Today, we are focusing on Roland Baldenhofer, our expert in SAFe® Training & Coaching, Lean Portfolio Management, and Agile Methods. Roland joined the ACONEXT team in 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in transforming organizations through lean-agile-methods.
Diversity and Versatility Across Industries
Roland has successfully introduced lean and agile practices across a variety of sectors, including insurance, retail, banking, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and manufacturing. His extensive experience has enabled him to guide agile projects and transformations tailored to diverse organizational needs.
Since SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework) was first released in 2011, Roland has been working with this framework from its very first version. Over the years, he has led successful SAFe® transformations in both medium-sized companies and major DAX-listed corporations.
What is SAFe®, and Why Is Its Implementation No Standard Procedure?
SAFe® is a proven framework that enables organizations to scale agile practices beyond individual teams to enterprise-wide implementations. Unlike Scrum or Kanban, which are primarily focused on individual teams, SAFe® aligns multiple levels of an organization – from teams to strategic leadership – ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment.
“Agility is a business discipline with clear goals. Lean-agile approaches empower organizations to adapt to ever-changing market demands and remain flexible,” Roland explains.
However, successful implementation of SAFe® requires customization for each organization. Roland emphasizes, “Every company is unique.” Factors such as compliance requirements, customer behavior, employee structures, and product offerings vary significantly, making a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective.
Balancing Innovation and Cost-Efficiency
SAFe® provides organizations with a systematic approach to Agile transformation while keeping the balance between innovation and cost-efficiency in check. Roland notes, “In the transformation process, it’s crucial to combine Agile methods with the right tools and resources to maximize success while managing development costs effectively.”
This balance is especially important for larger enterprises where multiple teams and levels must work together to achieve company-wide agility. A key aspect of this process is lean portfolio management, which helps organizations align their budgets and resources with strategic goals. This ensures priorities are effectively managed within an Agile environment.
SAFe® in Practice: Tailored Training and Coaching
Roland places a strong emphasis on actionable, practical training. “Participants should learn how to implement lean-agile approaches directly in their specific work environment,” Roland explains. His approach focuses on hands-on learning, ensuring that the benefits of SAFe® are not only theoretical but also immediately applicable to real-world challenges.
Roland offers customized training sessions where participants learn to apply agile practices effectively at team, program, and portfolio levels. This practical introduction to SAFe® ensures organizations reap the full benefits of their transformation, streamlining daily operations from day one.
People First
One of Roland’s core principles is the focus on people driving transformation. “It’s about ensuring that employees, management, customers, and stakeholders not only understand the new ways of working but can also thrive and find satisfaction in this transformed environment,” Roland says.
This human-centered approach fosters sustainable change, transforming not only how work is done but also reshaping the company’s culture for the better.
Roland’s Final Thoughts?
“The implementation of SAFe® is not a one-time solution but an ongoing process that strengthens collaboration and flexibility within an organization, empowering it to continuously evolve,” he concludes.