What do "Agile Teams" refer to in SAFe?

"Agile Teams" in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) refer to small, cross-functional teams that are designed to deliver customer-centric products. These teams are typically composed of members with diverse skill sets that allow them to collaborate effectively and take ownership of various aspects of product development. The cross-functional aspect ensures that all necessary skills, such as development, testing, and business analysis, are present within the team, enabling them to deliver fully integrated increments of work efficiently.

By focusing on customer-centric products, Agile Teams prioritize understanding the needs and feedback of customers throughout the development process, ensuring that the final product aligns with users' expectations and requirements. This approach also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability, which are key principles of Agile methodologies.

In contrast to this, larger hierarchical structures, specialized teams focused only on administrative tasks, and single-functional teams do not embody the Agile principles of collaboration, versatility, and customer focus, which are essential for effective Agile teamwork in SAFe. Thus, the emphasis on small, cross-functional teams is a fundamental characteristic of Agile practices within the SAFe framework.