SAFe Knowledge Base » Supplier
Supplier
A long-term relationship between purchaser and supplier is necessary for best economy.
—W. Edwards Deming
Definition: A Supplier is an internal or external organization that develops and delivers solution components, subsystems, or services to ARTs and development value streams.
Lean-Agile Enterprises deliver value to Customers in the shortest possible lead time with the highest possible quality. Suppliers support this mission by providing their unique competencies, skills, and existing Solutions to accelerate and reduce the costs of value delivery. Many Solution Trains and Agile Release Trains (ARTs) depend on supplier performance for their value delivery.
Suppliers will use varying development and delivery methods. Nonetheless, the SAFe enterprise treats strategic suppliers as long-term business partners, involving them deeply in the solution’s definition and building activities. They also work with suppliers to help them adopt Lean-Agile Mindsets and practices for the economic benefit of both parties.
Details
Suppliers play a critical role in SAFe. They provide unique expertise and existing components that accelerate solution delivery. Some suppliers are external to the enterprise. Others work within the organization, producing solutions as part of another value stream. Suppliers will have their own mission, additional customers, and Economic Framework that drive their decision-making processes. For organizations to achieve mutual benefits, close collaboration and trust are required.