SAFe 4.

0 Release Train Engineer

®

Facilitating Lean-Agile Program Execution

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All© Rights Reserved.

2017 Scaled V4.0.0
Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. V4.0.3
1.1

Exercise: Welcome!
1

4Find someone you don’t know

4Introduce yourself and share with them:

- One thing you already know about the RTE role
- One thing you hope to learn about the RTE role during this course
4After five minutes, team up with another pair and take turns introducing
the person you just met
10
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.2
SAFe Release Train Engineer topics
®

1. Exploring the RTE Role 5. Executing a Program 7. Serving the ART

and Responsibilities Increment 8. Continuing Your
2. Applying SAFe Principles 6. Fostering Relentless Learning Journey
3. Understanding the ART Improvement

4. Planning a Program
Increment

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.3

To perform the role of the RTE, you should be able to:

4Apply Lean-Agile knowledge and tools to execute and release value
through Agile Release Trains

4Assist with program and Value Stream execution

4Foster relentless improvement

4Build a high-performing Agile Release Train by becoming a servant

leader and coach

4Develop an action plan to continue your learning journey

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.4

Logistics

4Class times

4Breaks

4Lunch

4Restrooms

4Other

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.5

Introducing brain-based learning

Training from the Back of the

Room, Sharon L. Bowman

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.6

Introducing the course workbook

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.7

Exercise: Organize into diverse tables

4

4Stand in a matrix in the room

- X axis – number of PIs as an RTE
- Y axis – how far you traveled today to get to class
- Talk to each other to see where you fit in line
4Self-organize into tables that have a diverse range of RTE experience

10
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.8
Lesson 1
Exploring the RTE Role and Responsibilities

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

1. Exploring the RTE Role 5. Executing a Program 7. Serving the ART
and Responsibilities Increment 8. Continuing Your
2. Applying SAFe Principles 6. Fostering Relentless Learning Journey
3. Understanding the ART Improvement

4. Planning a Program SAFe® Authorized Course

Attending this course gives students access to the
Increment SAFe Release Train Engineer exam and related
preparation materials.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.9

Learning objectives

1.1 Connect the RTE role to SAFe

1.2 Examine the responsibilities of the RTE role

1.3 Identify effective RTE behaviors

1.4 Outline the benefits of being an RTE

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.10

 1.1 Connect the RTE role to SAFe

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.11

The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®)

Synchronizes alignment, collaboration, and delivery for large numbers of
teams that are building systems.

Core Values

1. Built-In Quality

2. Program execution

3. Alignment

4. Transparency

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.12

4-level SAFe

Used by very large organizations that need multiple trains, value streams,
and portfolios.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.13

3-level SAFe
For large organizations that have one or multiple trains and use a
portfolio to coordinate bigger initiatives across the trains.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.14

Value Stream SAFe

Used by organizations that have multiple trains and that need the value
streams for coordination, but have no need for a portfolio.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.15

Essential SAFe

Smallest possible configuration of SAFe with one Agile Release Train

delivering value.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.16

The SAFe program level and the Agile Release Train (ART)

In all SAFe configurations the program level and the ART delivers value.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.17

The Agile Release Train and the Release Train Engineer

The ART is a virtual organization of 5 – 12 teams (50 – 125+ individuals)

that plans, commits, and executes together.
4Uses synchronized Iterations and PIs
4Aligned to a common mission via a single Program Backlog
4Frequently produces valuable and evaluable system-level solutions
4Each ART has one RTE that facilitates optimizing the flow of value through the train

AGILE RELEASE TRAIN

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.18

Exercise: Identify RTE connections
10-11

4Use the framework image in your workbook to draw connections from

the RTE to other framework elements, based on:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Inputs/Outputs
- Other ideas you have
4Be ready to present and discuss the identified connections 7
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.19

1.2 Examine the responsibilities

of the RTE role

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.20

Exercise: The RTE role and responsibilities 12-14

4Read the RTE/VSE article from ScaledAgileFramework.com

(in your workbook)
4In pairs, review and discuss the key responsibilities of the RTE role
4List the key responsibilities you discussed in your workbook

4Be ready to present your findings to the class

PREPARE SHARE

9 3
min min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.21

The RTE acts as the “Chief Scrum Master” for the ART

Responsibilities of the RTE include:

4Managing and optimizing the flow of value through the ART

4Fostering collaboration between teams and system-level
stakeholders
4Facilitating PI Planning readiness and the event itself
4Tracking and communicating key ART execution metrics
4Escalating and tracking of ART impediments
4Facilitate relentless improvement for the ART

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.22

Exercise: A typical PI for a RTE
16

4At your table, use a flip chart and brainstorm the typical activities a
RTE would be involved in during a PI. List a minimum of 10 things.
4Estimate the percentage of time you would spend on each activity
4What conclusions can you make?

4Document these in your workbook

10
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.23

1.3 Identify effective RTE behaviors

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.24

Candidates for the RTE role

4Scrum Masters

4Lean-Agile Coaches

4Program and Project Managers

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.25

Moving from a traditional mindset to a new one

From … ... to
4From coordinating team 4… to coaching the teams to
activities and contributions … collaborate
4From deadlines … 4… to objectives
4From driving toward specific 4… to being invested in the program's
outcomes … overall performance
4From knowing the answer … 4… to asking the teams for the answer
4From directing … 4… to letting the teams self-organize
and hit their stride

From fixing problems to helping others fix them

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.26

Exercise: Identify effective RTE behaviors 18

Work in pairs to answer the following question:

4What behaviors does an RTE need to exhibit to be effective in

the role?
4Capture your ideas in your workbook

7
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.27

Exercise: The RTE role – teach back 19

4Form a pair with someone in the room you have not talked to yet

4Using the notes in your workbook about the RTE role, responsibilities,
and behaviors, take turns teaching each other the most important
things you have learned

8
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.28
The RTE is a servant leader

4Listens and supports people in problem identification and decision-making

4Creates an environment of mutual influence
4Empathizes with others
4Encourages the personal development of teams
4Persuades rather than uses authority
4Applies systems thinking
4Supports the commitments made by the teams

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.29

1.4 Outline the benefits of being an RTE

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.30

Exercise: Identify RTE benefits 21

Work in pairs to answer the following question:

4What are the benefits of being an RTE?

4Capture your ideas in your workbook
4Be ready to do a “pop-up” share with the room

PREPARE SHARE

7 1
min min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.31

Lesson summary

In this lesson, you:

4Applied the RTE role within SAFe

4Explored about the role and responsibilities of the RTE

4Identified effective RTE behaviors
4Explored the RTE benefits

Suggested Scaled Agile Framework reading:

“Lean-Agile Leaders” and “RTE/VSE” articles

© 2016
2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.32
Exercise: This lesson’s key learnings
23

Summarize key learnings and insights from this lesson in your workbook.

5
min

© 2016 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2017 Scaled Agile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1.33