Shifting Gears: Why I Ditched SAFe Training for Smaller, Quirkier Teams and a Slight Dent in My Wallet!

Some may have noticed that I’ve quietly dropped the SAFe  (Scaled Agile Framework) training courses from the website some time ago and earlier this year I declined a rather big SAFe gig! so why have I've made the conscious decision to step away from providing SAFe training and consultancy? It's a question that deserves a thoughtful response, as it represents a bit of a shift in both my approach to helping organisations embrace agility and..... a core revenue stream!  

The SAFe Odyssey 

I first started became interested in SAFe around 2013 - Writing some of my early blog posts on the subject around the same time, I became SAFe v3 certified and shortly after a SPC4 (SAFe Programme Consultant – version 4).  

I've witnessed and assisted SAFe do its thing in mammoth organizations, turning chaotic jumbles of projects into harmonious symphonies of product delivery – Well perhaps a ‘little’ poetic licence there!  

But I have witnessed the transformative power in large organisations where it’s helped to bring alignment, focus, limit WIP and increase visibility into the complex world of product delivery. I’ve seen organisations go from deliveries that take years to releasing production code monthly (or shorter) and pivot entire product developments teams (circa 100 people) every quarter! many Scrum masters and agile practitioners may scoff, but to an organisation that’s trying to coordinate many 3rd party suppliers with an array of contractual obligations, regulatory oversight and hundreds of people across differing disciplines and funding pots it’s massive progress in reducing lead times from years to sometimes weeks! 

SAFe as a framework undoubtedly has its merits, constantly evolves, learns and is embracing to new ideas – Over the years I’ve written multiple blogs in defence of SAFe and occasionally even dipped my toe into the toxic world of LinkedIn to defend SAFe against mainly people who have no firsthand experience and disappointingly  no actual knowledge or deeply flawed understandings of the framework.  - https://www.thatsintelligence.com/blog/safe-in-a-nutshell 

The Allure of Small Teams 

During the Covid pandemic I progressed to SPC5 and worked with a past client to do their and my first ever fully remote PI (Programme Increment) planning event... and did a little SAFe training and consultancy for past clients. 

Perhaps it was the remote aspect It certainly added to the challenges, but I found myself not enjoying the training as much as I once did....  I’ve always found myself increasingly drawn to smaller teams, start-ups and failing projects! For a while I made my money parachuting into failing projects and steadying the ship! Turning them around and delivering some very large projects.   

This realisation has slowly led to a significant shift in my approach - Instead of spreading my efforts across large organizations seeking SAFe training – Think the Law of Raspberry Jam, Gerald Weinberg, I choosing to concentrate my expertise on these smaller teams. Why? Because I believe that's where I can make a difference.  

Closing Thoughts 

The decision to step away from providing SAFe training was not taken lightly… In fact, SAFe has been reasonably lucrative for “That’s Intelligence Ltd” and undoubtedly has its place and has brought substantial benefits to many organisations.   

However – for the foreseeable future I’ll be focussing on clients where I can apply my services in a more hands on delivery focussed role.