RTE Gym

The RTE Gym is structured as a development journey of approximately eight to ten weeks. Rather than a traditional training where knowledge is delivered primarily during classroom days, the focus is on the combination of learning, applying, reflecting and improving. This means you are not just developing as a Release Train Engineer — you are also making concrete improvements within your Agile Release Train at the same time.

Programme structure

The programme includes:

• 6 interactive virtual learning sessions of approximately 2.5 hours
• 3 practice labs of approximately 90 minutes
• 3 assessment and reflection moments
• Optional assignments and experiments between sessions
• A consistent peer group of fellow RTEs with whom you learn and share experiences throughout the programme

Sessions typically take place once every one to two weeks. After every two learning sessions, a practice lab follows in which participants work on their own cases and improvement initiatives.

Phase 1: The role of the modern Release Train Engineer

The journey begins by exploring the role of the Release Train Engineer in modern organisations. You examine how expectations of the role are evolving and what skills are needed to be effective in an environment where you frequently need to exercise influence without formal hierarchical authority.

Topics covered during the training include:

• The different dimensions of the RTE role
• Leading without formal authority
• Working with line management and leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Building trust and ownership

Phase 2: Flow, value streams and systems thinking

Next, the focus shifts to improving flow within the Agile Release Train.

You learn how to:

• Make value streams visible
• Identify bottlenecks
• Map dependencies
• Recognise waiting times and waste
• Translate improvement opportunities into concrete actions

The emphasis is on viewing the entire value stream rather than looking at individual teams or processes in isolation.

Practice lab 1

During the first practice lab, you apply these insights to your own ART. Together with other participants, you analyse current challenges and explore possible interventions and improvement actions.

Phase 3: Metrics that actually help

Many organisations collect large amounts of data without it leading to better decisions. In this phase, you learn which metrics genuinely provide insight into the health of an Agile Release Train.

Topics include:

• Flow Metrics
• Predictability
• Lead time and wait time
• Capacity and load
• Trend analysis
• Data-driven improvement

You learn how metrics can help drive conversations about improvement rather than accountability.

Phase 4: Facilitating, influencing and managing tension

A key part of the RTE role is guiding people, teams and stakeholders.

That is why you spend significant time on:

• Asking powerful questions
• Facilitating group processes
• Supporting decision-making
• Managing resistance
• Conflict resolution
• Strengthening collaboration between teams

The focus is on situations that participants actually encounter within their own organisation.

Practice lab 2

In the second practice lab, a current case from your own practice takes centre stage. You receive feedback from trainers and fellow participants, and work towards a concrete intervention or improvement experiment.

Phase 5: Continuous improvement and ART performance

The final content-rich part of the Gym focuses on sustainable improvement.

Topics include:

• Inspect & Adapt
• Formulating improvement hypotheses
• PI Objectives and Business Value
• Working with Business Owners and Epic Owners
• Building a culture of continuous improvement
• Scaling successful improvements

Phase 6: AI for the Release Train Engineer

As AI increasingly shapes the day-to-day practice of Agile organisations, we also explore the possibilities of AI within the RTE role.

Topics you explore include:

• Supporting ART events
• Analysing flow and metrics
• Preparing workshops
• Stakeholder communication
• Practical AI applications that can be used directly in day-to-day practice

Practice lab 3 and final assessment

The programme concludes with a practice lab and final assessment in which you demonstrate how you have applied insights from the Gym within your own environment.

You present a concrete improvement case from your Agile Release Train and reflect on:

• The challenge you addressed
• The interventions you chose
• The results you achieved
• The lessons you have learned
• The next steps you want to take

This means you complete the programme with both new knowledge and tangible improvements that deliver immediate value to your organisation.

What makes this approach different?

The strength of the RTE Gym lies in the combination of learning and doing. You are not attending training separately from your practice — you use your own ART as a learning environment. This creates a programme where theory, practical experience, coaching and peer learning come together continuously. Many participants find that they not only grow in their role as Release Train Engineer, but also see concrete improvements emerging within their Agile Release Train during the programme itself.

No. The RTE Gym is a hands-on development journey focused on strengthening the skills and effectiveness of Release Train Engineers.

Very practical. Participants work on challenges from their own environment throughout the entire programme and apply new insights directly in practice.

Yes. The RTE Gym is an excellent in-house programme for organisations that want to develop multiple (aspiring) Release Train Engineers.

Yes. For an in-house delivery, the organisation’s own practical examples, improvement objectives and challenges can be used as the foundation of the programme. If desired, the content can be tailored to the specific needs of the group.

You learn from Release Train Engineers in other organisations, gain fresh perspectives and build a valuable network of professionals working on similar challenges.

Yes. The programme can be delivered fully online, but can also be set up in a hybrid format where certain sessions take place together on-site and others are delivered online.