Scrum SAFe-Practitioner Dumps

SAFe Team Kanban is a method that enables teams to manage their flow of work using a visual board and a set of policies. It is especially suitable for teams that have unpredictable or interrupt-driven work, such as maintenance, support, or operations teams1. SAFe Team Kanban helps teams to visualize their work, limit their work in progress (WIP), measure and improve their flow, and implement feedback loops2. Team A is a maintenance team that cannot always predictably plan their work. They like to meet daily to review the needs of the system and plan for how they can quickly address those needs during the workday. Therefore, SAFe Team Kanban is the most appropriate SAFe Lean-Agile method for Team A to plan and execute their work. References: Team Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Lean-Agile Principles - Scaled Agile Framework

SAFe Team Kanban is a method that helps teams facilitate the flow of value by visualizing workflow, establishing Work In Process (WIP) limits, measuring throughput, and continuously improving their process1. It is suitable for teams that have a rapid and uneven arrival of work and fast-changing priorities, such as maintenance teams2. The other options are not appropriate for Team A’s context. SAFe Platform Team is organized around developing and supporting platforms that provide services to other teams3. SAFe Enabling Team is organized to assist other groups with specialized capabilities and help them become proficient in new technologies4. SAFe XP Team is an Agile Team method that combines the power of Scrum with Extreme Programming (XP) practices and operates within the ART iteration cadence5.

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

During the PI Planning event, planning adjustments are agreed upon during the management review and problem-solving meeting, which is the last activity of the first day of the event1. In this meeting, the management team reviews the draft plans of the teams, identifies and resolves any issues, risks, or dependencies, and makes any necessary changes to the scope, people, or resources1. The management team also communicates the planning adjustments back to the Agile Release Train (ART) the next day, before the teams continue their planning and make the appropriate adjustments2. References: PI Planning, Management Review and Problem-Solving

 According to Kotter’s 8-step process for leading change, the first step is to create a sense of urgency among both managers and employees. This means making them aware of the existing problems or opportunities that require change, and motivating them to act with passion and purpose. Creating a sense of urgency helps to overcome complacency, resistance, and fear of change, and builds momentum for the change initiative. References: Kotter’s 8-step process for leading change, The Easy Guide to Kotter’s 8 Step Change Model, John Kotter’s Eight Step Change Model, Kotter’s 8 step Model of Change, How to Successfully Implement Kotter’s 8 Step Change Model

Precisely specify value by product” is one of the five key principles of Lean Thinking, as defined by James Womack and Daniel Jones in their book “Lean Thinking”. It means that value should be determined by the customer’s needs and preferences for each specific product or service, rather than by the producer’s assumptions or standards. This principle helps to eliminate waste, optimize flow, and increase customer satisfaction. References: Lean-Agile Mindset, Lean Manufacturing, What is Lean?

Iteration planning, Iteration review, and backlog refinement are examples of team events, which are events that occur within the Agile team to plan, execute, and improve their work. Team events are aligned with the Iteration cadence, which is typically two weeks. Team events include:

Iteration planning: A meeting where the team reviews the team backlog, estimates the stories, and commits to the Iteration goals

Daily stand-up: A 15-minute meeting where the team members synchronize their work, share their progress, and identify any impediments or dependencies

Backlog refinement: An ongoing activity where the team and the Product Owner collaborate to refine the team backlog, split features into stories, write acceptance criteria, and prioritize the work

Iteration review: A meeting where the team demonstrates the completed stories to the Product Owner and other stakeholders, and collects feedback and validation

Iteration retrospective: A meeting where the team reflects on their performance, identifies what went well and what can be improved, and agrees on action items to implement in the next Iteration

Team events are different from PI events, which are events that occur at the program level and involve all the teams and stakeholders of an Agile Release Train (ART). PI events include:

PI planning: A two-day event where the ART aligns on a common vision, mission, and goals for the upcoming Program Increment (PI), and creates a plan for delivering value

System demo: A meeting where the ART demonstrates the integrated solution to the Business Owners and other stakeholders, and collects feedback and validation

Inspect and Adapt (I&A): A one-day event where the ART reviews the PI results, identifies the strengths and weaknesses, and creates an improvement backlog for the next PI

Team events are also different from sync events, which are events that occur at the large solution level and involve multiple ARTs and Solution Trains that are working on a complex solution. Sync events include:

Solution demo: A meeting where the Solution Train demonstrates the integrated solution to the Customers and other stakeholders, and collects feedback and validation

Pre- and Post-PI planning: Meetings where the Solution Train aligns on a common vision, mission, and goals for the upcoming PI, and coordinates the dependencies and risks across the ARTs

Solution I&A: A meeting where the Solution Train reviews the PI results, identifies the strengths and weaknesses, and creates an improvement backlog for the next PI

Team events are also different from program events, which are events that occur at the portfolio level and involve the Portfolio Management and other strategic roles. Program events include:

Portfolio sync: A meeting where the Portfolio Management reviews the portfolio vision, strategy, and roadmap, and aligns the value streams and ARTs on the portfolio priorities and objectives

