Fundamental Values of SAFe 6

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a large-scale agility framework that helps organizations develop and deliver complex products and services in an agile manner. The fundamental values of SAFe are the guiding principles that underpin the framework and direct its implementation.

Part of the agile community questions the real implementation of these values with this ultra-complex and comprehensive framework.

The four fundamental values of SAFe 6 are as follows:

• Alignment

  Organizations must be aligned with their vision, mission, strategic objectives, processes, and tools. This ensures that everyone works in the same direction, and efforts are effectively coordinated.

  Alignment should bring the entire organization to understand the customer in the same way, to use common language, and ensure mutual understanding.

• Transparency

  Information must be shared openly and transparently among all stakeholders. This creates an atmosphere of trust and collaboration and enables informed decision-making.

  The right to make mistakes should also be a culture instilled and accepted; this allows for daring to “SAY” and making the necessary changes for an error to be a learning experience rather than a future risk.

• Respect for People

  People are the driving force of innovation. Organizations must create an environment where people are valued, respected, and encouraged to take risks.

  It is important to advance people through coaching and mentoring. In fact, each project stakeholder must be able to express their opinion without feeling any risk.

  This value also emphasizes the importance of following the principle: “Your customers are those who consume your work.”

• Continuous Improvement

  Organizations must strive for continuous improvement in their processes and products. This enables them to adapt to changes and meet customer needs.

Alignment is essential for the success of any agile initiative. When teams and individuals are aligned with the organization’s goals and priorities, they can work together more effectively and achieve faster results.

Transparency is a key element of trust and collaboration. When information is shared openly and in a timely manner, teams can make better decisions and solve problems more quickly.

Respect for people is an essential element of a positive corporate culture. When people feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.

Continuous improvement is a process of learning and adaptation. Organizations must continually strive to improve their processes and products to remain competitive and meet customer needs.

The fundamental values of SAFe are essential for the success of any large-scale agile initiative. By implementing them, organizations can create an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, according to the authors of the framework.

Here are some examples of how the fundamental values of SAFe can be implemented:

Alignment: Organizations can create strategic documents that define the company’s goals and priorities. They can also hold regular meetings to discuss progress and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Transparency: Organizations can use collaboration tools to share information in real-time. They can also hold regular events for people to meet and learn from each other.

Respect for People: Organizations can create a corporate culture that values diversity and inclusion. They can also provide opportunities for employee development and growth.

Continuous Improvement: Organizations can implement feedback processes to gather feedback from employees and customers. They can also invest in research and development to develop new technologies and products.

By implementing the fundamental values of SAFe, organizations can create an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.