Agile vs Scrum
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While Agile and Scrum follow the same system, there are some differences when comparing Scrum vs Agile. Agile describes a set of principles in the Agile Manifesto for building software through iterative development. On the other hand, Scrum is a specific set of rules to follow when practicing Agile software development. Agile is the philosophy and Scrum is the methodology to implement the Agile philosophy.
Because Scrum is one way to implement Agile, they both share many similarities. They both focus on delivering software early and often, are iterative processes, and accommodate change. They also encourage transparency and continuous improvement.
Scrum is one of many frameworks used to implement an Agile process. Agile is an umbrella term that includes other processes, like Extreme Programming, Kanban, Crystal, and Scrum. Scrum is Agile, but Agile isn’t Scrum.
We recommend using Scrum if:
The project requirements will change and evolve
Continuous feedback is required
You have to figure out how to do a large part of the work because you haven't done it before
You don’t need to commit to a fixed release date
The project team wants autonomy
You need to deliver software on a regular basis
Scrum works well for projects that have a lot of unknowns or that evolve over time. Scrum deals with these changes very effectively, so you can easily accommodate new information or features throughout the process.
The line between when to use Agile versus when to use Scrum is blurry. Scrum is one framework in the Agile process, so they both have a lot in common. A good place to start is to first understand if you should use Agile in general. Then, if an Agile methodology seems like it would work for you, you could choose which framework of Agile to use (Scrum being one framework).
We recommend using Agile if:
The final product isn’t clearly defined
The clients/stakeholders need to be able to change the scope
Changes need to be implemented during the entire process
The developers are adaptable and can think independently
You need to optimize for rapid deployment
If a pure Scrum approach doesn’t work for your project, you can also try a hybrid model. There are several methodologies that combine the principles of Agile or Scrum and adapt the framework to scale more effectively.
For example, Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD) builds on the practices of Agile, Scrum, and Lean to provide a solid foundation from which to scale. DAD was developed to provide a more cohesive approach to Agile, taking strategies from Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming, and others. Rather than taking the time to learn one of these existing frameworks and cobble them together as needed, DAD already combines all relevant techniques.
Other hybrid methods include Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), which extends Scrum with scaling rules and guidelines, and Scaled Agile Framework (SaFE), based on underlying Lean and Agile principles.