Lean budget guardrails: A set of policies and guidelines that govern the allocation and spending of the portfolio budget across the value streams and ARTs

Portfolio Kanban: A system that visualizes and manages the portfolio work items, such as epics and capabilities, and ensures that they are aligned with the portfolio strategy and value delivery References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Team Events, PI Events, Sync Events, [Program Events]

Iteration goals are short, specific, and measurable statements that describe what the Agile team intends to accomplish in an Iteration. They are derived from the team backlog, the PI objectives, and the team vision. Iteration goals help to align the team to a common vision of work in the Iteration, and provide clarity, focus, and motivation. Iteration goals also enable the team to communicate their progress and dependencies to other teams and stakeholders, and to demonstrate value delivery in the system demo. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Iteration GoalsQUESTION NO: 41

Which situation should use the Large Solution SAFe configuration?

A. Organizations that need to have System Demos after each Iteration

B. Organizations that operate in an environment that requires compliance for complex, high-assurance systems

C. Organizations that need to scale Agile across the Enterprise

D. Every large Enterprise that uses SAFe

Answer: B

The Large Solution SAFe configuration is for enterprises that are building large and complex solutions that typically require multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and Suppliers, but do not require portfolio-level considerations1. This configuration is suitable for organizations that operate in an environment that requires compliance for complex, high-assurance systems, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, and financial industries2. The Large Solution SAFe configuration includes a stronger focus on capturing requirements in the Solution Intent, coordinating multiple ARTs and Suppliers, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards3. References: Large Solution - Scaled Agile Framework, Large Solution SAFe - Scaled Agile Framework, Different SAFe Configurations Explained | Inflectra

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

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 …

Quality is the first and foremost function of the second core value of SAFe, which is Built-in Quality1. Built-in Quality is a set of practices to help ensure that the outputs of Agile teams in business and technology domains meet appropriate quality standards throughout the process of creating customer value2. Built-in Quality requires a culture of shared responsibility, where everyone on the team is accountable for the quality of the work products and the system as a whole2. This culture fosters collaboration, feedback, and continuous improvement, and enables faster delivery and better outcomes2. References: Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework, Quality is the first and foremost a function of what in a Lean-Agile …, Quality is first and foremost a function of what in a lean-agile …

According to the SAFe Implementation Roadmap1, the step that follows Coach ART Execution is Launch more ARTs and Value Streams. This step involves identifying and launching additional ARTs and Value Streams that are needed to deliver the full solution value. It also involves synchronizing the dependencies and alignment across the ARTs and Value Streams, and establishing Solution Trains to coordinate them. This step is essential to scale up the benefits of SAFe and achieve business agility. References: SAFe Implementation Roadmap, Launch More ARTs and Value Streams, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner

 An Iteration is a fixed timebox during which an Agile team delivers a potentially releasable increment of value. The recommended length of an Iteration is two weeks, as this allows for fast feedback, adaptation, and learning cycles. Longer Iterations may increase the risk of overcommitment, scope creep, and reduced quality. Shorter Iterations may increase the overhead of planning and coordination, and reduce the amount of value delivered per Iteration. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, [Iteration]

 A cross-functional Agile Team is a team that has all the skills and competencies needed to define, build, and test an increment of value in an Iteration. A cross-functional Agile Team is composed of team members who have different roles and expertise, such as developers, testers, analysts, designers, etc. A cross-functional Agile Team is also optimized for communication and delivery of value, as it minimizes the handoffs, dependencies, and delays that may occur when working with other teams or functions. A cross-functional Agile Team is able to collaborate effectively, deliver value frequently, and respond to changing customer needs and feedback. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Agile Team

= Fast learning cycles are one of the four pillars of the SAFe House of Lean model, which is based on the Toyota Production System and combines lean management, agile methods, and Lean Thinking1. Fast learning cycles support innovation by enabling rapid feedback, experimentation, and adaptation, which are essential for creating value and achieving Business Agility2. Fast learning cycles also foster a culture of continuous improvement, where teams and individuals are empowered to learn from failures and seek better solutions3. References: = 1: Lean-Agile Mindset - Scaled Agile Framework2; 2: Lean-Agile Mindset - Scaled Agile Framework1; 3: The SAFe House of Lean model: short and sweet - Echometer

 According to the SAFe Implementation Roadmap, culture change is the last step in the transformation process. It states that “culture change comes last, not first. You can’t change a culture until you have changed the underlying behavior and the results that the behavior produces” 1. Therefore, the best way to change the culture is to adopt new approaches that deliver better outcomes and then anchor them in the culture by reinforcing the benefits and values they bring. This is consistent with Kotter’s model of leading change, which also suggests that anchoring new approaches in the culture is the final stage of a successful change effort 23. References: Enhance the Portfolio, Leading Change (Step 8) – Anchor Change in the Culture, Anchor Change in Your Organization’s Culture

