Introduction

Program Increment (PI) Planning is a cornerstone event in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It brings together Agile Release Train (ART) members, stakeholders, and leaders to align around a shared vision and collaboratively plan the next 8–12 weeks of work. Done well, PI Planning drives team alignment, dependency resolution, and crystal-clear goals, setting the foundation for consistent value delivery.

What is PI Planning?

PI Planning is a cadence-based, face-to-face event where all teams on an ART plan their work for the upcoming Program Increment. It typically spans two days and involves both team-level and ART-wide collaboration.

PI Planning ensures:

Teams share a common understanding of priorities.
Dependencies between teams are visualized and managed.
Business objectives are clarified and agreed upon.
Risks are identified early and addressed collaboratively.

In essence, it’s a synchronized planning event that aligns vision with execution.

Key Objectives of PI Planning

Align Teams: Ensure all teams are working toward common business and customer goals.
Identify Dependencies: Expose and plan for cross-team dependencies early.
Set Clear Objectives: Establish realistic and measurable goals for the Program Increment.
Commit to Outcomes: Teams commit to delivering features and objectives agreed upon during planning.

Steps to Run a Successful PI Planning Event

1. Preparation (Before the Event)

Define PI Objectives: Know what business and technical outcomes need to be achieved.
Prioritize Backlogs: Product Managers and Product Owners ensure the backlog is refined and features are prioritized.
Logistics and Participants: Invite all ART members, stakeholders, and leadership. Secure the venue (physical or virtual) and prep collaboration tools.

2. Day 1 – Team Planning

Executive Briefing & Vision: Leadership shares the business context and strategic vision.
Architecture Overview: System Architects present architectural guidance and constraints.
Team Breakouts: Teams estimate work, identify dependencies, and draft plans using sticky notes or digital boards.
Risk Management: Teams use the ROAM technique (Resolved, Owned, Accepted, Mitigated) to categorize and manage risks.

3. Day 2 – Plan Review and Finalization

Team Plan Reviews: Each team presents its plan to the ART.
Management Review & Problem-Solving: Leadership and RTEs resolve cross-team issues or capacity constraints.
Final Planning Adjustments: Teams revise plans based on new decisions or risks.
Confidence Vote: Teams vote on their confidence in achieving PI objectives (typically using a 1–5 scale).
PI Objectives Finalization: Teams publish SMART PI Objectives, linking them to business value.

4. Post-Planning Activities

Communication: Share the final Program Board and PI Objectives with the wider organization.
Execution Kickoff: Begin work on Iteration 1 with a clear plan in place.
Track Progress: Use digital Agile tools (like Jira, Azure Boards) to track features, stories, and dependencies.
Inspect & Adapt (I&A): Reflect on performance at the end of the PI to improve future planning.

Common Challenges in PI Planning (and How to Overcome Them)

1. Misalignment Between Teams

Solution: Use a shared program board and synchronize planning schedules. Promote pre-PI backlog refinement across teams.

2. Overwhelming Complexity

Solution: Limit WIP, split large features into manageable stories, and assign facilitators for breakout sessions.

3. Limited Engagement

Solution: Ensure everyone understands their role and the importance of their contribution. Include icebreakers, live demos, or feedback sessions.

4. Virtual Planning Fatigue

Solution: Use breakout rooms, digital whiteboards (like Miro/MURAL), and shorter sessions across multiple days to keep energy levels up.

Benefits of PI Planning

Improved transparency across teams and departments
Faster and more predictable delivery
Stronger stakeholder engagement
Reduced risks and missed dependencies
Shared commitment to common goals
Continuous improvement with each PI

Conclusion

PI Planning is more than just an event—it's the engine of alignment, transparency, and collaboration in the SAFe ecosystem. By investing in thorough preparation, effective facilitation, and stakeholder involvement, organizations can maximize the impact of every Program Increment.

Whether your teams are co-located or fully remote, successful PI Planning is possible with the right mindset, tools, and commitment. When done right, it accelerates delivery, builds trust, and aligns everyone toward delivering value.

PI Planning in SAFe: Align Agile Teams for Delivery Success