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Planning Interval (PI) Planning

Introduction​

Planning Interval (PI) Planning is a key event in the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodology. It is a time-boxed, face-to-face event that aligns teams, stakeholders, and business objectives to plan and execute the upcoming increment.

Objectives of PI Planning​

  • Align teams with a shared mission and vision.
  • Prioritize and commit to business objectives.
  • Establish cross-team dependencies and risks.
  • Develop a realistic and achievable iteration roadmap.
tip

PI Planning typically spans two days and involves all teams within an Agile Release Train (ART).

Key Components of PI Planning​

1. Pre-PI Planning Preparation​

  • Business owners define high-level business objectives.
  • Teams review backlogs, dependencies, and technical enablers.
  • Infrastructure and logistics (tools, space, agenda) are finalized.

2. PI Planning Event​

The PI Planning event consists of multiple stages:

Day 1: Aligning Vision and Priorities​

  • Business Context Presentation: Business owners present the strategic vision.
  • Product/Solution Vision: Product Management shares the roadmap.
  • Team Breakouts: Teams define and prioritize work.
  • Draft Plan Review: Teams present their initial plans and dependencies.
tip

Teams use Program Boards to visualize dependencies and milestones across teams.

Day 2: Refinement and Commitment​

  • Adjustments and Negotiations: Address risks, capacity, and dependencies.
  • Final Plan Review: Teams present final commitments.
  • Confidence Vote: Teams and stakeholders assess readiness.
  • PI Objectives Finalization: Clear business and technical goals are documented.

Post-PI Planning Activities​

  • Teams commit to objectives and start execution.
  • Inspect & Adapt (I&A) sessions ensure continuous improvement.
  • Teams track progress using Program Increment Boards.
tip

A successful PI Planning event fosters transparency, collaboration, and alignment between business and development teams.

Conclusion​

PI Planning is a cornerstone of Agile at scale, enabling teams to collaborate, plan, and commit to deliver value effectively. With structured preparation and clear execution, organizations can achieve business agility and better alignment with strategic goals.