Difference Between Agile and Scrum

Introduction

Given their similarities, the phrases Agile and Scrum are frequently used interchangeably in modern DevOps environments. First, however, practitioners must be conscious of these distinctions.

The main distinction between Agile and Scrum is that while Scrum is a tried-and-true technique for software development teams, Agile is a mindset about properly delivering the product to a client.

Being new to project management, it can be scary due to the convoluted terminology and processes. There are numerous techniques accessible for each project, each having advantages and disadvantages of its own. Although Agile and Scrum are two of the most popular approaches, it can occasionally be challenging to tell them apart due to their similarities.

Here's a quick look at the relationship between Agile and Scrum and how they differ, along with advice on picking the best method for your project.

Agile vs. Scrum

Agile is an iterative software development style that uses brief (1–4 week) iterations. The development process can adapt to changing business demands thanks to the agile methodology. As a result, the software is delivered with less change and faster thanks to the Agile process.

Agile teams can work together more effectively thanks to the Scrum methodology. Team members design, deliver, and maintain the complicated product using it. It motivates the group to self-organize as they tackle the issue and learn via practice. Scum is a product of framework effort and continual value delivery to customers.

By contrasting the Scrum Guide and the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, you can learn everything there is to know about the distinctions between Agile and Scrum. These publications are the foundation for any technical comparisons because they define Agile and Scrum.

Four core ideals are attested to in the Agile Manifesto, which Martin Fowler, Jon Kern, Jeff Sutherland, and 14 others signed in 2001.

The Agile Manifesto's conciseness will surprise IT specialists who read it. Less than 300 words are used to discuss the four values and 12 Agile Manifesto principles.

Scrum was developed by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland in the early 1990s and is based on empiricism and lean thinking. The steps a business must take to deploy Scrum were officially specified in the 2010 publication of The Scrum Guide.

The Scrum Guide is shorter than the Agile Manifesto at only 14 pages and about 5,000 words, but it is equally lengthy.

The Scrum Guide is not a how-to guide for developing software. It is merely a guide, as its name suggests. So long as the accepted rituals align with the guide, Scrum empowers self-organized teams to be innovative and find the software development processes that work best for them.

Difference Between Agile and Scrum in Tabular Form

Agile and Scrum may be compared, and it becomes clear that Agile merely describes—at a pretty abstract level—the principles and concepts that need to inspire and drive successful software development. Scrum, in contrast to Agile, offers a specific set of instructions to adhere to provide software to the client continuously.

How to put the Agile Manifesto's beliefs and principles into practice is not covered. Agile does not recommend how a team should create an application in compliance with the principles and goals espoused in the manifesto. Instead, the manifesto outlines the fundamental principles guiding an Agile software developer's actions. Scrum is a methodology, as opposed to the philosophical essence of Agile.

Scrum is a software development framework that outlines how various members of an organization should collaborate to develop and deploy software as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Parameters of Comparison	Scrum	Agile
Inception	The early 1990s	2001
Founding document	The Scrum Guide	Agile Manifesto
Creators	Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber	17 signatories, including Kent Beck, Jon Kern, and Dave Thomas
Type	Framework	Philosophy
Alternatives	Kanban, Lean development, Scrumbut	Waterfall
Prioritizes	Continuous improvement	Continuous delivery

What is Agile?

Agile is a project management method or concept that tries to accomplish a goal in small steps. An Agile project, therefore, consists of smaller chunks of activities that may be delivered in shorter time frames regularly rather than having one major reveal or launch. As a result, project teams can more easily respond to problems that develop, adjust to shifting priorities, and reduce costs, time, and inefficiencies.

You should employ a framework or specific approach to put Agile principles into practice when implementing them into a business or project. Scrum is the most well-liked of these. Kanban, the Crystal Method, Extreme Programming, and various hybrids are some further approaches.

In contrast to the agile methodologies, the classic waterfall process requires that all requirements be first evaluated and recorded before any development can start. While with the Agile methodology, requirements are similar to the actual advancements in software development after each iteration. This strategy offers flexibility in adjusting to changes in the needs and goals of the company.

The Agile Manifesto, also known as Manifesto for Agile Software Development, is a written declaration of 12 principles and four guiding ideals supporting an iterative software development approach. Throughout the development lifecycle, the Agile development technique provides project direction evaluation. This is accomplished through frequent iterations, and when the revaluation is performed at each iteration, the costs and time associated with development are drastically reduced. Agile aids businesses in creating the ideal product. These are some of the advantages of Agile:

1. In contrast to the Agile strategy, which permits delivery within short cycles, the traditional waterfall model requires developing and delivering high-value features over a longer period. This makes it possible for the vendors to respond to customer demands for development more quickly.
2. Agile adoption helps vendors by improving customer happiness and retention, which results in increased customer connections through favorable referrals. In addition, agile enables vendors to reduce costs, increase productivity, and concentrate development efforts on high-value products.
3. Faster, higher-quality delivery: By breaking the project down into iterations (manageable units), the team can concentrate on higher-quality collaboration, development, and testing. When testing is done during each iteration, bugs are found and fixed more rapidly. Additionally, with constant, subsequent iterations, this high-quality software may be supplied more quickly.
4. Strong team interaction: Agile emphasizes the value of regular face-to-face contact and communication. People can take ownership of and work collaboratively in teams on various projects.
5. Customers are listened to: There are several opportunities for customers to view the completed work, offer feedback, and influence the final product. In addition, working closely with the project team can help them develop a sense of ownership.
6. Continuous improvement: Agile programs encourage user and team feedback throughout the whole project, allowing for utilizing the lessons learned to enhance subsequent iterations.

