In SAFe, who is responsible for the overall program increment (PI) planning?

The responsibility for the overall program increment (PI) planning in SAFe falls to the Release Train Engineer (RTE). The RTE serves as the chief facilitator for the Agile Release Train (ART) and plays a crucial role in ensuring that all aspects of PI planning are coordinated effectively. The RTE helps organize the planning event, facilitates the sessions, and ensures that the teams are aligned with the program’s objectives and the wider organizational goals.

The RTE also supports the teams in identifying dependencies, managing risks, and integrating feedback throughout the PI, thus ensuring that the teams can deliver value consistently. By managing the PI planning process, the RTE helps to synchronize the efforts of various teams, address any challenges that may arise, and ultimately drive the successful delivery of the program's value. This leadership role is essential for fostering collaboration and ensuring a shared understanding among the teams involved in the release train.