Over six virtual sessions, we highlighted our new operating model for the Age of AI and its iterative release. We owe a huge thank-you to our colleagues, partners, and community, whose active collaboration and engagement throughout this series directly helped us shape and launch AI-Native SAFe. With over 18,000 of you tuning in, the response was truly spectacular.
That momentum carries straight into the SAFe and AI Summit in San Diego (September 14–18). In my keynote from the main stage, I will expand on the rationale behind key evolutions in AI-Native SAFe and reveal new guidance and practical next steps for organizations and individuals ready to embark on their journey to becoming AI-Native.
On August 25th, we marked a final milestone for our virtual event series with Session 6 and the release of our new Framework guidance article: The AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap. Here is an overview of the key themes and updates introduced in the final session.
The Central Paradigm: Outcome-Driven Change Management
In the early days of Agile, working software was the primary measure of progress. However, in an AI-disrupted world where constraints on outputs have virtually vanished, value isn’t determined by the number of features released; it is determined by the customer and business outcomes that we deliver. Therefore, organizations must shift from being output-driven to outcome-driven.
When implementing AI-Native SAFe, an outcome-driven approach is also needed. This time to the change management process itself, to connect transformation goals directly to business outcomes, preventing organizations from falling into the trap of “experimenting with everything, everywhere, all at once.”
AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap
More than 20,000 organizations have adopted the SAFe Framework to scale Lean and Agile practices. Today, the rapid pace of AI demands that organizations adapt their ways of working once again to remain competitive.
The new AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap provides a structured, five-phase change journey to guide leaders through this transition:
- Align to Outcomes: Grounding transformation goals directly in measurable business value.
- Set Priorities: Directing organizational focus toward high-impact opportunities.
- Launch AI-Native ARTs: Integrating AI practices directly into AI-Native Agile Release Trains.
- Measure Performance: Tracking performance metrics to maintain momentum and ensure continuous improvement.
- Amplify ROI: Establishing scalable AI governance, workforce upskilling, and a human-centric culture to amplify return on investment from AI.
Read more about the AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap.
AI-Native SAFe Virtual Event Series
If you missed the live broadcast of Session 6, watch the full recording below to learn how to adopt AI-Native SAFe and where to start your journey on the AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap.
Also, check out the AI-Native SAFe Implementation Roadmap guidance article on the SAFe Framework site. We strongly encourage all practice leaders, SPCs, and executives to review the full article to explore the end-to-end implementation journey in detail.
AI-Native SAFe Upgrade
We are also delighted to announce the release of the AI-Native SAFe Upgrade for all active SAFe members. Watch this video to learn more.
Thank you for joining us throughout this virtual webinar series. We are thrilled to partner with you as you lead your organizations into the future.
Stay SAFe,
— Andrew Sales, SAFe Chief Methodologist