Each week in SAFe Connect, we share one practical tip from a member of the community to help you apply SAFe in more meaningful ways.
This week, Adaeze Igbanoi shares why the most successful PI Planning events begin well before anyone enters the room.
đĄ Tip of the Week: Prepare for Alignment, Not Just Attendance
One lesson has consistently shaped how I approach SAFe: PI Planning should never become a ceremony that teams simply endure. It should be the event where real alignment happens.
I've learned that the quality of PI Planning is determined by the preparation that happens beforehand. When teams arrive with clear objectives, a shared understanding of dependencies, and the confidence to raise risks early, the conversation changes completely. Instead of reporting progress, people begin solving problems together.
That shift doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional coaching and a culture where transparency feels safe.
A few practices I rely on include:
- Encourage teams to identify dependencies before PI Planning begins.
- Create space for risks and assumptions to be discussed openly.
- Help teams arrive prepared to make decisions rather than wait for direction.
- Focus on building ownership instead of simply completing the agenda.
I've also found tremendous value in learning beyond the framework itself. Team Topologies changed how I think about organizing teams for flow and improving dependency management, while Measure What Matters reinforced the importance of aligning work to meaningful outcomes rather than activity. Together, they complement SAFe by helping teams improve both their structure and their focus on value.
My own learning routine is built on depth rather than volume. I regularly revisit core SAFe articles, explore new thinking across the Agile community, and participate in the SAFe Community of Practice to learn from practitioners solving real-world challenges.
The biggest takeaway I can offer is this: frameworks create structure, but trust creates transformation. When people feel prepared, empowered, and psychologically safe, PI Planning becomes far more than a planning eventâit becomes the moment teams truly begin working together toward a shared purpose.
