Key Features of the Agile Release Train in SAFe® Framework

The Agile Release Train (ART) is a fundamental concept within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®), representing a long-lived team of Agile teams, which, along with other stakeholders, progressively delivers value in a regular and predictable manner. Essentially, an ART is a virtual organization comprising 50–125 individuals who plan, commit, and execute together.

Key characteristics of an ART include:

• Aligned Teams: The ART aligns teams to a common mission through a single Program Backlog. All teams on the train work on the same iteration cadence and follow a uniform Program Increment (PI) schedule, typically 8–12 weeks long.
• Value Delivery: ARTs are organized around the continuous delivery of value, focusing on producing a steady stream of valuable product increments, including new features, enhancements, and potentially fixing defects or reducing technical debt.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: ARTs include all the necessary roles and skills – such as developers, testers, product owners, designers, and support personnel – required to deliver a complete product increment.
• PI Planning: A critical event for ART is PI Planning, a two-day face-to-face or virtual meeting where all members of the ART come together to align on the mission, vision, objectives, and iteration plans for the upcoming program increment.
• Iteration Execution: During each iteration, Agile teams within the ART implement and validate small, incremental changes to the product, contributing to the overall goals of the ART.
• System Demos: At the end of each iteration, the ART conducts a System Demo to showcase the integrated work of all the teams on the train, providing an opportunity for feedback and adjustment.
• Inspect and Adapt: The ART regularly reflects on its performance and processes, seeking ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The ART concept is pivotal in scaling Agile practices beyond individual teams, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and delivery at scale within larger organizations.