Becoming a Lean-Agile Leader

Question 1

SAFe Core Values (4)

Answer 1

1. Alignment
2. Built in quality
3. Transparency
4. Program execution

Question 2

SAFe Core Value: Alignment

Answer 2

► Communicate the mission, vision, and strategy
► Provide briefings and participate in PI Planning
► Participate in backlog review and preparation
► Organize around Value Streams
► Constantly check for understanding

Question 3

SAFe Core Value: Built in Quality

Answer 3

► Refuse to accept low-quality work
► Support investments in technical debt reduction
► Ensure UX, architecture, operations, security, compliance, and others are part of the flow of work

Question 4

SAFe Core Value: Transparency

Answer 4

► Visualize all relevant work
► Take ownership and responsibility for errors
► Admit your own mistakes
► Support others who acknowledge and learn from their mistakes—never punish the messenger

Question 5

SAFe Core Value: Program Execution

Answer 5

► Participate as an active Business Owner
► Celebrate high quality and predictably delivered PIs
► Aggressively remove impediments and demotivators

Question 6

Lean Agile Principles (10)

Answer 6

1. Take an economic view
2. Apply systems thinking
3. Assume variability; preserve options
4. Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
5. Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
6. Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
7. Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
8. Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
9. Decentralize decision making
10. Organize around value

Question 7

Decentralized Decision Making

Answer 7

► Frequent – Routine, everyday decisions (Example: Team and Program Backlog)
► Time critical – High cost of delay (Example: Point release to Customer)
► Requires local information – Specific and local technology or Customer context is required (Example: Feature criteria)

Question 8

Keys to Practicing Decentralized Decision Making

Answer 8

► Openly discuss how decisions are made and explore opportunities to move authority for those decisions closer to where the work is performed.
► Establish a decision-making framework that equips knowledge workers with the information to make good decisions.
► Provide clarity on organizational objectives, coach effective problem-solving, and provide opportunities to exercise and cultivate decision-making abilities.
► Take responsibility for making and communicating strategic decisions –those that are infrequent, long lasting, and have significant economies of scale. Decentralize all other decisions.