In the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Program Increment (P.I) Planning is one of the most critical events for aligning teams, clarifying priorities, and ensuring the next increment delivers maximum value. Yet, too often, teams walk into P.I Planning underprepared, leading to confusion, missed dependencies, and wasted time.
This August 2025 session, “Prepping for P.I Planning”, is designed to help Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and leadership teams get fully prepared before the big day. Whether you are a Release Train Engineer (RTE), Product Manager, or Scrum Master, proper preparation can mean the difference between alignment and chaos.
Why Preparation is Half the Battle
P.I Planning is not a meeting you can improvise. It’s a complex, high-stakes event that requires inputs from product vision to dependency mapping. A well-prepared planning session can improve cross-team collaboration, reduce delivery risk, and ensure everyone walks away with a shared understanding of priorities.
According to the official Scaled Agile Framework, preparation steps include:
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Setting the business context and vision
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Drafting top priorities and objectives
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Reviewing and updating the program backlog
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Confirming logistics for distributed or hybrid planning sessions
Key Steps to Prepare for P.I Planning
1. Clarify the Vision and Business Context
Before teams get into the details, leaders need to clearly communicate the “Why”. This includes the current business landscape, upcoming opportunities, and strategic priorities. Sharing this early helps teams connect their work to broader outcomes.
For guidance on effective vision statements, check out Atlassian’s Agile Vision Guide.
2. Refine the Program Backlog
The program backlog should be up to date, with high-priority features well-defined and estimated. This reduces rework during planning and enables teams to start breaking down features into stories with confidence. A collaborative backlog refinement workshop, facilitated a week before P.I Planning, can be invaluable.
3. Map Dependencies Early
Dependencies are one of the top causes of delivery bottlenecks. Encourage teams to identify and visualize dependencies using tools like Miro or Jira Advanced Roadmaps before the event. This ensures dependencies are discussed, not discovered, during planning.
4. Align on Capacity and Team Availability
Accurate capacity planning prevents overcommitment. Factor in holidays, known absences, and training schedules. The capacity conversation should happen before P.I Planning so adjustments can be made without derailing the event.
5. Set Up the Logistics
For co-located teams, confirm the venue, seating arrangements, and whiteboard space. For distributed teams, validate tools for collaboration (Zoom, MURAL, Miro) and test them in advance. Small logistical issues can snowball if left until the day of planning.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
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Walking in without a clear business context: leads to misaligned priorities.
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Backlog items that are too vague: results in wasted planning time.
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Ignoring remote team needs: creates participation gaps.
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Underestimating dependencies: increases delivery risks.
For more real-world advice, see ProjectManagement.com’s P.I Planning Tips.
Why This Session Will Help You
This interactive August 2025 session will walk you through:
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A pre-event checklist for P.I Planning readiness
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Templates for vision and backlog refinement
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Strategies to improve stakeholder engagement
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Techniques for virtual and hybrid planning success
By the end, you’ll leave with a structured approach to ensure your P.I Planning sessions start strong and end with a clear, achievable plan.
Who Should Attend:
Release Train Engineers, Product Managers, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Business Owners, and Agile Coaches
What to Bring:
Your upcoming objectives, backlog items, and dependency maps
If you want your next P.I Planning session to be smooth, focused, and value-driven, reserve your seat today. Come prepared with your questions and challenges, and leave with a proven preparation framework.