Framework Complexity Risk

• SAFe includes many artifacts and ceremonies
• Potential perception as "new bureaucratic monster"
• Risk of dogmatic implementation
• Size and complexity of SAFe itself can be intimidating

Signs of Over-implementation

• Excessive documentation
• Meetings dominating working time
• Rigid adherence to all practices regardless of value
• Process becoming more important than outcomes
• Teams feeling burdened rather than enabled

Pragmatic Implementation Approaches

• View SAFe as a toolkit, not a mandatory checklist
• Select appropriate elements based on context
• Start with Essential SAFe as minimal viable framework
• Add portfolio mechanisms only when beneficial

Continuous Framework Optimization

• Regular process-level retrospectives
• Inspect & Adapt workshops for the process itself
• Keep effort/benefit of artifacts under review
• Streamline ceremonies that don't add sufficient value

Making It Work for Healthcare

• Omit unnecessary ceremonies for hospital context
• Adapt language to be meaningful to clinical stakeholders
• Combine with existing effective practices
• Focus on principles over practices

"The goal is 'just enough process' to enable coordination without creating a new bureaucracy. Regular retrospection on the process itself is essential to prevent SAFe from becoming overly burdensome."