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, cadence and synchronization are core principles used to align multiple teams and stakeholders, reduce complexity, and enable predictable delivery across the Agile Release Train (ART). The most prominent and explicit example of applying cadence and synchronization is conducting a PI Planning event. PI Planning occurs on a fixed, regular schedule—typically every 8–12 weeks—and brings all ART participants together to align on a shared mission, objectives, dependencies, and risks. This regular cadence establishes a predictable rhythm for planning, execution, and learning across teams.
Synchronization is achieved during PI Planning by aligning teams to the same Program Increment boundaries, iteration schedules, system demos, and Inspect and Adapt events. This ensures that teams integrate frequently, manage cross-team dependencies effectively, and deliver integrated value at the end of each PI. SAFe emphasizes that cadence creates routine and reduces variability, while synchronization enables alignment and integration across complex systems.
The other options reflect important SAFe practices but do not directly demonstrate cadence and synchronization. Creating cross-functional ARTs focuses on organizational design. Allocating budgets to Value Streams is a Lean Portfolio Management activity. Using a Portfolio Kanban system supports flow at the portfolio level. None of these explicitly establish a recurring, timeboxed rhythm that aligns all teams simultaneously.
Therefore, PI Planning is the clearest and most direct application of cadence and synchronization in SAFe, supporting flow, alignment, transparency, and successful execution within the SAFe Release domain.
