Organizations today are under constant pressure to deliver faster, adapt to changing markets, and stay ahead of competitors. Agile practices help small teams achieve this, but when companies grow, they need a way to scale Agile across multiple teams and departments. That’s where the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) comes in.
SAFe is one of the most widely used approaches for scaling Agile. It helps organizations align strategy with execution, increase productivity, and deliver better value to customers. However, adopting SAFe is not always easy. Many companies face challenges that slow down or even block the transformation. In this blog, we will explore the most common challenges organizations face while moving to SAFe, practical ways to overcome them, and the benefits of adopting SAFe successfully.
Mindset Challenge
One of the biggest hurdles in moving to SAFe is the resistance to change. Employees and managers often prefer the comfort of familiar processes. Example: Think of a company that has followed the same quarterly planning process for 15 years. Even if the process is slow and outdated, people hesitate to switch because they feel safe with what they know. When SAFe suggests shorter planning cycles and more flexibility, teams may resist because it feels “risky.” Solution: Start with workshops and training sessions to explain why change is needed. Help teams see how Agile practices reduce risks instead of creating them. Celebrate small wins early in the journey so people begin to trust the new approach.
Cultural Shift
Traditional organizations often work in departmental silos, for example, marketing, development, and testing teams working separately. In SAFe, teams must collaborate across departments to deliver value together. Example: A bank’s IT team builds a new feature, but the compliance team reviews it only after development finishes. This causes delays. In SAFe, both teams would work together from the start, preventing late surprises. Solution: Leaders need to encourage cross-functional collaboration. Daily communication, shared goals, and transparency replace the old “us vs. them” culture. Leaders must also set an example by practicing open communication themselves.
Work Management Shift
In traditional project management, the project scope is fixed, and resources (time, money, people) adjust to meet it. SAFe flips this: time and resources are fixed, but scope can adjust. Example: A software company promises 15 features in six months. Traditionally, they’d keep adding people or stretching timelines to finish all features. In SAFe, they fix the six months and existing teams, but deliver the most valuable features first—even if some low-priority features move to the next release. Solution: Focus on value delivery, not just task completion. Teach teams to prioritize features based on customer impact. Use Program Increment (PI) Planning to align goals with realistic delivery capacity.
Technology Shift
Adopting SAFe without the right tools is like trying to run a marathon in slippers, it’s possible but painful. Teams need collaboration tools, planning software, and automation support to scale effectively. Example: Imagine a large retail company with 20 Agile teams. Without shared tools, each team tracks work differently, causing confusion in reporting. With tools like Jira, Rally, or Azure DevOps, all teams can track progress in one place, giving leaders visibility and improving coordination. Solution: Invest in digital infrastructure. Choose tools that enable real-time planning, transparency, and two-way communication. Start small, then scale tools as adoption grows.
Benefits of SAFe
- Despite the challenges, adopting SAFe brings significant rewards:
- Productivity Boost: Studies show up to a 30–35% improvement.
- Better Quality: Focus on testing early and continuous feedback improves product quality.
- Faster Time-to-Market: Prioritization ensures high-value features reach customers quickly.
- Employee Engagement: Teams feel more ownership and satisfaction in their work.
- Strategic Alignment: Leadership goals align directly with team execution.
Adopting the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is not just about new processes, it’s about changing mindsets, culture, and ways of working. While the challenges may seem tough at first, the long-term benefits are worth the effort. For professionals and organizations planning to adopt SAFe, proper training and guidance are essential. If you’re serious about building expertise, join the best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad, HelloSM. Here you can get practical, real-world training that helps teams and leaders succeed in Agile transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAFe in simple terms?
SAFe is a framework that helps large organizations apply Agile practices across many teams, making them work together smoothly.
Why do companies struggle with SAFe adoption?
The main challenges are mindset resistance, breaking silos, changing work management style, and lack of proper tools.
How does SAFe help businesses?
It boosts productivity, improves quality, speeds up delivery, and makes employees more engaged.
What kind of companies use SAFe?
Large enterprises in IT, finance, healthcare, retail, and even government sectors adopt SAFe to manage complex projects.
Where can I learn SAFe and Agile in India?
You can enroll at HelloSM, the best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad and one of the top training institutes in India for Agile and SAFe.
How can leaders support SAFe adoption?
By encouraging collaboration, focusing on value instead of control, investing in tools, and leading by example.