A cross-functional team of teams working together to deliver value continuously through a series of iterations and program increments in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
What is an Agile Release Train (ART)?An Agile Release Train (ART) is a long-lived team of Agile teams, which, along with other stakeholders, develops and delivers solutions incrementally, using a series of fixed-length iterations within a Program Increment (PI) timebox. The ART aligns teams to a common business and technology mission.Key Elements of the Agile Release Train1. Team of Agile Teams: The ART is a team of Agile teams that delivers value together. It typically consists of 50-125 individuals, including Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and development team members.2. Program Increment (PI): The ART operates on a cadence of Program Increments, which are typically 8-12 weeks long. Each PI is a planning and execution timebox during which a significant increment of value is delivered.3. PI Planning: At the beginning of each PI, the ART holds a PI Planning event where all teams come together to align on the objectives for the upcoming PI and create a plan for achieving them.4. Synchronization: The ART synchronizes the teams' work through various events such as the PI Planning, System Demo, and Inspect & Adapt workshop.5. Value Delivery: The ART is responsible for delivering a continuous flow of value to the customer. It does this by developing and releasing solutions incrementally.Benefits of the Agile Release Train1. Alignment: The ART aligns teams to a common mission and set of objectives, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals.2. Predictability: The fixed cadence of the PI provides a predictable rhythm for the delivery of value.3. Quality: The focus on continuous integration and delivery, along with built-in quality practices, ensures that the solutions delivered by the ART are of high quality.4. Transparency: The regular synchronization events provide transparency into the progress and health of the ART.5. Adaptability: The ART is able to respond to changing market conditions and customer needs by adjusting its plans at the beginning of each PI.Implementing an Agile Release TrainImplementing an ART requires a significant shift in mindset and practices. It involves:1. Identifying the value streams and the teams that will be part of the ART.2. Training the teams on Agile and SAFe practices.3. Establishing the roles and events of the ART.4. Conducting the first PI Planning event to kick off the ART.5. Continuously improving the ART based on feedback and learning.ConclusionThe Agile Release Train is a key construct in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It provides a way to scale Agile practices to large enterprises by aligning multiple teams to a common mission and cadence. By implementing an ART, organizations can achieve better alignment, predictability, quality, transparency, and adaptability in their product development efforts.