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

 Knowledge is one of the factors that affect the size of a story. It refers to what is known or unknown about the story, such as the requirements, the design, the technology, the domain, the dependencies, and the risks. The more unknowns there are, the larger the story size will be, as it will require more effort, complexity, and uncertainty to implement. Knowledge is one of the components of the story point estimation technique, which is a relative measure of the effort required to implement a story. Story points take into account the volume, complexity, knowledge, and uncertainty of the work. References: Story - Scaled Agile Framework, Story Point - Scaled Agile Framework, How to Estimate Agile Stories: Introducing Relative Sizing - LeanDog, Estimate Story - Quickscrum, Agile Estimation – Feature and Story Sizing Scales

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

 Culture is the first element of the CALMR approach to DevOps in SAFe. It refers to the shared mindset and values that support successful DevOps adoption. Culture in SAFe is influenced by the Lean-Agile principles and practices that guide the entire framework. Culture in DevOps requires customer-centricity, collaboration, trust, empowerment, learning, and feedback among all the stakeholders involved in the value stream. Culture also fosters a shift-left mentality, where operational and quality concerns are addressed early and often in the development process. Culture is the foundation for the other elements of CALMR: automation, lean flow, measurement, and recovery. References: CALMR - Scaled Agile Framework, The CALMR Approach to DevOps [Complete Guide] - KnowledgeHut

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

 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

According to the SAFe framework, an Agile Team is a cross-functional group of typically ten or fewer individuals with all the skills necessary to define, build, test, and deliver value to their customer. Agile Teams are self-organizing and self-managing and are accountable for delivering results that meet the needs and expectations of their customers and stakeholders. Agile Teams collaborate with other teams to deliver ART solutions. They contribute to the Vision and Roadmap, and participate in ART events. Agile Teams are not stand-alone units, nor are they large or phase-gated. They are agile, lean, and customer-centric1. References: Agile Teams - Scaled Agile Framework

Customer Centricity is a mindset that focuses on creating positive experiences for the customer through the full set of products and services that the enterprise offers. Customer-centric organizations deliver whole-product solutions designed with a deep understanding of customer needs. This results in greater profits, increased employee engagement, and more satisfied customers in the private sector. Nonprofits and the public sector (governments) can achieve the resiliency, sustainability, and alignment needed to fulfill their mission1. The purpose of Customer Centricity is to understand the customer’s needs and deliver solutions that meet or exceed them. References: 1: Customer Centricity - Scaled Agile Framework

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

An effective Scrum Master is a servant leader who helps the team self-organize, collaborate, and deliver value. They also exhibit Lean-Agile Leadership by embracing the SAFe Core Values, Principles, and Practices, and by coaching the team and stakeholders on how to apply them. Additionally, an effective Scrum Master facilitates the team’s progress toward the Iteration goals by removing impediments, ensuring alignment with the Product Owner and other teams, and fostering continuous improvement. References: Scrum Master - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 2, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

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,

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]

 The Product Owner (PO) is the Agile team member primarily responsible for maximizing the value delivered by the team by ensuring that the team backlog is aligned with customer and stakeholder needs1. As a member of the extended Product Management function, the PO is the team’s primary customer advocate and primary link to business and technology strategy1. The PO is also responsible for maintaining and prioritizing the Program Backlog, which is the single source of truth for the upcoming features of the system2. The PO works with the Product Manager, who owns the Vision and the Roadmap, to define and sequence the features in the Program Backlog2. The PO also collaborates with other POs in the Agile Release Train (ART) to manage dependencies and ensure alignment across teams1. References: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework, Program Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework

 The Continuous Delivery Pipeline represents the workflow, activities, and automation needed to deliver new functionality more frequently. It consists of four elements: Continuous Exploration, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and Release on Demand. The pipeline enables faster value delivery, higher quality, and lower risk. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Continuous Delivery Pipeline, Lesson 4: Deliver Value

Built-in quality is one of the four core values of SAFe, along with alignment, transparency, and program execution. Built-in quality means that every aspect of the solution, from code to compliance, is designed and implemented with high standards and practices that ensure quality. Built-in quality enables fast and reliable delivery of value, reduces waste and rework, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Some of the practices that support built-in quality in SAFe are Test-First, Behavior-Driven Development, Acceptance Test-Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and Communities of Practice. References: Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework, Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, 4 Scaled Agile Framework Core Values | SAFe Core Values - PremierAgile, Scaled Agile Framework: Understand SAFe and Its 4 Core Values.

