By Ranjana Kaushik – Delivery Lead
As a delivery lead, it’s sometimes difficult to explain to teams and clients which methodology we use, Agile or Scrum. So Agile Vs Scrum: what is the difference?
Both have many similarities, meaning it is difficult to distinguish clearly. Both focus on delivering software, working on iterative processes and accommodating changes, and encouraging transparency and continued improvements.
Scrum comes under agile or in other words scrum is one way to implement agile, it is a methodology to implement agile philosophy to manage the project.
Under the Agile umbrella, there are several different methodologies, these are Scrum, Kanban, XP (Extreme programming), Crystal, and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) amongst others.
At synvert TCM
At synvert TCM (formerly Crimson Macaw), we use Kanban and Scrum methodologies to implement Agile working methods. Scrum is the most used methodology at synvert TCM.
To better understand the differences between Agile and Scrum, I have listed the following comparisons:
Agile
- Agile is not Scrum.
- It is a project management philosophy that utilises a core set of values or principles.
- Everything delivers at the end of the project.
- It involves members from various cross-functional teams.
- Agile is a set of principles in the Agile Manifesto for building software through iterative development.
- If Agile works for the project, you need to choose which agile framework to use.
- Use Agile if:
- The final product is not 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
- Need to optimise for rapid deployment
- Agile follows iterative approaches. Continuous involvement of the client ensures expectations align and allow the team and project to adapt to changes throughout the process.
- In Agile Methodology, we need regular interactions with the client and/or end-users. We need to seek feedback for a better understanding of the scope of the project and take an iterative approach to deliver the scope of work.
Scrum
- Scrum is Agile.
- It is a type of Agile Methodology that facilitates a project.
- It can be broken down into shorter sprints and smaller deliverables.
- A Scrum project team includes specific roles, such as the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Scrum Team.
- It is a specific set of rules to follow when practising Agile software development.
- Use Scrum when
- The project requirements will change and evolve
- Continuous feedback
- To determine a large part of work which has not been done before
- It does not need to commit to a fixed release date
- The project team wants autonomy
- Need to deliver software on a regular basis
- With Scrum Methodology, project work takes place in Sprints. During sprint planning, the project team identify a small part of the scope to complete during the upcoming sprint, which is usually a two-to-four-week period.
- In Scrum, at the end of the sprint, the work is ready to deliver to the client, then gets a follow-up sprint review and retrospective. This cycle repeats throughout the project lifecycle until the entire scope delivers.
Conclusion of Agile vs Scrum: What is the difference?
Hopefully, that helps with your understanding of the differences between Agile and Scrum.
Want to know more about how we use Agile Methodologies here at synvert TCM? Check out our blogs on all things Agile here.
Want to know more about how we can help you? Get in touch here.
