How does SAFe recommend managing risks during PI Planning?

SAFe emphasizes the importance of actively managing risks during the Program Increment (PI) Planning process to ensure that teams can successfully meet their commitments. Addressing risks during the Agile Release Train (ART) PI Risks session is a structured approach that allows teams to identify, discuss, and prioritize risks collectively. This collaboration fosters transparency and helps in crafting mitigation strategies that can be integrated into the overall planning.

In this collaborative environment, teams can leverage their collective knowledge and experience to enhance their risk management approach, ensuring that everyone has an understanding of potential challenges that may arise during the PI. By integrating risk management into the PI Planning process, organizations are better equipped to respond proactively, rather than reactively, which is vital for maintaining momentum and achieving objectives.

In contrast, ignoring risks can lead to unforeseen issues that can derail progress. Managing risks only after PI Planning can result in delays and missed opportunities to mitigate challenges upfront. Mitigating risks individually does not foster the collaborative environment that SAFe promotes and can lead to inconsistent approaches to risk management across different teams. Therefore, engaging in an organized risk discussion during the ART PI Risks session is the most effective way to manage risks within the SAFe framework.