New Book

Feb

08

2024

By Clarence Galapon

New Book! SAFe 6.0 Practice.

Announcement, Class Announcement, Live Sessions, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

SAFe 6.0 Practice is available on Amazon.com Unshackle yourself and your organization from the “by the book” approach to implementing SAFe and Lean Agile. Instead, be guided by fundamentals: Principles and Values. SAFe and Lean Agile are versatile Ways of Working/Living. This is what this book is all about: To show this versatility within the context of our recent travels in 2023. It is my hope that you will get to “see” yourself and your organization in our travels – see how SAFe 6.0 and Lean Agile Principles and Values can be practiced in your own unique context. Best,   Clarence P. Galapon Author of SAFe 6.0 Practice  The Lean Agile Guru…

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Feb

07

2024

By Clarence Galapon

New Book! SAFe 6.0 Practice.

Announcement, Class Announcement, Live Sessions, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

SAFe 6.0 Practice is available on Amazon.com Unshackle yourself and your organization from the “by the book” approach to implementing SAFe and Lean Agile. Instead, be guided by fundamentals: Principles and Values. SAFe and Lean Agile are versatile Ways of Working/Living. This is what this book is all about: To show this versatility within the context of our recent travels in 2023. It is my hope that you will get to “see” yourself and your organization in our travels – see how SAFe 6.0 and Lean Agile Principles and Values can be practiced in your own unique context. Best,   Clarence P. Galapon Author of SAFe 6.0 Practice  The Lean Agile Guru…

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Feb

06

2024

By Clarence Galapon

New Book! SAFe 6.0 Practice.

Announcement, Class Announcement, Live Sessions, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

SAFe 6.0 Practice is available on Amazon.com Unshackle yourself and your organization from the “by the book” approach to implementing SAFe and Lean Agile. Instead, be guided by fundamentals: Principles and Values. SAFe and Lean Agile are versatile Ways of Working/Living. This is what this book is all about: To show this versatility within the context of our recent travels in 2023. It is my hope that you will get to “see” yourself and your organization in our travels – see how SAFe 6.0 and Lean Agile Principles and Values can be practiced in your own unique context. Best,   Clarence P. Galapon Author of SAFe 6.0 Practice  The Lean Agile Guru…

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Feb

04

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Keep Your Courage and Do Something!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Wow! That’s what I said as I took these pictures when my wife and I visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) museum last summer of ‘22. SSA, FDIC, GI Bill, FCC, SEC… familiar acronyms and many more… all these are from FDR… the person who said, ‘Do something.’ FDR has the courage … without courage, all of these great things behind these acronyms will never be. Keep your courage and do something! Be courageous during Team Sync, ART Synch, Retrospectives, Backlog Refinement, courage to stop the production line, and in every aspect of this Lean Agile Software Factory where connection,…

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Feb

02

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Keep Your Courage and Do Something!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Wow! That’s what I said as I took these pictures when my wife and I visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) museum last summer of ‘22. SSA, FDIC, GI Bill, FCC, SEC… familiar acronyms and many more… all these are from FDR… the person who said, ‘Do something.’ FDR has the courage … without courage, all of these great things behind these acronyms will never be. Keep your courage and do something! Be courageous during Team Sync, ART Synch, Retrospectives, Backlog Refinement, courage to stop the production line, and in every aspect of this Lean Agile Software Factory where connection,…

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Feb

01

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Keep Your Courage and Do Something!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Wow! That’s what I said as I took these pictures when my wife and I visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) museum last summer of ‘22. SSA, FDIC, GI Bill, FCC, SEC… familiar acronyms and many more… all these are from FDR… the person who said, ‘Do something.’ FDR has the courage … without courage, all of these great things behind these acronyms will never be. Keep your courage and do something! Be courageous during Team Sync, ART Synch, Retrospectives, Backlog Refinement, courage to stop the production line, and in every aspect of this Lean Agile Software Factory where connection,…

Read More

Jan

31

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Keep Your Courage and Do Something!

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Wow! That’s what I said as I took these pictures when my wife and I visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) museum last summer of ‘22. SSA, FDIC, GI Bill, FCC, SEC… familiar acronyms and many more… all these are from FDR… the person who said, ‘Do something.’ FDR has the courage … without courage, all of these great things behind these acronyms will never be. Keep your courage and do something! Be courageous during Team Sync, ART Synch, Retrospectives, Backlog Refinement, courage to stop the production line, and in every aspect of this Lean Agile Software Factory where connection,…

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Jan

30

2024

By Clarence Galapon

We like ‘em fresh

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Yes, we all like our fruits fresh. Including our way of working… and way of living. We like ‘em fresh! If something is not fresh — i.e., stale — then find ways to freshen it up… or chuck it out. Use your creativity and imagination. This freshness is great for the body, mind and soul. We are more productive when are freshened up with a renewed sense of vigor. Not sure how? Take it to your team! Great and fresh ideas are from everybody and everywhere. Stale retro? Stale events? Tired of the status quo? Freshen things up! Do something…

