Agile Release Train (ART) Preparation/Readiness Checklist

You might have been using Agile for some time and have gotten used to it. The next logical step would be to plunge into the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and understand its application to complex organizations. When you adopt the SAFe framework, there is every chance you will encounter the Agile Release Trains (ARTs) principle. The key to implementing SAFe Agile to scale is understanding the importance of ART, its structure, and how it is deployed. This is also vital to successfully executing complex projects and finishing them on time and within the allocated budget, which is crucial to delivering the maximum business value. ART is like any other train that carries its passengers to a fixed destination and strives to reach there by a predetermined time. Like a train, ART is also a method or system of delivering value to the end customer. 

ART is nothing but a self-organizing team of Agile teams. It takes passengers in the form of members from different organization departments, such as development, enterprise architecture, DevOps, security, etc. Coming together, they plan, commit, and execute as a team. They are supposed to do this within a specified time box or in the program increment (PI). The strength of the ART team varies from 50 to 125, and they strive to work coherently toward the business goals that would help the organization to respond quickly and positively to the changes occurring in the market and deliver value faster. When an organization decides to launch its first ART, it would have identified its value streams and created an implementation plan. It would also have more or less defined its first ART. It is a crucial time as the plan is now coming to implementation. If seen from the viewpoint of change management, the first ART is very vital and has wide-ranging consequences. This is so because the first ART is the first actual change in the manner in which the organization works and will produce some short-term wins to start with, which will help the organization in building momentum.

So, when the time to launch the first ART arrives, enterprises need to check their readiness for a successful launch. There are ten steps to see if the organization is prepared to launch the ART. We will discuss these steps in this article. But before we start with these steps, you need to understand the principles that govern the Agile Release Trains. 

Principles governing ART

As we have already said, ART is a team of Agile teams comprising teams from different parts of the organization like development, DevOps, security, enterprise architecture, etc. So, there are a few principles that govern ART. These are:

• ART must stick to a value delivery model for regular planning and timely release
• Agile Release Train must adhere to a common length of iteration within the PI
• ART must have explicitly defined goals and standards
• ART has to follow a culture of continuous system integration. All the work completed by different teams has to be integrated into each sprint so that development is ready for release.
• At the system level, Agile Release Train has to take the customer's viewpoint, internal evaluations, and quality assurance into account

 Once you have understood the principles governing Agile Release Trains, it's time to check your readiness for releasing ART. There are ten steps to launching the Agile Release Train for the first time. Let's know about them.

Steps to launch the first SAFe Agile Release Train:

1. Define ART and perform value stream

Before starting any other activity, it is important to define ART. This involves identifying the first value stream, a series of actions for optimizing the value delivery to the customer. At this point, ART is defined just enough to ascertain that it is a potential ART. The SAFe ART is a methodical system so it becomes imperative that the responsibilities on defining the solution, building it, its validation, and deployment are made amply clear. Similarly, a value stream has to be performed keeping in mind the ultimate value it will deliver to the end-user. So, a workshop is held for this purpose. This helps in understanding and defining the value streams in the organization, choosing a new value stream, and setting up the first Agile Release Train.

2. Train SAFe Program Consultants (SPCs)

SAFe Program Consultants are the ones who work as change agents and lead the transformation while integrating the SAFe framework into an organization. They are instrumental in organizations adopting agile methods and teaching them to managers, leaders, and project teams. They train the organization's people who are concerned about designing and enabling ARTs. This will help them to drive the ART to its destination. There may be many ART leaders and stakeholders in an organization, and their numbers may vary according to the scope and time of release. These leaders may include Release Train Engineers. System Architects and Product Managers. The other stakeholders may consist of business owners, internal suppliers, and operations people. They may be unfamiliar with the SAFe practices. So, all of them need to be trained. That is why it is important that the SPCs should be trained well. Only then will the success of the implementation of SAFe and the launch of ART be ensured. 

3. Provide training to Lean and Agile leaders

Lean Agile leaders understand the principles and philosophy of SAFe, such as practices, artifacts, and role activities, and are expected to implement them. They lead the organization in adopting the SAFe framework for better results and provide guidance across the organization to familiarize themselves with It. Every organization would like to have a smooth transition to the SAFe framework, and to achieve this goal, Lean-Agile leaders need to be trained to the highest possible standards. 

