Beyond Embedded: Expanding the Reach of SAFe® for Hardware

In my recent blog post, I reflected on the SAFe® for Hardware Expert Enablement course I attended. As someone who has been working with Agile in hardware development for several years, the training wasn’t the beginning of my journey — but it was a valuable milestone.

It provided an opportunity to validate practices, challenge assumptions, and connect with a growing network of professionals who are also passionate about transforming hardware development through agility.

One of the most important takeaways — and something I consistently emphasize in my work — is: SAFe® for Hardware isn’t just about embedded systems. It’s equally relevant for industries that design and build physical products, machines, or mechanical systems — even if they contain little or no software.

Agility in the Physical World: Opportunities and Challenges

Applying Agile in hardware brings the same benefits seen in software — faster feedback, increased adaptability, and more customer focus. But those benefits come with some industry-specific challenges that organizations need to be prepared for:

1. Cross-Functional, Stable Teams

Bringing together mechanical, electrical, testing, manufacturing, and other domains into persistent, Agile teams is a fundamental shift — especially in companies structured by discipline or function. Good news is that regardless of multiple, highly specialized disciplines there is a way to achieve it.

2. Modular Architectures

Building products in an incremental and scalable way heavily relies on modularity. It demands intentional architecture to decouple components and minimize integration pain.

3. Standardized Interfaces

Clear and stable interfaces across hardware modules allow for parallel work and fast learning cycles — but defining and maintaining these in hardware isn’t always easy. During the training we facilitate fun and effective simulation allowing participants to understand potential of this concept.

 4. Iterative Development & Short Feedback Loops

Unlike software, physical prototypes can’t be refactored overnight. That’s why techniques like rapid prototyping, simulation, and digital twins are critical to supporting agility.

5. Backlogs and Prototyping Mindset

Moving from long requirement specs to incremental, testable backlog items requires a shift in mindset — embracing uncertainty, learning through doing, and focusing on fast validation.

Growing Interest, Positive Signals

We’re seeing strong momentum and enthusiasm from the community. Agile hardware is no longer a niche topic — it’s gaining traction with engineers, architects, and business leaders alike.

At the same time, it’s clear that many Agile principles that are well-known in software are still new territory for many hardware teams. Education and foundational understanding remain essential — not to copy software practices blindly, but to adapt them meaningfully to the realities of physical development.

Our Continued Commitment to Agile Hardware

Having worked in this space for years, I remain deeply committed to helping teams succeed in bringing agility to the physical world. To support this movement, we’ve launched a dedicated community space for professionals exploring Agile hardware practices: Agile in Hardware Meetup Group

If you’re working in mechanical, electrical, systems, or any other hardware-related discipline and want to explore modern, Agile ways of working — join us. Let’s learn from each other, shape best practices, and drive real transformation together.

Check out details and information regarding the SAFe for Hardware trainings.