In this episode of The Product Handbook, we unpack the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) — one of the most widely adopted (and hotly debated) approaches to scaling Agile across large organizations.
You’ll learn:
The core components of SAFe, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, alignment rituals, and built-in quality practices
Key values like transparency, predictability, and alignment across teams — and how they play out in practice
Common critiques: Is SAFe just “Waterfall with standups”? Why do some call it agile theater?
How SAFe compares to leaner models like LeSS
A mental map of roles, events, and decision layers that help you remember SAFe without drowning in acronyms
If you’ve ever sat in a PI planning session wondering “Is this Agile?” — or you’re preparing to explain SAFe in an interview or leadership meeting — this episode gives you the clarity and context to speak fluently (and skeptically) about scaled agility.
