, where physical distancing is the new norm, it seems more and more likely that many knowledge workers will be continuing to work from home for some time. Even as time goes by, and hopefully the need Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Remote SAFe, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Suddenly Remote

SAFe Training Online? How on Earth Does That Work?!

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 21, 2020

Over the past few weeks we have been building out content so that we can deliver our favourite SAFe training online online, while still offering the engaging and informative classes we are known for. So how does SAFe training online work at Read more...

Category:

Tags: Online Training, SAFe, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework, Suddenly Remote, Training

Baseline Metrics Before You Start

Em Campbell-Pretty - July 22, 2019

If you do nothing else before you launch your Agile Release Train (ART) baseline your metrics! At some point, in the not too distant future, you are going to be asked, how do you know your Agile Release Train is making a difference? For you the Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Metrics, Agile Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Self-Selection: A SAFe Approach to Forming Agile Release Trains

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 03, 2018

Presentation at the Global SAFe Summit 2019 in San Deigo. When shaping agile teams, many organisations use a leader decides model. The design of the teams is often a very delicate balancing act. Skills, experience, subject matter expertise Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Analytics Insights Agile Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Self Selection, Squadification

Agile Amped at the SAFE Summit: Tribal Unity & Scaling Human Relationships

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 11, 2017

At this year's SAFe Summit in San Antonio, Texas I caught up with SolutionsIQ’s Leslie Morse. You can check out our Agile Amped podcast here: Read more...

Category:

Tags: ART Launch, Book Club, One Team Culture, Podcast, SAFe, Safe Summit, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Tribal Unity

SAFe from the Trenches @ Agile Australia

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 31, 2017

In June, Pretty Agile partnered with Scaled Agile Inc. to sponsor the 9th Agile Australia conference. Included in this sponsorship arrangement was an opportunity to deliver a product demonstration to conference attendees. Given Scaled Agile Inc. Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Australia, Agile Release Train, Agile Transformation, ART Launch, Continuous Improvement, Culture, DevOps, QuickStart, SAFe, SAFe in Government, Scaled Agile Framework, Self Selection

Learning from Re-Squadification

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 17, 2017

One of the things I love about the A&I Agile Release Train is their drive to learn. Following the Re-Squadification day the train held a focused retrospective in order to understand what had gone wrong and how they could avoid a reoccurrence of Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Analytics Insights Agile Release Train, Autonomy, Chapters, Collaboration, Culture, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scaling Culture, Self Selection, Spotify, Squadification

Re-squadification

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 03, 2017

Three PIs after the 6-Day Quick-Start it was time to “re-squadify”. We had promised the teams during the initial self-selection event that they were not making life long commitments and that they would again have the opportunity to self-select Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile, Agile Release Train, Analytics Insights Agile Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Self Selection, Squadification

12 Lean Habits of the 21st-Century Technology Leader

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 21, 2017

Lean is the term the Western world has come to use for the Toyota Production System (TPS).1 Created by Taiichi Ohno, TPS aims to reduce the time between a customer order and payment for the delivery of a vehicle by “reducing the non-value Read more...

Category:

Cutter Articles

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Leading Change, Lean, Learning, Middle Management, One Team Culture, Respect for People, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Visualisation

SAFe PI Planning Quick-Start Style

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 13, 2017

Updated 6 February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminology.The schedule for the two-day PI Planning event, days five and six of the 6-day quick-start, was pretty much textbook SAFe. Given I have blogged about PI Planning in the past, let’s skip the Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Analytics, Agile Release Train, ART Launch, PI Planning, QuickStart, Release Train Engineer, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Just-in-time Training for an Agile Release Train Quick-Start

Em Campbell-Pretty - February 16, 2017

Updated 6 February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminology. The three key ingredients in any ART launch are 1) teams, 2) a well-defined, force-ranked feature-level ART backlog and 3) the knowledge to execute in a lean and agile manner. In Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Analytics, Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, Analytics Insights Agile Release Train, ART Launch, Culture, High Performance Team, QuickStart, SAFe, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework

Facilitating Squadification for a SAFe Agile Release Train

Em Campbell-Pretty - January 25, 2017

Updated 6 February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminology. The squadification day had arrived! We had management buy-in to using self-selection to create teams and a structure for our new Agile Release Train (ART). I turned up with my Time Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Identity, QuickStart, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scaling Culture, ScrumMastery, Self Selection, Squadification, Team Building

Preparing for Team Self-Selection with SAFe & Structuring the ART

Em Campbell-Pretty - December 14, 2016

Updated 6 February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminologyThose who know me will not be at all surprised to learn the first thing I did once there was agreement to use self-selection was buy and read Sandy Mamoli's book Creating Great Teams: How Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Analytics, Agile Release Train, ART Launch, Chapters, Feature Owner, Product Owner, QuickStart, Release Train Engineer, RTE, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Self Selection, Squadification, Tribal Unity

