Agile Release Train

Definition

An Agile Release Train (ART) is a long-lived, team of Agile teams that incrementally develops, delivers, and releases high-quality solutions in alignment with a common vision. Each ART operates on a fixed schedule, typically delivering value every 8-12 weeks, while fostering collaboration and alignment among diverse teams across the organization to achieve strategic goals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An Agile Release Train typically consists of 5 to 12 Agile teams, each with its own roles, responsibilities, and focus areas, all working together toward a common goal.
2. ARTs help scale Agile practices across large organizations by providing a structured framework for collaboration, alignment, and delivery.
3. During each Program Increment, ARTs plan their work collaboratively in a PI planning event, ensuring that all teams understand their contributions to the overall objectives.
4. ARTs focus on delivering customer value by continuously improving processes, adapting to feedback, and ensuring high-quality outputs through regular retrospectives.
5. Each ART is supported by key roles such as the Release Train Engineer (RTE), Product Management, and System Architects to ensure effective coordination and guidance.

Review Questions

• How does an Agile Release Train facilitate collaboration among multiple Agile teams?
  • An Agile Release Train facilitates collaboration among multiple Agile teams by creating a structured framework where diverse teams can work together towards a common vision. Regular events like PI planning ensure that all teams align on goals and priorities while addressing dependencies and risks. This collaborative approach helps break down silos between teams, fosters communication, and enhances the overall delivery of high-quality solutions.
• Discuss the significance of Program Increments in the context of an Agile Release Train's operations.
  • Program Increments are crucial for an Agile Release Train as they provide a defined timeframe for planning, executing, and delivering incremental value. Each PI consists of several iterations where teams collaborate on features aligned with the overall goals. This structure allows teams to reflect on their performance during retrospectives and make adjustments for future increments, ensuring continuous improvement and responsiveness to changing needs.
• Evaluate the impact of Lean-Agile leadership on the success of an Agile Release Train in scaling Agile practices across large organizations.
  • Lean-Agile leadership has a significant impact on the success of an Agile Release Train by fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement, empowerment, and collaboration. Leaders who champion Lean-Agile principles help create an environment where teams feel supported and encouraged to innovate. Their guidance ensures that ARTs remain focused on delivering customer value while navigating challenges associated with scaling Agile practices across large organizations, ultimately leading to greater organizational agility and effectiveness.

Related terms

Program Increment: A Program Increment (PI) is a timebox in which an Agile Release Train delivers incremental value through a set of planned features over a period, usually lasting 8-12 weeks.

Scrum of Scrums: A Scrum of Scrums is a scaled Agile practice where representatives from different Scrum teams meet regularly to coordinate their work and address dependencies.

Lean-Agile Leadership: Lean-Agile Leadership refers to leaders who promote and support Lean and Agile practices across the organization, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.