In the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the Lean-Agile Mindset represents the synthesis of beliefs, assumptions, and actions rooted in Lean Thinking and the Agile Manifesto. For SAFe Agilists and Lean-Agile Leaders, adopting this mindset is the prerequisite for successful organizationa…In the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the Lean-Agile Mindset represents the synthesis of beliefs, assumptions, and actions rooted in Lean Thinking and the Agile Manifesto. For SAFe Agilists and Lean-Agile Leaders, adopting this mindset is the prerequisite for successful organizational transformation, as it moves beyond simply adopting tools to fundamentally changing how work is approached.
The mindset is structured around two primary components:
1. **Thinking Lean:** Visualized as the SAFe House of Lean, this concept aims to deliver maximum value with the shortest sustainable lead time. Its foundation is Leadership; leaders must lead the change rather than dictate it. The pillars supporting this goal include Respect for People and Culture (empowering teams and building high-trust relationships), Flow (optimizing throughput, managing queues, and minimizing waste), Innovation (encouraging creativity and gemba walks), and Relentless Improvement (constantly reflecting to optimize processes).
2. **Embracing Agility:** This involves applying the Agile Manifesto's values and principles at scale. It prioritizes responding to change, delivering working solutions, and customer collaboration over rigid planning and documentation.
Crucially, for leaders, this requires a specific cognitive shift from a 'fixed mindset'—where abilities are static and failure is avoided—to a 'growth mindset.' A growth mindset views challenges as opportunities to learn and believes that capabilities can be developed through dedication. By embodying these principles, Lean-Agile Leaders create an environment of psychological safety, decentralize decision-making, and unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers, ultimately enabling the enterprise to thrive in the digital age.
The Lean-Agile Mindset: A Comprehensive Guide for SAFe Agilists
Introduction The Lean-Agile Mindset is the foundational belief system that drives the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It is the specific combination of beliefs, assumptions, and actions of leaders and practitioners who embrace the concepts of the Agile Manifesto and Lean Thinking. For a SAFe Agilist, simply adopting the mechanics of Scrum or Kanban without this mindset will result in 'doing Agile' rather than 'being Agile,' often leading to limited results.
Why It Is Important In the digital age, the pace of change is accelerating. Traditional 'Waterfall' mindsets, characterized by fixed scope, detailed long-term planning, and command-and-control leadership, are insufficient. The Lean-Agile Mindset is crucial because: 1. It enables Business Agility: It allows organizations to pivot quickly in response to market changes. 2. It empowers people: It shifts the culture from compliance to commitment. 3. It optimizes value delivery: By focusing on flow and waste reduction, value reaches the customer faster.
What It Is: The Two Pillars The mindset is a synthesis of two major bodies of knowledge:
1. Lean Thinking Derived from Lean manufacturing but applied to software and systems, Lean Thinking focuses on five core principles: a. Precisely specify value by product. b. Identify the Value Stream for each product. c. Make value flow without interruptions. d. Let the customer pull value from the producer. e. Pursue perfection.
2. Agile Values Based on the Agile Manifesto, this emphasizes: - Individuals and interactions over processes and tools. - Working software (solutions) over comprehensive documentation. - Customer collaboration over contract negotiation. - Responding to change over following a plan.
The Growth Mindset Integral to the Lean-Agile Mindset is the concept of the Growth Mindset (coined by Carol Dweck). In a SAFe context, leaders must believe that intelligence and talent can be developed through dedication and hard work. This contrasts with a Fixed Mindset, where leaders avoid challenges and ignore feedback.
How It Works in Practice Having the mindset means applying it to daily decisions. A Lean-Agile Leader: - Leads by Example: They exemplify the values they want the team to adopt. - Respects People and Culture: They believe that people do all the work and inherently want to do a good job. - Supports Decentralized Decision Making: They move authority to the information, rather than moving information to the authority. - Focuses on Flow: They actively work to remove bottlenecks and wait times.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Lean-Agile Mindset When taking the SAFe Agilist exam, questions regarding the mindset often test your ability to distinguish between traditional management and Lean-Agile leadership.
1. Look for 'Being' vs. 'Doing': If a question asks why a transformation failed, the answer often relates to leaders doing the ceremonies but not embracing the mindset.
2. Identify the Growth Mindset: Look for keywords like lifelong learning, embracing challenges, and learning from failure. Avoid answers that suggest avoiding risk or sticking strictly to the original plan.
3. Prioritize Value and Flow: Correct answers usually prioritize the shortest sustainable lead time and continuous delivery of value over cost-cutting or resource utilization (keeping people busy).
4. Respect for People: Select answers that demonstrate trust in the teams to figure out the 'how,' while leadership provides the 'what' and 'why.'
5. The House of Lean vs. Lean Thinking: Depending on the specific version of the exam, you might see references to the 'SAFe House of Lean' (Pillars: Respect for People and Culture, Flow, Innovation, Relentless Improvement; Foundation: Leadership). Ensure you connect these pillars to the behavior of a Lean-Agile Leader.