We are your Release Train Engineer and SAFe Program Consultant

Release Train Engineer vs. SAFe Program Consultant

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a coach and servant leader for the Agile Release Train (ART). Their main responsibilities include supporting the ART events and processes. The RTE guides and supports teams to deliver value together in the ART. Likewise, the RTE communicates with stakeholders and assists with impediments and risk management.

The SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) plays a critical role in the successful implementation of SAFe - the Scaled Agile Framework. With their SAFe knowledge and experience, the SPC helps implement change processes within the company and acts as a change agent.

While the Release Train Engineer acts within the SAFe framework and has a fixed role, the SAFe Program Consultant helps the company to implement the agile change process.

Source: https://www.scaledagileframework.com/wp-content/uploads/delightful-downloads/2021/01/Scaled-Agile-Framework_Full_A4-1.pdf (accessed: 12-Dez-2021)

When is a Release Train Engineer or a SAFe Program Consultant useful?

An Agile Release Train (ART) typically consists of 50 to 125 people. SAFe recommends one Release Train Engineer for each ART. In order to successfully implement and further advance the implementation of SAFe in the company, at least one SAFe Program Consultant is recommended for every 25 people. Assuming that there are at least 50 people within an ART, we therefore recommend at least two SPCs.

Release Train Engineer (RTE) Responsibilities

SAFe Release Train Engineer responsibilities at a glance:

Solving impediments
Manage risks
Coaching of executives, teams and Scrum Masters in the new way of working
Standardize and document practices
Manage and optimize the ART value streams using tools
Support for Program Increment (PI) planning
Enable system and solution demos
Combining the Team PI Objectives into Program PI Objectives
Moderating “Sync” and “Inspect and Adapt” events

Safe Program Consultant (SPC) Responsibilities

SAFe Program Consultant responsibilities at a glance:

Training and coaching of executives, managers and leaders as well as all roles within SAFe (except RTE and SPC) and entire teams
Help establish the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE)
Identifying value streams and ARTs
Support in the preparation and implementation of the first ART
Expand the portfolio
Launch additional ARTs
Optimization of the SAFe configuration used
Applying SAFe principles at the portfolio level once Lean-Agile principles are embedded

Using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Are you faced with the challenge of identifying your first value stream, getting your Agile Release Train "up and running" or optimizing your existing SAFe configuration? Take advantage of our SAFe experts' experience. Use our many years of expertise with agile ways of working from a wide variety of corporate contexts to make your organization more agile.

Feel free to get in touch with us – we look forward to your challenge!

Get in touch!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you work remotely or on-site as an RTE and SPC?

We work as Release Train Engineers (RTE) and SAFe Program Consultants (SPC) both remotely and on-site. Due to COVID-19, however, we are currently working remotely until we can work safely on-site again.

Are you also Scrum Masters?

We have been practicing Scrum since 2005. We use Scrum as the "operating system" for Amazing Outcomes, and work as Professional Scrum Masters in many of our customers' Scrum Teams. We would be happy to discuss with you how we can further develop your organization through Professional Scrum.

What language skills do you bring with you?

In our team we speak many languages, but every team member speaks both English and German.