What is an Agile Release Train (ART)?

An Agile Release Train (ART) is defined as a long-lived team of Agile teams that collaborates to deliver value to the organization through the development of software or systems. This concept is a key component of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), designed to help organizations implement Agile at scale.

The ART is not just a collection of individual Agile teams; instead, it functions as a cohesive unit that shares a common mission and is aligned around a specified vision or outcome. Typically, an ART consists of around 5 to 12 Agile teams (each composed of cross-functional members), working together on a common purpose over multiple iterations, often with dependencies managed collaboratively. This structure provides a synchronized approach to planning and executing work, enabling better coordination, alignment, and delivery of features to meet customer needs.

Additionally, ARTs facilitate continuous delivery and improve the flow of value, with regular planning events such as Program Increment (PI) Planning, where teams within the ART collaboratively plan their work for the upcoming iterations. This ensures transparency and fosters a culture of collaboration and alignment.

While the other options may touch on various team structures or agile practices, they do not capture the full essence of what an ART entails. A single Agile team represents a smaller unit, a