Who benefits the most from the confidence vote held during PI Planning?

The confidence vote held during PI Planning is a crucial element of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), and it benefits the entire Agile Release Train. This vote provides an opportunity for all participants in the PI Planning event to express their confidence in the plans developed during the sessions. When the entire Agile Release Train—including Scrum Masters, Product Owners, stakeholders, and team members—participates, it fosters a sense of shared ownership and collective accountability for the outcomes of the program increment.

This collaborative approach ensures that everyone has a voice and can express their concerns or confidence levels, resulting in greater alignment and commitment to the planned work. Additionally, it serves as a feedback mechanism for assessing how well the teams believe they can achieve the objectives set for the upcoming program increment. This collective reflection can help identify potential issues and areas for improvement, leading to a more successful and cohesive execution of the work ahead.

The confidence vote enhances the overall performance of the Agile Release Train by ensuring that all members are on the same page and are collectively optimistic (or made aware of concerns) about the goals and commitments for the upcoming increment. This shared understanding is fundamental for fostering collaboration and successfully delivering value.