A. ART events run inside the team events, and the team events create a closed-loop system
B. The Inspect and Adapt is the only ART event required to create a closed-loop system
C. Team events run inside the ART events, and the ART events create a closed-loop system
D. The daily stand-up is an ART event that requires the scrum of scrums and Program Owner sync involvement in the closed-loop system
The Correct Answer is
C. Team events run inside the ART events, and the ART events create a closed-loop system.
Explanation
The statement that accurately reflects the relationship between Agile Release Train (ART) events and team events within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is:
- Team events run inside the ART events, and the ART events create a closed-loop system.
This statement highlights the hierarchical nature of SAFe, where team-level events (such as daily stand-ups, iteration planning, iteration review, and iteration retrospectives) are nested within the larger framework of ART events. ART events, such as PI Planning, System Demos, and the Inspect and Adapt workshop, encompass multiple teams working together towards a common objective. These ART events ensure alignment, collaboration, and continuous improvement at a scale larger than individual teams, facilitating a cohesive and synchronized approach to delivering value.
Understanding the dynamics and interactions between team events and Agile Release Train (ART) events within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) reveals the structured approach SAFe uses to scale Agile practices across larger organizations. The statement, “Team events run inside the ART events, and the ART events create a closed-loop system,” highlights the strategic alignment and synchronization necessary for managing complexity and delivering value at scale. Let’s dive into the details:
Agile Release Train (ART) Events
ART events are designed to bring teams together to align, plan, execute, and improve as a single entity or ‘train’. These events include:
- PI Planning: A two-day event for all teams on the ART to align to a shared mission and vision. Teams plan their work for the next Program Increment (PI), discussing features, objectives, and dependencies.
- ART Syncs: Regular synchronization meetings, such as the Scrum of Scrums and Product Owner Sync, facilitate cross-team coordination and address impediments that affect more than one team.
- System Demos: Held at the end of each iteration, these demos showcase the integrated work from all teams on the ART, providing transparency and enabling feedback from stakeholders.
- Inspect and Adapt (I&A): A significant ART event marking the end of each PI. It consists of a system demo reflecting the PI’s achievements and a problem-solving workshop to identify and address areas for improvement.
Team Events
Within each ART, individual teams operate in a series of Agile events that mirror those found in Scrum and Kanban methodologies, tailored to the context of SAFe:
- Iteration Planning: Teams plan the work they will commit to completing during the iteration, breaking down features into user stories and tasks.
- Daily Stand-up: A short, daily meeting where team members synchronize their work, discuss progress, and identify impediments.
- Iteration Review: At the end of each iteration, teams demo their work to stakeholders, gathering feedback that may influence future iterations.
- Iteration Retrospective: Teams reflect on their process, discussing what went well, and what didn’t, and how they can improve in the next iteration.
The Closed-Loop System
The interaction between ART and team events creates a closed-loop feedback system that promotes continuous delivery and improvement:
- Alignment and Execution: PI Planning ensures that all teams are aligned with the ART’s objectives at the outset. Team events then drive the execution of these objectives, with ART Syncs ensuring ongoing alignment and coordination.
- Feedback and Adaptation: System Demos and Iteration Reviews provide regular feedback loops, allowing teams and stakeholders to inspect progress. The Inspect and Adapt event closes the loop at the ART level, where strategic adjustments are made based on collective insights from the PI.
This hierarchical structuring—where team events operate within the broader context of ART events—enables SAFe to effectively manage the complexities of scaling Agile practices. It ensures that while teams maintain their agility and ability to adapt at a micro level, they are also synchronized and aligned towards the common goals of the ART, thus delivering value more efficiently at scale.