Why LACE Is Critical to SAFe Success

Blog Author

Siddharth

Published

11 Jul, 2025

LACE stands for Lean-Agile Center of Excellence. Think of it as your organization’s internal engine for scaling Lean and Agile practices. But it’s not just a committee or steering group. The LACE is an active, hands-on change agent team. They set the pace, remove barriers, coach, train, and—most importantly—keep the momentum going after the initial SAFe buzz fades.

If you skip this, you’re leaving your transformation up to luck, politics, or sheer willpower of a few motivated individuals. That rarely works long-term.

The Real Reason LACE Exists

Let’s get something straight: LACE is not a box to tick off for compliance. It exists because:

Change is hard, and organizational inertia is real.
SAFe isn’t plug-and-play. It needs persistent, knowledgeable guidance.
People revert to old habits when things get tough.

The LACE brings structure, focus, and expertise to counter these problems. It’s the long-term investment that keeps the agile fire burning, even after the initial workshops and celebrations are over.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of LACE

Here’s what a high-functioning LACE actually does—not just on paper, but on the ground:

1. Set the Vision and Align Leadership

They translate SAFe principles into your context, not just generic agile slogans.
They help leaders walk the talk—not just sponsor SAFe, but understand it and support it.

Want to know what real leadership in SAFe looks like? Take a look at Leading SAFe Agilist Certification Training. This isn’t just for LACE members, but for anyone who wants to drive change at scale.

2. Develop the Implementation Roadmap

LACE draws the SAFe roadmap tailored for your business—prioritizing, sequencing, and connecting the dots.
They break down transformation into achievable chunks, not vague goals.
They use proven frameworks, but adjust tactics based on live feedback from teams.

Here’s a solid external guide from Scaled Agile on the Implementation Roadmap for reference.

3. Drive Consistent Training and Coaching

LACE runs or arranges ongoing training and workshops for teams and leaders.
They introduce role-based certification programs—think SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) Certification, SAFe Scrum Master Certification, and more.
They connect the dots between training and day-to-day work, so it sticks.

4. Create and Maintain a Community of Practice

LACE helps launch forums where Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Release Train Engineers (RTEs) can learn from each other, share challenges, and cross-pollinate ideas.
They set up knowledge sharing sessions and internal mini-conferences.
They surface local success stories and turn them into best practices.

The more people you certify, the easier it is to build a critical mass for change. Courses like SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Certification Training or SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification Training help build deep expertise across roles.

5. Measure, Monitor, and Course-Correct

LACE establishes clear metrics for both business outcomes and agile maturity.
They use these metrics to guide improvements—not to judge or punish.
They foster transparency, helping leadership and teams see what’s working and what’s not.

Here’s a link on measuring Lean-Agile performance that’s worth a look.

6. Act as Change Champions

LACE is often the first to spot resistance or fatigue. They address it head-on, through coaching, one-on-ones, or targeted interventions.
They celebrate wins, big or small, to build momentum.
They coach up, not just down—senior leaders need just as much guidance as team members.

LACE: The Difference Between Performing and Pretending

Let’s be honest: lots of companies talk about “being agile.” But the difference between teams that perform and teams that pretend usually comes down to how well the transformation is anchored in the business. LACE provides that anchor.

If you want your investment in SAFe to pay off, you need a persistent, visible, empowered LACE team. Not just at launch, but for the long haul.

How to Set Up a High-Impact LACE

Here’s what separates an average LACE from one that moves the needle:

1. Staff It with the Right People

The LACE needs full-time or heavily committed part-time members.
Pick people who are passionate, influential, and pragmatic—not just process fans.
Include a mix: agile coaches, experienced Scrum Masters, architects, business leaders.

2. Give Them Authority (Not Just Responsibility)

LACE should have the ear of senior leadership and the clout to make changes stick.
They need budget and resources for training, tooling, and external support if needed.

3. Focus on Both Strategy and Execution

Strategic vision is pointless without operational muscle.
The LACE must work directly with Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and teams, rolling up sleeves, solving real problems.

4. Keep LACE Connected to Reality

Rotate LACE members through delivery teams so they never lose touch with day-to-day realities.
Listen to feedback, adapt, and keep communication lines wide open.

What Happens When You Skip or Undervalue LACE?

Here’s what you’re risking:

Teams revert to old silos or Waterfall ways under pressure.
Knowledge gaps widen, because there’s no ongoing training or coaching.
Good people get frustrated and leave, while others become cynical about “yet another transformation.”
Metrics become a box-ticking exercise instead of a tool for improvement.

If you want to see sustained, organization-wide results, LACE isn’t optional. It’s the guardrail that keeps your agile train from derailing.

Real-World Example: LACE in Action

Let’s say a global bank wants to scale SAFe across 50+ teams. They set up a LACE with a clear mandate: drive enterprise agility, support ART launches, coach leaders, and provide transparent metrics. Here’s how the results stack up:

Teams actually stick to the cadence of Program Increment (PI) planning.
Product Owners and Scrum Masters receive ongoing support, not just one-off training.
Leaders understand what’s happening on the ground and adjust their approach accordingly.
The business sees faster delivery, higher quality, and happier teams.

Without LACE? Most of this falls apart within a year.

Bottom Line

If you want to unlock the real benefits of SAFe—alignment, faster value delivery, continuous improvement—you need a strong LACE. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a strategic necessity. They’ll anchor the change, spread expertise, and keep you honest about progress.

And if you’re serious about building the internal expertise to fuel your LACE, invest in targeted certifications:

If you treat LACE as your engine, not an afterthought, your SAFe implementation will have staying power—and actually deliver the business results that matter.

Also read - How to Train Teams for a Seamless SAFe Launch

Also see - Planning Your First ART Launch with Confidence