According to SAFe, what is the recommended first step of Iteration Planning?

In SAFe®, Iteration Planning is the event where the team determines how much work they can commit to for the upcoming iteration and aligns on the iteration goal. The recommended first step of Iteration Planning is to establish team capacity.

By identifying the available capacity (in person-days or story points) considering holidays, time off, or other commitments, the team ensures realistic planning and avoids overcommitment. This forms the foundation for selecting appropriate backlog items that fit within available capacity.

From SAFe guidance:

“Iteration Planning starts with establishing the team’s capacity for the upcoming iteration. This ensures that the team commits to a realistic amount of work based on their availability.”

Therefore, the correct answer is D. Establish capacity, as it is the first and most critical step in effective iteration planning.