scrum vs. agile 

Being in the industry, you must have heard about Agile and Scrum. And often, they are used interchangeably, which can be confusing sometimes. Let's look at what makes Scrum and Agile unique and how and when to implement them.

Agile is a method to project management that emphasizes completing projects in small increments. It is used for projects where some modification or unpredictability is expected.

Scrum is one of several Agile methodologies, and it is more like the actual structure teams can use to put Agile principles into practice. Scrum is a renowned Agile process, and its usage is growing.

What is Agile?

Agile is a project management methodology widely used in software development and is often a more natural way to keep cross-functional team members organized and on track. An Agile project comprises smaller chunks of tasks that can be continuously delivered quickly. This pushes project teams to adjust to altering priorities, react to situations, and cut costs, time, and inefficiencies. Agile helps in improving client retention and satisfaction. This is gained by breaking down the product into relatively more minor units/builds and concurrent activities: agile betterment teamwork and in-person communication.

 To integrate Agile codes into a company or project, you'll need to utilize a framework. The most prevalent of these is Scrum, and others are Kanban, the Crystal Method, Extreme Programming, plus several hybrids.

Agile has its origins in software development but is now used in many industries, including tech, marketing, design, and finance. Even many industries that have relied on traditional project management styles like construction have begun to incorporate Agile practices.

When to use Agile?

Agile is suitable for industries that deal with regular or unpredictable change or teams creating a new product. More traditional project management styles such as Waterfall might work better for projects with strict conditions—like a firm time or fixed budget—such as event planning. 

Agile principles:

• Agile processes permit change according to the customer's competitive advantage.
• Industry individuals and developers will work every day throughout the project.
• Attention to technical superiority and the right design enhances agility
• Agile teams work to become more effective and adjust their behavior according to the project.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is an Agile method designed to create products in an atmosphere sensitive to change. Scrum teams are generally small, typically ranging from three to nine people, including a Scrum master and a product owner. The Scrum Framework majorly deals with the fact that conditions are likely to change or are mostly unknown at the beginning of the project. In Scrum, delivery cycles are called "sprints," generally the last one to four weeks. Work is cumulative and produced on prior assignments.

Communication with team members and stakeholders is consistent so that feedback is constant and changes are done accordingly. 

When to use Scrum?

Scrum is perfect for dealing with complicated projects in changing conditions. Like many Agile methodologies, Scrum is suitable for industries that are always in change or for pioneering new projects. A more traditional approach may be better if you're dealing with fixed requirements or an organization that doesn't qualify for smooth cross-functional collaboration.

scrum principles:

• Self-organization results in healthier shared ownership among the team members. It is also an innovative and visionary environment that is helping to grow.
•  Collaboration is an essential principle that focuses on collaborative work. 1. awareness, 2. articulation, and 3. appropriation. It also considers project management a shared value-creation process with teams working together to offer the highest value.
•  Time is a condition in the Scrum method. An essential element of time-boxed elements is Daily Sprint planning and Review Meetings.
•  Manage changes better and build products that satisfy customer needs. It also represents the organization's obligations regarding iterative development.

 

key differences between Agile and Scrum

1. Agile is a method, whereas Scrum is a type of Agile process.
2. Scrum is broken down into shorter sprints and more diminutive deliverables, while in Agile, everything is provided at the end of the project.
3. Agile includes members from various cross-functional teams, while a Scrum project team includes specific roles, such as the Scrum Master and Product Owner.
4. Scrum is a more rigorous method with little flexibility for change, and it's perfect for those who need to produce results as quickly as possible. Agile is more suitable for smaller teams and those who prefer a more straightforward design and implementation.
5. Agile has simple structure and execution, whereas Scum includes innovative and creative design execution.
6. In Agile, all the tasks are managed by the project head, and in Scrum, issues, and challenges are addressed by the entire team. 
7. Agile software development is widely seen as favorably suited to environments that have small but expert project development teams. At the same time, Scrum is ideally used in a project where the requirement is rapidly changing.
8. Agile implicates cooperation and face-to-face exchanges between the members of various cross-functional teams. In Scrum, collaboration is conducted in daily stand-up meetings with a fixed role assigned to the scrum master, product owner, and team members.
9. Agile can require up-front development methods and organizational change. Not too many changes are necessary while implementing the scrum process.
10. The agile approach needs routine delivery to the end-user for their feedback. After each sprint, a build is delivered to the client for their input in Scrum.
11. In the Agile method, the focus is always to satisfy the customer by providing continuous delivery of valuable software. Empirical Process Control is a core ideology of Scrum-based process.

Understanding Agile and Scrum

As project management persists to be an in-demand skill, Agile and Scrum are possible institutions for more companies to come. Many software companies globally have adopted this framework to achieve digital transformation. 

If you're interested in learning more, consider enrolling in Edtia's Agile and Scrum certification training. There's a devoted course on Agile and Scrum concepts, plus other lessons designed to get you job-ready.