The problem-solving workshop is more effective than traditional lessons learned documents because

it directly translates improvements into actionable backlog items for the next Program Increment

(PI). This approach aligns with the SAFe principle of relentless improvement and the Agile

Manifesto’s emphasis on collaboration and working solutions.

Actionable Outcomes: The workshop format ensures that the improvements identified are not just

discussed but are also captured as backlog items, making them actionable. This contrasts with

lessons learned documents, which may not always lead to immediate action or change.

Engagement and Collaboration: Workshops encourage active participation and collaboration among

all ART stakeholders, which is more engaging than the passive process of writing and reading

documents. This engagement leads to a deeper understanding and commitment to the

improvements.

Inspect and Adapt: SAFe’s Inspect and Adapt (I&A) event includes a problem-solving workshop

where the current state of the Solution is demonstrated and evaluated1. This structured approach

helps identify improvement backlog items in a collaborative environment.

Continuous Learning Culture: SAFe fosters a continuous learning culture where regular reflection and

adaptation are key. The problem-solving workshop is a practical application of this principle, ensuring

that lessons learned are immediately incorporated into the ART’s way of working1.

Lean-Agile Principles: The workshop embodies Lean-Agile principles by promoting face-to-face

communication and immediate feedback, which are more effective for problem-solving than

asynchronous document reviews.

In summary, the problem-solving workshop’s effectiveness lies in its ability to foster collaboration,

engage stakeholders, and produce tangible, actionable items that drive continuous improvement

within the ART.