Alternatives to Jira Align for SAFe

Compare options and see how to support PI planning, dependencies, and reporting while staying close to Jira.

TL;DR

  • Jira Align is powerful but can be heavy. Many organisations need PI planning and dependency visibility without the full overhead.
  • The best alternative depends on how closely you want to stay aligned to Jira Software as your execution layer.
  • Easy Agile Programs supports program planning, dependencies, and objectives in Jira for teams adopting SAFe.

Note: SAFe is a trademark of Scaled Agile, Inc. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scaled Agile.

Why teams look for Jira Align alternatives

Common reasons include:

  • Cost and licensing complexity
  • Implementation effort and change management
  • A desire to keep planning and execution closer together in Jira
  • A need for specific capabilities (PI planning, dependencies, objectives) rather than a full portfolio platform

What you should require in a SAFe platform

For most SAFe implementations, the non negotiables are:

  • PI planning support (iteration planning across teams)
  • Program board and dependency visibility
  • Objectives and risks that link to delivery work
  • Reporting that rolls up from team level to program level
  • Integration with Jira, or a clear strategy for how work flows between systems

A Jira centred alternative: Easy Agile Programs

If you are executing in Jira, Easy Agile Programs is designed to support program level planning in Jira:

  • Build a program board that reflects iterations and teams
  • Visualise dependencies across teams and work items
  • Track objectives in a way that stays connected to Jira issues
  • Support coordination rhythms without maintaining a separate execution database

Learn more: Easy Agile Programs

Other alternative approaches

Depending on your context, alternatives may include:

  • Tools focused on enterprise agile portfolio management
  • Tools focused on value stream management and flow
  • Staying in Jira and adding planning layers with apps

When evaluating, ask: will we end up duplicating data across tools, or can we keep a single execution system?

A decision guide

Choose a Jira Align alternative based on your biggest constraint:

  • Need to stay in Jira: prioritise Jira native planning add ons.
  • Need enterprise portfolio governance: consider a portfolio management platform.
  • Need flow and value stream optimisation: consider value stream management tools.