S1 E035: Understanding SAFe: Myths and Realities with Danielle Gerber

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In this episode Temi speaks with Danielle Gerber, an SPCT and expert in agile transformations. They discuss Danielle's journey from traditional project management to agile coaching, her experiences with various frameworks like SAFe, Scrum, and Kanban, and the importance of mindset in agile practices. Danielle shares her insights on the challenges and misconceptions surrounding agile methodologies, particularly the SAFe framework, and emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation in agile environments.
The conversation highlights the significance of cultural transformation in organizations and the role of coaches in guiding teams towards effective agile practices.

Takeaways

• Agility is about delivering value, not just checking boxes.
• The mindset is crucial for successful agile transformations.
• SAFe is a toolkit that can be adapted to fit organizational needs.
• Cultural transformation is essential for agile success.
• Learning from mistakes is a key part of the agile journey.
• Teams should be persistent unless change is necessary for value delivery.
• The economic view is vital in assessing agile practices.
• Frameworks should be seen as starting points, not prescriptions.
• Continuous improvement is necessary for high-performing teams.
• Coaching is essential for guiding teams through agile practices.

Sound Bites

• "I don't want to do anything but this again."
• "The whole reason we would say keep teams persistent."
• "Agility isn't about the book."
• "You need to keep refining your tools to get better."
• "You have to know the goal."
• "SAFe is a toolkit, not a prescription."
• "It's about how does it all work together holistically."
• "It's a cultural transformation."
• "You have to change over time."

Where to Find Danielle:
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/daniellegerber1
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://agilerising.com/
Danielle's Training Schedule: https://www.agilerising.com/agile-training-calendar/
Lean Machine: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lean-Machine-Harley-Davidson-Profitability-Revolutionary/dp/0814432883

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