The Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe, is one of the most comprehensive Agile approaches that can be used in your organisation. Large organisations widely use it as it can support effective agile transformations. Given its complexity, however, teams often need help keeping up with the various components and principles of SAFe.
Have you heard of the Scaled Agile Framework Cheat Sheet or SAFe Cheat Sheet? The SAFe cheat sheet is a quick reference to help your team remember essential ideas, tasks, and steps without getting bogged down in details. If you are new to this topic or have completed Agile Courses, this blog will help you create a SAFe cheat sheet effectively. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to make an applicable SAFe cheat sheet for your Agile team.
Introduction to the Scope of SAFe
Steps to Create a SAFe Cheat Sheet
Conclusion
To create a cheat sheet, familiarise yourself with the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)'s four levels: Team, Programme, Large Solution, and Portfolio, which will help you choose what to include.
A cheat sheet should be short and to the point. Here are some essential things you might want to include:
Core Values and Principles
Write down briefly the SAFe core values and the main ideas that guide the SAFe approach. These are alignment, built-in quality, transparency, and programme execution.
Roles and Responsibilities
Briefly summarise important roles like Solution Manager, Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master, Product Owner and Agile Team.
Key Artifacts
Summarise primary artefacts like the Programme Increment (PI), Roadmaps, and Backlogs.
SAFe Ceremonies
Outline essential ceremonies such as PI Planning, Iteration Planning, System Demos, and Inspect and Adapt sessions.
Important Metrics
This lists the SAFe metrics used to track performance and growth. Some examples are the Predictability Measure, Programme Predictability, and Innovation and Planning (IP) iteration.
Choose how you want to show off your cheat sheet. It could be a simple paper, a card with a laminated surface, or even a digital infographic. Think about where and how your team likes to work. For example, a digital form might be helpful for teams that work from home, while a physical, laminated card might be better for teams that work in the office space.
A cheat sheet is meant to be used quickly, so it should be interesting to look at and simple to read. Use colours, icons, and big letters to draw attention to different parts. Flowcharts and diagrams can also help show how complicated things work, like how a Programme Increment works or how the feedback loops between SAFe parts work.
A cheat sheet doesn't cover everything but gives you quick, easy-to-remember things. Put short sentences, tables, and bullet points to good use. Do not give long explanations; save those for the SAFe manuals or other tools with more information.
The cheat sheet should be made by working together. Include every team member and ask them what they find most challenging to remember or often refer to. Their ideas will help ensure the cheat sheet fits the team's requirements.
Your cheat sheet should be reviewed and changed often, just like any other Agile product. As your team gets used to SAFe, it may find new problems or areas to focus on. Keep the text alive and change it as needed based on comments and changes to the framework.
Ensure everyone on the team can quickly get to your cheat sheet once it's ready. Everyone on the team should have a digital copy of the paper saved or pinned in a common area. For hard copies, ensure everyone on the team has one at their desk.
Finally, the cheat sheet will teach new team members what they need to know. It can be part of your onboarding package and help new employees quickly learn how the team works and how the SAFe approach works.
Making a SAFe cheat sheet for your Agile team can help everyone stay on the same page by streamlining processes and reinforcing key ideas. Remember that the best cheat sheets are constantly changing to fit the team's requirements. Taking the time to make a well-thought-out cheat sheet will make a big difference in how well your team's Agile journey runs and how successful it is generally.
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