The Finnish Forest Centre Metsäkeskus used a SAFe-based operating model to support a major renewal of its information systems. Taskmill provided an experienced Release Train Engineer (RTE) to lead the Agile Release Train, facilitate PI Planning and other key events, coach teams and continuously develop ways of working.
Metsäkeskus, the Finnish Forest Centre, used an operating model based on the SAFe framework in its application development. The organisation launched a major programme to renew its key information systems between 2019 and 2024.
Taskmill supported Metsäkeskus during this intensive development period by providing an experienced Release Train Engineer (RTE) to lead and develop its Agile Release Train.
Taskmill’s expert worked as Metsäkeskus’s RTE and facilitated key Agile Release Train events, from weekly meetings to PI Planning.
In addition to supporting train-level activities, the RTE worked closely with individual teams. She participated in team-level sessions, coached experienced employees and helped new teams adopt Metsäkeskus’s agile ways of working.
Alongside the day-to-day RTE responsibilities, Taskmill’s expert helped continuously develop Metsäkeskus’s operating model. The collaboration focused on refining practices and ensuring that the model supported the needs of both teams and the wider organisation.
Training helped new teams adopt SAFe ways of working
“Our application suppliers have praised our operating model, with which our information system projects have progressed in a controlled and transparent manner. Taskmill’s expert’s work has been invaluable to us, as Metsäkeskus has held competitive tendering for new information systems during the spring, which, alongside acting as an RTE would not have been successful,” praises Metsäkeskus’s development manager Henna Etula who will step back into the role of RTE.
A clear operating model supported transparency and collaboration
Documenting the operating model was another important part of the work. A shared model helped people understand how the Agile Release Train operated and supported consistent ways of working across teams.
Eeva Mäenpää, Applications Coordinator at Metsäkeskus, was closely involved in developing the application development model and responsible for Metsäkeskus’s Jira environment.
“Taskmill’s expert has been a great help in documenting our operating model. Having the entire model clearly documented provides valuable support for everyone working in the release train.
I have also received excellent advice on how we can use Atlassian Jira to support the application of the SAFe framework,” says Mäenpää.
“Working as the RTE of Metsäkeskus’s Agile Release Train has been a great experience. The team wants to learn and is ready to accept tips. It’s great to see how the new teams joining the release train quickly get the hang of things, thanks to the comprehensive operating model in use and targeted training,” says RTE Taskmill’s expert, who also acted as a SAFe coach.
More information:
Metsäkeskus
Henna Etula, Development Manager
henna.etula@metsakeskus.fi
https://www.metsakeskus.fi/fi
Taskmill
Elina Kervinen, CEO & Agile Leadership Consultant
elina.kervinen@taskmill.fi
https://www.taskmill.fi