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On today\u2019s podcast, Dan Neumann is joined once again by Christy Erbeck! Christy is a principal transformation consultant at AgileThought and a Certified Dare to Lead\u2122 Facilitator. She has over 25 years of experience in domestic and international consulting, training and coaching, and working in both software development and non-product-focused environments, including manufacturing (discrete and process), distribution, and sales and marketing.

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On top of all of Christy\u2019s licenses and titles, she is also a Certified SAFe\xae Program Consultant \u2014 which is also the topic of today\u2019s show! There are a lot of horror stories around SAFe implementations because, in many cases, the original intent has been corrupted. So in this episode, Christy is breaking the SAFe framework down for listeners. She\u2019s busting the myths that have given SAFe a bad rap and then providing her tips for a successful and effective implementation of SAFe!

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Key Takeaways

What is SAFe?

SAFe is a framework for predictability at scale

Empowers complex organizations to achieve the benefits of Lean-Agile software and systems development at scale

Christy busts some myths regarding the SAFe:

\u201cWaterfall disguised as Agility\u201d \u2014 not true; it is a framework with elasticity in how it can be implemented

\u201cIt\u2019s very prescriptive\u201d \u2014 though there is an overarching framework and path that is laid out, the fundamental mindset underneath it is Agility

\u201cSAFe stops at training the leaders about velocity\u201d \u2014 untrue! Just train the leaders and just get started

\u201cYou can just put aside vulnerability\u201d \u2014 you cannot, so instead get in front of it and break down the walls by discussing the discomfort and change that comes with implementation

\u201cSAFe always goes wrong and completely goes against an Agile mindset\u201d \u2014 SAFe as a framework does not do this; it\u2019s perpetrated by the consultants and the organizations that don\u2019t fully commit to implementing it

How to ensure your SAFe implementation is effective and successful:

Start small and \u2018nail it before you scale it\u2019

Start with training your leaders and give them a compelling \u2018why\u2019

Create a Lean-Agile center of excellence where you can bring everyone together to help identify the system-level items and issues that are going to need to be addressed as you all move through the implementation roadmap

As a manager, reject bad plans (this is very beneficial towards getting more predictable deliveries)

Implement the events within SAFe well (and safely) so that your organization can be set up for success

Understand Lean thinking

Establish safety within the team and the organization to build trust

Stay nimble

Listen to what the client needs, not what you think they need

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Mentioned in this Episode:

Christy Erbeck\u2019s LinkedIn

Scaled Agile Framework

Certified SAFe\xae Program Consultant

Agile Coaches\u2019 Corner Ep. 1: \u201cDo Scrum Well Before Scaling!\u201d

Agile Coaches\u2019 Corner Ep. 22: \u201cThe Role of Managers in Agile Organizations with Esther Derby\u201d

Bren\xe9 Brown

Bren\xe9 Brown \u2014 Dare to Lead

Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek

Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, by Bryon Powell

How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of Intangibles in Business, by Douglas W. Hubbard

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Christy Erbeck\u2019s Book Pick:

Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do, by Jordan Raynor

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Want to Learn More or Get in Touch?

Visit the website and catch up with all the episodes on AgileThought.com!

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