Category Archives: Scaled Agile Framework

29 Jul

Newly appointed SPCT Niels Groen: “Excited to educate the change agents.”

Gladwell Academy’s own Niels Groen has been accepted into the ranks of the SAFe Program Consultant Trainers this week! As only the second Dutchman ever to receive this highest Scaled Agile certification, he’s quite thrilled: “Educating the change agents also involves me in the transformations they lead”. With demand for SAFe continuing to rise, becoming an SPC is an appealing possibility for thousands of aspiring Agile professionals around the world. So, Niels Groen’s SPCT... Learn more

05 Jul

What are the 7 Habits of Highly Effective RTEs? New White Paper!

The role of Release Train Engineer (RTE, the Chief Scrum Master) has only come into existence over the past decade or so. This group of courageous, pioneering professionals is still rare. “Now, however, there’s enough critical mass to begin to see and understand the key traits that characterize the effective RTE,” says Andres Jansen, Agile Transformation Coach and Senior Trainer at Gladwell Academy. Taking a page from Stephen Covey’s 1985 management classic ‘7 Habits of Highly... Learn more

26 Jun

Working with Dr. Kraus & Partner is an adventure

With awareness about Agility on the rise in Germany, at Gladwell Academy we’d love to share our experience and hands-on training approach with ambitious organizations from northernmost Rügen island to the southern city of Konstanz. Joining us on that journey is German consultancy firm Dr. Kraus & Partner, whose senior Agile consultant Guido Wiggerink recently visited Agile Munich in May. “We’re looking forward to building a presence in the market for Agile training in... Learn more

25 Jun

Ready to get challenged? Joining forces with AgileSparks in the US

“He’s a free spirit, and I tell it like it is.” After the success of running their first SAFe course together, AgileSparks SPCT Yuval Yeret will meet Gladwell Academy SAFe trainer Abram again to train several Implementing SAFe courses in New York and Boston this year. We asked Yuval to shed some light on their successful shared hostmanship. Yuval Yeret: “Delivering training with Abram brings a lot of fun and a lot of depth. Abram is ‘a free spirit’, so to speak.... Learn more

21 Jun

Agile, Scrum, SAFe and your career

Ever wondered what Scrum and Agile ways of working might mean for your career? We wrote the Agile, Scrum, SAFe and your career white paper to explain the possibilities that open up to you when your organization embraces an Agile framework such as Scrum or SAFe. What does it mean for conventional roles? What new roles are there, and which might suit your personality? Interesting? Download the white paper and see for... Learn more

06 Jun

“RTEs and Controllers need to learn the same language.”

Starting with his work for Schiphol Group and now continued in his work with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, freelance 'Agile controller' Martin Hofman has slowly been building his authority in the Agile Control discipline. “Conventional Controllers have difficulty building the business case for working Agile. Agility has become too important for Controllers to ignore though… and vice versa!” Agile and Control “Working Agile at the elementary team level doesn’t pose too many... Learn more

31 May

Your Route to RTE – Part 2: How far will you go?

In a role as newly-minted as that of SAFe Release Train Engineer there are still few practicing, certified RTEs, and no prescribed or clearly-defined career paths to becoming RTE. But there are trends in the pathways to this very significant senior role according to Andres Jansen, Senior Trainer, interim RTE at ASML and Founder of the RTE Summit. And right now, the two main career routes to becoming RTE are via the program side (PM, PL and the like); or from the (Advanced) Scrum Master... Learn more

28 May

Your Route to RTE – Part 1: Where do you come from?

23 May

We’ve teamed up with AgileSparks!

Fellow global educators with a long-term focus on quality and lasting Agility. The meeting of the two CEOs Erez Tatcher and Miranda Goossens was brisk and clear. “There’s so much we share; there’s so much we stand to benefit. Time’s a-wasting. Let’s go!” The two companies have agreed to service the US, Europe and India together for the months to come. Each will leverage their strong trainer network and long-term commitment to quality. Erez... Learn more

02 May

RTE Summit 2019: Schiphol Airport Agile Controller Martin Hofman will speak

Andres Jansen updates the agenda for November 12th, the RTE Summit 2019. As chairman of the RTE Summit 2019, Andres Jansen is certain that this year’s edition on 12 November of 2019 will be even better than the last one. “We’re circling the speakers list, admiring the venue and building the social program. Not wanting to be pinned down by a theme, we’ve nonetheless listed several clear topics for the event. It’s exciting!” “We’re definitely keeping the... Learn more

19 Jun

7 Habits of highly effective RTEs

The role of Release Train Engineer (RTE, Chief Scrum Master) has only come into existence over the past decade or so. Its origins can be found in the Scrum Master’s role, in short: the coach operating in a single Agile Scrum Team, with roughly 7 +/-2 members. In this Whitepaper, Andres Jansen will elaborate the role, its possibilities and the habits that effective RTEs have in common. Release the trains! Contents of this White paper: RTE: A new role for a unique... Learn more

10 Apr

Servant Leader in Superman’s clothing: Ready to be RTE?