 ROAM is an acronym that stands for Resolve, Own, Accept, and Mitigate, and it is a framework for making risks visible and actionable in SAFe. During the final plan review, teams present their PI plans and risks to the other teams and stakeholders, and then use the ROAM board to categorize and prioritize the risks. Resolved risks are no longer a threat, owned risks are assigned to a team member for further action, accepted risks are acknowledged but not addressed, and mitigated risks are reduced by a plan. ROAM helps teams collaborate and align on how to handle risks effectively and transparently. References: SAFe Roam Board for Risk Management | Miro, Managing Risks with ROAM in Agile - Planview Blog

The Product Owner role is the Agile team member primarily responsible for maximizing the value delivered by the team by ensuring that the team backlog is aligned with customer and stakeholder needs1. As a member of the extended Product Management function, the Product Owner is the team’s primary customer advocate and primary link to business and technology strategy1. This means that the Product Owner represents the customer to the Agile team, and communicates the product vision, goals, and requirements to the team. The Product Owner also collaborates with the customer and other stakeholders to gather feedback, validate assumptions, and ensure that the team is building the right things and building them right23. References: = 1: Product Owner - Scaled Agile Framework1; 2: What is a Product Owner? | Scrum.org2; 3: I’m a New Product Owner! What Are My Responsibilities? - Scrum Alliance3

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 PI 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). Each demo gives ART stakeholders an objective measure of progress during a Program Increment (PI). A system demo is a critical event. It’s the method for assessing the Solution’s current state and gathering immediate, Agile Release Train -level feedback from the people doing the work, as well as critical feedback from Business Owners, sponsors, stakeholders, and customers. The feedback is critical, as only they can give the guidance the ART needs to stay on course or make adjustments. Therefore, the system demo is intended for the Business Owners, who are key stakeholders that have the ultimate responsibility for the Return on Investment (ROI) of the solution1. References: System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework

 One of the activities that occurs during the PI Planning event is the identification and analysis of the potential risks that may affect the delivery of value by the Agile Release Train (ART). The risks are categorized using the ROAM board, which stands for Resolved, Owned, Accepted, and Mitigated. The Managed category is a subset of the Mitigated category, where the risks are assigned to owners who are responsible for monitoring and controlling them throughout the PI. The Managed category addresses the potential risks that cannot be resolved, owned, or accepted, but can be reduced or avoided by applying appropriate strategies and actions. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, ROAMing Risks

Story points are a relative measure of the effort required to implement a user story. They take into account the volume, complexity, knowledge, and uncertainty of the work. Volume refers to how much work there is, complexity refers to how hard it is, knowledge refers to what is known or unknown, and uncertainty refers to the risk or variability involved. Story points help agile teams estimate their work and plan their iterations. References: Story - Scaled Agile Framework, Story Point - Scaled Agile Framework, Understanding complexity | Range

 A User Story is a short description of a piece of functionality that delivers value to a customer or stakeholder. It is typically written from the perspective of an end user and follows the format: “As a , I want , so that ”. User Stories are the primary elements of the Team Backlog and are used to plan and execute the Iteration. User Stories should be small enough to be completed within one Iteration, which is usually two weeks long. If a User Story is too large or complex, it should be split into smaller stories that can fit within the Iteration timebox. This ensures that the team can deliver value frequently and receive feedback quickly. References: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 3; v6.scaledagileframework.com/story/

 The Agile Release Train (ART) is a long-lived team of Agile teams that incrementally develops, delivers, and often operates one or more solutions in a value stream1. The ART aligns teams to a common mission using a single Vision and a Program Backlog. The Vision is a description of the future state of the solution under development. It reflects customer and stakeholder needs, as well as the features and capabilities planned for the solution2. The Program Backlog is the single source of truth for the upcoming features of the system. It contains the enablers necessary to build the Architectural Runway, as well as the user and business features that deliver customer value3. The Vision and the Program Backlog provide the context and the content for the ART to plan, commit, develop, and deploy together. References: Agile Release Train - Scaled Agile Framework, Vision - Scaled Agile Framework, Program Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework

 Story point size is a relative measure of the effort and complexity involved in implementing a user story. It is not based on the team size, the number of days it will take, or the priority of the story. Rather, it is based on the comparison of the story with other stories of similar or different sizes. Story points help teams estimate how much work they can complete in an iteration, based on their past performance and current capacity. Story points also help teams plan and track their progress at the program level, by aligning the features and capabilities with the stories that implement them. References: Story - Scaled Agile Framework, A Guide to Story Point Estimation - DEV Community, What should be taken into account when estimating Story poin - Madanswer

 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

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

 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

Lean-Agile leaders try to connect the silos of business, software, test, and quality assurance to create a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility across the value stream. By breaking down the barriers between different functions, Lean-Agile leaders enable faster feedback, shorter lead times, higher quality, and better customer satisfaction. Connecting the silos also helps to align the teams around a common vision, mission, and goals, and to foster a Lean-Agile mindset that embraces change and innovation. References: SAFe Core Values, Agile Practice Exam Flashcards, SAFe 4.6 exam prep - Improved - extended Flashcards, Stop Breaking Down Silos and Start Connecting Them

 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

One of the Lean Thinking Principles is to make value flow without interruptions. This means that the organization should optimize the entire value stream, from the customer’s perspective, and eliminate any waste or delays that prevent the smooth and fast delivery of value. Waste can be anything that does not add value to the customer, such as defects, overproduction, waiting, inventory, transportation, motion, or overprocessing. Delays can be caused by handoffs, queues, approvals, dependencies, or variability. By making value flow without interruptions, the organization can increase customer satisfaction, reduce costs, improve quality, and accelerate time to market. References: Lean Thinking: Overview, Principles, Benefits, & Applications Explained, Lean Thinking – Lean Practice | Planview LeanKit

