Be it people or business, one has to change with the needs of the hour to survive. Rigidity in the system does not allow this change to be quick and smooth which results in huge losses. As a solution to fight against this stagnant system, the field of science needed to introduce Agility to it. Agile Methodology is a revolutionary program that is helping businesses to grow and improve along with fulfilling the needs of the customer. SAFe is one of the most common and popular frameworks that focuses on adaptation, iteration, communication and collaboration. The transitioning from a traditional to an Agile approach needs the expertise of professionals like SAFe Scrum Master, Product Owners, Developers, SAFe Release Train Engineers, etc.
SAFe has many features that make the work systematic among which one of the most important is SAFe Agile Release Train which manages the work from start to finish. ART is a team of Agile Teams that incrementally develop, operate and deliver one or more solutions in a value stream. Apart from the Agile team, many other critical roles like Business Owner, RTE, Product Management, etc. ensure the smooth functioning of ART. SAFe RTE is responsible for ART practices and PI execution.
The blog ahead has details about the role and responsibilities of RTE in SAFe and also its certification that helps in acquiring additional skills to boost one’s career.
Who is a SAFe Release Train Engineer?
A Release Train Engineer or RTE is a servant leader who is responsible for facilitating ART processes and supporting the team in delivering value. They remove impediments, communicate with the stakeholders and strive for relentless improvement. An Agile Release Train is self-organizing and self-managing in nature but it cannot steer itself, thus needs a SAFe RTE to step in to lead. The responsibilities of RTE is beyond just facilitating ART events.
They have focused on primarily five types of activities that are mentioned below:
Facilitating PI Planning- Program Increment is a time-based event that is also the main event of ART in which all the Agile teams are aligned towards a shared vision and mission. RTEs play a critical role in preparing and facilitating ART.
Helping the ART to prepare for PI-RTE ensures strategic alignment, team preparedness and logistics for the event. They also help to foster a Continuous Exploration process as a part of ART preparation.
Facilitating the PI planning event- The RTE opens the event and reviews the agenda, purpose, logistics, and working agreements. On the second day, they facilitate planning adjustment, coach syncs, final review plans, manage risks, hold a confidence vote and end the event with further instructions.
2. Support PI Execution- During the SAFe Release Train Engineer Training they are taught about how to deliver their responsibilities properly to achieve successful execution.
They have the following responsibilities during execution:
Track the progress of the execution of Features in Kanban.
Facilitating synchronization events periodically that include ART sync, System Demos and PI System Demo.
Collaborate with the Solution Management and Product Management, Business Owners, Product Owners and other Stakeholders for backlog alignment.
RTEs help to coordinate releases and promote DevOps, a Continuous Delivery Pipeline that includes Built-in Quality and Lean User Experience.
SAFe Release Train Engineer helps the Business Owners to make critical decision-making.
It is their responsibility to establish the annual calendars and communicate it to the Agile teams.
3. Coaching the ART- RTEs are the Team Lead and Coach of ART. It is their responsibility to educate and guide the team about planning and executing ART successfully. They teach the other members about events and practices.
4. Optimizing Flow- Uninterrupted value flow is one of the principles of SAFe and RTEs are responsible for the flow activities like:
Establishing pull systems for optimization of value flow.
Establishing ART flow measures.
Improving the flow of value.
Facilitating Value Stream Mapping.
Reduce or mitigate cross-team dependencies.
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5. Improving Relentlessly- To achieve perfection, the process has to be continuously improved. This is one of the four core values of SAFe and RTEs are responsible for facilitating the following activities for improvement.
Drive relentless improvement.
Leverage the technical and business aspects to achieve the pre-decided aim.
Collaborate with VMO or Value Management Office and LACE to deliver value.
What is SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification?
RTE is one of the leaders in an Agile team of ART. It is a unique job position of SAFe as a part of a trio of leaders that includes Product Managers and Solution Architects. They have a very critical role in achieving successful delivery. They act as a leader, facilitator, communicator and collaborator to align the technical or business practices with the vision of the project. SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification helps candidates to learn to plan and execute SAFe events. This is a course that is specially designed for RTEs to get the necessary tools and guidance to deliver their set of responsibilities.
Conclusion
SAFe RTE is a critical role in ART and this needs proper training and knowledge about the whole process. RTE Certification provides the candidates with necessary guidance and relevant tools to help them work in a remote environment to achieve relentless improvement.
FAQs
1. What is the duration of SAFe Release Train Engineer Training?
SAFe Release Train Engineer Training is a three-day course that gives complete guidance about this role.
2. What are the Pre-requisites of attending this course?
Before attending the course, candidates must have prior knowledge of SAFe and have at least one certification in SAFe.
3. What is the validity of RTE Certification?
The validity of RTE Certification is of one-year.
4. What are the skills required to be a SAFe Release Train Engineer?
A SAFe Release Train Engineer needs to be good at communication, patient listener, has the ability to lead and resolve problems to infuse continuous improvement in the process.
5. What are the benefits of SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification?
The certification is globally recognized so it gives new avenues for candidates in their career path. It also gives guidance and access to relevant SAFe tools to achieve successful delivery.
About Advance Agility
We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.
Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at contact@advanceagilty.com for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.
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