What is the primary objective of **SAFe**?

**The primary objective of SAFe is to scale Lean-Agile practices across large enterprises to achieve Business Agility through alignment, collaboration, and value delivery.** SAFe integrates 10 immutable Lean-Agile principles, such as taking an economic view and organizing around value, with seven core competencies including Lean-Agile Leadership and Continuous Learning Culture. It structures Agile Release Trains (ARTs) of 50-125 people to deliver in Program Increments (PIs) of 8-12 weeks, addressing challenges like siloed teams and dependency chaos in software and IT operations.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **SAFe**?

**No organizations are legally required to comply with SAFe, as it is a voluntary framework for enterprise agility.** Professionally, large enterprises with hundreds of teams in software development and IT operations—such as those at Philips or NASA—adopt SAFe to scale beyond single-team Agile, achieving 30-75% productivity gains and 20-50% faster time-to-market. Over 20,000 enterprises and 1 million certified professionals use its configurations from Essential to Full SAFe.

Does **SAFe** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**SAFe does not require external audits or third-party certification for core implementation.** Success relies on internal practices like PI Planning, Inspect & Adapt workshops, and certifications such as SAFe Agilist, RTE, or SPC from Scaled Agile Academy. Organizations self-assess maturity via the Implementation Roadmap, with tools like Jira Align supporting compliance in regulated environments through 'trust but verify' embedding.

How often should an assessment for **SAFe** be performed?

**SAFe assessments should be performed at the end of each Program Increment (PI), typically every 8-12 weeks.** This occurs during Inspect & Adapt workshops, evaluating PI Objectives, flow metrics, and ROAM risks via Program Boards. Continuous improvement aligns with relentless improvement principles, with maturity assessments during phased rollouts using the Implementation Roadmap for ongoing competency checks.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **SAFe**?

**Non-compliance with SAFe results in business risks like delayed time-to-market, poor alignment, and failed scaling, with no legal penalties.** Poor implementation leads to pitfalls such as 'SAFe washing,' dependency chaos, or 30-70% transformation failure rates from inadequate leadership or resourcing. Successful adopters report 30-75% productivity boosts; failures manifest as siloed teams and lost agility in competitive markets.

Can **SAFe** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, SAFe can be mapped to other international frameworks through its integration of Agile, Lean, Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps practices.** Its configurations align with Spotify models or LeSS for scaling, embedding compliance for GDPR/SOC 2 via Lean QMS. Tools like Atlassian Jira Align and Vanta facilitate mappings, enabling hybrid adaptations while preserving SAFe's PI cadence and ART structures.

What is the first step to begin implementing **SAFe**?

**The first step to implement SAFe is to train executives in Lean-Agile Leadership via Leading SAFe or SAFe Agilist certification.** This follows the Implementation Roadmap: identify value streams, form a Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), and conduct readiness assessments. Phase from Essential SAFe with ART launches, prioritizing RTE training and PI Planning preparation.

What is the primary objective of **ISO 19600**?

**ISO 19600 provides guidelines for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving an effective compliance management system (CMS).** Published in 2014 as a principles-based, scalable framework, it applies to all organization types and sizes, emphasizing proportionality to structure, nature, and complexity. The standard uses a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and high-level structure, focusing on governance principles like direct compliance function access to the governing body, independence, and adequate resources. It frames compliance as an organizational outcome integrating obligations (laws, contracts, voluntary codes) into culture, risk assessment, controls, and continual improvement. Withdrawn in 2021 and replaced by ISO 37301, it remains a foundational benchmarking tool.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **ISO 19600**?

**No organization is legally required to comply with ISO 19600, as it provides non-mandatory guidelines rather than certifiable requirements.** Applicable to all public, private, or non-profit entities regardless of size, structure, nature, or complexity, adoption is voluntary and proportionate. Professionals such as CCOs, governance officers, and risk managers use it for internal CMS design, benchmarking, and demonstrating good governance to regulators, courts, or stakeholders. Courts in some jurisdictions consider CMS alignment as a penalty mitigator, but there are no thresholds like employee count or revenue mandating implementation.

Does **ISO 19600** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**ISO 19600 does not require external audits or third-party certification, as it is a guidance standard without mandatory requirements.** Organizations conduct planned internal audits (Clause 9.2) at intervals based on risk, using systematic, independent processes per ISO 19011. Performance evaluation includes monitoring, management reviews, and self-assessments, with documented evidence retained. While certifiable under successor ISO 37301, ISO 19600 supports internal benchmarking and voluntary alignment claims, not formal certification.

