How SAFe are you?

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) evolved from it’s initial version published in 2011 to the current date (2021) in different versions. Many concepts have been added to the framework. In this article, we shed light what major adaptations were done over the course of a decade.

SAFe 1.0 (2011)

  • Initial release

SAFe 2.0 (2012)

  • Added Agile Release Trains (ARTs)
  • Introduced the concept of ScrumXP (Scrum + XP)
  • Added the Program Increment (PI) planning event
  • Introduced the role of Release Train Engineer (RTE)

SAFe 3.0 (2014)

  • Added Solution-level constructs, such as Solution Train, Solution Backlog, and Solution Demo
  • Introduced Lean Systems Engineering to integrate hardware and software development
  • Added the Continuous Delivery Pipeline

SAFe 4.0 (2016)

  • Reorganized into 4 configurations: Essential SAFe, Large Solution SAFe, Portfolio SAFe, and Full SAFe
  • Introduced the Portfolio Kanban system for Portfolio SAFe
  • Added the Solution Intent for Large Solution SAFe

SAFe 4.5 (2017)

  • Added SAFe Lean Portfolio Management, which includes the Portfolio Vision, Lean Budgets, and Portfolio Backlog
  • Introduced the Continuous Exploration (CE) process
  • Added the Solution Train Engineer (STE) role

SAFe 4.6 (2018)

  • Added DevOps and Business Agility as new competencies
  • Introduced the Continuous Learning Culture

SAFe 4.6.1 (2018) & SAFe 4.6.2 (2019)

  • Minor updates to SAFe 4.6

SAFe 5.0 (2020)

  • Reorganized into 7 core competencies: Lean-Agile Leadership, Team and Technical Agility, Agile Product Delivery, Enterprise Solution Delivery, Lean Portfolio Management, Organizational Agility, and Continuous Learning Culture
  • Introduced Value Stream Level, which includes the Value Stream Coordinator (VSC) role
  • Added the Continuous Delivery Toolkit

SAFe 5.1 (2020)

  • Introduced the Customer Centricity competency
  • Added the Continuous Learning Advisory Board

SAFe 5.2 (2021)

  • Added the Business Agility Manifesto
  • Introduced the Flow Framework for DevOps
  • Added the Agile Contracting and Vendor Management competency

SAFe v6.0 (2023)

  • Added Strengthening the Foundation for Business Agility
  • Introduced Empowering Teams and Clarifying Responsibilities
  • Added Accelerating Value Flow
  • Introduced Enhancing Business Agility with SAFe across the business
  • Introduced Building the Future with AI, Big Data, and Cloud
  • Introduced Delivering Better Outcomes with Measure and Grow and OKRs

consultants understand that implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) can be a complex undertaking. Finding the right expertise to guide you through the process is crucial. offers experienced SAFe experts who can help you navigate the framework’s evolution from v1.0 to v5.2 and beyond.

We understand that each organization is unique, and our experts have a deep understanding of SAFe’s components and the ability to adapt the framework to your organization’s specific requirements. Whether you are just starting with SAFe or looking to optimize your existing implementation, we can match you with the right expert to provide the guidance and support you need to succeed.

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