Promoting innovation

Organizations of all sizes seek to innovate like a start-up in the quest for true business agility. The methods outlined in The Lean Startup, by Eric Reis (2011), have gained credibility and popularity over the years. For example, SAFe has incorporated them into its LPM approach. Simply put, the lean startup cycle of build-measure-learn fosters innovation.

When following SAFe, the lean startup cycle begins with a newly defined portfolio epic and hypothesis statement. A minimum viable product (MVP) is then defined for the epic. The MVP represents the smallest portion of the portfolio epic needed to understand whether or not the hypothesis statement is validated. The MVP flows through the portfolio kanban to the Implementing state. Based on whether or not the MVP has proven the hypothesis, the portfolio team then decides to either pivot to a new portfolio epic and hypothesis or persevere and continue developing the portfolio epic. When the portfolio team&apos...