Comprehensive and Detailed 250 to 250 words of Explanation From Exact Extract of SAFe 6.0, including the SAFe Release domains:
In SAFe 6.0, the System Demo is a critical event in the Release domain that provides objective evidence of progress by demonstrating fully integrated, end-to-end working solutions at least every iteration. If, after the second iteration of a PI, there is nothing to demonstrate, this indicates a serious breakdown in continuous integration, built-in quality, and flow. SAFe guidance is explicit that this situation must be addressed immediately rather than deferred.
The correct response is to stop starting new work, focus on integration and testing, and adjust scope based on what is learned. This aligns with Lean principles and the SAFe Flow Accelerators, particularly “Stop starting, start finishing” and “Make value flow without interruptions.” Continuing to add new functionality without integration increases risk, delays feedback, and undermines predictability.
SAFe emphasizes that integration should happen continuously, not at the end of the PI or during the IP Iteration. Reserving integration for later violates SAFe guidance and often results in late discovery of defects and dependencies. Separate team demos or working in isolated branches fail to provide the integrated system view required for effective stakeholder feedback. Re-architecting solely to avoid integration is unrealistic and contradicts system-level thinking.
By halting new work and focusing on integration and testing, the ART restores alignment with SAFe’s Release practices, enables meaningful System Demos, and ensures transparency, learning, and adaptive planning based on real progress.