The PI Planning event is a two-day event that brings together all the teams and stakeholders of an Agile Release Train (ART) to align on a common vision, mission, and goals for the upcoming Program Increment (PI). The PI Planning event involves everyone in the program, including the Business Owners, Product Management, System Architects, Agile teams, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Release Train Engineers, and other relevant roles. The PI Planning event also fosters collaboration, communication, and commitment among the participants, and helps identify and address the risks and impediments that may affect the delivery of value. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, PI Planning

Team and Technical Agility is one of the core competencies of the Lean Enterprise that helps drive Agile Quality practices. This competency describes the critical skills and Lean-Agile principles and practices that high-performing Agile teams and teams of Agile teams use to create high-quality solutions for their customers. The main aspects of this competency are: team and technical agility, Agile team, Built-in Quality, and Agile architecture. Built-in Quality is a set of practices to help ensure that the outputs of Agile teams in business and technology domains meet appropriate quality standards throughout the process of creating customer value. Built-in Quality practices include test-first, test automation, continuous integration, refactoring, pair work, code reviews, exploratory testing, and more. References: Team and Technical Agility - Scaled Agile Framework, Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework

 Business agility is the ability to compete and thrive in the digital age by quickly responding to market changes and emerging opportunities with innovative business solutions1. It is the primary goal of SAFe, as it enables enterprises to deliver value faster, better, and more sustainably2. SAFe provides a set of principles, practices, competencies, and values that help organizations achieve business agility3. References: 1: Business Agility 2: SAFe for Teams Student Workbook: materials and exercises from Lesson 1 3: SAFe Core Values

n: Agile development is more beneficial than waterfall development because it increases productivity and employee engagement by empowering teams to self-organize, collaborate, and deliver value in small increments. It also allows businesses to deliver value to the market more quickly by reducing the feedback cycle, adapting to changing requirements, and releasing high-quality products frequently. References: SAFe® for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Lean-Agile Mindset, Continuous Delivery Pipeline

 Business Owners assign business value to team PI Objectives to provide a common language for communicating with business and technology stakeholders, create the near-term focus and vision, enable the ART to assess its performance and the business value achieved, communicate and highlight each team’s contribution to business value, expose dependencies that require coordination, and provide an input to execution considerations. By assigning business value, Business Owners empower teams to make decisions around work that aligns with the business goals and priorities. References: PI Objectives, Business Owners, Your Guide to Writing Great Iteration and PI Objectives, PI Objectives - Easy Agile, Why do business owners assign business value to PI objectives?

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n: A backlog refinement session is a periodic activity teams use to define, discuss, estimate, and establish acceptance criteria for upcoming backlog items1. One key benefit of a backlog refinement session is that it provides time to identify dependencies and issues that could impact the next iteration. By doing so, teams can reduce uncertainty, avoid surprises, and plan more effectively. Backlog refinement also helps surface problems with the current plan, which may require discussion at the team, PO, or coach syncs2. Additionally, backlog refinement helps teams align their backlog with the ART backlog, the PI objectives, and the customer needs2. References: Backlog Refinement - Scaled Agile Framework, Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework

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/]

 A Solution Demo is one of the Agile Release Train events. A Solution Demo is a periodic event where the current state of the Solution is evaluated by the relevant stakeholders, including customers and users. The Solution Demo provides an opportunity to inspect and adapt the Solution, and to validate that it meets the Solution Intent and the customer needs. The Solution Demo is typically held at the end of each Program Increment (PI), and may also be held more frequently depending on the Solution context and feedback mechanisms. References: Solution 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

The SAFe Implementation Roadmap is a strategy and an ordered set of activities that have proven to be effective in successfully implementing SAFe. It is based on organizational change management strategies and provides the critical moves for adopting SAFe. The roadmap consists of 14 steps, from reaching the tipping point to sustaining and improving1. References: 1: Implementation Roadmap - 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

 Agile Product Delivery is one of the SAFe Core Competencies of Business Agility that includes the Customer Centricity and Design Thinking dimension. Agile Product Delivery is a customer-centric approach to defining, building, and releasing a continuous flow of valuable products and services to customers and users. It requires a close collaboration between the business and IT, and a focus on delivering solutions that meet the current and future needs of the customers and users. Customer Centricity and Design Thinking are key aspects of Agile Product Delivery that help enterprises understand their customers and users better, empathize with their problems and goals, and co-create solutions that delight them. Customer Centricity and Design Thinking also enable enterprises to validate their assumptions and hypotheses, and pivot when necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner, Agile Product Delivery, Customer Centricity, Design Thinking

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]

Respect for People is one of the four SAFe Core Values. It means that the enterprise fosters a culture of mutual influence, trust, empowerment, and collaboration among all the people involved in delivering value, including customers, employees, partners, and suppliers. Respect for People also implies that the enterprise values diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety, and that it treats people as the most important asset. Respect for People supports the following practices in SAFe1:

Turn mistakes into learning moments. Mistakes are inevitable in complex and uncertain environments, and they provide opportunities for learning and improvement. Instead of blaming or punishing people for making mistakes, the enterprise encourages them to share their learnings, experiment with new ideas, and apply the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) cycle.

