The Role and Benefits of Confidence Vote in PI Planning

Program Increment (PI) Planning is an integral part of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology, which enables organizations to align their teams and plan their work effectively.

One crucial aspect of PI Planning is the Confidence Vote, which allows teams to express their confidence in their ability to achieve their objectives.

In this article, we’ll explore the role of Confidence Vote in PI planning, the process, its benefits, and tips for improving team confidence.

Understanding PI Planning in SAFe

Before going into the Confidence Vote, it’s essential to understand the context in which it takes place. PI Planning is a two-day SAFe event that occurs at the beginning of each Program Increment (PI) cycle.

The goal of PI Planning is to bring together all the Agile Release Train (ART) teams to:

• Align on a shared mission and vision
• Discuss and prioritize features and enablers
• Identify dependencies and risks
• Develop a plan for the upcoming PI

The result of PI Planning is a set of committed objectives for each team and a roadmap for the entire ART to follow.

What is Confidence Vote in PI Planning?

Confidence voting is an activity done during PI (Program Increment) planning and is a key event in the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodology.

It’s a simple yet powerful way to gauge ART team members’ confidence in achieving the objectives set for the upcoming PI and a valuable tool for fostering collaboration and driving continuous improvement.

After discussing plans and dependencies, each team member casts a vote, usually on a scale of 1 to 5. This collective feedback helps identify potential risks, enabling teams to address concerns and enhance their overall chances of success.

The Role of Confidence Vote in PI Planning

The Confidence Vote is an essential part of the PI Planning process. It occurs at the end of the event after teams have developed their plans and objectives for the upcoming PI.

The purpose of the Confidence Vote is to:

• Gauge the overall confidence of the teams in achieving their objectives
• Identify areas of concern or potential risks
• Encourage open communication and collaboration

By conducting a Confidence Vote, teams can identify and address issues before they become major roadblocks which helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and committed to the plan.

How is Confidence Vote taken in PI Planning?

The Confidence Vote process is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare: At the end of PI Planning, ensure that each team has a clear understanding of their objectives and the overall plan.
2. Explain the Voting Process: Before starting the vote, the Release Train Engineer (RTE) or Scrum Master should explain the voting process and its purpose to ensure everyone understands.
3. Conduct the Vote: Each team member will vote on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “low confidence” and 5 being “high confidence.” The votes can be collected using colored cards, a show of fingers, or an anonymous online poll.
4. Calculate the Average: After collecting the votes, calculate the average confidence score for each team and the entire Agile Release Train (ART).
5. Discuss the Results: If the average confidence score is below 3.5, it’s essential to discuss the reasons behind the lack of confidence and address any concerns or risks. This may involve revisiting objectives, adjusting the plan, or providing additional support to teams.
6. Revote if Necessary: If significant changes are made to the plan, it’s a good idea to conduct a second Confidence Vote to ensure that everyone is on board with the revised objectives.

Benefits of Confidence Voting in PI Planning

Here are some key benefits of confidence voting in PI planning:

• Builds Team Alignment and Cohesion: By voting together, the team agrees on their level of confidence and addresses any differences. This alignment is important before starting the execution of the PI.
• Identifies Potential Risks and Issues Early: If confidence is low, the team can articulate reasons why and ask for help to avoid problems cropping up late in the PI that could have been addressed earlier.
• Provides Visibility to Leadership: The results of the confidence voting roll up to the leadership team, giving them insight into how the teams are feeling about the next PI. They can then provide support and guidance where needed.
• Encourages transparency and honesty: Confidence voting allows team members to voice their opinions honestly but without judgment helping to create an open, transparent culture.
• Empowers teams: High confidence from a team shows that they feel empowered to achieve their goals for the PI with a high degree of autonomy. This is a signal that they received what they needed to proceed confidently.
• Fosters shared accountability: A team confidence vote signifies that the team as a whole is accountable for the execution and outcomes of the next PI, not just individuals leading to increased team motivation.
• Tracks progress: Teams can compare their confidence levels from PI to PI to see if they are improving, which indicates that predictability and team dynamics are also improving.

Tips for Improving Team Confidence in PI Planning

A low Confidence Vote can be a wake-up call for teams and ARTs. Here are some tips for improving team confidence in PI Planning:

• Ensure Clear Communication: Make sure everyone understands the objectives, the plan, and their role in achieving them.
• Address Risks and Dependencies: Identify and proactively address any risks, dependencies, or bottlenecks that could impact the plan.
• Encourage Collaboration: Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration, both within teams and across the ART.
• Provide Training and Support: Ensure that team members have the necessary skills and resources to achieve their objectives.
• Manage Expectations: Be realistic about what can be achieved within the PI, and avoid overcommitting.

Examples of how Confidence Voting has Helped Teams

Here are some examples of how confidence voting has helped teams:

Example 1

A team voted low confidence in their first PI planning. In the discussion that followed, they identified that they lacked clarity on the requirements and priorities.

Subsequently, the organizational leadership arranged a workshop to clarify the roadmap and get them on track, and their confidence improved in subsequent PIs.

Example 2

One team member voted significantly lower than the rest of the team. When asked why, they expressed concern that the team was underestimating the complexity of a new technology they were adopting.

The team was able to have an open discussion about this risk and put mitigation plans in place, leading to a higher overall confidence vote.

Conclusion

The Confidence Vote is a critical aspect of SAFe PI Planning that helps gauge Agile Release Trains confidence in their ability to achieve the PI objectives they’ve set.

By understanding the process, addressing concerns, and fostering a culture of collaboration and support, teams can improve their confidence and set themselves up for success in the upcoming Program Increment.

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