Creating Great Agile Teams Competency
Business Problem
Our teams are applying Agile Team practices, but we are slow to deliver and have low employee engagement.
Business Outcomes
- Improved team productivity, self-organization, and autonomy
- Greater adaptability and resilience in the face of change
- Increased team engagement and commitment to objectives
- Enhanced ability to define, build, test, and deploy
Why is the Creating Great Agile Teams Competency important?
Agile Teams form the foundation of high-performing Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and the organization. Well-applied practices, part of the Team and Technical Agility discipline, empower Agile Teams to collaborate effectively, leading to the creation of high-quality products and solutions for customers. Agile Teams are intended to iterate and apply practices that promote adaptability and responsiveness to change, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Great Agile Teams understand and utilize methodologies for defining, building, testing, and delivering increments of value. Teams can choose between SAFe Scrum and SAFe Team Kanban, or a combination of both, selecting the approach that best fits their needs. Both methods promote working in small batches, managing work-in-progress (WIP), eliminating delays, incorporating customer feedback, and regularly reviewing and enhancing processes. The specialized roles of Product Owner (PO) and Scrum Master/Team Coach (SM/TC) support these practices.
Teams should focus on mastering these practices and understanding how and when to use them effectively. This expertise allows teams to choose the most appropriate methods for various situations. Without the ability to select and implement the right practices, Agile Teams risk operating as merely a collection of individuals, unable to adapt and learn—both of which are crucial for delivering meaningful value.
Which roles would benefit from mastering the Creating Great Agile Teams Competency?
Key roles that need to excel in this competency include the Product Owner, the Scrum Master, and the Agile Team members themselves. Additionally, ART leadership benefits from a deep understanding of these practices, as they rely on a team of high-performing Agile teams to deliver their work successfully.