Create a trust-based environment. Trust is the foundation of effective collaboration and high performance. The enterprise builds trust by being transparent, honest, supportive, and accountable. It also empowers people to make decisions, take ownership, and self-organize around value delivery.

Visualize work. Visualization helps people see the flow of value, identify bottlenecks, dependencies, and waste, and collaborate on solutions. The enterprise uses various tools and techniques to visualize work, such as Kanban boards, Cumulative Flow Diagrams, Program Boards, and Value Stream Maps. References: 1: Respect for People and Culture - Scaled Agile Framework

Batch size is the size, measured in work product, of one completed unit of work. Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to complete one batch of work. What we focus on with lean development is reducing batch sizes, thereby reducing cycle times, thus increasing potential learning points over time1. The bigger a batch of work, the slower it flows through the system. We also have greater variability in the system because one big batch item may take 5 days to flow through the system whilst another big batch item may take 25 days to flow through the system. So that variability will impact the rate at which we can deliver value to customers2. Therefore, large batch sizes increase variability and reduce flow, which is contrary to the principles of lean development. References: Principle #6 – Visualize and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths, Principle #6 - Make Value Flow Without Interruptions, What is the good batch size for large datasets?, Understanding Lean product development: Batch Size, Work in Process (WIP), Risk for Small Teams, SAFe Principle 6: Visualise and limit WIP, reduce batch sizes, and manage queued lengths

SAFe recommends running a Retrospective on a cadence during the PI for SAFe Team Kanban Teams. A Retrospective is a team-level event that occurs at the end of each iteration, where the team reflects on how they are working and identifies improvement actions for the next iteration. A Retrospective helps the team pursue perfection by applying the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) cycle1. SAFe Team Kanban Teams also participate in other ART events, such as PI Planning, System Demo, and Inspect and Adapt2. References: 1: Retrospective - Scaled Agile Framework2: SAFe Team Kanban - Scaled Agile Framework

One benefit of Story acceptance criteria is to provide Story details from a testing point of view. Acceptance criteria are the conditions or rules that a user story must meet to be considered complete and acceptable by the customer or stakeholder. They define the scope and boundaries of the user story and help the team to understand what needs to be done and how to test it. Acceptance criteria also facilitate communication and collaboration between the team and the customer or stakeholder, as they provide a common language and a shared understanding of the expected outcome. References: What is User Story and Acceptance Criteria (Examples), Acceptance Criteria: Everything You Need to Know Plus Examples

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

 = The “3 Cs” of user stories are three criteria that help to ensure that the requirements in your story are clear, complete, and correct. These three criteria are Card, Conversation, and Confirmation1.

Card: A user story card is a placeholder for a conversation. It is a brief and informal description of a software feature written from the perspective of the end user. It captures the essence of the user’s need, without going into too much detail or technical jargon. It is usually written on a physical or digital card that can be easily moved and prioritized2.

Conversation: A user story card is not enough to convey all the information needed to develop and deliver the feature. It is meant to trigger a conversation between the product owner, the development team, and other stakeholders. The conversation is where the details, assumptions, risks, and acceptance criteria are discussed and clarified. The conversation is also an opportunity to collaborate, negotiate, and validate the user story3.

Confirmation: A user story is not complete until it has a confirmation. This is a set of criteria that define what done looks like for the feature. It is also known as acceptance criteria, and it specifies the conditions that must be met for the user story to be accepted by the product owner and the customer. The confirmation is usually written as a series of testable statements that can be verified by the development team and the product owner4.

= The SAFe Lean-Agile principle that involves delivering a continuous flow of value to customers in the shortest sustainable lead time is “Make value flow without interruptions”. This principle is based on the Lean concept of optimizing the whole value stream, from concept to cash, by eliminating delays, queues, handoffs, and rework. By applying practices such as limiting work in progress (WIP), reducing batch sizes, managing queue lengths, and implementing continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), SAFe teams and trains can accelerate the flow of value and feedback, improve quality and reliability, and reduce waste and overhead. References: = SAFe Lean-Agile Principles - Scaled Agile Framework, Accelerating Flow with SAFe - Scaled Agile Framework1, The Five Principles of Lean - Project Management Institute

The team’s initial capacity is calculated by multiplying the number of team members by the number of hours per day they are available for work, and then by the number of days in the iteration. In this case, the team has six members (two testers, three developers, and one Scrum Master/Team Coach), and the Product Owner is split between two teams, so they only count as half a member. Assuming they are available for eight hours per day and the iteration is five days long, the team’s initial capacity is:

Initial capacity=(6+0.5)×8×5=260

However, this is not the final answer, because the team also needs to account for the time spent on non-value-added activities, such as meetings, emails, and other overhead. According to the SAFe for Teams course, a typical team spends about 15% of their time on these activities, so they need to subtract that from their initial capacity. Therefore, the team’s final capacity before calculating for time off is:

Final capacity=260×(1−0.15)=221

To get the answer in terms of story points, the team needs to divide their final capacity by the average number of hours per story point. According to the SAFe for Teams course, a typical team has an average of 5.5 hours per story point, so the team’s capacity in story points is:

Capacity in story points=5.5221​≈40

Therefore, the correct answer is C. 40.