4. Define and set up the ART and the team

The best practices for setting up the Agile Release Train are:

• Presenting a clearly defined product with features and/or components
• Getting support from the leadership
• Building collaboration
• Important challenge or opportunity

After this, those agile teams will be established and on the Agile Release Train. There are two ways to do this. One is to let the ART members organize into agile teams with minimum limitations. The other is that the people are initially selected by the management based on their goals, their knowledge of the talents of individuals, and timing. etc. However, adjustments are required most of the time between management and the teams. Whichever way of forming the agile teams is adopted, there are a few common factors on which the agile teams in a SAFe environment are based. These are:

• Features/components of the product
• Minimum dependencies
• Addressing integration
• DevOps activities being carried out

5. Define and fill all ART members' roles

The important roles in SAFe ART are the Release Train Engineer, Product Owner, Scrum Master, Product Management, System Architect, and last but not the least, the Customer. These critical roles must be defined clearly to help them work smoothly. 

6. Fill and define all the important roles

Now is the time to fill all the critical roles of the Agile Release Train. These include Release train engineers, System architects, Product owners, Scrum masters, and Product Managers. These roles must be defined clearly so that each one can give their best performance according to the customer's expectations and match the organizational goals. Clearly defined roles would encourage better collaboration and cooperation among the teams, and they would work with a sense of mission.

7. Prepare and fine-tune the Product backlog

When the launch date of ART is used as a forcing function, it makes defining the scope and vision of Program Increment (PI) urgent. No one would like to attend the PI planning without clearly understanding the mission. Opinions may vary about what the new system is expected to do, and it may take a little time before the launch date to connect these points. The scope of the PI or 'what has to be built' is mostly defined by a Product backlog. This Program backlog has information about upcoming features, architectural work, and Non-functional requirements (NFRs). These represent the future behavior of the system. The vision so obtained of the future behavior of the system helps build short stories for the SAFe agile teams.

8. Train the teams

Organizations must train their teams well to achieve maximum value in each sprint. This is one of the more important parts of ART preparation for delivering the maximum value of the highest quality on time. A common baseline understanding of the SAFe framework by the teams is essential. Well-trained teams are crucial to the successful launch of Agile Release Trains. So, the teams must have ample time and opportunities to get acquainted with the SAFe framework.

9. Train the Product Owners and Product Managers

The product owner and Product manager are the people who navigate the ART together. They have authority over the content of features and stories. Both of these are important roles if ART has to succeed. Therefore, people in these roles should be very well trained and must learn new working methods to collaborate effectively. They must be clear about how best to carry out their specific responsibilities. Moreover, both of these people will be responsible for creating the initial Program backlog, which is crucial for PI planning. So, training the Product owner and the Product manager can't be emphasized enough.

10. Set the program calendar and launch date

Having clearly understood the definition of ART, it is time now to schedule your first PI planning event. This will focus on the date of launching the first ART and the PI calendar. The process starts with setting up a cadence for the program that will include both the PI and the iteration lengths. The PI planning event is a face-to-face meeting. In this way, all the agile teams in the ART adapt to the SAFe framework and environment with a shared vision and mission. The PI calendar includes all the activities that have been scheduled, including PI planning, system demos, ART sync, Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshops, etc. 

11. Conduct Innovation and Planning (IP) iteration

You have almost done it. Now, you must conduct the Innovation and Planning iteration. This is done to soak up any variations in estimates, allocate time for innovation, refine the backlog, and make a plan for the ‘Inspect and Adapt’ workshop. This IP iteration is the final two-week sprint. 

Launching your first Agile Release Train (ART) can be daunting and complex. An experienced and well-trained team will help you a lot in guiding you through it and ensuring you fulfill your objectives. You should remember that the SAFe framework is not a coercive system. So, these steps can be adjusted to meet the specific requirements and needs of the organization or its goals. 

Conclusion: 

Launching your first Agile Release Train (ART) marks a significant milestone in your organization's journey towards embracing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and achieving greater agility. As you embark on this endeavor, you must ensure readiness by meticulously following the ten steps outlined in this checklist. From defining the ART and value stream to training Lean-Agile leaders and teams, each step plays a crucial role in laying a strong foundation for successfully implementing SAFe.
To further support your organization's transition to SAFe, Simpliaxis offers Agile Release Planning Certification Training. This comprehensive program equips your teams with the knowledge and skills to effectively plan and execute Agile Release Trains, ensuring alignment with SAFe principles and maximizing value delivery. Remember, while the process may seem daunting, with proper preparation and a dedicated team, you can navigate the complexities and unlock the full potential of Agile Release Trains to deliver value efficiently and effectively.