The Agile Release Train (ART) is a key component of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) designed to help large organizations deliver solutions efficiently by aligning teams to a shared business and technology mission. ART operates on a set schedule known as a Program Increment (PI), typically 8-12 weeks, during which all teams on the train deliver incremental value in the form of working, tested software and systems. The ART aligns teams to a common mission through synchronized iterations and integrated planning, which helps manage dependencies and provides a predictable delivery schedule.
Define the Agile Release Train: Identify the teams and roles that will be part of the ART and define the common mission and goals. | Organize around the Value Stream: Align the ART to the critical value streams of the organization to ensure that efforts are directly enhancing customer value. | Plan the Program Increment (PI): Conduct PI planning sessions where all team members align on the objectives and commitments for the upcoming increment. | Execute Iterations: Implement the work planned during the PI in a series of iterations, usually two-week sprints, with regular sync meetings to address impediments and dependencies. | Demonstrate and Inspect: At the end of each PI, hold a system demo to review the increment’s progress and gather feedback to improve the next PI. | Retrospect and Improve: Conduct retrospectives to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and how processes can be improved for the next PI.
Regularly review and adjust the composition of the ART to ensure it remains aligned with business goals. | Ensure full participation in PI planning to foster ownership and commitment across teams. | Invest in continuous learning and improvement to adapt ART processes to evolving business needs.
Enhanced alignment across multiple teams | Predictable delivery of value | Improved visibility and transparency across projects
Requires significant upfront planning | Can be rigid due to fixed schedules | Complex to implement in non-agile environments
When scaling agile practices across multiple teams or departments | In organizations requiring coordination of complex product development cycles
In very small teams or projects where the overhead of ART may not be justified | Where rapid changes and flexibility are required that cannot accommodate fixed iteration schedules