In this blog, we’ll compare Agile and Scrum in-depth so that you can discover more about their features, benefits, and drawbacks as well as the practical uses of these techniques.
We will go into detail on each of the topics listed below:
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Agile vs Scrum
The two most important software development methodologies, Scrum and Agile, are needed to complete goals as quickly as feasible.
The traditional methods weren’t very successful for larger items with regularly changing needs.
Actually, they worked best for small commodities with steady criteria. This is when Agile and Scrum came into play.
Agile and Scrum’s primary objectives are to mainly focus on regularly occurring customer input during review sessions, following which developers will attempt to build software by utilizing these techniques.
As a result, anytime the customer wants changes, we may upgrade the product and also try to build the product more effectively and quickly.
What is Agile?
Agile is a methodology that argues for the adoption of an iterative process in the management of projects and the creation of software.
It helps teams to offer value to clients more quickly and over shorter periods of time.
Agile emphasizes on open communication between teams, stakeholders, and clients as well as rolling wave planning, iterative delivery, and incremental delivery.
The several phases of software development are being used to implement the software by utilizing the Agile methodology which includes rolling wave planning, iterative delivery, and incremental delivery.
Agile is an incremental and iterative paradigm for software development. It is founded on 12 fundamental ideas and put into action using particular procedures and practices.
It offers a flexible approach to product development where the development team and product owner collaborate to achieve a unified objective.
Before Agile came into existence long requirements documentation were expensive and never-ending changes in orders were a thing of the past.
Agile deserves our gratitude since it offers adaptability, control, and a concentration on customer expectations with regard to timing.
Sprints are the typical work unit in an Agile approach. Sprints divide projects into manageable, brief periods that enable developers to complete the work quickly and efficiently.
Each sprint ends with the testing and delivery of a functional piece of software.
The procedure is continued in 2-week sprints until the product owner believes they have a finished (or minimum viable) product.
Agile uses a variety of its attributes to provide software more quickly and satisfy consumers with the services they provide, this is how Agile operates in various organizations.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is not a method or technique for creating software, rather it is a framework within which you can utilize numerous processes and approaches.
The term Scrum was inspired by the well-known American sport that is Rugby. In this kind of game, the team works together to advance or reach the opposition side and get valuable points.
Similarly in the field of software development, Scrum methodology helps the Scrum teams to come together and move the product forward.
The Scrum framework is mainly team-based and specifies the roles, events, and rules that go along with them. Within the Scrum framework, there are three main roles:
- Specifically, the product owner who speaks for the stakeholders.
- The Scrum master, who oversees the group and the Scrum methodology.
- The crew of roughly 7 software developers.
In Scrum, the team, Scrum master, and (ideally) the product owner attend a daily stand-up meeting in addition to three defined duration meetings that are held during an Iteration.
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Difference Between Agile vs Scrum
Now let us break down Agile and Scrum into tabular form to better grasp the fundamental differences between the two approaches:
| Parameters | Agile | Scrum |
| Suited for | Agile works best in settings with experienced project development teams. | Scrum works well in projects when requirements change quickly. |
| Development Changes | There must be significant organizational change and up-front development processes. | When putting the Scrum method into practice, not many adjustments are necessary. |
| Task Monitoring | The lifespan of each development phase is continuously tracked. | Each iteration ends with a demonstration of each function. |
| Definition | Iteration is encouraged by the Agile project management and software development methodology, which helps teams to deliver value to customers more quickly. | Scrum is a management framework for knowledge labor, including product development. |
| Alternative | Alternative to Agile is Waterfall Model | Alternative to Scrum is Extreme Programming |
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Agile Advantages and Disadvantages
In order to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of the Agile methodology, let’s dive deeper to see the various subtopics related to it:
Advantages
Let’s examine the numerous factors that will inform you about the effectiveness of Agile methodology:
- Rapid adaptation to rapid change:
Traditional methods are really inflexible. Even minor adjustments are often disliked once the requirements are established but didn’t able to satisfy the customers.
Since then traditional methods would force the project to be restarted from the beginning.
However, by implementing the Agile concept, changes can be made rapidly whenever the developer tries to build the product for the customers.
The following iteration will be created following a thorough examination by the user using some acceptance criteria.
The development team continuously assesses user recommendations to improve the product’s quality.
These ongoing evaluations by the users serve as the foundation for future development.
- Regular testing and integration
Every iteration must be tested before the subsequent release. As a result, Agile testing and integration are performed continuously after each iteration, allowing for the regular correction of errors.
Different teams which are working on Agile methodology are given varying levels of responsibility. Small teams often have two or three members.
This implies that team members may always communicate with one another, which boosts job happiness.
Constant communication leads to the earlier detection of issues and errors and an improvement in outcomes.
Disadvantages
Let’s take a quick view at the various points that can help you determine the cons of the Agile technique:
Agile technology is built on verbal communication with consumers rather than extensive documentation, which will result in weak documentation.
It is not advised to design the entire project before the project begins; instead, the next iteration is originally prioritized and prepared. As a result, there will frequently be a lack of long-term planning.
This indicates that there will undoubtedly be issues when the project’s many components are put together. It is referred to as “re-factoring” in Agile approaches.
Consistent customer input may create a roadblock to the project’s advancement.
However, it might really become a weak point in some situations which would lead to the delay of the projects.
- Flexibility taken for granted
It’s a frequent misconception that agility is primarily dependent on flexibility. Since Agile approaches have their own written norms and procedures, this is untrue in practice.
Everyone is free to recommend any change at any level without taking sufficient responsibility in order to demonstrate his or her presence rather than making adjustments after careful consideration.
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Scrum Advantages and Disadvantages
We have seen the various advantages and disadvantages of Agile. Now, it’s the right time to discuss the strengths or merits of the Scrum methodology.
Advantages
Let’s go deeper to look at the several elements that might help you determine whether the Scrum technique is effective:
Scrum is incredibly adaptable and may combine fresh knowledge to improve performance.
This is the reason why Scrum is called an adaptable methodology in the field of software development.
- Using Sprint Retrospective Phase
Scrum uses the sprint retrospective phase(It is a time period phase where team has to reflect on the opportunities which tend to improve the sprint ) to assess all iterative deliverables.
Scrum is a well-known methodology that follows the necessary Agile principles and is a straightforward structure.
- Easily Embedding RUP (Rational Unified Process) Phases
This method helps in the improvement or resolution of messy Scrum process issues. It will decrease issues brought on by the organizational structure and procedures.
Disadvantages
Let’s quickly examine the numerous factors that can let you know about the disadvantages of the Scrum methodology:
Due to the high-cost factor it is difficult to predict timelines and budgets.
If the team is not committed due to poor communication between the team members, the project will fail too.
There is strict control over team members who are working with Scrum for the implementation of the projects.
- Ineffective over Large Teams
It is difficult to implement and handle the Scrum framework in large teams as it is ineffective due to less communication and collaboration.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog provided you with a thorough understanding of the two terminologies that are extremely used right now. It’s difficult to choose the better methodology between Agile and Scrum because each methodology has advantages and disadvantages specific to the context in which it is applied. If these distinctions are ignored, both methodologies are equally robust in terms of performance and will be quite valuable for any organization, client, or business necessity.
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