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Jan

29

2024

By Clarence Galapon

We like ‘em fresh

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Yes, we all like our fruits fresh. Including our way of working… and way of living. We like ‘em fresh! If something is not fresh — i.e., stale — then find ways to freshen it up… or chuck it out. Use your creativity and imagination. This freshness is great for the body, mind and soul. We are more productive when are freshened up with a renewed sense of vigor. Not sure how? Take it to your team! Great and fresh ideas are from everybody and everywhere. Stale retro? Stale events? Tired of the status quo? Freshen things up! Do something…

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Jan

28

2024

By Clarence Galapon

A scene at the Met

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Sometimes, just observing your surrounding is chill… Observing your ecosystem is also chill ! You get to observe different types of people… You could learn — based on your observations — as to who the ‘Dominant’ folks are; who the Influencers are; who the Steadfast folks are; and who the Conscientious folks are... and know what makes them tick! The DISC: Dominant folks are outgoing and task-oriented; problems and challenges focused. They need respect, choices and control. Influencers are outgoing and people-oriented; persuasive. They need popularity, affirmation and recognition. Steadfast folks are reserved, people-oriented and focused on consistency; not rushed.…

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Jan

27

2024

By Clarence Galapon

A scene at the Met

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Sometimes, just observing your surrounding is chill… Observing your ecosystem is also chill ! You get to observe different types of people… You could learn — based on your observations — as to who the ‘Dominant’ folks are; who the Influencers are; who the Steadfast folks are; and who the Conscientious folks are... and know what makes them tick! The DISC: Dominant folks are outgoing and task-oriented; problems and challenges focused. They need respect, choices and control. Influencers are outgoing and people-oriented; persuasive. They need popularity, affirmation and recognition. Steadfast folks are reserved, people-oriented and focused on consistency; not rushed.…

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Jan

26

2024

By Clarence Galapon

A scene at the Met

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Sometimes, just observing your surrounding is chill… Observing your ecosystem is also chill ! You get to observe different types of people… You could learn — based on your observations — as to who the ‘Dominant’ folks are; who the Influencers are; who the Steadfast folks are; and who the Conscientious folks are... and know what makes them tick! The DISC: Dominant folks are outgoing and task-oriented; problems and challenges focused. They need respect, choices and control. Influencers are outgoing and people-oriented; persuasive. They need popularity, affirmation and recognition. Steadfast folks are reserved, people-oriented and focused on consistency; not rushed.…

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Jan

25

2024

By Clarence Galapon

User Story and Enabler Story are Like…

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

One concept that some folks find hard to grasp is the two types of stories in SAFe: User story Enabler story User story is what customers see… and interact with… directly. Whilst enabler story is behind the scenes supporting (enables) directly or indirectly the user story… enabler stories are typically technical in nature. Think of user story as your conscious mind… you interact with it… whilst enabler story is your subconscious mind… is stealth (not in a state of awareness)… behind the scenes... you don't consciously interact with it.  An iceberg is a great visual … see image below... the…

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Jan

24

2024

By Clarence Galapon

WIP Limit — Why Use It!?

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Can you imagine what a busy road looks like without "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic? Imagine there is no traffic light... The busy road becomes congested quite easily... and the number of cars going from point A to Point B in a span of time (the throughput) will be less... compared to... if the same busy road has a "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic, the number of cars going from point A to Point B in the same span of time (the throughput) will be more. The "Traffic Cop" is like the "WIP (Work In Process) Limit... both have the…

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Jan

23

2024

By Clarence Galapon

WIP Limit — Why Use It!?

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Can you imagine what a busy road looks like without "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic? Imagine there is no traffic light... The busy road becomes congested quite easily... and the number of cars going from point A to Point B in a span of time (the throughput) will be less... compared to... if the same busy road has a "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic, the number of cars going from point A to Point B in the same span of time (the throughput) will be more. The "Traffic Cop" is like the "WIP (Work In Process) Limit... both have the…

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Jan

23

2024

By Clarence Galapon

WIP Limit — Why Use It!?

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Can you imagine what a busy road looks like without "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic? Imagine there is no traffic light... The busy road becomes congested quite easily... and the number of cars going from point A to Point B in a span of time (the throughput) will be less... compared to... if the same busy road has a "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic, the number of cars going from point A to Point B in the same span of time (the throughput) will be more. The "Traffic Cop" is like the "WIP (Work In Process) Limit... both have the…

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Jan

21

2024

By Clarence Galapon

WIP Limit — Why Use It!?

