The Scaled Agile Framework, commonly known as SAFe, has sparked numerous debates over the years. Some see it as a controversial topic, but I believe a lot of the discussion is fueled by envy. In my view, SAFe is an ingenious product as it creates a perfect problem-solution-match.
My observations of SAFe implementations are mostly from a distance or when I'm called in after the SAFe consultants have left. Typically, I see that companies adopting SAFe are those who:
Don't Recognize They Have a Problem: They either don't have a problem, or they're not ready to acknowledge it.
Prefer Minimal "Real" Changes: They usually don't want to make significant changes to their current status, although they are happy to invest effort in repainting things.
Financial Aspect is Secondary: The cost is not a major concern for them.
SAFe offers an ideal approach for such scenarios. It provides clear guidance on how to make small, Agile-looking changes without much hassle or disruption. And this is not a bad thing!
Let's consider you run a company where the biggest issue is how to invest your profits to minimize taxes. Then an Agile tree-hugger comes to you and, with incense sticks in hand, tells you that you have to fundamentally change the way you work because the VUCA monster is out there, and it's killing companies like yours. However, your perspective is completely different from that of the Agile VUCA monster tamer. Why would you want to completely overhaul your successful company to become "AGILE"?
This is where SAFe's brilliance in problem-solution fit comes into play. If I...
see no need for real change, but
want to make some "Agile"-looking changes to see what this "new way of working" looks like,
and I can spend enough money and effort,
I will for sure find many SAFe consultants who can help me invest my resources.
I don't get why so many Agile coaches and consultants are upset about SAFe. If clients don't have a suitable problem for your solution, then it's either time to change your solution or find different clients. There's absolutely no reason to bash SAFe. It serves a specific market need very effectively.