---
sourceDocument: Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/it-business-management

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Essential SAFe

# Essential SAFe {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Apply lean and agile principles to your Agile Release Trains and teams, and develop and deliver work with fewer defects in the shortest viable lead time.
Essential SAFe is the most basic configuration of SAFe that works in two levels for both product managers and team members. At the Agile Release Train (ART) level, product managers can capture and prioritize
features in a centralized backlog. They can also monitor the progress of features in a visual task board.

At the Team level, team members can implement stories that are decomposed from features. To
learn more about the levels, see the SAFe Board section below.

To start using the features of Essential SAFe, install the Agile - Scaled
Agile Framework - Essential SAFe plugin (com.snc.sdlc.safe).

## SAFe Board {#essential-overview__section_kjf_kjm_nfb}

The table below provides an overview of how you can access the key levels of Essential SAFe on SAFe Board.{#essential-overview__table_yfb_mhb_wdb__entry__2}

| Level | Description |
|-|-|
| Agile Release Train (ART) | As a product manager, you can plan and monitor activities across teams within an ART by accessing the ART level on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)SAFe Board. In addition, you can: * manage the ART backlog in a centralized location. * define a program increment and identify the features that need to be completed within that program increment. * perform big room planning. * track all the features of the ART and view their transition from one state (lane) to another, in a visual task board. {#essential-overview__ul_fp2_jtc_5db} |
| Team | As a team member, you can plan and monitor activities within the team by accessing the Team level on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)SAFe Board. In addition you can: * manage the team backlog in a centralized location. * streamline sprint planning and completion activities. * track all stories and view their transition from one state (lane) to another, in a visual task board. {#essential-overview__ul_vn5_ltc_5db} |
[ ]

{#essential-overview__table_yfb_mhb_wdb}
* **[Components installed with Essential SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/l0DHv_OAzn9wKQqJzahUsQ)**   
  Several types of components are installed with activation of the Agile - Scaled Agile Framework - Essential SAFe plugin (com.snc.sdlc.safe), including tables and user roles.
* **[Quick start tests for Essential SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/lhYMISkU8rdUBQLrMchbIQ)**   
  Validate that Essential SAFe still works after you make any configuration change such as apply an upgrade or develop an application. Copy and customize these quick start tests to pass when using your instance-specific data.
* **[SAFe entities](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LS9NyNoOmd5eH5ckWgqMzg)**   
  Learn about the various SAFe entities that are used to successfully plan, track, and deliver your software products.
* **[SAFe PI objectives](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jIKK~u1geTZx3RuqacI5Tw)**   
  Use SAFe program increment (PI) objectives to highlight the overall goals for a team or for an agile release train (ART) in a PI.
* **[SAFe Board --- ART level](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6eOyJUkjc5kj8yrOtZRPFg)**   
  As a product manager, you can plan and monitor activities across teams within your agile release train (ART) by accessing the ART level on the SAFe Board.
* **[SAFe Board --- Team level](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mrHkP_yFP1KJBvcCfWlOoQ)**   
  As a team member, you can plan and monitor activities within your team by accessing the Team level on the SAFe Board.

**Related concepts**   

* [Domain separation and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/f_ukijojZzcyQp6qY3BRaQ "Domain separation is supported in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) application. Domain separation enables you to separate data, processes, and administrative tasks into logical groupings called domains. You can control several aspects of this separation, including which users can see and access data.")
* [Portfolio SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/MOZB8lWhx9Bcs3RKoHKnrg "With Portfolio SAFe, you can align your organizational goals and strategies with your portfolios, and apply lean and agile principles to seamlessly manage and deliver your portfolio work.")
* [SAFe --- Unified Backlog](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nepuGkRuOZFK~tsWlmpEdw "SAFe — Unified Backlog allows you to maintain a centralized backlog containing records of different task types, such as defects, problems, incident tasks, and stories. It facilitates in prioritizing and sequencing different task type records in one location, saving you steps. It also removes the overhead of converting records to stories.")
* [Performance Analytics Content Pack for Essential SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/HMQ6cORlc71aqJ1MbwpUzg "Improve your SAFe processes and practices using the Platform Analytics Content Pack for Essential SAFe that contains preconfigured dashboards with data visualizations.")
* [Work Progress Status for SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mgoRmMsMg0_TcKP8UFy~Mw "The Work Progress Status for SAFe application provides you with indicators. These indicators include estimated completion date and progress status (green, yellow, red) for all your SAFe epics and features.")  
**Related reference**   

* [Business stakeholder role for Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/CX8sCb0kIDmKVERPU9v50g "Use the business stakeholder role to read and retrieve data from any table of the Essential SAFe and Portfolio SAFe applications to generate reports.")

*[\>]: and then