Feedback
By overfocusing on linear processes rather than the end-to-end flow and feedback, organizations are repeating mistakes by adopting an overly narrow and overly linear view of DevOps.
-Mik Kersten, Project to Product
Definition:
Definition: Feedback in SAFe includes effective feedback systems that enable the continuous exchange of information to improve products, services, and processes.
Summary
Fast feedback throughout the development process is one of the most critical practices for building products that delight customers and reduce waste. A feedback system should amplify the benefits of incremental delivery of value. Eliminating bottlenecks to flow is one key enabler of fast feedback. Cadence-based events allow feedback that has been collected to be consistently applied throughout the organization. Other sources of feedback include collecting market data and direct observation of customers interacting with the product. Feedback can also be captured automatically through data produced by the product. SAFe incorporates a comprehensive feedback system that is applied by individual Agile teams and across teams to entire portfolios. This system works best in a generative culture where feedback is encouraged and desired.
Why is feedback critical?
Improving products and the processes that develop them is at the heart of SAFe. Faster customer feedback, especially in the early stages of product innovation, is vital to evaluating new initiatives quickly. This feedback ensures investments do not result in designing and building solutions that Customers do not want or requiring a business model change that the organization cannot deliver. Additionally, the processes used to manage the day-to-day work are continuously evolving as organizations look for opportunities to improve the quality, flow, and satisfaction of those who do this work. None of this can be achieved without feedback. The goal is simple – incorporate and respond to feedback—both positive and negative—as early as possible.
SAFe creates a foundation for effective feedback, and feedback mechanisms exist throughout the entire Framework. Examples include SAFe events, such as the System Demo, providing product and process feedback. Agile Teams and ARTs apply, through their iterative approach, implement a Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) cycle as part of how they work. Keeping work items small and manageable also ensures quicker value delivery, making it easier to collect and act on feedback. Design-thinking practices embed customer-centricity and user feedback into the product development cycle. The continuous delivery pipeline, with a focus on automation and test-first practices, allows organizations to engage more frequently and respond more effectively to customer feedback.