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SAM and SAFe Agile

Learn a little about the SAFe and SAM Agile Models.

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Unraveling the mysteries of SAFe Agile methodology? Believe me, I've navigated various Agile terrains in my career, but the concept of "safe" within Agile always seemed like a UFO sighting to me. That is until I stumbled into the world of SAM - the Spotify Agile Model, my personal favorite.

Spotify Agile Model

Back in the Avvo days, a beacon of enlightenment in the form of an agile coach named Ian Witucki swept in and reshaped my perception of Agile. Agile turned out to be more than just a buzzword; it was a game-changer.
Let me highlight the key concepts that made SAM fun and full of excitement:
  • Communication: From start to finish, communication was king.
  • Collaboration: We lived by it, from inception to product launch and beyond.
  • Flexibility: Embrace failure, pivot smartly, and waltz through ambiguity with grace, all through collaboration.
  • Honesty: If you're in a jam, shout it out. No hiding behind a facade of superhero abilities here.
  • Retros: A safe space to voice concerns and ideas, minus the managerial eye unless specifically summoned.
  • Story Points: In SAM, we spoke Fibonacci to gauge complexity. If it's greater than 5, break it down. No clock-watching, just complexity-tackling.
  • Working Sessions: A room, some whiteboards, and the highest priority epic - a playground for brainstorming.
  • Standup: Keep it short and sweet - 15 minutes max. Save the chit-chat for the parking lot party that follows.
In SAM, autonomy was the name of the game, and the guilds were our community bonfires, fostering collaboration and sometimes even a bit of business impact, all for the love of it.
And let's not forget the quirky SWAT teams - ad-hoc superheroes assembled to tackle critical problems, dispersing once the mission was accomplished.

SAFe Agile Model

Now, fast forward to my current gig at New Balance, where we've adopted Safe Agile Model. This isn't your typical walk in the park; Safe Agile is like a marathon in heavy rain - slower, calculated, but with its own charms.
Here's the lowdown on Safe Agile:
  • Caution: Safe Agile isn't for startups sprinting towards innovation; it's more like a leisurely stroll in the park for established, risk-averse brands.
  • Program Increment (PI) Planning: It's an EVENT - a colossal planning marathon covering a quarter’s worth of sprints. It's like diving into an icy pool, leaving you both overwhelmed and numb by the end.
  • Innovation: A brief sprint window for team exploration and innovation, followed by demo presentations.
  • Sprint Demos: A collective showcase of what each team contributed to the recent release - a bit like a talent show, but for tech.
  • Project Management: One size fits all. A uniform scrum board and structured swim lanes for all teams.
  • Agile Release Train (ART): Teams aren't lone wolves; everyone needs a nod of approval before any production changes are made.
  • Continuous Releases: No fast and furious releases here; everything’s bundled up and rolled out weekly, making testing a rollercoaster ride.
  • PI Retro: The post-event review, where the good, bad, and ugly of the quarter's journey are dissected, with action items for improvement.
Predictability reigns supreme in Safe Agile, with every team expected to meet their sprint goals, or risk sending the whole plan into a tailspin.
Yes, I might have a soft spot for SAM’s dynamic charm, but Safe Agile has its own comfort zone - slow, steady, and risk-averse. The key lies in choosing the Agile flavor that syncs best with your business DNA. It's like finding the right ice cream flavor for your mood; sometimes it’s vanilla, and other times it’s rocky road.

More to learn

Choosing an Agile style is like tailoring a suit - it’s never a perfect fit initially and requires constant adjustments for a snug fit. So, adapt, improvise, and enjoy the Agile journey in all its flavors!
Here’s to discovering what Safe Agile at NB looks like a year from now - I’ll check back in 365 days!
Want to learn more about these 2 flavors of Agile? Look no further! I recommend reading these two great Atlassian articles.
Last updated:  11/09/2023 @ 04:31 AM

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