The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) is a mature, globally recognised approach to running a Lean and Agile enterprise. SAFe® is suitable for teams of thirty or more people who work in dynamic environments that want to improve.
Large scale agile with SAFe® transformations
McKenna Consultants are experienced in large scale agile with SAFe® transformations and are the perfect agile partner to support your organisation’s transition.
Download our FREE PDF, McKenna Consultants Large Scale Agile With SAFe, to explain the potential improvements that SAFe® can deliver, along with the training, coaching and consultancy that McKenna Consultants can provide to turn your transformation into a reality!
What Is the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)?
The Scaled Agile Framework, or SAFe, is the most widely adopted framework for scaling agile practices beyond individual teams to programmes, portfolios, and entire organisations. It provides structured guidance for coordinating multiple agile teams around shared objectives, aligning strategy with execution, and maintaining the benefits of agility at enterprise scale.
SAFe is particularly effective in organisations with 50 to 3,000 or more people involved in software and product delivery. It addresses challenges that single-team frameworks like Scrum do not — cross-team dependencies, architectural governance, portfolio-level prioritisation, and coordinated release planning. For a comprehensive introduction, read our post on the basics of SAFe.
Who Is This Guide For?
We created this PDF guide for leaders, programme managers, and agile practitioners who are considering or beginning a SAFe implementation. It covers the core concepts of the framework, the key roles involved, and practical guidance for getting started — written in plain language without unnecessary jargon.
Whether you are evaluating whether SAFe is the right approach for your organisation, preparing for a PI Planning event, or trying to explain the framework to stakeholders, this guide provides a solid foundation. If you are still deciding, our post on whether SAFe is right for you can help.
Our Experience with SAFe
McKenna Consultants have been involved in SAFe transformations since the framework's early versions. Our team holds SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) certifications and has led implementations across financial services, healthcare, retail, and the public sector — including launching an Agile Release Train for a major UK organisation.
We take a pragmatic approach to SAFe — implementing the elements that deliver value in your specific context rather than forcing a rigid, by-the-book adoption. SAFe is a framework, not a prescription, and the most successful implementations are those that adapt it to organisational reality.
Explore our agile services or book a free consultation to discuss your SAFe journey.
