Introduction to SafeDevOps

Welcome to SafeDevOps. In simple terms: SafeDevOps is a SAFe® implementation platform. It helps you run SAFe across your organization with the roles, events, artifacts, and governance you need to scale agile, coordinate ARTs and PIs, and deliver business value predictably. While SafeDevOps also supports Scrum and Kanban, its core is optimized for SAFe execution.

This documentation walks you through SAFe‑first capabilities—from initial organization setup and PI Planning to ART coordination, dependency management, and flow metrics—so you can operate the SAFe Continuous Delivery Pipeline end to end.

Flexible for Your Agile Framework

SafeDevOps is built with adaptability in mind. While it offers deep, native support for the SAFe® Continuous Delivery Pipeline (CDP), its core components are flexible enough to support other popular agile methodologies:

• SAFe®: Leverage a purpose-built environment for managing Agile Release Trains (ARTs), Program Increments (PIs), and the full Continuous Exploration, Integration, and Deployment pipeline.
• Scrum: Manage your product backlogs, plan and execute time-boxed development cycles, and track progress. In SafeDevOps, these cycles are called Iterations, which are functionally equivalent to Sprints.
• Kanban: Utilize our boards to visualize workflow, manage work-in-progress (WIP), and optimize for a continuous flow of value delivery.

What SafeDevOps Is and What It Isn't

What SafeDevOps IS:

• Unified Coordination Platform: A centralized workspace where Release Train Engineers (RTEs), SAFe Practice Consultants (SPCs), Product Managers, and Scrum Masters can track, plan, and coordinate work across teams without needing to access multiple technical systems.
• SAFe® Process Management Hub: Native support for managing Agile Release Trains, Program Increments, team iterations, and the complete SAFe® methodology workflow.
• Work Item Lifecycle Manager: Comprehensive tracking of Epics, Features, User Stories, and Tasks through their entire lifecycle, from concept to completion.
• Cross-Team Visibility Tool: Provides leadership and teams with real-time visibility into progress, dependencies, and bottlenecks across the entire organization.
• Flexible Agile Framework Support: Adaptable to Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid approaches, making it valuable even for organizations not fully implementing SAFe® or in transition phases.
• Collaboration and Communication Hub: Centralized space for team coordination, calendar management, and stakeholder communication.

What SafeDevOps IS NOT:

• Not a Technical CI/CD Tool: Does not compile code, run automated tests, or execute deployments. It coordinates the process while tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps handle the technical execution.
• Not a Code Repository: Does not store or manage source code - integrates with existing Git repositories and development tools.
• Not an Infrastructure Management System: Does not provision servers, manage containers, or handle infrastructure - works alongside existing DevOps infrastructure tools.
• Not a Replacement for Development Tools: Complements rather than replaces IDEs, testing frameworks, monitoring systems, and other technical tools.

Why Safedevops Matters for Leadership and Teams:

Benefits for Different Agile Approaches:

For SAFe® Organizations:

• Complete ART management with native PI Planning support
• Built-in SAFe® roles, ceremonies, and artifact management
• Hypothesis-driven development tracking
• Cross-team dependency management and coordination

For Scrum Teams:

• Product backlog management with prioritization
• Sprint planning and execution tracking (called Iterations in SafeDevOps)
• Velocity tracking and team performance metrics
• Retrospective planning and improvement tracking

For Kanban Teams:

• Visual workflow boards with customizable columns
• Work-in-progress (WIP) limit management
• Flow metrics and cycle time analysis
• Continuous improvement and bottleneck identification

For Hybrid or Transitioning Organizations:

• Gradual adoption path - start with basic work tracking and expand
• Support for mixed methodologies within the same organization
• Flexibility to adapt workflows as teams mature their agile practices
• Bridge between different team approaches while maintaining organizational visibility

Documentation Overview

This documentation is structured to help you quickly find the information you need, whether you are a new user, an ART Engineer, a Scrum Master, or a Team Lead. We cover key areas including:

Each guide within this documentation provides clear text explanations and supporting screenshots to ensure a smooth and productive experience with SafeDevOps. Begin by exploring the relevant topics that align with your role and current objectives.