How often should an assessment for **ISO 19600** be performed?

**ISO 19600 requires compliance risk assessments to be performed initially and reassessed whenever changes or issues occur.** Clause 4.6 mandates ongoing identification, analysis, and evaluation of compliance risks, triggered by new obligations, organizational changes, incidents, or audit findings. Monitoring (Clause 9.1) is continual via plans with schedules, while internal audits occur at planned intervals, and management reviews (Clause 9.3) are periodic, considering performance data, nonconformities, and stakeholder feedback. Frequency is risk-based and proportionate.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **ISO 19600**?

**There are no direct consequences for non-compliance with ISO 19600 itself, as it imposes no legal or regulatory obligations.** As withdrawn guidelines, failure to align yields no penalties from ISO or authorities. Indirectly, weak CMS exposes organizations to obligation breaches (fines, sanctions), reputational damage, operational disruption, or judicial penalty increases where courts assess governance. Effective CMS per ISO 19600 mitigates these by evidencing due diligence.

Can **ISO 19600** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, ISO 19600 can be mapped to other international frameworks sharing its high-level structure and PDCA logic.** Its clauses (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement) align with management system standards, enabling integrated CMS without silos. Governance principles, risk assessment (Clause 4.6), and obligations identification (Clause 4.5) facilitate compatibility, supporting unified processes while preserving compliance independence.

What is the first step to begin implementing **ISO 19600**?

**The first step to implement ISO 19600 is determining the CMS scope and understanding organizational context (Clauses 4.1–4.3).** Document boundaries (geographical, organizational), internal/external issues, and interested parties' needs/expectations as documented information. This risk-proportionate foundation informs leadership commitment (Clause 5), obligations identification (Clause 4.5), and governance principles like compliance function independence.

SAFe vs ISO 19600

Standards Comparison

SAFe

Voluntary

2023

Framework for scaling Lean-Agile in enterprises

ISO 19600

Voluntary

2014

International guidelines for compliance management systems.

Quick Verdict

SAFe scales Agile for enterprise software delivery, enabling Business Agility in IT. ISO 19600 provides CMS guidelines for all organizations. Companies adopt SAFe for faster time-to-market; ISO 19600 for systematic compliance risk management.

Agile Scaling

SAFe

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe 6.0)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Agile Release Trains synchronize 50-125 cross-functional teams
PI Planning aligns strategy across multiple teams
10 immutable Lean-Agile principles optimize value flow
Seven core competencies enable Business Agility
Configurable levels scale from Essential to Full SAFe

Compliance Management

ISO 19600

ISO 19600:2014 Compliance management systems — Guidelines

Cost

€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Principles of good governance for compliance function
Risk-based PDCA cycle for CMS lifecycle
Scalable to any organization size and complexity
Systematic identification of compliance obligations
Integration with other management systems

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

SAFe Details

What It Is

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe 6.0) is a comprehensive framework for scaling Lean-Agile practices across large enterprises. It integrates Agile, Lean, and systems thinking to align strategy, execution, and operations in complex software and IT environments, focusing on Business Agility through configurable implementations.

Key Components

10 immutable Lean-Agile principles, such as economic view and value flow.
**Seven core competenciesLean-Agile Leadership, Team Agility, Agile Product Delivery, and others.
Structures like Agile Release Trains (ARTs) (50-125 people), Program Increments (PIs) (8-12 weeks), roles (RTE, Product Management), and events (PI Planning, Inspect & Adapt).
Four configurations: Essential, Large Solution, Portfolio, Full. No formal certification required, but SAFe Academy offers trainings.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives faster time-to-market (20-50%), productivity gains (30-75%), and quality improvements. Enables compliance in regulated industries via embedded governance. Builds stakeholder trust through predictable delivery and dual operating systems balancing hierarchy with agility.

Implementation Overview

Follow **Implementation Roadmapvalue stream mapping, leadership training (SAFe Agilist), phased ART launches. Suited for large enterprises in software/IT; tools like Jira Align aid. Demands cultural shift; typical for 100+ teams.

ISO 19600 Details

What It Is

ISO 19600:2014 Compliance management systems — Guidelines is an international guideline standard from ISO, offering scalable guidance for organizations to establish, develop, implement, evaluate, maintain, and improve an effective Compliance Management System (CMS). It adopts a principles-based, risk-based approach using the PDCA cycle and high-level structure, applicable to all organization sizes, types, and complexities.

