The Flow Accelerators are eight recommendations for action in the Scaled Agile Framework that help organizations accelerate value flow across teams, ARTs, and portfolios. They are practical levers for removing obstacles, eliminating bottlenecks, and continuously delivering faster, more efficiently, and in a more customer-focused manner.
The eight Flow Accelerators at a glance
1. Visualize and limit WIP
Make work visible and limit parallel tasks.
2. Address Bottlenecks
Identify bottlenecks, make them visible, and systematically relieve them.
3. Minimize handoffs and dependencies
Reduce handovers and tailor teams along value streams.
4. Get faster feedback
Shorten feedback loops to reduce risk and learn faster.
5. Work in Smaller Batches
Break large projects down into smaller, value-oriented units.
6. Reduce Queue Length
Reduce overload and waiting times by creating smaller queues.
7. Optimize Time "In the Zone"
Protect focus time for teams and individuals, minimize interruptions.
8. Remediate Legacy Policies and Practices
Identify and eliminate outdated rules and practices that hinder flow.
Typical misunderstandings
❌ "Flow accelerators only apply to IT" – they are universally applicable in all value streams.
❌ "You can select them individually" – they are most effective when used in combination.
❌ "Flow Accelerators replace frameworks" – they complement SAFe and Lean-Agile practices, but can also be used outside of them.
Relevance for organizations
The 8 Flow Accelerators help to overcome typical system problems:
• Too much parallel work (WIP)
• Constant bottlenecks
• Dependencies and handovers
• Long feedback cycles
• Complex, risky projects
• Overloaded systems and waiting times
• Lack of focus time
• Bureaucratic legacy issues
Organizations that consciously use these levers increase delivery speed, quality, employee motivation, and customer value.
CALADE perspective
At CALADE, we use flow accelerators in both classic SAFe implementations and framework-independent transformations. Our approach: rather than dogmatically introducing all eight at once, we select the most effective levers depending on the context, introduce them iteratively, and continuously develop them further.
Related terms
• SAFe Principle #6: Make Value Flow Without Interruptions
• Kanban Framework
• Lean Thinking
• Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)
• Value Stream Management
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