Each Wednesday, our Spotlight member shares a practical insight to help you navigate complexity with clarity and purpose. This week, I am sharing guidance shaped by my experiences helping organizations apply SAFe in a way that is practical, sustainable, and aligned with their true needs.
1. Start with understanding, not assumption.
I always tell leaders and change agents to make sure they truly understand the SAFe framework before deciding to implement it. Too often people choose SAFe simply because they have heard it is a good thing to do, or they assume everything must be applied exactly as written. In my experience, it is far more effective to start with the elements that make sense for your strategic context and grow from there. You can always add more later. Let’s stay practical.
2. Go slow to go far.
One of my biggest lessons came from trying to implement too many aspects of SAFe too quickly. It overwhelmed people who were not ready for that pace of change, and getting everyone back on the same page afterward was much harder than taking a thoughtful, step by step approach from the beginning. Patience matters, even when everyone is under pressure. Sustainable improvement comes from consistent, manageable steps over time.
3. Reduce friction by protecting your focus.
My most reliable productivity practice is dedicating focused time with my phone out of reach so I can accomplish the most important items in my personal backlog. I also practice saying no to work that does not create real value, whether that is unnecessary reporting or meetings held simply for the sake of meeting. Removing friction creates the space I need to deliver meaningful outcomes.
