What is SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)?

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is a framework for applying Agile and Lean principles at enterprise scale, coordinating multiple Agile teams working toward a common goal. It operates at four levels: (1) Team level — individual Scrum/Kanban teams working in 2-week Sprints; (2) Program level (ART) — Agile Release Train (ART) aligns 5–12 teams around a Program Backlog, synchronizing via PI Planning (Program Increment planning, a quarterly all-hands event); (3) Large Solution level — for very large solutions requiring multiple ARTs; (4) Portfolio level — strategy and investment funding aligned with enterprise objectives. Key SAFe concepts: PI (Program Increment) — a 10-week development timebox (5 Sprints); IP Sprint — innovation and planning Sprint at end of PI; Inspect & Adapt — quarterly retrospective and problem-solving workshop. SAFe is popular in large enterprises but criticized for being heavyweight and reintroducing waterfall-like planning. Alternatives: LeSS (Large Scale Scrum), Nexus.