Leading SAFe Scaled Agile Framework 4.5 LiveLessons

Leading SAFe Scaled Agile Framework 4.5 LiveLessons

by Dean Leffingwell
Released December 2017
Publisher(s): Pearson
ISBN: 0134864042

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Video description

9 Hours of Video Instruction

Leading SAFe 4.5 LiveLessons, 3rd Edition provides an in-depth exploration of version 4.5 of the Scaled Agile Framework® (“SAFe®”) and how to lead a Lean-Agile transformation by leveraging SAFe and its underlying principles of lean systems thinking, agile development, and product development flow. By applying SAFe across the enterprise, software-dependent organizations can improve time to market, productivity, quality, and employee engagement, making them more agile in the marketplace and more competitive in their industries.
With the release of SAFe 4.5, this course brings you up to speed on the latest advances in the Framework. The newly configurable and newly named “SAFe 4.5 for Lean Enterprises” is the result of research from hundreds of implementations, customer and community feedback, and advances made in the knowledge bases SAFe is built on. As you learn more, you'll find SAFe 4.5 to be leaner, more Agile, and more supportive of faster innovation and learning than any of its predecessors. Moreover, SAFe 4.5 can now be configured to match your organization's needs.
SAFe Version 4.5 allows companies to:
  • Innovate and test ideas more quickly using the Lean Startup Cycle and Lean User Experience (Lean UX)
  • Deliver much faster with Scalable DevOps and the Continuous Delivery Pipeline
  • Simplify governance and improve portfolio performance with Lean Portfolio Management (LPM
  • Configure SAFe to the enterprise context
  • Implement SAFe more quickly and more successfully with the Implementation Roadmap

Praise for the previous edition of Leading SAFe LiveLessons
“This was my first introduction to the SAFe framework and although overwhelming, it is well put together and full of hands-on exercises and videos to enforce the concepts. This course takes you through the entire framework from Team to Program and details the activities involved in each level. Dean adds a few extras toward the end that cover leadership and team motivation. Excellent course to have as a reference as my organization goes through this transformation.” 5 out 5 Ranking
—Keisha Harris
Description
The goal of this course is to equip you with the knowledge necessary to lead a Lean-Agile transformation at enterprise scale. Your guide will be Chief Methodologist Dean Leffingwell, the creator of the framework. In his signature pragmatic style, Dean leads you through nine key lessons where you'll get high-level overviews, as well as specifics where you most need them; exercises to test yourself on what you've learned; and at the end of the course, clear-cut steps you can take to start your journey of transformation. After watching this video, you can expect to have an understanding of the Scaled Agile Framework; Lean thinking and embracing Agility; how to apply SAFe's Nine Lean-Agile principles; how to plan, execute, and implement an Agile Release Train; how to build really large systems in a lean and agile manner; how to build and operate an Agile Portfolio; the leadership skills necessary to achieve the next level of enterprise performance; and how to better lead this next generation of knowledge workers.
Skill Level
  • Intermediate to Advanced

What You Will Learn
  • A high-level overview of the Scaled Agile Framework
  • The principle cornerstones of the Scaled Agile Framework; thinking Lean and embracing Agility
  • How the Framework builds upon Lean, Systems Thinking, and Agile Development: the Nine SAFe Principles for Lean-Agile development at enterprise scale
  • How to scale Lean-Agile development from the team to program, large solution and portfolio level
  • How to implement an Agile Release Train
  • How to plan and execute a Program Increment
  • How to build really large systems in a Lean and Agile manner
  • How to build and manage an Agile Portfolio
  • Insights into the skills and values of Lean-Agile Leadership—a learning journey

Who Should Take This Course
Executives, managers, consultants, leaders, program managers, and Agile change agents; anyone in an enterprise-level software development environment looking to achieve the business benefits of advancing Agile beyond a few teams or projects.
Course Requirements
  • 5+ years of experience in software development, testing, business analysis, product or project management
  • Some experience in Agile development

