Difference Between Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe

prem884
Sep 22, 2023
3 min read

In pursuit of improving ways to achieve the agility to deliver values fast, organizations started adopting the SAFe framework with different configurations tailored to their specific needs. And they are Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe. In this article, we are about to explore the unique features and differences between the both to find the right fit for your organization.

Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe applications

Essential SAFe is the basic configuration within the SAFe framework that offers the building blocks necessary for implementing agile practices at program levels. It is a foundational element for SAFe Implementation in organizations that have one or two large customers to yield enough revenue. And also, it is a very basic type of SAFe framework that assists Agile Release Trains to deliver solutions better.

As a SAFe starting point, Essential SAFe is less satisfying for organizations that involve in creating multiple solutions for multiple customers. So, organizations that choose to shift from their entire project management teams into product development teams can go for a more advanced level of SAFe Implementation process named Portfolio SAFe.

Portfolio SAFe is an agile framework essential for large organizations that deal with multiple projects with multiple teams. It assists enterprises that want to grow agile capabilities with a broader framework that addresses multiple value streams. It extends beyond the program level and enables enterprises to manage and align their portfolio of projects, initiatives, and investments.

Comparing features of Essential SAFe with Portfolio SAFe

Features	Essential SAFe	Portfolio SAFe
Scalability	Focuses on the team and program-level agility.	Extends beyond the program level to promote strategy with the execution of large-scale portfolios.
Agile Release Train	Includes cross-functional teams for delivering value.	Serves as a part of Epic Value Streams to deliver significant value.
Lean Portfolio Management	Does not follow Lean Portfolio Management practices.	Includes LPM practices and principles for practicing strategic decision-making, investment funding, and portfolio governance.
Program Increment	PI Planning for team and program alignment.	PI Planning extends multiple value stream initiatives within the business portfolio
Scrum at Scale	Scrum serves as a basic methodology for iterative development and collaboration.	Enhanced Scrum practices to manage large-scale portfolios.
Agile Release Train Engineer	RTE in this SAFe Framework supports ARTs at the program level.	RTE plays a significant role in facilitating and coordinating multiple cross-functional teams at the portfolio level.
Strategic Alignment	Contains limited guidance on strategic alignment and prioritization.	The Primary focus is on aligning initiatives with business objectives through LPM.
Delivering Value	Delivers value at the program level.	Aims to maximize value across multiple value streams within the portfolio.

The highlights of Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe

Essential SAFe

Agile teams (ARTs) develop, deliver, and operate one or more solutions.
Continuous delivery pipeline to deliver value to the end user continuously.
Customer-centricity mindset to create a positive customer relationship
Developing solutions that are feasible, economically viable, and sustainable.
Processes that include Lean UX.
PI intervals as a fixed timebox for ARTs to achieve their PI objectives.
Iterations for Agile teams to produce solutions.
Opportunity for exploration and innovation for teams through Innovation and Planning Iteration option.
Basic SAFe Scrum framework for teams to deliver value continuously.
SAFe Team Kanban to encourage teams to facilitate the flow of value.
DevSecOps mindset to maintain a system.
ART flow and Team flow to deliver value continuously.

Portfolio SAFe

Lean Portfolio Management with a flow of Epics (solution development initiatives) to achieve portfolio vision and objectives.
Strategic themes that come with a strategic advantage.
Portfolio vision that describes the objectives and aims of the enterprises.
Portfolio Backlogs that contain Epics to develop portfolio products and services.
Big Data
Lean budgets that allow accountability through Guardrails.
Participatory budgeting for allocating portfolio budget.
Development Value Streams to build solutions for customers.
Solutions like products, systems, and services for their related Operational Value Streams.
Key Performance Indicators to evaluate the performance of Value Streams against its business objectives.

Conclusion

Although, both Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe offers a SAFe framework that is valuable for organizations wanting to scale their agile practices, the choice between these two configurations depends on the size of the organization. Essential SAFe serves as the starting point for building basic structures for agile transformation, while Portfolio SAFe extends beyond the program level to manage the complexities of multiple value streams and align strategy with portfolio execution.

FAQ

1. When should an organization choose Essential SAFe over Portfolio SAFe?

An organization can choose Essential SAFe over Portfolio SAFe when it is in the early stages of agile adoption, is smaller in size, and has simpler value streams to manage. Organizations planning to start their agile journey and those that do not have a broader portfolio-level project can opt for the Essential SAFe agile framework.

2. How does Portfolio SAFe address the challenges of managing large-scale portfolios?

By implementing Lean Portfolio Management principles and practices, Portfolio SAFe handles the challenges of managing large-scale portfolios. LPM comes with a structured approach that helps make decisions on investment funding easy. It helps organizations to evaluate and prioritize initiatives based on the organizational objectives.

3. What are the key components and benefits of implementing Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe in an organization?

Agile Release Train, Program Increment Planning, and Scrum at scale serve as the key components for Essential SAFe and LPM, Epic Value Streams, and Agile Release Train Engineer for Portfolio SAFe. Essential SAFe helps organizations with Agile Transformation, Cross-Team Coordination, and Incremental Value Delivery whereas, Portfolio SAFe worksand for obtaining Portfolio Governance, Strategic Alignment, and Value Maximization.