= Deliver value is one of the six Agile Team responsibilities in SAFe, along with aligning to a common mission, applying systems thinking, building incrementally with fast feedback, collaborating and making decisions together, and improving relentlessly. While delivering value is essential for Agile Teams, it should not come at the expense of other responsibilities, especially improving relentlessly. By skipping the retrospective events, Team B is missing an opportunity to reflect on their practices, identify what is working well and what is not, and plan actions to improve their performance and quality. Retrospectives are a key mechanism for implementing the SAFe Core Value of Relentless Improvement and the SAFe Principle #12 - Assume variability; preserve options. References: = Agile Teams - Scaled Agile Framework, Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Principles - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

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

Culture is the first element of the CALMR approach to DevOps in SAFe. It refers to the shared mindset and values that support successful DevOps adoption. Culture in SAFe is influenced by the Lean-Agile principles and practices that guide the entire framework. Culture in DevOps requires customer-centricity, collaboration, trust, empowerment, learning, and feedback among all the stakeholders involved in the value stream. Culture also fosters a shift-left mentality, where operational and quality concerns are addressed early and often in the development process. Culture is the foundation for the other elements of CALMR: automation, lean flow, measurement, and recovery1. One of the aspects of culture is to establish a work environment of shared responsibility, where everyone in the value stream is accountable for the quality and security of the solution, and for the outcomes delivered to the customer2. This means breaking down the silos and barriers between development, operations, security, and other teams, and creating a culture of mutual trust and respect3. Shared responsibility also means that everyone in the value stream has the authority and autonomy to make decisions and take actions that support the delivery of value, while following the guardrails and policies established by the enterprise4. References: CALMR - Scaled Agile Framework, Culture - Scaled Agile Framework, What Is DevOps? - Scaled Agile Framework, Decentralize Decision Making - Scaled Agile Framework

Lean Portfolio Management, Agile Product Delivery, and Lean-Agile Leadership are three of the seven SAFe Core Competencies. These competencies are essential to achieving Business Agility, which is the ability to compete and thrive in the digital age by quickly responding to market changes and emerging opportunities with innovative business solutions1. The SAFe Core Competencies are as follows2:

Lean-Agile Leadership: Inspires, empowers, and coaches the people who design, build, and support the world’s solutions

Team and Technical Agility: Drives high-quality, innovative solutions that delight customers and operate reliably

Agile Product Delivery: Builds solutions that customers love, delivered with high frequency and quality

Enterprise Solution Delivery: Builds and evolves the world’s largest and most sophisticated software, hardware, cyber-physical, and systems-of-systems solutions

Lean Portfolio Management: Aligns strategy and execution by applying Lean and systems thinking approaches to strategy and investment funding, Agile portfolio operations, and governance

Organizational Agility: Adapts quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs by reconfiguring strategy, structure, processes, people, and technology toward value-creating and value-preserving opportunities

Continuous Learning Culture: Improves the competency and skills of individuals and teams, fosters a culture of innovation, and creates organizational resiliency References: 1: Business Agility - Scaled Agile Framework2: Core Competencies - Scaled Agile Framework

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 Scrum Master for the ART, which means they help the teams apply and improve the Scrum practices, such as planning, reviewing, and retrospecting. The RTE is not the technical leader, the content authority, or the program manager 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): Responsibilities and Skills | Indeed.com

Respect for People is one of the four SAFe Core Values that guide the behaviors and actions of everyone participating in a SAFe portfolio. Respect for People means that everyone is valued and deserves respect, regardless of their role, background, or experience. It also means that everyone is empowered to contribute, learn, and grow within the organization. Respect for People involves coaching aspiring developers to grow their skillsets and fill new roles throughout the organization, as well as providing them with opportunities for feedback, recognition, and career development. Respect for People also fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety, where people can express their ideas, opinions, and concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation. References: Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, Respect for People - 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 customers. It is a shared understanding among the team members of when a product increment is ready for release, even when the increment is large and consists of many items. The DoD is a commitment that the scrum team makes regarding the quality of the increment. The team promises that each increment will meet the DoD. They have checked all the quality checkboxes. This allows stakeholders to be confident that each new increment is usable and valuable. The DoD is not created by one person, but by the entire project team, including developers, testers, product owners, and other stakeholders. This ensures a smoother process during sprints since everyone is using the DoD as a guide alongside any checklists before marking an item as complete. Therefore, the agile teams are the primary stakeholders who develop the DoD for the team increment. References: What is the Definition of Done? Understanding DOD in Agile - Atlassian, What is the Definition of Done? | Scrum.org, How To Create A Definition Of Done | Agile Learning Labs, What is a Definition of Done? | Scrum.org

The portfolio’s Strategic Themes and SWOT and TOWS analysis are critical inputs to exploring alternatives for the future state. LPM uses the current state portfolio canvas as a starting point to explore the different ways in which the portfolio could evolve in alignment with the strategic themes. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and TOWS stands for Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Strengths. These are tools for identifying and analyzing the internal and external factors that affect the portfolio. SWOT and TOWS help LPM to brainstorm potential portfolio future states and prioritize the most promising ones. References: Portfolio Vision - Scaled Agile Framework, Portfolio Vision - 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.

