Abstract

The adoption of Agile methodologies has revolutionized software development, offering enhanced flexibility, rapid iterations, and improved collaboration. However, scaling Agile across large enterprises introduces unique challenges, including team coordination, dependency management, and autonomy constraints. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) provides a structured approach to scaling Agile across multiple teams and business units. This study investigates the implementation of SAFe in three organizations—Cisco, EdgeVerve, and a Cable TV Provider—focusing on its impact on team autonomy, inter-team coordination, and decision-making processes. Through a multiple-case study approach, this research identifies key benefits and challenges associated with SAFe adoption. Findings highlight improvements in transparency, long-term planning, and inter-team collaboration, but also reveal constraints in feature selection and enforced refinement processes. The study provides insights into balancing structure and flexibility in Agile scaling.