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Being agile for organizations is being quicker in releasing working products. They invest in various principles and measures that pave the way for success. One such best practice is implementing a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). This framework includes various strategies that work towards developing a proper system for large organizations. One such methodology is creating the best Agile Release Train for every organization to work fast on customer feedback.
The Agile Release Train (ARTs) is created based on the different business goals of an organization. The ARTs are nothing but a group of agile teams that possess the required knowledge to run the entire product development process of an organization. These ARTs are monitored and run by a servant leader called SAFe Release Train Engineer.
In this article, let’s discuss more about the SAFe Release Train Engineer’s role. Also, the steps to become one if you are aspiring to pursue your career in the same.
Before we take a deep dive into the responsibilities and impact of a SAFe Release Train Engineer job role, check this: “How to become a certified SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE)? A complete RTE Exam Guide.”
Essential Duties of a Release Train Engineer
Agile Release Train is a long-lived team of agile teams that has a shared vision. They must be involved around that vision to generate better results for a company. Their fundamental duty is to plan, develop, test, and release valuable products. Some of the basic benefits of creating ARTs are better collaboration among people, streamlined processes, consistent delivery, and increased transparency among team members. These outcomes are made possible with Release Train Engineers.
Creating and handling this huge team like ARTs can be only possible with well-equipped leaders. Within the organizations, these leaders are responsible for the successful delivery of products and the smooth functioning of a product development process. So, what are the roles and strategies followed by Release Train Engineers in maintaining Agile Release Train of a company? And what makes them the perfect fit to be a part of this huge process and become a suitable candidate to work as a servant leader.
Responsibilities of a SAFe Release Train Engineer
1. The vital role of a Release Train Engineer is to monitor the ARTs following the SAFe processes properly.
2. They work as a coach or a mentor in guiding the agile teams to implement the Lean-Agile practices.
3. Release Train Engineers are also accountable for initiating certain SAFe events like Agile Release Planning and other training programs for the ARTs to function mindfully and effectively.
4. They are responsible for working on PI Planning for coming iterations and conducting meetings with other agile team leaders like Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Program Managers, and other important leaders involved in the same.
5. A Release Train Engineer’s day-to-day activities include developing a lean-agile mindset among the team members including the business owners. Also optimising the workflow, monitoring the flow metrics, and other measure for improvement. They also work closely with Product Managers to prepare the backlog, and PI Planning and make sure that strategies align with the business goal and vision.
6. They also work with other agile team leaders to manage risk and dependencies.
7. Release Train Engineers do not work on assigning or prioritising tasks, rather they work on supporting Agile Release Train to understand elements of SAFe practices. They are responsible for facilitating programme-level events.
These were some common roles played by Release Train Engineers in developing an aligned agile team to follow certain SAFe practices to support multiple projects in large organizations. In the following paragraphs, let’s learn how to master the Release Train Engineer role with RTE Training programs available online.
Also, check this to understand the role better: “Release train engineer vs Program Manager: Top differences.”
How to Become a Release Train Engineer?
Like other popular SAFe courses available online, the SAFe Release Train Engineer Training program is a globally recognized. It is specifically designed for candidates aspiring to become a SAFe Release Train engineer in a large organization. The RTE Certification program helps agile professionals gain a complete understanding of implementing Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) processes.
Leading an Agile Release Train can be a challenging role. To play this role individuals must have the necessary knowledge to teach and guide the processes to agile team members. The SAFe Release Train Engineer Training program covers the following topics to equip candidates with the necessary skills.
1. Facilitating PI Planning
2. Coaching and mentoring agile teams
3. Leading ARTs and
4. Aligning team values
5. Applying SAFe principles
To become a certified Release Train Engineer, individuals can opt for SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification. Attend the online course for the given duration. Appear for the test and only when they pass the exam, they can get the certification.
By enrolling in a certification course, the participants can benefit from access to resources to the SAFe community and practical classes. This will improve their confidence to work in a real situation in large organizations. Also, certified candidates get a high preference compared to non-certified candidates.
Also, if you are preparing to crack an interview for the role read this: “Demystifying the Release Train Engineer role: Interview questions and answers.”
Conclusion
Thus, the SAFe Release Train Engineer has a critical role to play in the product development process. They are accountable for arranging ARTs that are highly eligible to develop valuable results for the customers. Candidates pursuing to become a Release Train Engineer have a high possibility of having a lucrative career.
For further reading: “SAFe Scrum Master vs Release Train Engineer.”
FAQs
1. What are some essential skills for SAFe RTE?
Some of the important skills are leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, coaching, and mentoring skills.
2. How does the Release Train Engineer resolve impediments within ARTs?
Release Train Engineers conduct events to perform discussions with the teams and stakeholders. They facilitate the teams by providing solutions. Also, they implement certain SAFe practices to encourage collaboration among team members so that they can identify any impediments in the process.
3. How does an RTE measure the performance of the ARTs?
Based on the timely delivery, customer satisfaction, performance velocity, and other important metrics the RTE can measure the work of the ARTs in a large organization.
4. What does a candidate benefit from completing a SAFe RTE Certification course?
The participants after completing SAFe RTE Certification get a completion certification in PDF format, a one-year access to the SAFe community, events, groups, resources, and a digital badge.
5. What is the SAFe Release Train Engineer course duration?
SAFe Release Train Engineer is a three-day training program. It is conducted by expert trainers like SAFe Practice Consultants. Participants receive the certification after attending and passing the online test.
About Advance Agility
We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.
Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. We provide various SAFe certification courses along with DevOps, Scrum, Agile Coaching and more trainings. Write to us at contact@advanceagilty.com for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.
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