What type of decisions must be decentralized according to SAFe principles?

Decentralizing time-critical decisions aligns with SAFe principles because these decisions require immediate responses based on current conditions or information. In a fast-paced environment, such as those addressed by SAFe, waiting for centralized approval can lead to slowed responses and missed opportunities. Empowering teams to make decisions quickly enables them to respond to changes and challenges in real time, fostering a culture of agility and responsiveness that is essential to delivering value effectively.

In contrast, other types of decisions, such as long-lasting, those achieving significant economies of scale, or infrequent decisions, typically benefit from a more centralized approach. Long-lasting decisions often involve strategic considerations that require a broader perspective and input from various stakeholders, while significant economies of scale may necessitate centralization to maximize resource utilization and operational efficiency. Infrequent decisions, being rare and generally less urgent, also tend to be better managed through a centralized process to ensure thorough evaluation and alignment with overall strategy.