The 6-Day SAFe Quick-Start with Self-Selecting Teams

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 29, 2016

Updated 6 February 2024 to reflect SAFe 6.0 terminologyFor those not familiar with the SAFe, “Quick-Start" (also known as the one-week launch) is a proven pattern for launching an Agile Release Train. A textbook Quick-Start goes something like Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Transformation, Analytics Insights Agile Release Train, ART Launch, QuickStart, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Self Selection, Spotify, Squadification, Squads, Team Building, Tribal Unity

The Magic Carpet Ride- A Business Perspective on DevOps

Em Campbell-Pretty - January 19, 2016

Having problems convincing your stakeholders to try DevOps? Confused about how DevOps can work at scale? Or even just wondering where to start with DevOps? Don’t worry you aren’t the only one! Imagine being the business owner of an Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, Automated Deployment, CI/CD, DevOps, EDW Release Train, Leading Change, Lean, LKCE15, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Switch

Good PI Planning is the Enemy of Great PI Planning

Em Campbell-Pretty - December 17, 2015

When I first met Dean Leffingwell (the creator of SAFe), I had already launched the EDW Release Train - without doing PI Planning. I was attending one of the early SPC classes in Boulder, CO. It was day 3 before I built up the courage to ask Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Transformation, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Spotify

There is no such thing as a Feature Owner... Or is there?

Em Campbell-Pretty - December 15, 2015

When an organisation introduces agile, it is not uncommon for there to be a mass rollout of Agile Fundamentals training, where the role of the Product Owner is positioned as being an empowered business person who is colocated with and Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, EDW Release Train, Empowerment, Feature Owner, Product Owner, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

Scaling Agile - Cucumber Podcast

Em Campbell-Pretty - December 01, 2015

As part of my participation in CukeUp Australia last month, the team at Cucumber invited me to join them in recording a podcast about Scaling Agile and how large organisations can make it work. You can tune to the discussion with +Terry Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Transformation, Collaboration, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

The Journey of SAFe and Thawing Middle Management

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 23, 2015

While I was at Agile 2015, I had the opportunity to catch up with fellow Aussie +Craig Smith from +InfoQ. We talk about how I came to lead Australia's first Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) implementation and both my Agile 2015 sessions - The Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile 2016, Agile Release Train, Blogs, DevOps, Middle Management, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

From Teams to tribes: Creating a one-team culture in DevOps

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 10, 2015

Originally published on Tech Beacon (http://techbeacon.com/teams-tribes-creating-one-team-culture-devops) One of the challenges facing organizations wanting to move toward DevOps is the clash of cultures between dev and ops. In my view, Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, DevOps, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Tribes

Video: From Teams to Tribes - Creating a "One Team" Culture

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 06, 2015

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Culture, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scaling Culture, Tribes

Time to catch another train...

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 27, 2014

The time I spent leading the EDW team at Telstra has been the most incredible experience of my life. I have worked with some truly extraordinary people who made every day fun (even when it was very challenging!) I will be forever grateful for the Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Culture, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scaling Culture, Tribes

Release Train Engineer - Batman or the Wonder Twins?

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 05, 2014

A couple of months back I wrote about launching my first Agile Release Train and some of our specific challenges with creating the right organisational structure. In particular I pointed out that : “For us the Release Train Engineer (RTE) role as Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Collaboration, EDW Release Train, Leadership Team, Release Train Engineer, RTE, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework

You Want to Train Everyone? Don’t Be Ridiculous!

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 28, 2014

Those familiar with SAFe may have noticed that we did not launch our Agile Release Train with a Quick Start. One reason for this is that we started our train before the first SPC class was held, and flying Dean Leffingwell to Melbourne to launch Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Agile Transformation, Change, EDW Release Train, SAFe, SAFe Training, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Team Building

Communication Cadence - The Heartbeat of Scaled Agile

Em Campbell-Pretty - March 25, 2014

In my life as a business sponsor of software development programs, I spent innumerable hours in program meetings - project status meetings, RAID meetings, Steering Committees, Governance meetings, “Come to Jesus meetings”, you name it. When I Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, ART Sync, Blogs, Cocktail Hour, Collaboration, Communication, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scaling Culture, Scrum of Scrums, Transparency, Tribes, Visualisation

Launching an Agile Release Train While Standing in a Waterfall

Em Campbell-Pretty - March 05, 2014

Some days, I wonder if someone has put the EDW Agile Release Train on a list of "must-see" tourist attractions in Melbourne. We have a least two tour groups a month come and visit us to see how we have gone about scaling agile using the Scaled Agile Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile, Agile Release Train, Agile Transformation, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

Can You Be SAFe Without PI Planning?

