Agile techniques attempt to make the process of projects better and more effective for everyone in the organisation, and they see a 25% increase in overall productivity.
The most well-known companies that use agile methodology are Apple, Barclays, Microsoft, and the PlayStation Network. The latter reported savings of $30 million within a year of adopting Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and Scrum are two distinct frameworks that operate under Agile ideas. Both appear to be similar on the surface, but minor differences decide which organisations should use them.
As Agile frameworks continue to see increasing popularity and success, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of two popular frameworks.
Scrum
Scrum, a simple and flexible framework for small teams, is one of the most well-known Agile frameworks. It is based on working in small time frames, collaboration whilst self-managing, and the ability to respond to changing requirements whilst working on a project.
Scrum teams operate in set periods, called sprints, usually lasting between two and four weeks. Working in sprints allows teams to deliver quick results whilst being agile enough to adapt the project, if needed, based on feedback.
A Scrum team is made up of:
- The Scrum master leads the team through the project and ensures the Scrum framework is followed.
- The product owner decides what the team will and will not work on whilst managing the product backlog.
- The rest of the team is made up of everyone else who is working towards the project goal.
Scrum meetings are where the team meets – remotely or in the office – to plan work, discuss progress, and gather feedback from stakeholders, who may also join the meetings.
(Image Source: Pexels)
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of a Scrum framework:
Advantages
- Scrum is an excellent framework for small organisations, especially startups, with only one or two teams.
- Scrum focuses on freedom and autonomy for employees, which increases job satisfaction.
- Scrum ensures effective use of time and money.
- Scrum divides large projects into easily manageable sprints which can be done quickly and efficiently.
- A scrum team can better understand project progress and goals through daily scrum meetings.
- Scrum considers customer and client feedback and adapts the project accordingly.
- Each team member’s effort is recognised during the scrum meetings.
Disadvantages
- Scrum is difficult to pull off at scale, especially if many teams work on the same product.
- Scrum relies heavily on the commitment of every team member. Projects are more likely to fail if individuals aren’t cooperative or someone leaves in the middle of a project.
- Project requirements can be increased throughout as there is no definite end date.
- Daily Scrum meetings can frustrate and distract team members, especially when joined from a smartphone or tablet.
- The Scrum team must be able to work independently and self-manage.
Therefore, the Scrum framework works best for smaller, more experienced teams tackling projects with changing deliverables and interacting with clients or customers.
SAFe
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is designed to guide organisations as they scale Agile practices beyond individual teams by offering established Agile methods, like Scrum, to larger teams.
As companies see success in their small teams, they often want to replicate it at a department or organisation level. SAFe aims to create alignment and improve collaboration across multiple Agile teams using an assembly line known as the Agile Release Train (ART).
If an ART coordinates their sprints correctly, they can get much more done than decentralised Scrum teams. However, if each team is given too much freedom, Agile development won’t work as it makes it harder to adapt the project when teams are working separately.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of a SAFe framework:
Advantages
- SAFe helps larger organisations work together by placing individual Scrum teams in an assembly line (ART).
- SAFe applies the Agile method to the whole company, not just one team at a time.
- Almost all parts of the organisation collaborate by following the same process and protocols towards a unified set of goals.
- It actively encourages business stakeholders to interact with the relevant IT product delivery teams.
Disadvantages
- The framework is rigid, and only top-level managers can make decisions, taking away a Scrum team’s ability to be creative and act autonomously.
- The SAFe framework has too many technical terms, including runways and guardrails, that team members may need help understanding.
- SAFe will not work for startups with less than 40 people, as it was designed for large-scale organisations.
- Some agile practitioners believe that the SAFe framework is too ‘complete’ to help the Agile culture of a company succeed, unlike Scrum, which is intentionally ‘incomplete’ to allow organisations to adapt.
SAFe requires consistent iterations, which can work well for organisations with a more established Agile practice but is slightly ambitious for those new to the practice.
Implementing SAFe will involve significant effort, training time and cost. The roadmap below is a beneficial strategy and outlines some essential moves needed to achieve Agile change within the organisation.
(Image Source: Scaled Agile Framework)
Conclusion
To sum it up, Scrum is a way to tackle a project using Agile techniques, and SAFe is a way to make your entire business Agile and even includes non-project work and non-project employees.
Scrum and SAFe have their own advantages and disadvantages, and no Agile framework is better than the other. The best framework for your team or organisation will depend on your industry, number of Agile teams, how well they can perform Agile practices, and Agile goals within your organisation.
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