inspectandadapt

Inspect and Adapt (I&A) is a recurring event in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) designed to inspect progress, measure outcomes, and adapt the way teams work to improve system value. It brings together cross-functional stakeholders to review how well the current release train meets its objectives and to identify systemic bottlenecks that slow delivery or degrade quality.

In SAFe, I&A typically occurs at the end of a Program Increment (PI), following the System Demo and assessment of program metrics. The event has three core activities: a quantitative and qualitative appraisal of PI objectives, a retrospective-style discussion at the team and program level, and a facilitated Problem-Solving Workshop that yields concrete improvement actions and an Improvement Backlog.

Participants include Agile teams, Product Management, System Architecture, Release Train Engineer, and key stakeholders. Outputs include prioritized Improvement Backlog items, agreed-upon experiments and changes to the next PI, and shared learning about risks and dependencies.

Benefits include alignment across teams, data-driven decision making, and a structured mechanism for continuous improvement. Risks or criticisms include potential for the event to become a checkbox exercise if facilitation is weak, or for it to be delayed due to scheduling and overemphasis on metrics.

The concept of inspect and adapt aligns with Agile and Lean thinking and is widely used in SAFe, but the exact practice can vary by organization. Related concepts include retrospectives, System Demo, PI Planning, Kaizen, and continuous improvement programs.