n: A backlog refinement session is a periodic activity teams use to define, discuss, estimate, and establish acceptance criteria for upcoming backlog items1. One key benefit of a backlog refinement session is that it provides time to identify dependencies and issues that could impact the next iteration. By doing so, teams can reduce uncertainty, avoid surprises, and plan more effectively.Backlog refinement also helps surface problems with the current plan, which may require discussion at the team, PO, or coach syncs2.Additionally, backlog refinement helps teams align their backlog with the ART backlog, the PI objectives, and the customer needs2.Reference:Backlog Refinement - Scaled Agile Framework,Team Backlog - Scaled Agile Framework

The Iteration Review is a regular SAFe Scrum event where the team inspects the iteration increment, assesses progress, and adjusts the team backlog. The purpose of the Iteration Review is to measure the team's progress by showing working stories to the Product Owner and other stakeholders to get their feedback. The Iteration Review provides a way to gather immediate, contextual feedback from the team's stakeholders on a regular cadence. The Iteration Review also allows the team to demonstrate their contributions, receive feedback to improve the solution, and adjust the Team Backlog based on new opportunities.Reference:Iteration Review,Iteration Review,What is Iteration review in SAFe 6.0?,Iteration Review65

: One benefit of Story acceptance criteria is to provide Story details from a testing point of view. Acceptance criteria are the conditions or rules that a user story must meet to be considered complete and acceptable by the customer or stakeholder. They define the scope and boundaries of the user story and help the team to understand what needs to be done and how to test it. Acceptance criteria also facilitate communication and collaboration between the team and the customer or stakeholder, as they provide a common language and a shared understanding of the expected outcome.Reference:What is User Story and Acceptance Criteria (Examples),Acceptance Criteria: Everything You Need to Know Plus Examples

Trust is the foundation of any successful collaboration, especially between the business and development teams, who often have different perspectives, expectations, and incentives. Trust exists when everyone can confidently rely on one another to act with integrity, particularly in times of difficulty.Without trust, it is impossible to build high-performing teams and trains or build (or rebuild) the confidence needed to make and meet reasonable commitments1.One way to gain trust between the business and development is to deliver predictability, which means that the teams and the Agile Release Train (ART) can consistently deliver value in the shortest sustainable lead time, with the best quality and value, and meet the agreed-upon objectives and goals2.Predictability is achieved by applying the SAFe principles and practices, such as aligning to a common mission and vision, planning and executing in iterations and increments, applying systems thinking and feedback loops, and embracing change and innovation3.Predictability helps to establish and maintain trust between the business and development, as it demonstrates the reliability, transparency, and accountability of the teams and the ART, and it enables the business to make informed decisions and provide timely feedback4. The other options are not the best ways to gain trust between the business and development, as they either do not address the core issue of trust, or they may have negative consequences. Automating the delivery pipeline is a technical practice that supports DevOps and continuous delivery, and it can improve the speed, quality, and efficiency of the value delivery, but it does not necessarily build trust between the business and development, as it does not address the communication, collaboration, and alignment aspects of trust. Releasing new value to production every day is a desirable outcome of DevOps and continuous delivery, and it can provide fast feedback and validation of the value delivered, but it does not guarantee trust between the business and development, as it may also introduce risks, errors, and instability, and it may not reflect the actual needs and expectations of the customers and stakeholders. Maintaining iterations as a safe zone is a practice that protects the teams from external interference and distractions during the iteration execution, and it can help the teams focus on their work and deliver value, but it does not foster trust between the business and development, as it may also create silos, isolation, and resistance to change, and it may prevent the teams from collaborating and communicating with the business and other teams.Reference:Core Values - Scaled Agile Framework,Predictability - Scaled Agile Framework,SAFe Lean-Agile Principles - Scaled Agile Framework,How can trust be gained between the business and development?

The confidence vote is a measure of the teams' and ARTs' belief in their ability to deliver the established PI objectives. It is conducted at the end of the PI planning event, after the teams have presented their plans and identified the risks. Each person votes using their fingers (fist of five) or a digital tool for remote events. The scale is as follows:

5: I am confident we can meet or exceed our objectives

4: I am confident we can meet our objectives

3: I think we can meet our objectives, but I have some concerns

2: I doubt we can meet our objectives, and I have major concerns

1: I am sure we cannot meet our objectives

The purpose of the confidence vote is to surface any issues or impediments that might prevent the teams from achieving their goals. It also helps to align the expectations of the stakeholders and the teams. If the average vote is below 3, the teams and the ARTs need to revisit their plans and address the root causes of the low confidence. The confidence vote is repeated until the average vote is 3 or higher, or until the timebox expires.Reference:PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework,Confidence Vote - Scaled Agile Framework,Confidence Vote in PI Planning: Role and Benefits - Dee Project Manager