For large teams, keeping everyone aligned and moving in the same direction can be a real challenge. However, quarterly planning using the SaFe (Scaled Agile Framework) method can be highly effective in solving this issue.
During my time at PlayStation, I was a part of the PlayStation Partners team, which consisted of over 300 individuals. To address this challenge, we implemented a quarterly planning process utilizing the SaFe framework. We held a week-long planning session, known as “big room planning,” which brought everyone together in one location to align our goals with the company’s vision and priorities.
The SaFe method breaks down the planning process into smaller, manageable segments, which makes it easier for everyone to follow and ensures that everyone is on the same page. During the planning session, we reviewed the previous quarter’s accomplishments, identified areas of improvement, and aligned our goals with the company’s overall vision.
The SaFe framework encourages collaboration and communication by allowing teams to break into smaller groups. This creates an opportunity for everyone to share ideas, provide feedback, and discuss concerns. It also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same objectives.
However, it’s important to note that having a clear vision and inspirational goals are crucial for the success of the SaFe framework. It’s easy to get lost in the planning process and lose sight of the bigger picture. A solid understanding of the company’s vision and goals ensures that everyone is working towards the same end goal.
From my experience, the SaFe method can be highly effective for large teams. By bringing everyone together and encouraging collaboration and communication, it ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives. But, as always, it all starts with a clear vision and inspirational goals. Anyone looking to implement it should also be aware of the high overheads to make big room planning work. It can be costly in many ways to bring huge teams together, so bear that it mind when creating your agile release trains.