Planning Interval (PI) in SAFe isn’t just a meeting—it’s the heartbeat of delivery. Get the prep right, and everything moves smoother: less stress, fewer surprises, and better outcomes.

1. Anchor on the Why: Set the Context First

Start with clarity. Why are you planning? The team needs to know what’s coming and what the bigger goal is. This isn’t just about sprint planning—it’s about aligning with business outcomes, customer value, and the larger vision.

• Tip: Kick off with a short team session to recap the last PI—what worked, what didn’t, and what’s changed.

• Make sure everyone understands how the business priorities have shifted.

• If you’re leading or facilitating, check out what’s covered in the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification Training—there’s solid material on vision alignment and engaging teams.

2. Get the Right People in the Room—Early

A planning interval is a team sport. Don’t wait for the last minute to pull in the Product Owner, Scrum Master, architects, and any key business stakeholders.

• Checklist:

  • Product Owners and Product Managers (not just by title—real decision-makers)

  • Scrum Masters

  • Business owners

  • Key contributors from other teams if you have dependencies

  • Relevant architects or technical leads

Having the right people avoids back-and-forth later. If you’re new to this, the SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) Certification goes deep into effective PI planning prep.

3. Clean Up the Backlog

Don’t show up with a messy, outdated backlog. Preparation means backlog items are ready, prioritized, and well defined. This is where a great Product Owner/Product Manager shines.

• Prioritize based on business value and team capacity—not just what’s “interesting.”

• Get rid of dead weight. Archive old or irrelevant items.

• Make sure acceptance criteria are clear and testable.

• Double-check dependencies and cross-team impacts.

If you need a refresher on refining backlogs and working with teams, see the SAFe Scrum Master Certification—it’s not just for Scrum Masters; everyone benefits.

4. Review Team and ART Objectives

Teams don’t work in a vacuum. They’re part of an Agile Release Train (ART), and their goals should connect to the bigger picture.

• Before the PI session, revisit ART-level objectives. Where’s the train headed? What’s non-negotiable?

• Teams should draft their own proposed objectives, linking them to business priorities and ART direction.

• Check alignment and resolve overlaps or conflicts before the formal session.

Curious how Release Train Engineers drive this? Take a look at the SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification Training. There’s plenty there about aligning teams and steering large groups.

5. Gather Data: Capacity, Velocity, and Risks

Don’t let planning become wishful thinking. Base commitments on facts:

• Capacity: Who’s available? Any leaves, holidays, or known absences?

• Velocity: What’s your actual delivery rate? Don’t plan on “stretch” goals—plan on reality.

• Known Risks: Dependencies, tech challenges, skill gaps. Surface them early.

One practical move: ask team members to block calendar time now, so there’s focus during PI Planning. You’ll be surprised how often people get double-booked.

6. Pre-PI Alignment Workshops

Don’t leave all the thinking to the big meeting. Run focused pre-PI sessions:

• Dependency Mapping: List cross-team needs and confirm ownership.

• Architecture Sync: Quick technical huddles to address big questions.

• Business Context: Invite business owners to share insights or shifts in direction.

This keeps the actual PI Planning day efficient and free from basic blockers.

7. Visualize the Flow

Great teams make work visible. Map the pipeline from ideas to delivery:

• Use Kanban boards, digital whiteboards, or even just sticky notes.

• Make dependencies, bottlenecks, and risks obvious.

• If you’re running advanced SAFe practices, dig into the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Certification Training. It covers systemic flow and team-of-teams visualization.

8. Prep Your Tech

Remote or hybrid? Don’t let tech glitches ruin momentum.

• Test video, audio, and collaboration tools ahead of time.

• Set up breakout rooms or channels for side discussions.

• Make sure everyone knows how to use the main PI Planning tools (Jira, Miro, etc.)

9. Set Ground Rules and Mindset

Before the session, remind everyone:

• Respect timeboxes

• Listen first, talk second

• Assume positive intent

• Focus on outcomes, not tasks

The best leaders reinforce the Agile mindset—continuous learning, openness, and team-first thinking. These behaviors get stronger with the right training, like what’s found in Leading SAFe Agilist Certification Training.

10. Practice “Readiness Review”—One Day Before

Don’t show up cold. Do a readiness check:

• Is every backlog item refined and sized?

• Have risks been surfaced?

• Are dependencies mapped?

• Are people clear on objectives?

Even a quick 30-minute session saves hours on PI day.

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Common Pitfalls to Dodge

• Overplanning: Don’t try to plan every detail. Leave room for flexibility.

• Ignoring Team Feedback: Take the team pulse. If morale is low or there’s confusion, address it early.

• Last-Minute Surprises: Avoid bringing in new priorities on the day of planning.

• Underestimating Dependencies: Map them, talk them out, and follow up.

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Wrapping Up: The Real Outcome

If you get your team ready for the next Planning Interval, you’ll see better focus, fewer disruptions, and higher morale. This prep work doesn’t just make PI Planning run smoother—it lifts the bar for delivery throughout the cycle.

To sharpen your skills and truly lead effective PI Planning, consider formal learning—certifications like Leading SAFe Agilist, POPM, Scrum Master, Advanced Scrum Master, and Release Train Engineer offer frameworks and tools you’ll use immediately.

And if you want to read more about leading high-performing Agile teams, Harvard Business Review has a solid article on what sets them apart.

Get your team ready, and you’ll turn your next PI Planning from a box-ticking exercise into a real engine for results.

 

Also read - Common Mistakes During Planning Interval and How to Avoid Them

 Also see - Measuring Progress and Value in Each Planning Interval