Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Lean Portfolio Management Practice Exam

In the SAFe Lean Startup Cycle, which question drives the decision to pivot or persevere?

1. Is the market ready?

2. Is the hypothesis valid?

3. Is the hypothesis proven?

4. Is the solution scalable?

The correct answer is: Is the hypothesis proven?

In the context of the SAFe Lean Startup Cycle, the question that drives the decision to pivot or persevere is centered around whether the hypothesis is proven. This hinges on the need for organizations to validate their ideas and assumptions about a product or solution before moving forward with further investment. When teams engage in this cycle, they start with a hypothesis that guides their experiments and product development. By determining if their hypothesis has been proven through validated learning, they gain insights into whether the direction they are taking is sound. If the hypothesis is validated—meaning the data collected from experiments supports it—teams are inclined to persevere with their current approach. Conversely, if the hypothesis is not validated, this indicates a need to pivot, prompting them to adjust their strategy or explore alternative solutions. This approach fundamentally emphasizes the importance of empirical data and continuous feedback, which are core principles of Lean thinking. It allows organizations to make informed decisions about the future of their products while minimizing waste and optimizing resource investment.