Communicating the Vision to the Agile Release Train (ART) during Program Increment (PI) Planning is a fundamental activity within the SAFe framework that supports the Core Value of Alignment.
Alignment is one of the four Core Values of SAFe and is essential for ensuring that all members of an organization are moving in the same direction towards a common goal. In the context of ART, the Vision provides a clear and inspiring future state that the teams on the train are working towards. It serves as a guidepost for decision-making and prioritization throughout the PI.
During PI Planning, the Vision is communicated to provide the teams with the context they need to align their work with the strategic objectives of the organization. This includes understanding the customer needs, the competitive environment, and the technological landscape. By having a shared Vision, teams can align their backlogs, architectural runway, and delivery schedules to effectively contribute to the larger goals of the organization.
The process of communicating the Vision during PI Planning typically involves the following steps:
Preparation: Before the PI Planning event, Product and Solution Management work together to refine the Vision, ensuring it is clear, achievable, and aligned with the strategic themes and portfolio direction.
Presentation: At the beginning of the PI Planning event, the Vision is presented to all members of the ART. This often includes the Business Owners, who provide the business context and highlight the importance of the Vision in achieving business outcomes.
Collaboration: Teams on the ART then collaborate to break down the Vision into Features and Enablers, which are then prioritized and planned for implementation during the PI.
Commitment: Teams commit to a set of PI Objectives that are directly linked to the Vision, ensuring that every team’s work contributes to the advancement of the shared goals.
By communicating the Vision during PI Planning, SAFe ensures that everyone on the ART understands the ‘why’ behind their work, fostering a sense of purpose and direction. This alignment is critical for the ART to operate effectively and deliver value consistently, making it a core aspect of the SAFe framework1.
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