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Writer's pictureBill Holmes

SAFe vs. Disciplined Agile: What is the difference?

Agile Choices
SAFe vs. Disciplined Agile: What is the difference?

I was always curious about the difference between SAFe® and the Disciplined Agile Framework®. I currently have the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification and am a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM). I am currently pursuing the Implementing SAFe® with Certified SAFe® Practice Consultant (SPC), so I thought it might be interesting to compare the two.


This is what I've observed so far.


SAFe was created to help large enterprises implement agile practices in a structured manner. It provides clear guidelines and processes, making it easier for big organizations to scale agile across their teams.


Disciplined Agile is more of a blend of various agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. It offers a flexible, context-driven approach that can be adapted to different situations and needs.


Key Differences


SAFe's playbook is very detailed, with specific roles, ceremonies, and artifacts. It's like following a recipe where all the steps are clearly laid out, which can be very helpful for large organizations.


Disciplined Agile's playbook is more flexible. It provides a variety of practices, principles, and lifecycles, allowing teams to pick and choose what works best for them. It’s great for those who prefer customization over a one-size-fits-all approach.


Adoption


SAFe has a strong following among large enterprises that value standardization and consistency. It’s well-suited for organizations looking to scale agile practices efficiently across multiple teams.


Disciplined Agile attracts those who appreciate flexibility and adaptability. Its followers value the ability to tailor their approach to the unique needs of their teams and organizations.


Which is better?


Neither is “better”.  The answer depends on your organization's needs and culture. If you need structure, predictability, and clear guidelines, SAFe might be the way to go. But if you prefer flexibility and the ability to tailor your agile practices, Disciplined Agile could be the better choice.


Both SAFe and DA have their strengths and can be highly effective when applied correctly. Ultimately, the goal is to create high-performing teams that deliver value to your customers. So, choose the approach that aligns best with your organization's needs.


Let me know if you have a different opinion or any other insights about these two frameworks you would like to share.


Coda


I had a gap in my instruction, so at the urging of several of my clients I started working on two different certifications.  One was on demand, and the other was with a live instructor online.  While the on demand was very well done, I felt more engaged with the live instructor. This was partially because there was real time interaction, and partially because the instructor used breakout groups so we could establish relationships within the other students. I think there is a place for automation in training, but it is hard to imagine it will ever be as engaging as a live instructor.


I was always curious about the difference between SAFe® and the Disciplined Agile Framework® I’m currently have the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification and am a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM) certification holder.  I am currently pursuing the Implementing SAFe® with Certified SAFe® Practice Consultant (SPC), so I thought it might be interesting to compare the two.

SAFe was created to help large enterprises implement agile practices in a structured manner. It provides clear guidelines and processes, making it easier for big organizations to scale agile across their teams.

Disciplined Agile is more of a blend of various agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. It offers a flexible, context-driven approach that can be adapted to different situations and needs.

Key Differences

SAFe's playbook is very detailed, with specific roles, ceremonies, and artifacts. It's like following a recipe where all the steps are clearly laid out, which can be very helpful for large organizations.

Disciplined Agile's playbook is more flexible. It provides a variety of practices, principles, and lifecycles, allowing teams to pick and choose what works best for them. It’s great for those who prefer customization over a one-size-fits-all approach.

Adoption

SAFe has a strong following among large enterprises that value standardization and consistency. It’s well-suited for organizations looking to scale agile practices efficiently across multiple teams.

Disciplined Agile attracts those who appreciate flexibility and adaptability. Its followers value the ability to tailor their approach to the unique needs of their teams and organizations.

Which is better?

Neither is “better”.  The answer depends on your organization's needs and culture. If you need structure, predictability, and clear guidelines, SAFe might be the way to go. But if you prefer flexibility and the ability to tailor your agile practices, Disciplined Agile could be the better choice.

Both SAFe and DA have their strengths and can be highly effective when applied correctly. Ultimately, the goal is to create high-performing teams that deliver value to your customers. So, choose the approach that aligns best with your organization's needs.

Let me know if you have a different opinion about these two frameworks.

Coda

I had a gap in my instruction, so at the urging of several of my clients I started working on two different certifications.  One was on demand, and the other is with a live instructor online.  Completely different experiences!  I’ll share my experiences in the future


1 Comment


Wasim tariq
Wasim tariq
Nov 21

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