Define a feature in SAFe

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 3 minutes to read

    • Create a feature in SAFe and break it down into smaller user stories for implementation and delivery by SAFe teams.

    Before you begin

    Role required: safe_art_user or safe_admin

    Procedure

    1. Create a feature using any of the following options.
      OptionSteps
      From the Backlog tab
      1. Navigate to Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) > SAFe Board > Backlog.
      2. From the list, select ART.
      3. From the adjacent list, select your agile release train (ART).
      4. From the Create list, select Create Feature. The feature is displayed in the Backlog tab with the state as Backlog.
      From the Feature module
      1. Navigate to Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) > Features.
      2. Click New.
      From the Epics module
      1. Navigate to Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) > Epics.
      2. Click any epic.
      3. In the SAFE Features related list, click New.
      From the Agile Release Trains module
      1. Navigate to Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) > Agile Release Trains.
      2. Click any agile release train.
      3. In the SAFe Features related list, click New.
      You can also convert an active SAFe story into a SAFe feature. For details, see Related links and lists for a SAFe story.
    2. On the form, fill in the fields.
      Table 1. SAFe Feature Form
      Field Description
      Number System-generated number for the feature.
      Enabler Option that identifies a feature as an enabler. An enabler does not bring any business value but helps in laying the foundation for future work. For example, you can use an enabler to investigate the architecture that is used to build stories.
      Color Color that you attribute to the feature. Feature colors help you visually identify and group stories by their feature on the team's backlog page of the SAFe board.

      This color also appears as a filled circle on the SAFe story cards on the SAFe PI planning board so that you can identify its feature.
      WSJF score Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) score that you use to prioritize and sequence jobs to produce an optimum business value.

      A job with the highest WSJF score receives the highest priority for implementation. A job can be an epic, feature, or any business capability.
      State State of the feature. Select one of the following:
      • Funnel: In this state, you can create features from approved ideas.
      • Analysis: In this state, the product management team reviews the features and considers the acceptance criteria, benefit hypothesis, technical feasibility, and scope estimates.
      • Backlog: In this state, you can prioritize approved features and assign them to an ART.
      • Implementation: In this state, you can break down a feature into stories that you can later assign to a team.
      • Validation on staging: In this state, you can integrate the feature in the system and present it to the product management team for approval and feedback.
      • Deployment: In this state, the deployment testing of feature is complete.
      • Released: In this state, you are ready to release the feature to the end users and assess the benefit hypotheses.
      • Cancelled: In this state, a feature has been canceled.
      SAFe epic Epic to which the feature belongs.
      Agile release train Agile release train to which the feature belongs.
      Program increment Program increment in which the feature is scheduled for completion.
      SAFe team Team that is primarily responsible for the delivery of the feature.
      Short description Brief description of the feature.
      Description Detailed description of the feature.
      Work notes Work notes that indicate the progress of the feature at various stages in its life cycle.
      Table 2. Weighted shortest job first section of the SAFe Feature form
      Field Description
      User-business Value Estimate of the business value of the job from this feature. Consider the impact on revenue or other solutions in the market that offer similar capabilities.
      Time criticality Estimated impact on the business when deadlines are missed. For example, consider how shifting deadlines can reduce the projected revenue gain.
      Risk reduction Analysis of how much risk this feature can help you avoid. Answer questions such as the following:
      • Does the job add value to the business in other ways?
      • Does the job bring in new business opportunities?
      • Does the job reduce the risk for a future delivery?
      Job size Estimated duration for completion of the job.
    3. Click Submit.

    What to do next

    Use the SAFe stories related list to view and add stories to the feature.