Em Campbell-Pretty - February 12, 2014

The concept of a Program Increment (PI), is generally considered the corner stone of cadence in SAFe. In simple terms, SAFe recommends that a PI consists of between 4 and 6 two-week sprints including a IP sprint (Innovation & Planning.) and each Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile, Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Collaboration, EDW Release Train, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

Scaling Agile Data Warehousing

Em Campbell-Pretty - February 08, 2014

Two years ago, I found myself with five Agile feature teams developing in parallel on an enterprise data warehouse (EDW) with a single integrated code base. While the introduction of Agile was showing promise, we would need to find a way to make Read more...

Category:

Cutter Articles

Tags: Agile, Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, Communication, Continuous Improvement, EDW Release Train, Leadership, Leading Change, NPS, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scrum, Visualisation

Unity Day - Creating a One Team Culture

Em Campbell-Pretty - January 27, 2014

It recently occurred to me that I have yet to share the history and context of Unity Day, our often referenced iteration kick off event. Given the creation of Unity Day is actually one of the pivotal moments in the history of the EDW Release Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Collaboration, Culture, EDW Release Train, Fun, High Performance Team, PI Planning, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Tribal Unity

Using eNPS to Measure Team Happiness

Em Campbell-Pretty - November 12, 2013

When I accepted the role of leading the EDW delivery team, I knew my biggest challenge would be customer engagement. I had been a customer of the team for a number of years, and I am sad to say I would not have recommended their services to anyone. Read more...

Category:

Measuring SAFe

Tags: Agile Metrics, EDW Release Train, Employee Engagement, Scaled Agile Framework, Tribal Unity

Book Clubs at Work - Are You Serious?

Em Campbell-Pretty - October 13, 2013

As mentioned in a prior post, the idea for the EDW Agile Release Train came from reading Dean Leffingwell's Scaling Software Agility. A couple of months after reading the book, there was a restructure and I found myself leading the technology Read more...

Category:

Tags: Book Club, Communication, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Leaning Culture, Culture, EDW Release Train, Leadership, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Team Building, Tribal Unity

What Happens to Project Managers When You Implement SAFe?

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 29, 2013

What happens to Project Managers when you implement SAFe? I see this question come up time and again, and while I am sure there is more than one answer, in my experience, the role of the Project Manager changes, and there are fewer of them. In Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile, Agile Project Management, Agile Release Train, EDW Release Train, NPS, Portfolio Management, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

How to Grow an Agile Release Train

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 22, 2013

The EDW Agile Release Train was established as a fixed capacity model of five permanent feature teams. As our ability to deliver has improved over the last year, the demand for our services has increased. This led us to contemplate our options - Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Agile Teams, Brooks Law, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

A Perspective on the Scaled Agile Framework

Em Campbell-Pretty - September 01, 2013

I have watched with interest and disappointment over the past month or so as Agile thought leaders have taken to publicly passing judgement on the new kid on the block, the Scaled Agile Framework aka SAFe. In the interests of full disclosure, I am Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, EDW Release Train, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

My Agile 2013 Experience - Day 3 of 6

Em Campbell-Pretty - August 21, 2013

Tuesday Agile Metrics: Velocity is NOT the goal by Michael "Doc" Norton Doc opened by explaining that Velocity is a lagging indicator for a complex system and lagging indicators are good for monitoring trends but are poor predictors of the Read more...

Category:

Conferences

Tags: Agile Metrics, Agile2013, Autonomy, Continuous Delivery, EDW Release Train, Employee Engagement, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile, Scrum Haka, Team Joy, Velocity

The "Bubble Up" Approach to Scaling Retrospectives

Em Campbell-Pretty - June 25, 2013

One of the many initiatives I am really passionate about within our EDW Release Train is the commitment of my extended leadership team to continuous improvement. However, we have had some challenges identifying the right targets to improve! Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Release Train, Collaboration, Communication, Continuous Improvement, EDW Release Train, Inspect & Adapt, Leadership, Retrospectives, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Agile

The Power of Haka

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 27, 2013

According to Wikipedia, the Haka “is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge... performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.” When I attended Dean Leffingwell’s Read more...

Category:

Tags: Agile Data Warehousing, Agile Release Train, Ba, Collaboration, Culture, EDW Release Train, Employee Engagement, High Performance Team, Scaled Agile Framework, Scaling Culture, Scrum Haka, Team Building

My key takeaways from Scrum Australia

Em Campbell-Pretty - May 14, 2013

When first invited to Scrum Australia I was dubious, but as I always say, "nothing ventured nothing gained", so I thanked Martin Kearns for the invite and booked my trip to Sydney! For me, Kenny Rubin stole the show. Given I am SAFe Practice Read more...

Category:

Conferences

Tags: Lean Portfolio Management, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, Scrum, Usability Testing, UX, Visualisation

In the beginning...

Em Campbell-Pretty - April 03, 2013

It's been two years since I started my Agile journey in earnest. At the time I was the business sponsor of a significant capital investment being made by Corporate into the delivery of a true enterprise data warehouse. As the business owner of the Read more...

Category: