Scrum SAFe-Practitioner SAFe Practitioner Exam (6.0) Exam Practice Test

n: Product Management is responsible for defining desirable, viable, feasible, and sustainable solutions that meet customer needs and supporting development across the product life cycle. They align the product strategy, vision, and roadmap to the portfolio’s strategic themes and lean budgets. They also create, maintain, and adjust the program backlog, which contains the features and enablers that the Agile Release Train (ART) will implement. They work with customers, teams, and product owners to understand and communicate their needs and participate in solution validation. They also collaborate with system architects and the release train engineer to guide the ART toward successful delivery12. References: Product Management - Scaled Agile Framework, Agile Release Train - Scaled Agile Framework

 Continuous Exploration (CE) is one of the four aspects of the Continuous Delivery Pipeline (CDP), along with Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Deployment (CD), and Release on Demand1. CE focuses on creating alignment on what needs to be built by applying design thinking and Lean startup principles2. CE involves generating and validating hypotheses, defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and developing a vision, roadmap, and features for the solution2. CE enables the enterprise to understand the market problem or customer need and the solution required to meet that need2. References: Continuous Delivery Pipeline, Continuous Exploration

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, one of the core values of SAFe is alignment, which means that everyone involved in the solution development has a common understanding of the vision, strategy, and goals. To achieve alignment, teams need to demonstrate progress by showing the actual working product to the stakeholders and getting feedback. This is done through the sync events such as the Team Demo and the System Demo, where teams showcase the features and stories they have completed in the iteration or the PI. By showing the actual working product, teams can validate their assumptions, measure the value delivered, and identify improvement opportunities. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, SAFe for Teams | SAFe Practitioner (SP) Certification

The Continuous Delivery Pipeline enables ongoing learning by providing fast and frequent feedback loops throughout the value delivery process. The pipeline consists of four aspects: Continuous Exploration, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and Release on Demand, each of which supports the validation of assumptions, hypotheses, and outcomes. By applying the Lean Startup cycle of Build-Measure-Learn, the pipeline allows the organization to test and learn from the market, the customers, and the users, and to adapt and improve the solutions accordingly. The pipeline also fosters a culture of innovation and experimentation, where teams can explore new ideas and opportunities, and learn from failures and mistakes. References: Continuous Delivery Pipeline - Scaled Agile Framework, Build-Measure-Learn - Scaled Agile Framework

One of the roles of Product Management is to assign business value to Features. Features are services provided by the system that fulfill stakeholder needs. They are the primary artifact for defining, managing, and prioritizing the work of the Agile Release Train (ART). Product Management is responsible for defining and prioritizing the features in the Program Backlog, as well as assigning a business value to each feature based on its expected benefits and costs. The business value is used to guide the economic decision-making and trade-offs during PI Planning and execution. Product Management also collaborates with other roles, such as Solution Management, System Architects, and Business Owners, to ensure that the features align with the solution vision and roadmap, and meet the quality standards and nonfunctional requirements. References: Features - Scaled Agile Framework, Product Management - Scaled Agile Framework

n: The Team Sync is a short meeting (usually 15 minutes or less), typically held about daily, to inspect progress toward the team goals, communicate, and adjust upcoming planned work1. The Team Sync helps the team members align their activities, identify and resolve impediments, and collaborate effectively. The Team Sync is also an opportunity to share information, celebrate achievements, and foster team spirit. The other options are incorrect because:

A. The Team Sync is not the place to identify ART PI risks. Risks are identified and managed at the Program level, using the ROAM board and other tools2.

C. The Team Sync is not the place to identify Iteration goals. Iteration goals are defined and agreed upon during the Iteration Planning event, which happens at the beginning of each Iteration3.

D. The Team Sync is not the place to make announcements to the entire ART. The Team Sync is a team-level event, where only the team members and the Scrum Master participate. Announcements to the entire ART are made during the ART Sync, which is a program-level event that happens weekly or biweekly4. References: 1: Team Sync - Scaled Agile Framework, 2: Program Risks - Scaled Agile Framework, 3: Iteration Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, 4: ART Sync - Scaled Agile Framework

The recommended user voice format for writing a Story is to use the following template: As a , I want , so that . This format helps to capture the user’s perspective, the user’s need, and the user’s outcome in a clear and concise way. The user voice format also helps to create a testable and valuable Story that can be prioritized and estimated by the Agile team. Therefore, the best example of the user voice format for the Story enabling book shoppers to access their shopping cart from any page on the website is: As a book shopper, I want access to my shopping cart from any page, so that I can review what I am purchasing. This example specifies the user role (book shopper), the goal or desire (access to shopping cart from any page), and the benefit or value (review what I am purchasing). References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Story

= The recommended final agenda item of PI Planning is taking the PI confidence vote. This is a simple and quick way to assess the level of confidence and commitment of the teams and stakeholders to the PI objectives and plan. The PI confidence vote is done by asking each team member and stakeholder to hold up one to five fingers, indicating their confidence level from low to high. The average score across the ART is calculated and displayed. If the score is below 3, the teams and stakeholders are asked to identify the top issues or risks that lower their confidence and propose mitigation actions. The confidence vote is repeated until the score reaches 3 or above, or the timebox expires. The confidence vote helps to surface and address potential impediments, foster alignment and accountability, and create a sense of ownership and empowerment for the PI plan. References: = PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Confidence Vote - Scaled Agile Framework

Relentless improvement is the fourth pillar of the SAFe House of Lean, which represents the foundational beliefs that are key to SAFe’s effectiveness1. Relentless improvement encourages learning and growth through continuous reflection and process enhancements2. It uses informed decision-making through fast feedback, which means that teams and individuals use empirical data and validated learning to evaluate their assumptions and outcomes, and adjust their actions accordingly3. This enables them to deliver value faster, with higher quality and lower risk, and to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation4. References: Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, Relentless Improvement - Scaled Agile Framework, Principle #4 - Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Scaled Agile Framework, How does relentless improvement support value in the SAFe house of lean …

 Providing autonomy is one approach to unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers. Autonomy means giving knowledge workers the freedom and responsibility to make decisions about their work, such as how to do it, when to do it, and who to do it with. Autonomy fosters a sense of ownership, empowerment, and self-determination, which are essential for creativity and innovation. Autonomy also supports the Lean-Agile principle of decentralizing decision-making, which enables faster and better outcomes. SAFe provides several mechanisms to enable autonomy for knowledge workers, such as self-organizing and self-managing Agile teams, ARTs and Solution Trains, Communities of Practice, and Innovation and Planning Iterations. References: = Unlock the Intrinsic Motivation of Knowledge Workers, Decentralize Decision-Making, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

 One way to understand current work in progress (WIP) in a system is to make current work visible to all stakeholders. This means using visual tools, such as Kanban boards, to show the status, flow, and bottlenecks of work items in the system. Making current work visible helps to identify and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, which are key principles for achieving flow and delivering value faster1. Making current work visible also enables faster feedback, collaboration, and improvement, as well as transparency and alignment of goals and expectations23. References: = 1: Principle #6 - Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths - Scaled Agile Framework1; 2: Controlling Work-in-Process (WIP) - Project Management Institute2; 3: How to Identify and Measure Your Work in Progress (WIP)3

 The purpose of the Iteration review is to measure the team’s progress by showing working stories to the Product Owner and other stakeholders and getting their feedback. The Iteration review provides a way to gather immediate, contextual feedback from the team’s stakeholders on a regular cadence. The Iteration review also allows the team to demonstrate their contributions, receive feedback to improve the solution, and adjust the Team Backlog based on new opportunities1234. References: Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework, Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework, What is Iteration review in SAFe® 6.0? - premieragile.com, Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework

Assuming variability and preserving options is one of the SAFe Lean-Agile Principles that includes the critical part of “delaying decisions to the last responsible moment”. This principle states that "instead of committing to a single, often premature, design or requirement, Agile teams build systems that have the flexibility to support multiple options. They defer making decisions until the last responsible moment, when they have the most information and can make the best choice."1 This principle helps teams cope with uncertainty, reduce risk, and increase innovation.2 References: SAFe Lean-Agile Principles, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

SAFe Team Kanban is one of the SAFe Agile Team types that relies on a continually-refined Team Backlog as the primary input to drive value delivery. SAFe Team Kanban is a method that helps teams manage their flow of work, optimize their throughput, and improve their quality and predictability. SAFe Team Kanban uses a visual board that shows the status of the backlog items, the work in progress (WIP) limits, the policies and definitions, and the metrics and indicators. SAFe Team Kanban also applies the Kanban principles of visualization, limiting WIP, managing flow, making policies explicit, implementing feedback loops, and improving collaboratively and continuously. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Team Kanban

cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a graphical tool that shows the status of work items for a given period of time. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the number of work items. The CFD is composed of different colored bands, each representing a different stage of the workflow (such as “to do”, “in progress”, “done”, etc.). The CFD helps visualize the flow of work, identify bottlenecks, and monitor cycle time and throughput1. A cumulative flow diagram focuses on two main curves: the arrival curve and the departure curve. The arrival curve is the top edge of the “to do” band, and it shows the rate at which new work items are added to the system. The departure curve is the top edge of the “done” band, and it shows the rate at which work items are completed and delivered. The difference between the arrival curve and the departure curve represents the amount of work in progress (WIP) in the system2. By comparing the arrival curve and the departure curve, one can assess the stability and predictability of the system. Ideally, the arrival curve and the departure curve should be parallel and close to each other, indicating a smooth and consistent flow of work. If the arrival curve is steeper than the departure curve, it means that more work is entering the system than leaving it, which can lead to increased WIP, longer cycle time, and lower quality. If the departure curve is steeper than the arrival curve, it means that more work is leaving the system than entering it, which can lead to reduced WIP, shorter cycle time, and higher quality3. References: Cumulative Flow Diagram - Scaled Agile Framework, Cumulative Flow Diagrams - Kanbanize, Cumulative Flow Diagram - LeSS

According to SAFe, a SAFe Portfolio is a set of value streams that delivers a continuous flow of valuable solutions to customers within a common funding and governance model. A SAFe portfolio aligns strategy to execution via a collection of Development Value Streams (DVS). Each DVS develops one or more Solutions necessary for the portfolio to accomplish its business mission and vision, operating under a shared governance model1. A DVS is a long-lived series of steps that an organization uses to deliver value to a customer or stakeholder2. A DVS can be internal or external, and it can span multiple ARTs and suppliers3. A DVS is not the same as a functional team, a solution, or a business unit, which are different ways of organizing work, products, or organizational structures. References: Portfolio - Scaled Agile Framework, Development Value Stream - Scaled Agile Framework, Value Stream - Scaled Agile Framework.

Lowering the work in process (WIP) limits improves the flow of value through the system by reducing the amount of work that is started but not finished, minimizing the waste of context switching and multitasking, and increasing the focus and collaboration of the teams. Lower WIP limits also help identify and eliminate bottlenecks, balance demand and capacity, and accelerate feedback and learning. According to the SAFe Principle #6, visualizing and limiting WIP is one of the key practices to achieve continuous flow and deliver value in the shortest sustainable lead time. References: Principle #6 - Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths - Scaled Agile Framework, Understanding SAFe Work In Progress Limits - Strongback Consulting

 = An empathy map is a tool used to better understand and empathize with a specific group of people, such as customers or users. It helps teams gain deeper insights into the thoughts, feelings, needs, and behaviors of the target audience. An empathy map consists of four quadrants that reflect what the user said, did, thought, and felt during the research phase. An empathy map helps to synthesize the user data, identify the user needs, and generate insights for the design challenge. References: = Empathy Map – Why and How to Use It | IxDF, What Is an Empathy Map? [Complete Guide] - CareerFoundry, What Is an Empathy Map? | Coursera

Assigning the same business value to all PI Objectives is an anti-pattern because it does not reflect the relative importance and priority of each objective. It also does not provide a clear guidance for trade-off decisions and impediment resolution. Business value should be assigned based on the expected benefits and outcomes of each objective, and it should be negotiated and agreed upon by the Business Owners and the teams. References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 4; [v6.scaledagileframework.com/team-pi-objectives/]

 The Product/Solution Vision presentation is the PI Planning activity where Product Management introduces the prioritized Features to the teams for planning. This presentation provides the teams with a clear and compelling vision of the expected outcomes and benefits of the upcoming PI. It also includes the top Features and Capabilities that are needed to realize the vision, along with their priorities and dependencies. The teams use this information to plan their Iteration goals and PI objectives, as well as to identify risks and issues that may affect their delivery. References: = PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

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The Portfolio Kanban is a method to visualize, manage, and analyze the flow of portfolio epics from ideation to implementation1. It brings structure to analysis and decision making around epics by defining the states and Work in Process (WIP) limits for each state, as well as the entry and exit criteria1. The Portfolio Kanban also helps prioritize and sequence the epics based on the Lean business case and the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) technique1. The Portfolio Kanban enables the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) to align the portfolio strategy and investment funding with the implementation capacity of the value streams2. References: Portfolio Kanban, Lean Portfolio Management

 The balanced Agile testing pyramid is a testing strategy that illustrates the distribution of different types of tests in a test suite. It suggests that we should have many unit tests, which are small, low-level, and automated tests that verify the functionality of individual components of the codebase. We should also have many service or integration tests, which are automated tests that verify the interaction and integration of different components or services. Finally, we should have fewer large, manual tests, such as graphical user interface tests or end-to-end tests, which verify the functionality and usability of the whole system from the user’s perspective. The balanced Agile testing pyramid helps agile teams to achieve faster feedback, higher quality, and lower maintenance costs. References: The Practical Test Pyramid, What is Testing Pyramid? How Does It Benefit Agile Teams?, Climbing the Testing Pyramid, Agile Test Pyramid, Agile Test Automation Pyramid

The Agile Release Train Sync is a weekly meeting where the Release Train Engineer (RTE), Product Management, System Architect/Engineering, and Product Owners (POs) coordinate and communicate the current state of the Agile Release Train (ART). The POs provide visibility into the analysis, approval, and Feature readiness for implementation, which are the key aspects of managing the Program Backlog. The POs also share any dependencies, risks, or impediments that may affect the delivery of value by the ART. The Agile Release Train Sync helps align the teams and stakeholders on the vision, roadmap, and priorities of the solution. References: Agile Release Train, Product Owner, Program Backlog

 Continuous Deployment is the aspect of the continuous delivery pipeline that focuses on getting to production early for verification. It is the process of automatically releasing every change that passes the Continuous Integration tests to a staging or production environment. This enables faster feedback and validation from the end users and stakeholders, as well as reducing the risks and costs associated with manual deployments. References: Continuous Deployment, Continuous Delivery Pipeline, What is continuous delivery?

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, the factor that helps unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers is autonomy. Autonomy means giving knowledge workers the freedom and responsibility to make decisions about their work, such as what to work on, how to do it, and when to do it. Autonomy fosters creativity, innovation, and engagement, as knowledge workers can pursue their own interests and passions, and feel a sense of ownership and accountability for their outcomes. Autonomy also supports the Agile principle of self-organizing teams, which are more productive and responsive to change than traditional, command-and-control teams. References: Principle #8 - Unlock the Intrinsic Motivation of Knowledge Workers - Scaled Agile Framework, Which factor helps unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers?, Principle #8: Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers …

Velocity is a measure of how much work a team can complete in an iteration. It is based on the team’s historical performance and estimation accuracy. During iteration execution, a team’s velocity tends to be most affected by factors that change the team’s capacity, collaboration, and context. Changing team size, team makeup, and technical context are examples of such factors. For instance, adding or removing team members, changing team roles or responsibilities, or switching to a different technology or domain can all impact the team’s velocity. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Changing team size, team makeup, and technical context. References: Velocity - Scaled Agile Framework, PRACTICE TEST: SAFe 4 Practitioner Certification Flashcards - Brainscape, During Iteration Execution, a team velocity tends to be most affected …

 According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, a cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a visual tool that shows the amount of work in each stage of a process over time. It helps teams monitor the flow of work, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency. A CFD provides the following information:

The total number of work items in the system (the height of the diagram)

The number of work items in each stage of the process (the width of each band)

The lead time for each work item (the horizontal distance from the left to the right edge of the diagram)

The cycle time for each work item (the horizontal distance from one stage to another within the diagram)

The throughput of the system (the slope of the diagram)

The stability of the system (the smoothness of the diagram) By analyzing the CFD, teams can identify current bottlenecks, such as:

A large amount of work in progress (WIP), which indicates a high lead time and low throughput

A wide band in a specific stage, which indicates a long cycle time and a potential impediment

A steep or jagged slope, which indicates a high variability and unpredictability References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, Cumulative Flow Diagram SAFe: Complete Guide

 Features are used to describe functional and non-functional requirements in SAFe. Features are services that fulfill stakeholder needs and deliver value to the customer. They are typically 10-12 weeks of development effort and can span multiple iterations. Features are derived from the Program Backlog and are prioritized by the Product Management. Features are also used to define the PI Objectives and measure the business value delivered by the Agile Release Train (ART). References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 3; v6.scaledagileframework.com/features/

One way to address substantial rework is to regularly engage with the Customer and Business Owner, who are the key stakeholders of the Agile team. By involving them in the feedback loops, such as the Team and System Demos, the team can validate their assumptions, get early and frequent feedback, and incorporate changes as needed. This helps to avoid building the wrong thing or building it incorrectly, which can lead to rework and waste. References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 6; [v5.scaledagileframework.com/get-feedback/]; [v5.scaledagileframework.com/team-and-technical-agility/]

Refactoring is the process of improving the design and structure of existing code without changing its external behavior. It is a quality practice for software development because it helps to reduce technical debt, improve maintainability, readability, and testability, and enable faster delivery of value. Refactoring is one of the core engineering practices in SAFe, along with Test-First, Continuous Integration, and Pair Work. References: SAFe for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe for Teams | SAFe Practitioner (SP) Certification, Built-in Quality

 The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a servant leader and coach for the Agile Release Train (ART), which is a group of Agile teams that work together to deliver value. The RTE facilitates the ART events and processes, and supports the teams in delivering value. They communicate with stakeholders, escalate impediments, help manage risk, and drive relentless improvement. The RTE also serves as the ART Chief Coach, which means they help the teams apply and improve the SAFe principles and practices, such as PI planning, system demos, inspect and adapt, and innovation and planning1. The RTE is not the team backlog owner, the ART-level content authority, or the technical leader of the ART, but rather the facilitator and enabler of the ART’s success. References: Release Train Engineer - Scaled Agile Framework, Release Train Engineer(RTE): Roles & Responsibilities - KnowledgeHut, Release Train Engineer - Scaled Agile Framework

Shift learning left is one of the five basic Agile quality practices applicable to all Agile Teams. It means moving testing and validation activities as early as possible in the development process, to identify and fix defects before they become costly and risky. This practice improves quality, reduces waste, and accelerates delivery. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Built-in Quality, Lesson 4: Deliver Value

 The system demo is the best measure of progress for complex system development because it provides an integrated, comprehensive view of the new features delivered by the Agile Release Train (ART) over the past iteration. The system demo offers the ART a fact-based measure of current, system-level progress within the Program Increment (PI). It also allows the stakeholders to give feedback on the solution’s fitness for purpose and alignment with the vision. The system demo tests and evaluates the complete solution in a production-like context to receive feedback from stakeholders, including Business Owners, executive sponsors, other Agile Teams, development management, and customers (and their proxies). References: System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, Principle #4 - Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Scaled Agile Framework

one way Lean-Agile leaders lead by example is by modeling SAFe’s Lean-Agile Mindset, values, principles, and practices. This means that they learn and embody the core beliefs and behaviors that enable business agility, such as respect for people and culture, flow, innovation, relentless improvement, and leadership. They also apply the SAFe principles and practices to their own work, such as organizing around value, building incrementally, applying systems thinking, and assuming variability. By doing so, they demonstrate their commitment to the transformation and inspire others to follow their lead12. References: 1: Lean-Agile Leadership - Scaled Agile Framework2: What Is One Way Lean Agile Leaders Lead By Example? - GoRetro

Stories are the primary means of expressing needed functionality in SAFe. They largely replace the traditional requirements specification with new paradigms based on Lean-Agile development. Stories are elaborated by a user-voice statement and acceptance criteria, and they are used to describe the features and behaviors of the system at various levels of abstraction. Stories are also testable, estimable, and prioritizable, which makes them suitable for planning and delivering value in an iterative and incremental way. References: SAFe Requirements Model, What replaces detailed requirements documents in agile?, What replaces detailed requirements documents in SAFe?

Conducting a PI Planning event is an example of applying cadence-based synchronization in SAFe. A PI Planning event is a two-day face-to-face or virtual meeting where all the members of an ART and Solution Train collaborate to align on a common vision, mission, and backlog, and plan the work for the next Program Increment (PI). A PI is a fixed timebox of 8 to 12 weeks that provides a regular cadence for delivering value. The PI Planning event is synchronized across all the teams and trains in the portfolio, and it occurs at the beginning of every PI. The PI Planning event enables the ART and Solution Train to achieve alignment, collaboration, synchronization, and commitment, as well as to identify and address risks and dependencies. References: = PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

Uncommitted objectives are used to identify work that can be variable within the scope of a PI. The work is planned, but the outcome is not certain. Teams can use uncommitted objectives whenever there is low confidence in meeting the objective. They are not included in the team’s commitment or counted against teams in the ART predictability measure. They are extra things teams can do if they have time and capacity, but they will not be penalized if not achieved. References: PI Objectives, What is an uncommitted objective in SAFe?, SAFe 5.0, PI Objectives - Easy Agile

 On day two of PI Planning, management presents adjustments based on the previous day’s management review and problem-solving meeting. The management review and problem-solving meeting is a session where the management team reviews the draft plans and objectives from the teams, identifies risks and dependencies, and resolves any issues that may affect the ART’s ability to deliver value. One possible type of adjustment they could make is to adjust the business priorities based on the new information and feedback from the teams. This could involve reprioritizing the features in the program backlog, changing the weight or value of some objectives, or adding or removing some stretch objectives. These adjustments are communicated to the teams during the second planning day, so they can finalize their plans and objectives accordingly. References: PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Planning and the Management Review - Part 1 | Ivar Jacobson International

= The SAFe Implementation Roadmap is a series of 12 critical moves that guide enterprises in implementing SAFe successfully. The roadmap is based on the experience and best practices of hundreds of SAFe transformations. The roadmap is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a suggested sequence of steps that can be adapted to the specific context and needs of each organization. The sixth step in the roadmap is Organize Around Value, which involves identifying the value streams and Agile Release Trains (ARTs) that deliver value to the customers. The next step after that is Prepare for ART Launch, which involves planning and preparing for the first Program Increment (PI) planning event, where the ART members align on a common vision, mission, and backlog, and commit to a set of PI objectives. This step is crucial for establishing the cadence, synchronization, and collaboration of the ART, and setting the stage for delivering value in an Agile way. References: = Implementation Roadmap - Scaled Agile Framework, Prepare for ART Launch - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

Objectives and key results (OKRs) are a framework for defining and tracking measurable goals and outcomes. OKRs consist of an objective, which is a concise, qualitative, and inspirational statement of what is to be achieved, and one or more key results, which are specific, quantitative, and time-bound measures of progress toward the objective. OKRs help align teams and individuals around a common vision, focus on the most important outcomes, and foster a culture of feedback and learning. In SAFe, OKRs are used at the portfolio, solution, and program levels to communicate and evaluate strategic intent and business value delivery12. References: Objectives and Key Results - Scaled Agile Framework, OKRs: A Simple Way to Set and Achieve Your Goals.

The Scrum Master is a servant leader and coach for the Agile team. One of their main responsibilities is to remove impediments that hinder the team’s progress and performance. Impediments can be anything that blocks the team from delivering value, such as technical issues, dependencies, conflicts, or lack of resources. The Scrum Master helps the team identify and resolve impediments as quickly as possible, and escalates them to the appropriate level if needed. By removing impediments, the Scrum Master helps the team stay focused, productive, and motivated. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, [Scrum Master]

According to the Scaled Agile Framework, the ART Planning Board is a visualization of the PI’s feature delivery dates, feature dependencies among teams, and relevant milestones1. Features are the primary elements that are planned and tracked on the ART Planning Board2.

Epics, user stories, and tasks are not found on the ART Planning Board, but they are related to features in different ways. Epics are large initiatives that span multiple ARTs and PIs, and they are decomposed into features and enablers2. User stories and tasks are smaller units of work that are used by teams to implement features within iterations2.

Reducing batch size is one of the key ways to improve flow in product development. Smaller batches move faster and more smoothly through the system, reducing cycle time, variability, and waste. Smaller batches also enable faster feedback and learning, which leads to higher quality and customer satisfaction. By reducing batch size, the system can deliver more value in a given time, which means increased throughput12. References: Make Value Flow without Interruptions - Scaled Agile Framework, Principle #6 – Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths - Scaled Agile Framework

Spending time “in the zone” means being fully immersed in a task that is challenging, engaging, and enjoyable. This state of flow is associated with higher levels of creativity, innovation, and performance1. According to SAFe, optimizing the time spent in the zone for individuals and teams makes a substantial difference in ART productivity2. The other options are not directly related to the concept of flow, although they may be influenced by it. Reducing queue lengths, refining productive collaboration, and making work in process visible are all aspects of visualizing and limiting WIP, which is another flow accelerator3.

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, a work in process (WIP) constraint is a limit on the amount of work that can be done at any stage of the value stream. The purpose of a WIP constraint is to reduce the batch size, manage the queue length, and improve the flow of value. By limiting the WIP, teams can focus on completing the most important work items, collaborate more effectively, and deliver value faster and more frequently. A WIP constraint also helps teams identify and resolve bottlenecks, reduce waste, and increase quality. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, [Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths]

A cross-functional team is a group of people with different functional expertise working toward a common goal1. In SAFe, a cross-functional team has all the necessary skills to turn an idea into a working product2. This means that each team member can define, build, and test a component or Feature, without relying on external dependencies or handoffs3. This enables the team to deliver value faster, with higher quality and lower risk. References: What Are Cross Functional Teams? – Forbes Advisor, What is Cross-Functional Team in Agile? - Visual Paradigm, SAFe for Teams | SAFe Practitioner (SP) Certification, [Cross-functional teams: what are they and how to make them work]

= Alignment is one of the four core values of SAFe that represents the foundational beliefs that are key to SAFe’s effectiveness. Alignment helps everyone in the SAFe portfolio work toward a common direction and deliver value with speed and quality. One of the ways to create and maintain alignment in SAFe is to speak with a common language and understand your customer. Speaking with a common language means using consistent terms and definitions across the enterprise to avoid confusion and ambiguity. Understanding your customer means identifying their needs, preferences, and expectations, and delivering solutions that meet or exceed them. References: = Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework

The Agile Manifesto is a set of values and principles that guide the software development process. One of the values is “responding to change over following a plan”. This means that the team values the customer’s needs and feedback over the plan and process. The team embraces change as an opportunity to deliver better solutions and adapts to changing requirements and priorities. References: The 4 Values and 12 Principles of the Agile Manifesto - Smartsheet, 12 Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto | Agile Alliance

Roadmaps are a visual tool that assists in the development and communication of planned deliverables, milestones, and investments over time and help distinguish different types of work1. Roadmaps are the glue that links strategy to execution and offer the ability to develop, evolve and adjust planned activities1. Roadmaps communicate intent, not commitment, as they are subject to change based on feedback, learning, and market conditions1. Roadmaps are not fixed at PI boundaries, but rather are updated frequently to reflect the current state of the solution and the environment1. Roadmaps provide multiple planning horizons, such as near-term, mid-term, and long-term, to show how the solution will evolve over time1. References: 1: Roadmap

Customer Centricity is a mindset that helps organizations make decisions that are based on a deep understanding of its effect on customers and end-users. It motivates teams to focus on the customer, understand their needs, think and feel like them, build whole product solutions, and know their lifetime value. Customer Centricity is related to Design Thinking, which provides the tools and practices to support creating desirable products that are profitable and sustainable over their lifecycle. References: Customer Centricity - Scaled Agile Framework, Design Thinking - Scaled Agile Framework, What is Customer Centricity in SAFe® 5.0? - Praecipio

SAFe Implementation Roadmap is a template for putting SAFe into practice within an organization. It consists of an overview graphic and a 14-article series that describes a strategy and an ordered set of activities for successfully implementing SAFe. The roadmap is based on proven organizational change management strategies and successful adoption patterns from hundreds of the world’s largest enterprises. The roadmap helps leaders and change agents to script the critical moves, create a sense of urgency, build a guiding coalition, form a strategic vision, enlist a volunteer army, enable action by removing barriers, generate short-term wins, sustain acceleration, and institute change. References: Implementation Roadmap - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team | Scaled Agile

 The Inspect and Adapt event is a significant event held at the end of each Program Increment (PI), where the current state of the Solution is demonstrated and evaluated by the train. Teams then reflect and identify improvement backlog items via a structured, problem-solving workshop. The Inspect and Adapt event consists of three parts: PI System Demo, Quantitative and qualitative measurement, and Retrospective and problem-solving workshop. The last part is where the practices of reflection, problem solving, and identifying improvement actions are demonstrated. The teams use a root cause analysis technique, such as the Five Whys, to identify the most critical impediments that impact their performance and quality. They then brainstorm and prioritize improvement actions that address the root causes and create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals for implementing them in the next PI. The improvement actions are added to the Program Backlog and reviewed in the next PI Planning event. References: = Inspect and Adapt - Scaled Agile Framework, Scaled Agile Framework: Understand SAFe and Its 4 Core Values

A technical exploration enabler is a type of enabler that supports research, prototyping, and other activities needed to develop an understanding of customer needs, including the exploration of prospective solutions and evaluation of alternatives1. A technical exploration enabler can be demonstrated by showing the knowledge gained by the exploration, such as the results of experiments, the insights from data analysis, the feedback from customers or stakeholders, the lessons learned from failures, or the recommendations for future actions2. Showing the knowledge gained by the exploration helps to validate the assumptions and hypotheses, measure the value and feasibility of the solution, and inform the decision-making process3. The other options are not valid ways to demonstrate a technical exploration enabler, as they either do not reflect the purpose of the exploration, or imply that the exploration is not necessary or valuable. References: Enablers - Scaled Agile Framework, How can a technical exploration enabler be demonstrated?, Principle #4 - Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles - Scaled Agile Framework

A modified Fibonacci sequence is a relative estimating number sequence that reflects the inherent uncertainty of the job being estimated. It is based on the original Fibonacci sequence, which is a mathematical series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1. The modified Fibonacci sequence, however, rounds up the larger numbers to avoid questions about why something is 21 instead of 20 or 34 instead of 40. The modified Fibonacci sequence is commonly used in Agile estimation techniques, such as Planning Poker, to assign story points to user stories or other backlog items. The sequence is: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20, 40, 100. References: Modified Fibonacci Sequence - Scaled Agile Framework, Fibonacci Agile Estimation: What Is It and Why Does it Work? - Parabol

The Portfolio Kanban system is a method to visualize and manage the flow of portfolio Epics, from ideation through analysis, implementation, and completion1. The analyzing step of the Portfolio Kanban system involves developing a Lean business case for the Epic and presenting it to Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) for approval1. If the Epic receives a ‘go’ decision from LPM, it will be moved to the ready state in the Portfolio Kanban, where it will wait until one or more Agile Release Trains (ARTs) have the capacity to implement it1. The other options are incorrect because:

A. The Epic Owner does not have the authority to approve the Lean business case. Only LPM can make the final decision on whether to proceed with the Epic or not1.

C. The Epic will not remain in the analyzing step after receiving a ‘go’ decision from LPM. It will be moved to the ready state, where it will be prioritized using weighted shortest job first (WSJF) and other factors1.

D. The Epic will not be implemented based on its WSJF ranking alone. It will also depend on the availability and alignment of the ARTs that can deliver the Epic1. References: 1: Portfolio Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework

The goal of the SAFe House of Lean model is to deliver value to the customer and society in the shortest sustainable lead time, with the best quality and value1. The SAFe House of Lean model is based on the Toyota Production System, which aims to eliminate waste and optimize the whole system2. The SAFe House of Lean model consists of a foundation, four pillars, and a roof, which represent the core values, principles, and practices of Lean-Agile development3. The roof is the goal, which is value, and it is supported by the four pillars: respect for people and culture, flow, innovation, and relentless improvement. The foundation is Lean-Agile leadership, which enables and guides the transformation and fosters a culture of learning and growth. References: Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Lean-Agile Principles - Scaled Agile Framework, The SAFe House of Lean model: short and sweet - Echometer, [Lean-Agile Mindset - Scaled Agile Framework]

user business value and time criticality are components of Cost of Delay (CoD), which is a measure of the economic value of a job over time. CoD is used to prioritize jobs based on the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) model, which is part of the SAFe methodology. CoD is calculated as the sum of three components: user/business value, time criticality, and risk reduction and/or opportunity enablement. User/business value indicates the relative importance and revenue impact of a job. Time criticality indicates the urgency and value decay of a job. Risk reduction and/or opportunity enablement indicates the long-term benefits of a job12. References: 1: WSJF - Scaled Agile Framework2: WSJF = (Biz Value + Time Crit. + Risk Reduce) / Job Size

 The PI Planning process is a two-day event that aligns all the teams on the Agile Release Train (ART) to a shared mission and vision for the upcoming Program Increment (PI)1. The PI Planning process has several inputs and outputs, as shown in Figure 12. One of the outputs of the PI Planning process is the PI Objectives, which are a set of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals that each team and the ART commit to achieving in the PI3. The PI Objectives are based on the features and enablers that the teams plan to deliver, and they reflect the business and technical value that the teams and the ART intend to provide to the stakeholders4. The PI Objectives are also used to track the progress and performance of the teams and the ART throughout the PI execution5. The other options are not outputs of the PI Planning process, but rather inputs or outcomes. The PI Vision is an input to the PI Planning process, which describes the current state, future state, and features of the solution that the ART will deliver in the PI. The PI Goals are an outcome of the PI Planning process, which are derived from the PI Objectives and summarize the business and technical benefits that the ART will deliver in the PI. The Actual PI Business Value is an outcome of the PI execution, which measures the actual value delivered by the ART at the end of the PI, based on the PI Objectives and stakeholder feedback. References: PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Inputs and Outputs of PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Objectives - Scaled Agile Framework, PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework, Program Execution - Scaled Agile Framework, [PI Vision - Scaled Agile Framework], [PI Goals - Scaled Agile Framework], [Inspect and Adapt - Scaled Agile Framework]

Figure 1. Inputs and outputs of PI Planning2

 SAFe Team Kanban is a type of SAFe Agile Team that relies on a continually-refined Team Backlog as the primary input to drive value delivery. SAFe Team Kanban is a method that helps teams manage and improve the flow of value across the Continuous Delivery Pipeline. It is based on the principles of Lean and Kanban, which aim to optimize the system, limit work in progress (WIP), implement feedback loops, and empower the team. SAFe Team Kanban uses a visual board to track the flow of work from the Team Backlog to the Done state. The Team Backlog is a subset of the Program Backlog that contains the user stories, enablers, and defects that the team needs to work on. The Team Backlog is constantly refined and prioritized by the Product Owner, who collaborates with the team and other stakeholders to ensure that the most valuable and feasible work items are selected for implementation. References: Team Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework, Team Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework

One of the steps for setting initial velocity is to assess the team’s capacity, which is the amount of time available for the team to work on the backlog items. The team members assess their availability, acknowledging time off and other potential duties that may reduce their capacity, such as meetings, training, support, etc. The team then calculates their capacity by multiplying the number of team members by the number of hours per day by the number of days in the Iteration. The team’s capacity is used as an input for estimating the initial velocity, which is the amount of work the team can complete in an Iteration. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Capacity Allocation, Velocity

During iteration reviews, SAFe Scrum teams inspect the iteration increment, assess progress, and adjust the team backlog. One of the actions that occurs during this event is evaluating current state metrics, such as team velocity, quality, and customer satisfaction. These metrics help the team measure its performance and identify areas for improvement. Evaluating current state metrics also helps the team align its work with the iteration goals and the broader program increment objectives. References: Iteration Review, Team and Technical Agility

Enabling teams are one of the four team topologies defined by Skelton and Pais in their book Team Topologies. They are organized to assist other teams with specialized capabilities and help them become more proficient in new technologies. They provide guidance, coaching, and mentoring to stream-aligned teams, platform teams, or complicated subsystem teams, and help them adopt new practices, tools, or frameworks. They also collaborate with them to deliver specific features or components that require their expertise. Enabling teams are temporary and dissolve once their mission is accomplished or no longer needed. References: Organizing Agile Teams and ARTs: Team Topologies at Scale, Team Topologies at Scale: A Worked Example, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner

The ART planning board, also known as the program board, is a visualization of the PI’s feature delivery dates, feature dependencies among teams, and relevant milestones. It helps the ART align on a common mission and vision, identify and resolve dependencies, and track progress and risks throughout the PI. The ART planning board does not show risks, capacity and load, or epics, although these may be discussed or tracked elsewhere during PI planning or execution. References: ART Planning Board, PI Planning, SAFe Program Board 101

The team capacity is the sum of the allocation percentages of all team members. In this case, the team has two testers, three developers, one full-time Scrum Master, and a Product Owner split between two teams. Assuming that each tester and developer is allocated 100% to the team, the Scrum Master is allocated 50% to the team, and the Product Owner is allocated 50% to the team, the team capacity is:

2 x 100% + 3 x 100% + 1 x 50% + 1 x 50% = 600%

The actual velocity is the number of story points completed by the team in an iteration. Assuming that the team completed 40 story points in the first iteration, the actual velocity is:

40

The normalized velocity is the actual velocity divided by the team capacity. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

40 / 600% = 6.67

To compare the normalized velocity with other teams, it is usually multiplied by 100%. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

6.67 x 100% = 66.67

To compare the normalized velocity with other teams that have five full-time members, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

66.67 / 5 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually multiplied by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14 x 6 = 84

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually divided by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 5 = 16

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 4, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 4. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of iterations in a PI, it is usually multiplied by 5. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

16 x 5 = 80

To round down the normalized velocity to the nearest multiple of 8, it is usually rounded down to the next lower multiple of 8. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80

To divide the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team, it is usually divided by 6. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

80 / 6 = 13.33

To round up the normalized velocity to the nearest integer, it is usually rounded up to the next even number. In this case, the normalized velocity is:

14

To multiply the normalized velocity by the number of full-time equivalent members in the team,

n: = Separating release elements from the Solution means identifying specific release elements, such as Features or components, that can be released independently of the entire Solution. This technique provides several benefits, such as1:

It enables faster delivery of value to customers by releasing the most important or urgent elements first

It reduces the risk of releasing complex or interdependent elements that may cause errors or failures

It allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to changing customer needs and market conditions

It supports continuous integration and deployment by allowing smaller and more frequent releases

A dual operating system is a model of business agility that combines the entrepreneurial network and the hierarchical system. The network is optimized for speed and innovation, while the hierarchy is optimized for efficiency and stability. The dual operating system allows the organization to balance the competing demands of exploration and exploitation, and to respond effectively to fast-changing environments. SAFe implements the network as a set of development value streams and provides the necessary interfaces to the hierarchy to restore the system’s balance. References: Principle #10 – Organize around value - Scaled Agile Framework, Business Agility Flashcards | Quizlet, Balancing the Dual Operating System - Scaled Agile Framework

Reducing the batch sizes of work is critical to improving flow, as it enables faster delivery of value, lower risk, higher quality, and better feedback1. Batch size is the amount of work that moves as a unit through the value stream2. Smaller batches reduce the cycle time, the total time from the beginning to the end of the process to provide value to a customer3. Smaller batches also reduce the variability and uncertainty in the system, leading to less waste and rework2. SAFe provides several practices to reduce the batch sizes of work, such as using User Stories, Features, and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) as units of work, applying Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines, and limiting Work in Process (WIP)1. References: Accelerating Flow with SAFe, Make Value Flow without Interruptions, Optimize Flow

The Inspect and Adapt workshop is a significant event held at the end of each Program Increment (PI), where the current state of the Solution is demonstrated and evaluated by the train1. The first part of the workshop is the PI System Demo, which shows all the Features that the Agile Release Train (ART) has developed over the course of the PI2. The other options are not activities that occur during the Inspect and Adapt workshop. Refining the ART backlog is a continuous process that happens throughout the PI3. A retrospective of the Iteration is a team-level event that happens after every Iteration4. Planning the next PI is a separate event that happens before the start of the next PI.

 Story Mapping is a design-thinking technique that helps break down Features while considering the end-to-end user flow. It is a collaborative practice that visually maps the user journey and the activities that the user performs to reach a desired outcome. Story Mapping helps teams understand the user needs, prioritize the backlog, and plan the iterations and PIs. References: Story Mapping, Story, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

 Product roles, such as Product Owner and Product Manager, act as proxies for the customer in representing their needs to the teams. They are responsible for defining, prioritizing, and validating the requirements that deliver value to the customer and the business. They also collaborate with the development teams and other stakeholders to ensure that the product vision, strategy, and roadmap are aligned with customer and stakeholder needs. Product roles are the voice of the customer for the teams and the primary link to business and technology strategy12. References: = 1: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework2; 2: Product Manager - Scaled Agile Framework3

Flow efficiency is the ratio of the total time spent in value-added work activities divided by the total flow time. Flow time is the time it takes for a work item to move from the start to the end of the process. Value-added work activities are those that directly contribute to the customer value or the quality of the product. Non-value-added work activities are those that do not add value to the customer or the product, such as waiting, rework, or handoffs. Flow efficiency measures how well the organization is minimizing the non-value-added work and maximizing the value-added work. The formula to calculate flow efficiency is:

Flow efficiency=Flow timeTotal active time​×100%

A higher flow efficiency indicates a more streamlined and effective process, while a lower flow efficiency indicates a more wasteful and inefficient process. Flow efficiency can be used to identify and eliminate the sources of waste and improve the flow of value to the customer1234. References: Flow Efficiency - Scaled Agile Framework, Flow Efficiency: A great metric you probably aren’t using, Flow Efficiency: A Great Metric You Probably Aren’t Using - Nimblework, Flow Efficiency: A Kanban Metric Introduction - Everyday Kanban

A System Demo is one way to show true progress of business outcomes. A System Demo is a significant event that provides an integrated view of new features for the most recent iteration delivered by all the teams in the Agile Release Train (ART). The System Demo is attended by customers, stakeholders, and ART members, who evaluate the system and provide feedback. The System Demo is a key measure of solution quality, customer value, and ART velocity. It also helps to validate the alignment of the PI Objectives with the business outcomes. References: System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team | Scaled Agile, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner - scaledagile.com

= According to SAFe, a Feature should be sized to fit into one Program Increment (PI), which is a timebox of 8 to 12 weeks, typically consisting of 4 to 6 iterations1. A Feature is a service provided by the system that fulfills some important stakeholder needs and delivers business value2. A Feature should be small enough to be completed by a single Agile Release Train (ART) within a PI, but large enough to provide significant and measurable value3. A Feature should also be testable, demonstrable, and deployable4. References: = 1: Program Increment - Scaled Agile Framework; 2: Features and Capabilities - Scaled Agile Framework; 3: Right-Sizing Features for SAFe Program Increments - Scaled Agile Framework; 4: Feature - Scaled Agile Framework

A servant leader is someone who puts the needs of others first and helps them develop and perform to their highest potential. The RTE is a servant leader who listens and supports teams in problem identification and decision-making, by facilitating ART events and processes, communicating with stakeholders, escalating impediments, and helping manage risk. The RTE also leads by example, by demonstrating the Lean-Agile mindset and values, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and driving relentless improvement.

 Empathy maps are a design thinking tool that promotes customer identification by helping teams develop a deep, shared understanding of others. They enable teams to imagine what a specific persona is thinking, feeling, hearing, and seeing as they use the solution. Empathy maps help teams to design with empathy, which is a key behavior of customer centricity. Empathy maps can be used to explore different aspects of the problem and solution space, and to validate assumptions and hypotheses about the customer’s needs and preferences. References: Design Thinking, Customer Centricity

According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, a decrease in variability leads to an increase in predictability. Variability is the degree of uncertainty or variation in the outcomes of a process or a system. High variability means that the outcomes are more likely to deviate from the expected or desired results, which makes them harder to plan and control. Low variability means that the outcomes are more consistent and closer to the expected or desired results, which makes them easier to plan and control. Predictability is the ability to forecast or anticipate the outcomes of a process or a system with a high degree of confidence and accuracy. High predictability means that the outcomes are more likely to match the forecasts or expectations, which reduces the risk of failure and increases the value delivery. Low predictability means that the outcomes are more likely to differ from the forecasts or expectations, which increases the risk of failure and decreases the value delivery. Therefore, a decrease in variability leads to an increase in predictability, as the outcomes become more stable and reliable. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, Assume variability; preserve options - Scaled Agile Framework

The definition of done (DoD) is a set of criteria that a product increment must meet for the team to consider it complete and ready for customers1. It ensures the quality and consistency of a deliverable. The DoD is agreed upon by the entire project team, including developers, testers, product owners, and other stakeholders2. One of the common criteria that is typically included in the DoD for the team increment is regression testing, which is the process of verifying that the existing functionality of the system is not affected by the new changes3. Regression testing is done to ensure that the product increment meets the quality standards and does not introduce any defects or errors4. References: What is the Definition of Done? Understanding DOD in Agile - Atlassian, What is the definition of done? Guide for agile teams with examples - LogRocket Blog, What is Regression Testing? Definition, Tools, Method, and Example, What is typically included in the Definition of Done for the - Madanswer

 Continuous Deployment is the process of releasing every good build to users through a delivery pipeline that performs various tests, deployments, and validations1. Deploy, verify, monitor, and respond are the four activities of Continuous Deployment that ensure the quality and reliability of the software2. References: 1: Continuous Deployment2: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

An Agile Release Train (ART) is the primary value delivery construct in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It is a long-lived, self-organizing, virtual organization of 5 - 12 Agile Teams that plan, commit, and execute together. ARTs align teams to a shared business and technology mission and deliver solutions in a value stream with common principles and practices. ARTs are cross-functional and have all the capabilities needed to define, build, test, deploy, release, and operate solutions. ARTs operate on a fixed schedule with common iteration start/end dates and duration, and deliver a new system increment every two weeks. ARTs also plan their work at periodic, mostly face-to-face Program Increment (PI) Planning events, and inspect and adapt at the end of every PI. References: Agile Release Train - Scaled Agile Framework, Essential SAFe - Scaled Agile Framework

The Inspect and Adapt workshop is a significant event held at the end of each Program Increment (PI), where the current state of the Solution is demonstrated and evaluated by the Agile Release Train (ART) teams. The workshop consists of three parts: PI System Demo, Quantitative and qualitative measurement, and Retrospective and problem-solving workshop. The PI System Demo is the first part of the workshop, where the ART shows all the Features they have developed during the PI to the stakeholders and customers. The demo provides feedback on the value delivered and the quality of the solution. The other parts of the workshop focus on measuring the performance of the ART and identifying improvement actions for the next PI. References: Inspect and Adapt, PI System Demo

Understanding the optimum batch size is crucial for teams to ensure that value flows efficiently through the development pipeline. By optimizing batch sizes, teams can reduce the cycle time and improve the delivery of value to customers, aligning with the Lean-Agile principles of delivering value incrementally and continuously. The reason for the faster speed is obvious. The reduced variability results from the smaller number of items in the batch1.

The image you sent shows a table of assessment results for different categories related to agile project management. The category “Flow” has a score of 86%, which indicates that the team is performing well in terms of delivering value in a continuous and smooth manner. However, there may be some room for improvement in other categories, such as “Team backlog” and “PI Planning”, which have lower scores of 50%. These categories are related to the planning and prioritization of work items, which affect the batch size and the flow of value. The team may benefit from applying some of the practices and tools suggested by SAFe, such as Kanban boards, WIP limits, and PI Objectives, to optimize their batch size and increase their flow efficiency234. References: Visualize and Limit WIP, Reduce Batch Sizes, and Manage Queue Lengths, Team Flow, Principle #6 – Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, Simplicity Factor: Batch Size

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