Four values guide the Agile project management philosophy:

• Persons and interactions, rather than procedures and tools
• Functional software above thorough documentation
• Customer involvement during contract negotiations
• Adapting to change versus sticking to a plan

Generally, bolded words and phrases are more important than unbolded ones. Agile originated in the software development industry but is currently utilized in various fields, including technology, marketing, design, and finance. Even sectors that have relied on conventional project management techniques, such as construction, have started applying Agile principles to their work.

How and when to use Agile

Agile is a good fit for projects already underway and for projects where some elements aren't immediately evident. Agile is therefore advantageous for businesses dealing with recurring or unforeseen change and teams developing new products. However, for tasks that must adhere to rigorous guidelines, such as a limited time or budget limit, more conventional project management techniques, such as Waterfall, may be preferable. An example of this would be event planning.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is an agile development process made for creating products in dynamic environments.

Delivery cycles in Scrum are known as "sprints," typically run for one to four weeks. Work progresses gradually and builds on earlier efforts. Scrum teams are typically composed of three to nine persons and comprise a product owner and a scrum master. Consistent communication with team members and stakeholders enables continuous feedback and changes to be made as needed.

The most popular Agile technique is Scrum. According to the State of Agile study published in 2021, around 66 percent of Agile users employ Scrum, with 15 percent using variations of Scrum, Scrumban, and Scrum/XP.

Scrum should be used when

Scrum is fantastic for managing complicated projects in dynamic contexts. Like many other Agile techniques, Scrum is beneficial for cutting-edge projects or sectors constantly changing. However, a more conventional method can be preferable if you're working with defined criteria or an organization that doesn't allow seamless cross-functional communication.

Rules

1. Owner of the product: The product's owner is the keeper of requirements. Additionally, he or she coordinates with the team, company, and clients. The person in charge of maintaining the product backlog is the product owner.
2. The Scrum Master is in charge of ensuring that the process goes smoothly and without hiccups. The scrum master removes any obstacles that directly or indirectly reduce a company's productivity.
3. A cross-functional, self-organizing team of people known as a scrum team is tasked with developing and testing the product. Five to nine people would make up the ideal team size.

Flexibility

When the business and technical requirements are thoroughly written down and specified in the classic waterfall paradigm, it produces an unending amount of documentation. User stories are used in Scrum to outline the functions that must be built. They are kept in a backlog using a program called Pivotal Tracker. The team can make adjustments as early as the following sprint if a change is required or if it becomes necessary to add to the user stories. This enables the business to change its mind while giving the development team the flexibility to adapt. The flexibility of the Scrum method is one of its most advantageous features.

Main Difference Between Scrum and Agile in Points

On the surface, it's simple to understand why Agile and Scrum are frequently misunderstood. Both depend on iterative procedures, regular client communication, and group deliberation. The main distinction is that Agile is a comprehensive philosophy based on fundamental ideas and tenets. On the other hand, Scrum is a particular Agile approach used in a project. Here are a few more significant variations:

1. The term "agile" describes the procedures and best practices for planning projects by the ideals and guiding principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto.
2. Scrum is a framework for incorporating Agile into your projects. It offers the guidelines, roles, activities, tools, and artifacts required for an Agile project's successful execution. Consider Scrum your success tool and Agile as the process you wish to attain. For example, consider that you are organizing a trip. Scrum is the route you should use to get to Agile.
3. Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming are among the most well-known Agile frameworks. However, when choosing your technique, it's critical to consider the needs of your Agile project and team thoroughly.
4. For more engaged clients, Agile demands participation.
5. One technical leader, four developers, and one tester make up a typical Agile team. Agile principles call for daily collaboration between the team and the developers. A self-organizing team is required for the project's optimum design.
6. Agile is a synthesis of many software development approaches. Here, adjustments to the process steps are made based on the needs of the consumer.
7. In this case, consumer requirements are erratic and dynamic. Therefore, the greatest tool aids in requirement management.
8. Agile has improved predictability, sped up time to market, and reduced costs.
9. An agile framework for managing productive product development is called Scrum.

Conclusion

Any business team would want to develop a product or convey their ideas in a fashion that gives profit in a fast-growing method and also attracts many clients to buy their product. This is because the technology market is expanding quickly and in a competitive atmosphere. By delivering valuable software in a timely manner, the agile method primarily focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction. The primary advantage of agile is its adaptability to quick changes. Scrum is an agile framework that emphasizes the most important commercial values.

In the last sprint, customer feedback is taken into account. They are more productive, have better communication, and have a simpler workflow than a standard waterfall model because they don't wait for the planning and design cycle to be finished. Product backlog handles live production applications. While the software development process uses Scrum, the agile methodology places emphasis on progressive and repeated labor.