What are 'Enablers' in SAFe?

In the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), 'Enablers' are specifically designed to support future user stories and facilitate the development of system capabilities. They often encompass non-functional requirements such as infrastructure, security, compliance, and architectural aspects, which are critical for ensuring that the system can support the desired functionality in a sustainable manner.

Enablers serve to lay the groundwork for future user stories by addressing technical aspects that may not be immediately visible in user-facing features but are essential for the overall system performance and integrity. By allowing teams to prioritize and work on these components, SAFe enables better planning and execution of complex development initiatives, ensuring that all necessary elements are in place for successful increments.

While the other answer choices touch on important aspects of agile workflows, they do not accurately capture the unique role of enablers within the context of SAFe. For instance, tasks that directly relate to user story completion focus primarily on delivering value to the end user, rather than setting up necessary conditions for that value to be captured effectively. Standard operational requirements are more about compliance and governance than the architectural readiness facilitated by enablers, and points assigned for achievements pertain to performance metrics rather than the foundational support provided by enablers.