Introduction
As someone who has spent years navigating the complexities of organizational transformation, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and triumphs of implementing Agile at scale. Frameworks like SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) and LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum) have been instrumental in my own journey of helping teams and businesses thrive. Each has its unique strengths, and choosing the right approach often depends on the specific needs and culture of the organization.

In this post, I’ll share my personal experiences working with SAFe and LeSS, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and real examples of transformations I’ve been a part of.

Discovering SAFe: A Structured Path to Alignment

My first deep dive into SAFe happened during a transformation at a global manufacturing company. At the time, the organization was struggling with disconnected teams, unclear priorities, and slow delivery cycles. I was brought in as part of a team tasked with turning things around.

The Approach

We started by introducing the Essential SAFe configuration. The concept of Agile Release Trains (ARTs) was a game-changer. These trains acted as alignment engines, synchronizing multiple teams and ensuring everyone was working toward common goals.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I learned that transformations of this scale require relentless focus on culture. Initially, there was resistance from leadership who viewed Agile as “just for developers.” Through workshops and continuous coaching, we bridged that gap.

The Results

The change was profound. Within a few months:

• Delivery times were cut by almost 30%.
• Collaboration among teams skyrocketed.
• Leadership and teams began speaking the same language, creating a newfound sense of alignment.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I learned that transformations of this scale require relentless focus on culture. Initially, there was resistance from leadership who viewed Agile as “just for developers.” Through workshops and continuous coaching, we bridged that gap.

Finding Simplicity with LeSS

In another project, I worked with a growing FinTech company that wanted to scale without losing its Agile roots. Having been deeply invested in Scrum from the start, they were skeptical about adopting a framework that felt too rigid. That’s when I recommended LeSS.

The Journey

What drew me to LeSS was its simplicity. By consolidating their multiple product backlogs into one and emphasizing cross-team collaboration, we reduced overhead and stayed true to the essence of Scrum. Sprint reviews became vibrant showcases where teams collectively demonstrated progress, sparking innovation and trust among stakeholders.

The Results

• Transparency improved across the board.
• Teams gained a deeper understanding of each other’s work, fostering collaboration.
• Time-to-market for new features dropped significantly—by about 40%.

 

One of my favorite moments during this journey was a retrospective where a team member said, “This feels like we’re a startup again—fast, lean, and energized.” That statement captured exactly what we’d set out to achieve.

Lessons Learned from My Experiences

SAFe: When Structure Drives Success

SAFe excels when you’re dealing with large, complex organizations that need a clear structure to scale Agile. I’ve seen it work wonders for companies with distributed teams or where strategic alignment between IT and business is critical.

LeSS: When Simplicity is Key

LeSS shines in environments where maintaining the core principles of Scrum is essential. It’s ideal for organizations that are willing to embrace minimalism and rely heavily on collaboration over processes.

Overcoming Resistance

Both frameworks come with their challenges. In my experience:

• Cultural Resistance: Leaders often need to be the first to embrace change. Hosting leadership workshops focused on Agile values made a huge difference in both cases.
• Fear of Failure: Teams sometimes hesitate to try new approaches. Building a safe environment for experimentation helped reduce this fear.