Definition
The ART Sync is a coordination event in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) designed to synchronize the Agile Release Train (ART) at the program level. It combines two SAFe events: the Scrum of Scrums (SoS), focused on technical dependencies, and the PO Sync, focused on business priorities. Organizations may run them separately or together as one combined ART Sync.
Origin and Purpose
Introduced in SAFe to ensure that an ART (50–125+ people) delivers against PI objectives in a coordinated way, the ART Sync provides transparency on dependencies, risks, and progress while aligning business and technical perspectives.
Core Elements
- Participants:
- Scrum of Scrums: RTE, Scrum Masters, team representatives
- PO Sync: Product Manager, Product Owners, Business Owners
- Frequency: Once or twice per week, 30–60 minutes
- Topics:
- Status on ART and PI objectives
- Cross-team dependencies and risks
- Blocker management
- Business vs. technical alignment
- Updates to Program Kanban and PI objectives
Application and Best Practices
- RTE facilitation: The Release Train Engineer ensures focus on dependencies and flow rather than status reporting.
- Clear agenda design: Especially critical when combining SoS and PO Sync.
- Transparency via tools: Digital Program Boards or Kanban systems enhance alignment, including in distributed setups.
- Defined follow-ups: Issues not solvable in-session are addressed in dedicated follow-ups.
Practice Examples
- Financial sector: Twice-weekly ART Syncs enabled rapid coordination of regulatory changes across multiple teams.
- Automotive programs: ART Syncs increased transparency across software and hardware teams, allowing critical integration issues to be resolved early.
- Remote ARTs: Virtual ART Syncs with digital boards helped distributed teams stay aligned on PI objectives despite physical distance.
(Note: These are typical implementation patterns from SAFe adoptions, not official SAFe case studies.)
Criticism and Limitations
- Risk of status reporting: Poor facilitation can reduce ART Syncs to reporting sessions.
- Participant overload: Too many stakeholders dilute focus and extend meetings.
- Cultural barriers: In low-transparency environments, blockers and dependencies remain hidden, undermining the Sync’s value.
- Scaling limits: For very large ARTs (>125 people), ART Syncs can become less effective without breakout structures or delegated facilitation.
Embedding and Combination
The ART Sync is part of SAFe Program Events, alongside PI Planning, System Demo, and Inspect & Adapt. Inputs come from team events (e.g., Daily Scrums); outputs include updated Program Kanban boards and aligned PI objectives.
CALADE Perspective
In our experience, ART Syncs deliver impact only when professionally facilitated. CALADE experts often serve as RTEs or coach RTEs to keep ART Syncs focused on value, flow, and problem resolution. We add particular value by helping organizations integrate business and technical perspectives without escalating conflicts.
Cross-references to related glossary entries
- Agile Release Train (ART)
- Release Train Engineer (RTE)
- PI Planning
- Inspect & Adapt Workshop
- System Demo
- Program Increment (PI) Objectives
- Lean Portfolio Management
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