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Can you imagine what a busy road looks like without "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic? Imagine there is no traffic light... The busy road becomes congested quite easily... and the number of cars going from point A to Point B in a span of time (the throughput) will be less... compared to... if the same busy road has a "Traffic Cop" directing the traffic, the number of cars going from point A to Point B in the same span of time (the throughput) will be more. The "Traffic Cop" is like the "WIP (Work In Process) Limit... both have the…

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Jan

20

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Vision Must Be Clear

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Your product Vision must be clear... as a Product Manager, making your Vision clear is your job... and do not do it alone... bring the right set of people to get that Clear Vision. You are like a Photographer... you could start wide with a Wide-Angle Lens... then look for that shot... maybe the scene is too wide... perhaps a clear tight money shot is what you want. Or... your lens (Vision) could be fuzzy at first... just like what I have, 60 years old Nikkor (Nikon) 50mm 1.2f manual lens... I had to adjust it manually... until I see…

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Jan

19

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Vision Must Be Clear

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Your product Vision must be clear... as a Product Manager, making your Vision clear is your job... and do not do it alone... bring the right set of people to get that Clear Vision. You are like a Photographer... you could start wide with a Wide-Angle Lens... then look for that shot... maybe the scene is too wide... perhaps a clear tight money shot is what you want. Or... your lens (Vision) could be fuzzy at first... just like what I have, 60 years old Nikkor (Nikon) 50mm 1.2f manual lens... I had to adjust it manually... until I see…

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Jan

18

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

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Jan

17

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

Read More

Jan

16

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

Read More

Jan

15

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

Read More

Jan

14

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Slow Down

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

In SAFe, there's an IP Iteration -- the last Iteration in a Planning Interval (PI). This is where, among other things, we focus on Innovation... and Planning for the next PI. It has a "Slow Down" effect... a needed "Oasis" between long Planning Intervals. After the 2-day Punta Fuego trip, there is an upcoming three-day long trip ahead of us. We needed an “Oasis” between these long trips. We had to slow down. So, we had the following "Oasis": At BGC: At Greenbelt, Makati: Key Idea: Slow down... delight in the things you can see only when you slow down.…

Read More

Jan

13

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Measure and Visualize the Trend of “Actual over Planned” Ratio

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

There is a topic my new book, "SAFe  (6.0) Is Like ...", titled "Measure Actual Versus Planned" . It tackles the fact that a lot of us measure planned velocity and actual velocity; however, a lot of us stop short. Too short. We forget to apply Statistical Control to our Processes. Statistics is the study of numerical information, called data. Planned velocity and Actual velocity are just data. However, when we use these information as part of a "large mirror", it shows us if our processes are in-control or out-of-control. So... don't stop at Planned velocity and Actual velocity data...…

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Jan

12

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Measure and Visualize the Trend of “Actual over Planned” Ratio

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

There is a topic my new book, "SAFe  (6.0) Is Like ...", titled "Measure Actual Versus Planned" . It tackles the fact that a lot of us measure planned velocity and actual velocity; however, a lot of us stop short. Too short. We forget to apply Statistical Control to our Processes. Statistics is the study of numerical information, called data. Planned velocity and Actual velocity are just data. However, when we use these information as part of a "large mirror", it shows us if our processes are in-control or out-of-control. So... don't stop at Planned velocity and Actual velocity data...…

Read More

Jan

11

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Measure and Visualize the Trend of “Actual over Planned” Ratio

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

There is a topic my new book, "SAFe  (6.0) Is Like ...", titled "Measure Actual Versus Planned" . It tackles the fact that a lot of us measure planned velocity and actual velocity; however, a lot of us stop short. Too short. We forget to apply Statistical Control to our Processes. Statistics is the study of numerical information, called data. Planned velocity and Actual velocity are just data. However, when we use these information as part of a "large mirror", it shows us if our processes are in-control or out-of-control. So... don't stop at Planned velocity and Actual velocity data...…

Read More

Jan

10

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Measure and Visualize the Trend of “Actual over Planned” Ratio

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

There is a topic my new book, "SAFe  (6.0) Is Like ...", titled "Measure Actual Versus Planned" . It tackles the fact that a lot of us measure planned velocity and actual velocity; however, a lot of us stop short. Too short. We forget to apply Statistical Control to our Processes. Statistics is the study of numerical information, called data. Planned velocity and Actual velocity are just data. However, when we use these information as part of a "large mirror", it shows us if our processes are in-control or out-of-control. So... don't stop at Planned velocity and Actual velocity data...…

Read More

Jan

09

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Fast Short Strides

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe 6.o Practice, SAFe Is Like…, Travel

Make ‘em short strides… and make ‘em fast… Foot in the air does not move you forward… only when foot has landed on the ground. Short strides keep air-time shorter than long strides. In SAFe, think of air-time as WIP (Work in Process). Keep WIP to a minimum by applying WIP Limit. And start finishing … fast. Think of ‘Foot has landed on the ground’ as ‘Value delivered’ … Kublai Khan, whilst trying to conquer China, said: ‘there is no value of anything until it is finished’ He must complete what he has begun… conquer China… only then when his…

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Jan

08

2024

By Clarence Galapon

Fractals

Announcement, New Book, SAFe 6.0, SAFe Is Like…

Nature reveals perfect fractals. Take, for example, a rose flower. A rose flower’s petals reveal recursive patterns, the smaller parts mirroring the larger parts and vice-versa … one petal is a fractal smaller or larger scale of the other. Fractals are everywhere in SAFe. Take the ART, for example. The ART is a larger fractal scale of the Agile Team. Both are self-organizing and self-managing entities but in different scales. Another example: the RTE role is a larger fractal scale of the SAFe Scrum Master Role. And many more! Try to find these. Once you know one thing, its larger…

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