FAST set out to solve Dark Agile, Agile Scaling, and be a method that caters to product-led efforts (not just delivery).
Dark Agile
FAST hopes that making self-organisation inescapable (not just lip service) will resolve why so many agile implementations turn out dar/flaccid/zombie agile.
Talking with software developers working with traditional agile methods, you will hear a common complaint about spending too much time in meetings. FAST set out to solve this and make an environment that software developers truly thrive in and enjoy.
Agile Scaling
How do you split work across multiple teams and keep them in sync is the challenge of agile scaling. FAST creates a team of teams approach to solve this. This is unique in the industry as it harnesses networked organisational models with fluid teaming to create a pure, complex and adaptive system.
A network and fluid collective solves issues that static teaming and silos create:
limited knowledge resources are easier to share
knowledge and skill sharing
flexing workforce/labour to where it is most needed
dependencies fall away
Product-led Efforts
If you read books and materials by modern product managers like Marty Cagan, Melisa Perri, John Cutler and Teresa Torress, you will notice that agile methods pre-FaST did not help them with product work, only delivery work. Legacy agile methods were not suited for their product discovery activities, and they only recommended these agile methods for delivery work.