What are the tasks of the Release Train Engineer? The RTE is a new breed of super scrum masters, arisen since the advent of SAFe. Upon passing the SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) exam and achieving RTE certification, the RTE becomes a far more effective scrum master of the Team of Teams and coach for the organization around it– a complex, challenging, and intense role with a lot of responsibility for the whole enterprise. “It’s like Scrum on steroids,” says Andres Jansen, Senior... Learn more

10 Apr

“U.S. corporate culture helps and hinders Agility” – Eelco Rustenburg, SPCT

As an accredited SPC Trainer, Eelco Rustenburg is one of the very few people in the world today allowed to train new SAFe Program Consultants – and he’s coming to New York this April 16thto train a hopeful group. We asked him to share his experience in training people from both sides of the Atlantic. “My life as an SPCT changed significantly when I was okayed for that additional T. But that change hasn’t been nearly as heavy as when I became an SPC! Demand for corporate Agility is so... Learn more

19 Oct

Scaled Agile Framework

The Scaled Agile framework has been developed to allow companies to apply the Agile principles at all levels of the organization. The Scaled Agile Framework and its implementation is a process of trial and error. It is a road full of dedication and demands commitment of those involved. However, it should also encourage several self-organizing teams to collaborate effectively so that it results in a successful product, which is not an easy task. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) enables... Learn more

25 Mar

Stepping up to SPC: The value of becoming a certified SAFe Program Consultant

The SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) course is a relatively new program – one that, upon successful completion of the SPC exam, will lift your knowledge and can lift your network and career, to a new level. According to thought leader Andres Jansen, Senior Trainer at Gladwell Academy, the certification unlocks a world of SAFe Program Consultant jobs as it transforms the scope and impact of your work. SPC certification: next-level Lean/Agile coaching The Number One... Learn more

19 Mar

Find your way through the maze: online course ‘Compass to Scaling Agile’

Travelling around the world to train and coach people about scaling Agile is a privilege. Working as a trainer feels sometimes like working as an explorer. During the trainings I get to educate and inspire people to apply Lean-Agile ways of working. But sometimes I notice that the participants would need some extra advise on where to start from. For this, we have recently developed a new online platform. After 2-4 days of training, your behavioural patterns might not be radically... Learn more

11 Dec

Leading SAFe: It’s all in your head. – PART 2

There are absolutely no one-size fits all, just-tick-the-box solutions in an agile environment. Instead, leaders who want to manage with the Lean-Agile mindset need to learn to organize safe environments so that others - through engagement - can come to the next steps of effective action. In this two-part blog, Janse gives his expert perspectives on the challenges – and rewards – of expanding your mind and becoming a SAFe Agilist. This is the second part of the blog... Learn more

05 Dec

Leading SAFe: It’s all in your head – part 1

Part 1 of 2 “The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum (gap) a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.” – Antonio Gramsci, political theorist. There are absolutely no one-size fits all, just-tick-the-box solutions in an agile environment. Instead, leaders who want to manage with the Lean-Agile mindset need to learn to organize safe environments so that others - through engagement - can come to the... Learn more

16 Nov

What is an Agile Release Train?

Forget the express train, the Intercity or the Thalys. The Agile Release Train is where it’s at! This train runs quickly and efficiently to its ultimate goal. It always keeps to the timetable. The passengers mostly set this timetable themselves! The Agile Release Train (ART) was invented by SAFe, the Scaled Agile Framework. The ART is a virtual train consisting of 5 to 10 self-organising, multidisciplinary teams who plan, organise and perform their work together. Together they work on... Learn more

15 Nov

The toolkit of an effective SAFe Program Consultant

Big organisational changes only have a chance of succeeding if there is a clear vision for the future that has broad support. A SAFe implementation will be successful if enough people are involved and are prepared to work together according to the SAFe principles. The SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) takes the lead in this. As a SPC you’re responsible for setting up the new organisation. You train teams in the SAFe framework and help colleagues to find their way in their new role. The SPC gets... Learn more