Key Components

Structured around 10 clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
Core principles: good governance, proportionality, transparency, sustainability.
Focuses on compliance obligations, risk assessment, controls, training, monitoring, audits, and continual improvement.
Non-certifiable; withdrawn in 2021, succeeded by certifiable ISO 37301.

Why Organizations Use It

Mitigates compliance risks, reduces penalties, enhances governance.
Builds stakeholder trust, supports market access and ethical culture.
Enables integration with other ISO systems for efficiency.
Provides benchmarking for regulators and courts.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, risk planning, controls/training, monitoring/reviews.
Scalable for SMEs to multinationals, all sectors.
No certification; voluntary alignment via internal audits.

Key Differences

Aspect	SAFe	ISO 19600
Scope	Scaling Agile for enterprise software/IT delivery	Compliance management systems guidelines
Industry	Software, IT ops, regulated sectors like banking	All industries, sectors worldwide
Nature	Voluntary agile scaling framework	Non-certifiable guidelines standard
Testing	PI Planning, Inspect & Adapt workshops	Audits, management reviews, monitoring
Penalties	No legal penalties, implementation failure risks	No penalties, regulatory exposure if ignored

Scope

SAFe

Scaling Agile for enterprise software/IT delivery

ISO 19600

Compliance management systems guidelines

Industry

SAFe

Software, IT ops, regulated sectors like banking

ISO 19600

All industries, sectors worldwide

Nature

SAFe

Voluntary agile scaling framework

ISO 19600

Non-certifiable guidelines standard

Testing

SAFe

PI Planning, Inspect & Adapt workshops

ISO 19600

Audits, management reviews, monitoring

Penalties

SAFe

No legal penalties, implementation failure risks

ISO 19600

No penalties, regulatory exposure if ignored

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SAFe and ISO 19600

SAFe FAQ

ISO 19600 FAQ

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

The Tool Landscape for Reaching and Maintaining ISO 27701 Compliance

Discover the top tools for ISO 27701 compliance. Compare functionality, complexity, costs, and benefits to choose the best solution for your privacy program. Ac

Top 10 SOC 2 Audit Pitfalls and Fixes: Real Auditor Red Flags from Type 2 Fieldwork with Evidence Checklists

Discover 10 common SOC 2 Type 2 audit pitfalls like evidence gaps, scope creep, vendor oversights. Get Fail/Pass visuals, client stories, checklists for 95% fir

SOC 2 Audit Survival Guide: 10 Red Flags Auditors Flag and Model Answers for Walkthroughs

Master SOC 2 Type 2 audits with our guide: 10 red flags like incomplete logs/vendor gaps, model walkthrough answers, psychology tips. Pass first-time with <5% e

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

100+ Standards & Regulations

AI-Powered Insights

Collaborative Assessments

Actionable Recommendations

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

PCI DSS vs FSSC 22000

PCI DSS vs FSSC 22000: Compare payment card security standards & food safety certification. Key differences, compliance tips & risk reduction strategies—expert insights now!

ENERGY STAR vs CMMI

Compare ENERGY STAR vs CMMI: EPA's energy efficiency benchmark vs process maturity model. Drive savings, compliance & peak performance—discover key differences now!

CCPA vs FSSC 22000

Compare CCPA vs FSSC 22000: Decode privacy rights, fines, and food safety standards. Gain expert strategies for compliance, risk mitigation, and business resilience now. (152 characters)

SAFe

ISO 19600

Quick Verdict

SAFe

Key Features

ISO 19600

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

SAFe Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

ISO 19600 Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

SAFe FAQ

What is the primary objective of SAFe?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with SAFe?

Does SAFe require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for SAFe be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with SAFe?

Can SAFe be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing SAFe?

ISO 19600 FAQ

What is the primary objective of ISO 19600?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ISO 19600?

Does ISO 19600 require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for ISO 19600 be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ISO 19600?

Can ISO 19600 be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing ISO 19600?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

The Tool Landscape for Reaching and Maintaining ISO 27701 Compliance

Top 10 SOC 2 Audit Pitfalls and Fixes: Real Auditor Red Flags from Type 2 Fieldwork with Evidence Checklists

SOC 2 Audit Survival Guide: 10 Red Flags Auditors Flag and Model Answers for Walkthroughs

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

PCI DSS vs FSSC 22000

ENERGY STAR vs CMMI

CCPA vs FSSC 22000