= Decoupling deployment from release means having the ability to deploy changes to a system without having to make a new release of the system. This can be a valuable capability when making changes to a system that is in production and needs to be rolled back quickly if there are problems. It also allows releasing functionality on demand to meet business needs, which is one of the aspects of the Continuous Delivery Pipeline in SAFe. By decoupling deployment from release, enterprises can achieve faster feedback, higher frequency, and greater safety in delivering value to customers. References: = Release on Demand, DevOps: Why Is It Important to Decouple Deployment From Release?, Why Is It Important to Decouple Deployment from Release?, What a Lovely Decouple: Why Decoupling Deploy from Release Is a Game Changer

 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 Team and Technical Agility Core Competency describes the critical skills and Lean-Agile principles and practices that high-performing Agile teams and Teams of Agile teams use to create high-quality solutions for their customers. It consists of three dimensions: Agile Teams, Team of Agile Teams, and Built in Quality1. Built in Quality is the dimension that ensures that every aspect of the solution, from code to compliance, is designed and implemented with high standards and practices that guarantee quality. Built in Quality enables fast and reliable delivery of value, reduces waste and rework, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Some of the practices that support Built in Quality in SAFe are Test-First, Behavior-Driven Development, Acceptance Test-Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, and Communities of Practice2. References: Team and Technical Agility - Scaled Agile Framework, Built-In Quality - Scaled Agile Framework.

 A Feature is a service that fulfills a stakeholder need and delivers business value. One key component of a Feature is the benefit hypothesis, which is a statement that describes the expected outcome and value of the Feature for the end user or the business1. The benefit hypothesis helps to define the scope, priority, and acceptance criteria of the Feature, and to measure its impact and effectiveness after implementation2. The benefit hypothesis also supports the Lean UX process model, which includes a definition of the Minimum Marketable Feature (MMF), a benefit hypothesis, and acceptance criteria3. The other options are not key components of a Feature, although they may be related to it. A business plan is a document that outlines the goals, strategies, and financial projections of a business or a product, and it may include some features, but it is not a component of a Feature. Key stakeholders are the people or groups who have an interest or influence in the product or the Feature, and they may provide input or feedback, but they are not a component of a Feature. A release plan is a schedule that shows when the product or the Feature will be delivered to the customers or users, and it may depend on the Feature, but it is not a component of a Feature. References: Features and Capabilities - Scaled Agile Framework, What Are The Minimum Requirements For A Feature? SAFe, Agile - airfocus, Lean UX - Scaled Agile Framework

According to SAFe Lean-Agile Principle #10, the enterprise should organize around value to deliver the best value and quality for people and society in the shortest sustainable lead time. This means that the enterprise should create a network of development value streams that can optimize the flow of value by reducing handoffs and delays, bringing together all the necessary personnel, providing intense customer focus, and measuring success by outcome-based key performance indicators. Moreover, the network should be able to rapidly reorganize as necessary to support emerging opportunities and competitive threats, while leveraging the hierarchical system for benefits and stability. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Reorganize the network to address emerging opportunities. References: Principle #10 – Organize around value - Scaled Agile Framework, SAFe Lean-Agile Principles - Scaled Agile Framework, The 10th Principle – Lean Agile Guru

 Transparency is one of the four core values of SAFe that represents the foundational beliefs that are key to SAFe’s effectiveness. Transparency means making all the work visible, along with its priorities, status, dependencies, and outcomes. Transparency also means being honest and open about the challenges, risks, failures, and learnings that occur during the development process. By stating the reason for the release failure and sharing their improvement plan, Team B is demonstrating transparency to the other teams and stakeholders in the System Demo. Transparency helps to build trust, collaboration, alignment, and continuous learning in the ART and the Solution Train. References: = Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework, System Demo - Scaled Agile Framework, Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe® Practitioner

The concept of “shift-left” means moving testing and validation activities earlier in the work cycle to get faster or continuous feedback. This helps to identify and fix defects, errors, or issues as soon as possible, reducing the cost and risk of rework and delays. Shift-left testing also supports the agile principle of delivering working software frequently and the lean principle of building quality in. By shifting testing left, teams can ensure that the solutions they deliver meet the customer needs and expectations, as well as the quality standards and compliance requirements. References: Built-In Quality, Shift Left Testing: What, Why & How To Shift Left, What Executives Should Know About Shift-Left Security, What is Shift Left Security?