What makes good SAFe RTE (Release Train Engineer)

Before we indulge into critical skills or behavioral aspect of an “ideal” RTE, I must say RTE must have complete understanding of overall SAFe Framework and in particular following SAFe Lean Agile Principles…

You might ask “why”; and the answer is pretty obvious… during entire life cycle of PI/multiple PIs there would be numerous occasions where RTE might have to take decision or might have to guide the team/PO/architect/stakeholders based on these Principles.

1. Take an economic view
2. Apply systems thinking
3. Assume variability; preserve options
4. Build incrementally with fast, integrated learning cycles
5. Base milestones on objective evaluation of working systems
6. Visualize and limit work-in-progress, reduce batch sizes, and manage queue lengths
7. Apply cadence (timing), synchronize with cross-domain planning
8. Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers
9. Decentralize decision-making

Now let’s go through characters and skills that would make a good RTE.

•       Excellent facilitation skills: Must be a good facilitator to encourage attention and participation from the team/stakeholders.

•       System Thinker: Points to 2^nd SAFe Lean Agile Principle. Does your RTE have a holistic view? Is he/she able to view the solution as a system or other aspects such as people, management or processes that builds the solution as a system?

•       Servant Leader: RTE is Chief Scrum Master. Moving away from “directive” style of leading, RTE must be able to gain respect from team and stakeholders should be resourceful to get the job done.

•       Empowering: Driving and guiding an ART (Agile Release Train) and multiple teams to self-organized teams and empowering and helping teams to take decision.

•       Attitude of transparency: Being transparent to the team (downstream – Team level) and to the own organization /client /business (upstream – Program & Portfolio level).

•       Collaborative: Ability to partner with others to achieve goals at various levels throughout the organization and lead others to do so by example

•       Excellent communication skills: Does your RTE feels comfortable to communicate both good news and bad news with all levels of the organization from Scrum team members to executives? It does require some good communication skills.

•       Conflict resolution: Conflicts are not always bad. A good RTE must be able to facilitate discussion at the release train level and facilitate alternatives or different approaches to resolve conflicts or difference of opinions.

•       Continual improvement & learning: RTE must have very good understanding of Agile metrics. Should be able to understand and meaningfully interpret the metrics and guide teams to overall improvement.

•       Technical Knowledge: Technical skills can come handy when negotiating and discussing with architect/business and to understand solution and it’s technical feasibility.

•       Budgeting: Now a days there are multiple ways Agile contracts are signed. RTE must understand the budgeting part of the overall contract very well to keep an eye on overall budget vs. value delivered.

•       Ability to Remain Focused: not distracted with external and internal influence and focused on encouraging team to deliver value.

•       Leadership Skills: Able to motivate, influence and direct teams/stakeholders to achieve the business objectives

•       Enthusiastic: RTE must be passionate about the role he is playing and should possess high-energy.

•       Assertive: Always ensuring that team adheres to SAFe concepts and principles. If situation demands he/she should be able to make the tough calls.