Working SAFe at LNDS: Our Agile way of working
In today’s world, we know that “change is the only constant”. The environment is fast-paced, data-driven and fluid. Because of this, organisations need to be agile and adaptable to stay ahead. Whether in tech, healthcare, or data services, delivering value continuously to increase customer satisfaction has become a key focus and indicator of success. To achieve this, many organisations are turning to Agile methodologies, enabling teams to create environments that are dynamic, adaptable, and collaborative. Among these methodologies, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) stands out as a proven approach for scaling agile practices, culture and dynamics – and it is the one that LNDS has chosen to use in its Agile journey.
At LNDS, we have embraced SAFe to navigate across all our activities while ensuring that all teams remain aligned with our strategic goals. In this article, we will explore why and how we leverage SAFe to create value and drive impact through data-driven innovation across the organisation.
What is SAFe and the Agile way of working?
In a nutshell, Agile is a way of working that focuses on six core principles: adaptation to change, transparency, flow of work, collaboration, fast feedback, and continuous improvement. How is this accomplished? By breaking work down into smaller and more manageable pieces, making it visible to drive collaboration, reflecting regularly with an empirical mindset. This way of working enables our teams to have clear and fast feedback loops allowing for the ability to adapt and change to emerging needs.
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) , created by Dean Leffingwell, is one of the methodologies that helps organisations apply these Agile principles at scale. SAFe provides a structured and flexible approach to coordinating multiple teams around shared goals.
What makes SAFe distinctive is that it brings together concepts from Lean (process optimisation), Agile (incremental delivery), and DevOps (blend of development and operations). This combination creates a comprehensive framework where many teams can work together efficiently and cohesively. The focus of this approach is on delivering value incrementally while improving predictability, productivity, quality, and time-to-market.
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Why do we use SAFe?
Our mission is to create an environment that fosters research, innovation and the ability to make policy that is underpinned by high quality data services. Adopting the SAFe framework and its principles aligns with our commitment to being an organisation that is thriving, trustable and transparent.
“LNDS is positioned to make a significant impact both locally and internationally through its well-structured and agile approach to data management and innovation.”
Christopher Whaley, Principal Agile Coach at LNDS
SAFe allows us to create the flexibility needed to adapt to change, stay connected, and deliver value internally and externally. We want our teams to have the ability to operate autonomously while ensuring that we all are aligned with the goals of the organisation, keeping people and partners at the center of what we do, and enabling us to deliver high-quality results.
Organising work with PIs
Within the SAFe framework, our work at LNDS is organised into Planning Intervals (PIs), the backbone of how we manage and deliver value. PIs allows us to plan, execute, and review our work systematically, keeping activities aligned with strategic objectives and commitments. This structure strengthens connection and collaboration, increases transparency, supports adaptation, and helps manage complexity across teams and functions.
Each PI typically spans 8 to 12 weeks. The PI is further decomposed into two-week iterations, also known as sprints, to allow for incremental delivery, greater transparency, and fast feedback for the teams.
A cornerstone of each PI is the Planning Event, held at the beginning of the cycle. Over two days, all LNDS teams come together to align on priorities, goals, and expected value delivery. The event serves three main purposes:
- First, to align on objectives and priorities so that teams clearly understand the goals and expected value for the PI period.
- Second, to review and demonstrate the work and value delivered in the previous PI.
- Third, to plan the work required for the upcoming 8–12 weeks. As part of this planning process, teams identify the work and functionality needed to meet LNDS commitments, capture and map dependencies, and agree on emerging plans.
“Planning together, committing together, and working together to create impact.”
Bert Verdonck, LNDS CEO
How SAFe helps us move forward
SAFe provides several advantages that strengthen our ability to deliver value continuously across the entire organisation:
- Value Creation & Impact: SAFe enables us to focus on creating value for our partners. By organising around value, we can ensure that our work has a tangible impact.
- Productivity & Quality: The integration of Lean, Agile, and DevOps principles of collaboration and continuous improvement allows us to improve our productivity and the quality of our outputs.
- Flexibility & Adaptability: SAFe’s iterative and incremental approach allows us to remain dynamic, flexible and adaptable.
- Collaboration & Alignment: One of SAFe’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to bring diverse teams together. PI Planning and the supporting SAFe ceremonies and events foster a collaborative environment where all teams are aligned with the organisation’s goals. This cross-functional collaboration is crucial for maintaining focus and coherence across the organisation.
- Learning & Improvement: SAFe encourages continuous learning and improvement. After each iteration, teams review their progress, gather feedback, and identify areas for improvement. This culture of reflection helps us learn and adapt quickly, ensuring that we remain innovative.
The adoption of the SAFe framework has been a key enabler in scaling our Agile practices, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This transformation has empowered LNDS to deliver meaningful impact in the data services landscape, both efficiently and responsibly.