Agile vs Scrum Methodology: What’s the Difference and Similarities?

Agile vs Scrum is a debate that you must have come across irrespective of whether you are a novice in the software development field or a seasoned professional. While there are stark similarities between these two most common software development methodologies, there are also crucial differences that you should be aware of.

Are you in a position where you need knowledge of either software development or project management or both? It is definitely helpful to know these methodologies.

This article will dive deeper into Agile and Scrum difference and examine the similarities and differences between them. So without further ado, let’s get started.

What is Agile Development Methodology?

The Agile development methodology is a practice that is based on iterative software development and testing in the systems’ development life cycle.

• It involves a more collaborative and flexible approach that allows software developers to create software products more efficiently.
• Requirements and solutions are produced through collaborations with smaller developers’ teams, thus breaking the product into smaller units.
• Developers can now pay more attention to specific software product details, leading to lesser bugs and better-developed software.
• This methodology is gaining momentum. It promotes a structural project management methodology that encourages adaptability (adaptive system development), teamwork, and self-organization.
• It is a more spontaneous way to manage developers who jump in and out of the software’s development life cycle.
• Using Agile methodologies, developers can now work simultaneously on iterations of a project.
• Agile methodology is one of the best practices in the software industry that allows for the efficient completion of quality software products.
• The concurrency of the development and software testing activities means that the business stakeholders, developers, and clients must work in unison to ensure that development and software testing processes are efficient.
• The Agile methodology’s main feature that sets it apart from other development methodologies is the human interaction and relationship it encourages rather than relying entirely on processes and tools.

Here are the four principles of Agile, according to the Agile Manifesto:

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and software tools
2. Working software over comprehensive documentation
3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
4. Responding to change over following a plan

The Agile Development Process Lifecycle

The Agile software development lifecycle is made up of 6 methodology phases which are as follows:

1. Concept

   Definition of the final goal of the projects is decided. Creation and prioritization of the required tasks take place.

2. Plan

   The project managers introduce the project requirements to the team. Brainstorming sessions over the approach are conducted and the most efficient way to handle the required tasks is finalized.

3. Development

   The actual writing of code happens during this step. It is made sure that the code is documented and evolves in synchronization with the project.

4. Testing

   During this testing stage, the code is thoroughly tested to ensure no bugs and no apparent errors are present. Once the threshold level of quality is passed, and thorough testing is done, the product is declared ready for deployment.

5. Deployment

   The software product is deployed, and after a run-check of the final working software, it is delivered to the customer.

6. Maintenance

   As the name indicates, the code developed in the previous steps is reviewed while monitoring the customer’s feedback/responses on the software. Upon analysis of the data gathered, improvements are made for future projects.

What is Scrum Development Methodology?

Scrum methodology is essentially an extension of the Agile framework, facilitating collaboration and efficiency in development and testing processes.

• Created by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, Scrum is a simple framework, designed to be deployed while working with complex projects.
• Projects completed following Scrum methodology are broken into smaller components called ‘sprints.’
• These sprints consist of three parts, including product backlog, sprint backlog, and sprint goals.
• Each sprint allows the definition, development, and testing of a particular aspect of the product.
• Based on the project’s complexity, completion and fine-tuning of a sprint may take up to two to three weeks.

The benefit of breaking up the entire product into sprints?

Well, suppose the client demands iterations in a particular aspect of the product.

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Key Difference Between Agile and Scrum

By now, we have a better understanding of both scrum vs agile methodology. So a question worth exploring is, are there any stark differences between Agile and Scrum?

Below are fundamental differences between Agile and Scrum.

1. Main Functionality

   This is the most fundamental difference between Agile and Scrum.

   The Agile software development approach is a continuous iterative process of software development and testing.

   While the Scrum project management method/approach is simply an extension of the former. Its primary focus is to add business value to the development process in the shortest period.

2. Feedback Delivery

   While following the Agile project management methodology/approach the software product is delivered regularly for client feedback.

   On the other hand, Scrum methodology/approach provides the software product for client feedback after completing a ‘sprint.’

3. Primary Values

   Agile methodologies are beneficial to fostering leadership. While Scrum lays more emphasis on creating self-organizing and cross-functional teams.

4. Collaborations

   Agile employs a collaborative model that requires occasional face-to-face interactions between the numerous cross-functional teams. While Scrum team collaboration is necessary daily via meetings.

5. Design Philosophy

   In Agile development flow, the process design should be kept specific and straightforward. While both the Scrum development flow and the execution can be intuitive and experimental.

By now, you have learned about the core differences between Scrum and Agile. While we’re focusing on Scrum and Agile here, it’s also worth understanding the differences between Lean and Agile software development. By this approach, you get a clear understanding of which would be the best approach for developing your software solution.

Similarities Between Agile and Scrum

Scrum is an extension of the Agile platform, so there are many similarities between the two.

To draw an analogy, Scrum is a subset of Agile which means that it incorporates all Agile functionalities, but the opposite may not be valid.

Both platforms have been created to give accurate consumer insights into the software development phase/process, and both have been made based on the Agile manifesto given below:

1. The customer is the most important
2. Embrace change
3. Delight your customers with frequent and working software releases
4. Daily coordination
5. Developers should be motivated to face challenges
6. Face-to-face communication is encouraged
7. If a feature or product is working well, you can gauge your progress
8. Keep the pace, at which your team is releasing working software, constant
9. Attention to details
10. Instead of doing more, you should be doing what’s required in the fastest way possible
11. Cross-functional teams are the best
12. Continuously receive end-user feedback

Thus, similarities between Agile and Scrum are bound to develop as both find their roots in these principles.

Agile vs Scrum: What’s the Difference?

Here’s an elaborate answer to the Scrum vs Agile debate.

Quoting Chris Alexander from EXPANSIA, “Agile is something you “are” not something you ‘do.’ Scrum is something you ‘do’ to build and deliver software in an Agile manner.” This encapsulates the difference between both methodologies and the purpose they serve.

Still, have some questions related to Agile methodology vs Scrum? We have answered some of the most asked questions from readers.

Conclusion

Before you start applying Agile and Scrum methodologies into your workflow, you need to understand better how these processes will help your business model.

Given the difference between scrum and agile, the more relevant question to ask yourself is not whether you should take an Agile or Scrum approach. Instead which Agile methodology you should deploy for a particular project. Based on your business model and project requirements, the answer to your question can be determined.

In any case, if you have confusion between agile and scrum to choose for your project, then you can get in touch with us. We are the trusted software development company based in Canada, offering a range of mobile app and software development services. Just fill this given contact us form and let out technical experts guide your further.