What is the difference between Scrum and Agile?
Many people get confused between Scrum and Agile. The terms are used so often together that it can be difficult to decipher whether they are the same thing or separate methods.
Our objective with this article is to help untangle some of the confusion around these project management methodologies.
What is Agile?
Agile is a philosophy for how projects should run. Many find it helpful to think of Agile as the parent of Scrum.
The Agile Manifesto, which was developed over two separate meetings of a group of software developers in 2000 and 2001, was designed to provide a more responsive way to handle software development.
The Agile Manifesto quickly grew into a smart way to approach any project with requirements that are likely to change or goals that are difficult to define.
What is Scrum?
There are many frameworks for implementing the principles of Agile. These methods include KanBan, Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, FDD, DSDM, and Crystal.
Scrum is the most popular of all of these frameworks.
Scrum is a team-driven approach to implementing the principles of Agile. It operates with short, intensive cycles of activity known as Sprints.Scrum is a very sustainable way to maintain a continuous momentum of productivity for your project team.
What are the benefits of Agile and Scrum?
You can see that the main difference between Agile and Scrum is that one is the parent (overall principles and philosophy) and one is the child (tools and methods for implementing).
There are many benefits you’ll gain from working with Agile and Scrum. Here are 5 important benefits:
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Flexibility:
You’ve probably gathered by now that these are two approaches designed for flexibility and adaptability. Given the fast pace and fast evolution of today’s business world, it’s reassuring to know that you can respond easily to change in your projects.
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Fast Value Delivery:
Both Agile and Scrum are focused on early and frequent value delivery throughout a project. This eliminates having stakeholders wait for results until the project ends. It also means that things that aren’t working can be spotted and addressed early.
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Collaboration:
Both approaches encourage the sharing of ideas and solutions. Regular communication throughout the project / sprint and transparency enables this sharing.
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Better Stakeholder Relationships:
With Agile and Scrum, all stakeholders are kept informed and given an opportunity for feedback and input. This fosters better stakeholder relationships.
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Lower Risk:
The combination of transparency, clear and more frequent communication, ability to handle change, and early value delivery all combine to lower the risk of each project significantly.
What is right for your projects?
If you feel that you would like a more flexible approach to your projects, both Agile and Scrum are excellent options.
If you’re in a very team-focused environment, we recommend getting started with a Scrum Master Certification.
If you tend to fly solo on projects, are over several teams, or just want a great introduction to using flexible approaches to run projects, Agile Certification is the right first step.
Learning both gives you more versatility
Many of our students choose to do both. They start with Agile training to gain a strong overall foundational knowledge of the methodology. They then progress to Scrum Master Certification.
Agile or Scrum: There is No Wrong Choice
It’s a comfort to know that no matter which you choose to study further, there is no wrong option. You can’t fail to improve how you manage projects by utilsing an Agile or Scrum approach.