13 Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Tools [2024]

Importance of Tools in Implementing SAFe

When companies face challenges, they look to SAFe as their go-to solution. Here are some more points that will help you realize why you need SAFe for your organization:

Complexity and Scale

The majority of large organizations have multiple teams. Hence, different teams have multiple departments dedicated to various features of their products and services. SAFe aims for a systematic way in which the activities of such teams are coordinated, synchronized, and equalized to remove misalignment.

Alignment

In SAFe, organizations can always be confident that the teams are working on team objectives. That is why interest in businesses has increased, and subsequently, the value of the business has improved.

Improved Collaboration

SAFe allows team members to work together within their assigned teams by bridging the gaps that might exist in traditional organizational silos.

Predictable Delivery

Agile Release Trains (ARTs) in SAFe help provide a routine by ensuring a consistent and timely value.

Quality

With its built-in quality practices and continuous integration, SAFe detects and fixes issues earlier or before they actually occur, reducing defects or reworks.

Key Features of SAFe Agile Tools

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) Agile tools  have several key features to support the implementation and execution of the framework:

Business Features

Business features provide high-level descriptions of business functionality that provide value to the customer. They represent the customer's needs and are used to enhance team development. Business features are an important input to portfolio and program-level planning, helping organizations focus on delivering value to the customer.

Architectural Features

Architectural Features are technical descriptions of the system or solution functionality that support business features. They provide guidance for the design and implementation of the system or solution, ensuring that it is scalable, maintainable, and secure. Architectural features are important to solution-level planning, helping organizations to develop a well-architected solution that meets the business requirements.

Program Increment (PI) Planning

SAFe tools are being used to facilitate Program Increment work, giving teams a chance to collaboratively plan/prioritize features, stories, and dependencies for the next step.

Backlog Management

These platforms feature details about product backlogs, including user stories, epics, acceptance criteria, and priority, allowing teams the chance to organize and follow their work in an easy way.

Release Planning and Tracking

Features that help planning and tracking are a tool that helps in revealing all the release plans, showing all the process stages, feature delivery, and dependencies across different teams and the Agile Release Trains (ARTs).

Team Collaboration

Collaboration features such as Kanban boards, sprint planning, and retrospectives ensure teams coordinate and communicate on all levels, enabling the sharing of information and keeping everybody on the same page.

Integration and Reporting

Integration with other development and collaboration tools (such as Jira and Trello) and reporting capabilities will also be provided to help stakeholders understand organizational metrics, performance, and status.

SAFe-specific Features

Some tools offer specific functions connected to the SAFe principles, like tracking PI objectives, Program Board visualization and dependency management functionality.

Scalability and Customization

SAFe agile tools are created with large-scale Agile implementations, allowing organizations to adapt their workflows, roles, or organizational structures according to their specific needs and scale.

13 Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Tools

Here are 13 popular scaled agile tools commonly used for implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe):

Rally 

This software contains an encompassing framework for the management of various scaling Agile projects, including integration of SAFe practices, like PI planning and backlog management.

VersionOne

VersionOne Offers functions to deal with Agile projects, portfolios and programs and includes a ready-to-use option for SAFe (scale agile framework), ARTs (agile release train) and PI planning.

Jira Align

In detail, the software Jira Align is one of the best SAFe agile tools that supports SAFe implementation with features like Program Boards, PI Planning and collaboration across teams.

Targetprocess

Targetprocess is an Agile project management tool designed especially for SAFe implementation that includes the major metrics of PI planning and dependency visualization using Kanban and Portfolio Kanban.

AgileCraft

AgileCraft enables enterprises to manage operations involving Agile initiatives at the enterprise level, encompassing the support of SAFe frameworks and practices.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Program Board

SAFe Program Board is an online or digital program used for PI planning. It depicts dependencies and alignment between Agile Release Trains (ARTs).

LeanKit

LeanKit is a Lean and Agile project management tool that allows you to manage projects visually, keep workflow items, and use SAFe practices such as Kanban systems and flow visualization.

SwiftEASe

SwiftEASe is a SAFe-compliant tool, equipped with capabilities for PI planning, backlog control, release planning, and keeping track of  ARTs and teams for tracking the overall progress.

CodeBeamer ALM

CodeBeamer is an ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) platform for SAFe-compliant frameworks and mechanisms, including Agile planning techniques and features for regulatory requirements.

Agilefant

This software is an agile tool with SAFe support for program increment planning, backlog, and portfolio-level progress tracking that creates strategic roadmaps connecting resource allocation, costs, and goals.

Blueprint Storyteller

This software is a management tool that includes the ability to map SAFe concepts, such as value streams, epics, and features, and verify that these solutions comply with business targets and objectives.

Planview LeanKit for Enterprise

Planview LeanKit for Enterprise is a Lean-Agile project management tool meant for large-scale Agile transformations. It is effective for Portfolio Planning, Program Management, and visualization.

Kanbize

Kanbanize stands out as a Kanban-based solution that embraces SAFe practices like PI planning, managing dependencies, and visualizing work items across various teams.

Future of SAFe Tools

The future of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) tools appears to undergo transformation driven by continuous technological advancements and evolving organizational requirements. With Agile methodologies gaining increasing acceptance, SAFe tools are expected to prioritize boosting collaboration, scalability, and flexibility to facilitate large-scale Agile transformations. By integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, these tools could unlock capabilities like predictive analytics, automation of routine tasks, and real-time insights into project performance. Moreover, a stronger focus might be on enhancing user experience and creating intuitive interfaces to streamline adoption processes and enhance overall productivity.

The future of SAFe tools is forecasted to embody innovation, adaptability, and a dedication to empowering organizations to achieve agility at scale. Simplilearn offers a SAFe Certification program that can be helpful for organizations in the long run.

FAQs About SAFe

1. What Are the Most Essential SAFe Tools for Beginners? 

For beginners, essential SAFe tools include Jira Align, VersionOne, and Rally (CA Agile Central). These platforms offer comprehensive support for SAFe practices such as PI planning, backlog management, and cross-team collaboration.

2. What does SAFe agile stand for?

SAFe stands for Scaled Agile Framework. It is a set of principles and practices designed to scale Agile methodologies across large organizations, enabling alignment, collaboration, and continuous delivery at scale.

3. Can SAFe Tools Be Integrated with Non-Agile Systems? 

Yes, SAFe tools can be integrated with non-Agile systems to varying degrees depending on the tool's capabilities and the specific integration requirements.

4. What Are the Best Practices for Scaling Agile Practices with SAFe Tools?

Best practices for scaling Agile practices with SAFe tools include establishing clear roles and responsibilities, implementing iterative planning and delivery processes, fostering cross-team collaboration and communication, and leveraging automation and DevOps practices for continuous integration and deployment.

5. What is the difference between SAFe and scrum? 

Aspect	Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)	Scrum
Focus	Scaling Agile practices across large organizations	Iterative and incremental product development
Scope	Provides guidance at portfolio, program, and team levels	Focuses on the team level
Roles	Defines roles at portfolio, program, and team levels (e.g., Release Train Engineer, Product Owner, Scrum Master)	Defines roles at the team level (e.g., Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team)
Ceremonies	Includes ceremonies at portfolio, program, and team levels (e.g., PI Planning, Scrum of Scrums)	Focuses on team-level ceremonies (e.g., Sprint Planning, Daily Standups)