In the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), organizing around value is the primary method for reducing the friction and delays associated with traditional, siloed organizational structures. Instead of organizing by function (e.g., separate departments for Dev, QA, and Ops), SAFe structures…In the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), organizing around value is the primary method for reducing the friction and delays associated with traditional, siloed organizational structures. Instead of organizing by function (e.g., separate departments for Dev, QA, and Ops), SAFe structures the organization around **Development Value Streams**—the sequence of steps used to deliver value to the customer.
The **Agile Release Train (ART)** is the mechanism used to realize this structure. An ART is a long-lived, cross-functional team of Agile teams (typically 50–125 practitioners) that contains all the skills, tools, and people necessary to define, build, test, and deploy solutions. This includes software engineers, hardware specialists, product management, and support personnel.
This structure is fundamental to achieving **Team and Technical Agility**. By grouping teams into an ART, the organization minimizes handoffs and external dependencies, which are the root causes of delay. The ART aligns on a shared mission and vision through Program Increment (PI) Planning, ensuring that all teams are moving in the same direction. Inside the ART, stable teams are able to mature and adopt technical practices like Built-in Quality, Continuous Integration, and DevOps, knowing they have the autonomy to execute end-to-end features.
Ultimately, organizing around value with ARTs shifts the focus from optimizing individual efficiencies (resource utilization) to optimizing the flow of value through the system. It ensures that technical excellence produces tangible business outcomes by delivering working solutions to the customer on a predictable, rapid cadence.
Organizing around Value with Agile Release Trains (ARTs)
What is Organizing around Value with ARTs? In the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), the Agile Release Train (ART) is the primary vehicle for delivering value. Rather than organizing people by functional expertise (silos), SAFe requires organizing around the flow of value. An ART is a long-lived team of Agile teams that, together with other stakeholders, creates and operates one or more solutions in a value stream. It is a virtual organization of 50 to 125 people that plans, commits, and executes together.
Why is it Important? Traditional organizations are typically structured hierarchically by function (e.g., Development, QA, Operations). While this centralizes expertise, it creates silos. Value flows horizontally across these silos, meaning products must be handed off from one department to another. These handoffs cause delays, loss of knowledge, and reduced quality. Organizing around value with ARTs removes these barriers, enabling faster flow, faster feedback, and higher quality by placing everyone needed to deliver value onto a single train.
How it Works Organizing around value is achieved through a specific process: 1. Identify Value Streams: The organization identifies how value flows to the customer (Operational Value Streams) and the systems needed to support that flow (Development Value Streams). 2. Form the ART: The organization structures the ART to include all cross-functional skills required to release value (software, hardware, business, compliance, security, etc.) without external dependencies. 3. Synchronize: The ART operates on a common cadence (the Program Increment or PI) to align focusing on a shared mission.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Organizing around Value with ARTs To pass questions related to this topic on the SAFe Agilist exam, focus on the following concepts:
1. Break Down Silos: If a question describes delays caused by handoffs or different departments blaming each other, the correct answer is almost always related to Reorganizing around Value or moving from functional silos to cross-functional ARTs.
2. The Definition of an ART: Remember key attributes for definition questions: An ART is long-lived (not a temporary project), cross-functional (has all necessary skills), and typically contains 50–125 people (based on Dunbar's number).
3. Optimization Goal: SAFe optimizes for the global delivery of value, not the local optimization of a specific job function. Avoid answers that suggest maximizing the utilization of individual workers. Choose answers that focus on the flow of the entire system.
4. Reducing Dependencies: A correctly organized ART minimizes external dependencies. If a question asks how to fix an ART that is constantly waiting on an external team (e.g., a shared database team), the answer usually involves bringing those people or capabilities inside the ART.