I keep seeing posts about bad experiences with the Scaled Agile Framework, and I get where they're coming from. A lot of implementations fail. But after working with multiple organizations and Coaches in this field, I’m convinced the problem is rarely SAFe itself.
The framework claims to be grounded in Agile values and continuous improvement. Most teams try to live those values. The real bottleneck is usually management, which struggles to support agility at the right level. Decisions stay centralized, change is cosmetic, and the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) becomes more of a reporting function than an enabling one.
So I built an application focused on helping this organizational layer (especially the LACE) structure the work, track improvement, and actually operationalize SAFe instead of treating it like a ceremony checklist. Obviously, no tool can fix a culture that rejects agility. But many companies fail not because SAFe is excessive, but because they try to scale processes without scaling autonomy, trust, and decision-making. My goal is to nudge organizations in that direction.
I’m looking for people who want to test the app, give feedback, or simply discuss this topic. I’m especially interested in hearing from those who believe scaling frameworks are inherently flawed. Agile purists often describe an ideal world that works well for small teams, but many companies are far beyond that size.
Is the issue the framework, or our inability to evolve leadership behavior as fast as we evolve team practices?
fulafel•2mo ago
It's just newspeak to call SAFe "Agile". This causes cognitive dissonance and is bad for people. Go read the agile manifesto.
thetruthinside•2mo ago
You’re absolutely right that there is a big gap between what most SAFe implementations look like and the Agile Manifesto.
My point is not “SAFe = Agile”, it is more: if an organization chooses SAFe, the usual failure mode is not the picture on the big diagram, but leadership behavior.
The manifesto is very clear and also essential part of the framework.
thetruthinside•2mo ago
The framework claims to be grounded in Agile values and continuous improvement. Most teams try to live those values. The real bottleneck is usually management, which struggles to support agility at the right level. Decisions stay centralized, change is cosmetic, and the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) becomes more of a reporting function than an enabling one.
So I built an application focused on helping this organizational layer (especially the LACE) structure the work, track improvement, and actually operationalize SAFe instead of treating it like a ceremony checklist. Obviously, no tool can fix a culture that rejects agility. But many companies fail not because SAFe is excessive, but because they try to scale processes without scaling autonomy, trust, and decision-making. My goal is to nudge organizations in that direction.
I’m looking for people who want to test the app, give feedback, or simply discuss this topic. I’m especially interested in hearing from those who believe scaling frameworks are inherently flawed. Agile purists often describe an ideal world that works well for small teams, but many companies are far beyond that size.
Is the issue the framework, or our inability to evolve leadership behavior as fast as we evolve team practices?