You manage a portfolio of projects, and you always encounter the same problems: you plan each stage in advance, but your projects block due to lack of available resources or because of dependencies that were difficult to anticipate.
It is not inevitable! What if you were inspired by the agile approach called “PI SAFe” to solve these problems?
Find out here what a PI is, and the keys to success to set up your next PI Planning effortlessly.
To start with, a few reminders about what a SAFe PI is are in good order.
We call PI or Program Increment (and Planning Interval since version 6 of SAFe) a given space of time, during which teams (also called “Agile Release Train”, or ART, in the agile method) plan, develop, test and get feedback on a solution they are developing. We speak of “PI SAFe” because the concept of Program Increment is part of the agile framework known as SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework).
During the space of time that is the PI SAFe, the train plans, implements, evaluates and adjusts the developed solution, in the form of iterations.
If we stick to the SAFe methodology, a PI lasts between 8 and 12 weeks. However, if you don't directly apply this framework, you can perfectly adapt this timeframe to that of your business - for example, by determining that an IP lasts for a quarter. This does not prevent the principle of sprints with shorter iterations, and more frequent deliveries, from continuing for the development team.
One of the key moments in a Program Increment is the PI Planning. It is a collective ceremony, which aims to plan all the IP in advance and this, collaboratively, with all the stakeholders involved in the development of the solution.
A PI Planning thus brings together all the major players in the Agile Release Train, namely:
PI Planning can be applied to IT development, but also to any type of project portfolio.
Whether you follow the agile SAFe methodology “from the book”, or are simply looking for a more effective project management practice, PI Planning can bring you great benefits.
In particular, a well-organized SAFe PI allows you to:
No need to read the agile manifesto to launch your own IP SAFe approach! With the following tips, you can adapt the SAFe methodology to your organization.
Even before your PI Planning starts, you need to have a clear vision of the strategic priorities of your project - and, on a larger scale, of the environment in which it is deployed.
Management or Business Owners should define and communicate the goals of the SAFe PI. It is the role of the PI Planning organization manager to go and ask all the directors of the professions involved what their strategic priorities are, and what are their points of tension that they will want to address during the meeting.
Also take the time to look at your Product roadmap. Medium-term priorities should be established to guide teams in planning. You must have features in mind, and have prioritized them. However, be careful that they are mature, feasible, understandable and loaded.
If possible, before your PI Planning, start identifying any bottlenecks that might occur during discussions.
Logistics is essential to the smooth running of a PI Planning. The idea: to put everyone in the best conditions to be able to project themselves on the coming PI SAFe period.
For this:
Who says collective planning session, says the need to put everyone in tune with their role beforehand.
Remember to explain to all stakeholders their responsibilities prior to PI Planning:
Beforehand, be sure to explain the rules of PI Planning - but above all, to make everyone understand what its advantages and benefits are!
Use the benefits seen in the first part of this article to develop your case. And don't hesitate to focus on the budgetary benefits of this type of project management either.
While development teams are often already used to working with the agile approach of PI SAFe, or to thinking in terms of functionalities, businesses are less often experienced in such fine planning.
The PI Planning process therefore requires real change management, with all that it implies: communication on the benefits of the process, lifting everyone's obstacles, and above all, implementing techniques to better plan...
Being more agile means above all operating in a climate where teams feel free to share their constraints and concerns, in order to better move forward together. And that also applies during PI Planning!
One of the keys to success: use collaborative tools, which allow everyone to plan as a team. Team boards, dependency tables, and risks tables must be put in place to align everyone during exchanges.
And pay attention to Explain the rules of PI Planning well at the start of the meeting. Do not hesitate to go so far as to explain the colors of the post-its to be used on each board, depending on whether we are talking about features, user stories, risks...
The success of a PI Planning does not depend solely on the method used. The tools chosen also play a decisive role. Without careful preparation and structured follow-up, this crucial step can quickly lose effectiveness: dependencies are poorly managed, commitments lack clarity, and teams get lost.
That's where Airsas comes in. Before the session, the solution facilitates assessing team capabilities, prioritizing critical functionalities, and identifying critical dependencies. This foresight offers a precise overview, making it possible to frame the objectives and effectively mobilize all stakeholders on what is achievable during the quarter.
During PI Planning, Airsas simplifies planning. Strategic decisions are made visible instantly, commitments are formalized, and arbitrations are facilitated. No need to juggle between several tools or spreadsheets: everything is centralized on an intuitive platform, making information accessible and usable in real time.
And once the PI Planning is complete, Airsaas ensures continuous monitoring. The commitments made are monitored, the progress of projects is monitored accurately, and the necessary adjustments can be made quickly, according to changes in the context or unexpected events.
With Airsaas, you offer your business and IT teams a clear and structured framework, promoting better coordination and guaranteeing permanent alignment with the company's strategy.
With these tips for properly organizing your PI Planning, you are ready to set up an iterative project management process!
Looking for a project governance platform that helps you prepare and animate your next SAFe PI? Discover Airsaas, the preferred tool for PMOs and CIOs, which helps them visualize their macro roadmap and team capacity in real time.
