SAFe PI Planning and Events 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of PI Planning in SAFe?
- To assign tasks to individual developers
- To align all ART teams to a shared mission, identify dependencies, and commit to PI Objectives (Correct answer)
- To review the previous PI performance
- To update the enterprise project portfolio
Correct answer: To align all ART teams to a shared mission, identify dependencies, and commit to PI Objectives
PI Planning is a face-to-face or virtual event that aligns all teams on the ART to shared goals, surfaces dependencies, and produces committed PI Objectives.
Question 2: How long does a typical PI Planning event last?
- Half a day
- One day
- Two days (Correct answer)
- One week
Correct answer: Two days
PI Planning is typically a two-day event (or equivalent virtual sessions) where all ART teams collaboratively plan the next Program Increment.
Question 3: What inputs are required BEFORE PI Planning begins?
- Sprint backlogs and user stories only
- Product/Solution Vision, Architecture Vision, and top Features in the Program Backlog (Correct answer)
- Annual budget approvals and headcount plans
- Completed System Demo and retrospective notes
Correct answer: Product/Solution Vision, Architecture Vision, and top Features in the Program Backlog
Successful PI Planning requires pre-work: the Vision, Architecture Vision, and a prioritized Program Backlog with top Features to plan against.
Question 4: During PI Planning, what is the purpose of 'draft plan review'?
- Executives review and approve team plans
- Teams present draft PI plans including risks and impediments to the ART for feedback (Correct answer)
- The RTE finalizes the PI schedule
- Product Owners assign stories to developers
Correct answer: Teams present draft PI plans including risks and impediments to the ART for feedback
In the draft plan review, teams present their initial PI plans, surface risks and impediments, and receive feedback from management and other teams.
Question 5: What is a 'Management Review and Problem Solving' session during PI Planning?
- A session where managers assign work to teams
- A working session where management adjusts scope, resources, or constraints in response to team concerns (Correct answer)
- A financial audit of the previous PI
- An architecture review board meeting
Correct answer: A working session where management adjusts scope, resources, or constraints in response to team concerns
Management uses this session to resolve systemic issues raised by teams — adjusting scope, removing constraints, or providing resources — so teams can finalize their plans.
Question 6: At the end of PI Planning, teams vote on confidence in the PI plan using a 'Fist of Five.' What does a vote of 3 mean?
- Complete confidence — I'll champion this plan
- I have some concerns but will support the plan (Correct answer)
- I don't support the plan at all
- I need more information before committing
Correct answer: I have some concerns but will support the plan
A vote of 3 in Fist of Five means 'I have some reservations but will support the plan and work to make it succeed.'
SAFe PI Planning and Events 1
What is the primary purpose of PI Planning in SAFe?