Lesson Descriptions
Lesson 1: Introducing the Scaled Agile Framework
This lesson orients you in the course and also provides a high-level overview of SAFe.
Lesson 2: Embracing a Lean-Agile Mindset
This lesson looks at the mindset that is most effective in leading a Lean-Agile enterprise.
Lesson 3: Understanding SAFe Principles
This lesson introduces nine fundamental principles of Lean- Agile development.
Lesson 4: Implementing an Agile Release Train
This lesson gets into the hands-on, practice-based part of the course, starting with Implementing an Agile Release Train (or “ART”).
Lesson 5: Planning a Program Increment
This lesson guides you through everything you need to plan a Program Increment. A Program Increment is to the release train as a sprint is to the Agile team: a cadence-based interval for accomplishing system-level value and feedback, but a much bigger quantum of both. If SAFe had a secret sauce, this large-scale, face-to-face planning just might be it.
Lesson 6: Exploring, Executing, and Releasing Value
This lesson shows how to apply DevOps to build and maintain a Continuous Delivery Pipeline that provides the workflows, activities, and automation needed to provide a continuous release of value to the end user.
Lesson 7: Empowering a Lean Portfolio
This lesson takes it to the next level, where you learn how to scale SAFe principles and practices to the various SAFe portfolios in your enterprise
Lesson 8: Building Large Solutions
If you are building big systems, high assurance systems, or any systems where the economic cost of failure is unacceptable, then you need the additional constructs described in this lesson.
Lesson 9: Leading the Lean-Agile Enterprise
This lesson provides you with guidance and exercises that will help you build your SAFe leadership skills, giving you the tools you need to effectively lead your Lean-Agile enterprise.
About Pearson Video Training
Pearson publishes expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. These professional and personal technology videos feature world- leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, Pearson IT Certification, Prentice Hall, Sams, and Que Topics include: IT Certification, Network Security, Cisco Technology, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, and more. Learn more about Pearson Video training at http://www.informit.com/video.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. Leading SAFe Scaled Agile Framework 4.5 LiveLessons: Introduction
  2. Lesson 1: Introducing the Scaled Agile Framework
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 1.1 Recognize the problem to be solved
    3. 1.2 Know the basic constructs of SAFe
    4. 1.3 Apply the Implementation Roadmap
  3. Lesson 2: Embracing a Lean-Agile Mindset
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 2.1 Embrace the Lean mindset
    3. 2.2 Support the Agile Manifesto
  4. Lesson 3: Understanding SAFe Principles
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 3.1 Take an economic view
    3. 3.2 Apply systems thinking
    4. 3.3 Assume variability; preserve options
    5. 3.4 Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
    6. 3.5 Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
    7. 3.6 Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
    8. 3.7 Apply cadence, synchronize with cross-domain planning
    9. 3.8 Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
    10. 3.9 Decentralize decision-making
  5. Lesson 4: Implementing an Agile Release Train
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 4.1 Synchronize development with the Agile Release Train
    3. 4.2 Organize Agile Teams and key Agile Release Train roles
  6. Lesson 5: Planning a Program Increment
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 5.1 Establish the context for PI Planning
    3. 5.2 Create and review draft PI plans
    4. 5.3 Finalize plans, and establish business value
    5. 5.4 Review final plans and commit to PI Objectives
  7. Lesson 6: Exploring, Executing, and Releasing Value
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 6.1 Continuously explore customer needs
    3. 6.2 Continuously integrate
    4. 6.3 Continuously deploy with DevOps
    5. 6.4 Release on Demand
    6. 6.5 Relentlessly improve results
  8. Lesson 7: Empowering a Lean Portfolio
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 7.1 Connect the portfolio to enterprise strategy
    3. 7.2 Implement Lean budgeting
    4. 7.3 Establish portfolio flow
    5. 7.4 Focus on Essential SAFe practices
    6. 7.5 Support Agile PMO and CoPs
    7. 7.6 Sustain and improve portfolio performance
    8. 7.7 Forecast and budget dynamically
    9. 7.8 Measure Lean portfolio performance
    10. 7.9 Coordinate across Value Streams
  9. Lesson 8: Building Large Solutions
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 8.1 Coordinate and integrate multiple ARTs and Suppliers
    3. 8.2 Define large solutions
  10. Lesson 9: Leading the Lean-Agile Enterprise
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 9.1 Lead the change
    3. 9.2 Know the way and emphasize life-long learning
    4. 9.3 Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
  11. Summary
    1. Leading SAFe Scaled Agile Framework 4.5 LiveLessons: Summary

Product information

  • Title: Leading SAFe Scaled Agile Framework 4.5 LiveLessons
  • Author(s): Dean Leffingwell
  • Release date: December 2017
  • Publisher(s): Pearson
  • ISBN: 0134864042