SCRUM vs SAFe : What's the difference? How are they related?

Summary

In this video, the speaker contrasts Scrum with SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), explaining how both methodologies serve different purposes in the agile landscape. Scrum, born from the Agile Manifesto, focuses on iterative, fast-paced software development, delivering value quickly with fewer defects. However, it faces challenges in large organizations with rigid, top-down decision-making. SAFe addresses this by integrating agile principles at various organizational levels, from team to portfolio management, allowing for more flexibility and responsiveness in planning and execution. Ultimately, SAFe isn't a competitor to Scrum but an enhancement for larger organizations seeking agility at scale.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scrum is a methodology born from the Agile manifesto, aiming to create a flexible software development lifecycle that adapts to changes as they occur.
• 😀 Scrum encourages frequent iterations, with teams doing small amounts of work, learning from each cycle, and refining their approach to deliver value faster and with fewer defects.
• 😀 Unlike Waterfall, which has rigid, long-term planning and development cycles, Scrum focuses on adaptability, allowing teams to respond quickly to change.
• 😀 Scrum is effective for small teams to deliver high-quality software quickly, but it encounters challenges when scaling to larger organizations with rigid planning systems.
• 😀 Waterfall’s issues arise from the disconnect between long-term planning and evolving project needs, often leading to unexpected problems late in the project cycle.
• 😀 SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) was created to bridge the gap between Agile teams (like Scrum) and large organizational structures that need long-term planning and coordination.
• 😀 SAFe is not a competitor to Scrum but a framework that builds on Scrum’s principles to help larger organizations plan in more agile ways, scaling Scrum across multiple teams.
• 😀 At the team level, SAFe uses Scrum, but it also introduces additional layers of management that need to become more agile to effectively respond to changes.
• 😀 In SAFe, instead of planning an entire year of work upfront, planning is done one quarter at a time, which allows for more flexibility and responsiveness.
• 😀 SAFe includes different layers depending on how committed the organization is to agile, from individual teams (Essential SAFe) to entire organizations (Full SAFe).
• 😀 SAFe includes multiple levels like Program, Large Solution, and Portfolio to ensure agile practices are implemented at all levels, enabling faster delivery and better responses to changes.

Q & A

What is the main goal of Scrum?

The main goal of Scrum is to create a software development life cycle that adapts to real-life changes, allowing teams to deliver high-quality software faster with fewer defects. It encourages continuous learning and improvement by completing small cycles of work, gathering feedback, and adjusting accordingly.

How does Scrum differ from the traditional Waterfall methodology?

Scrum differs from Waterfall in that it focuses on short, iterative cycles of work, allowing teams to adapt to changes and deliver value faster. Waterfall, on the other hand, involves extensive upfront planning and development, often leading to discovering issues later in the process.

What is the primary problem with Waterfall in large organizations?

The primary problem with Waterfall in large organizations is that it operates within a rigid, long-term planning cycle. Decisions made months in advance can conflict with new information or changes that arise, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities to adapt.

What is SAFe and how does it relate to Scrum?

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is a methodology designed to help large organizations apply agile principles at scale. It builds on Scrum by maintaining Scrum practices at the team level, while also introducing more flexible, agile planning and coordination at higher organizational levels.

Is SAFe a competitor to Scrum?

No, SAFe is not a competitor to Scrum. Instead, it complements Scrum by scaling agile practices across different levels of an organization. Teams still operate using Scrum, but management and executives are encouraged to adopt agile principles as well.

How does SAFe address the challenges faced by large organizations?

SAFe addresses the challenges of large organizations by introducing quarterly planning cycles instead of rigid year-long plans. This allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to change, with teams working on smaller, iterative goals while still aligning with broader organizational objectives.

What is a Program Increment (PI) in SAFe?

A Program Increment (PI) is a time-boxed period in SAFe where multiple teams work together to deliver a set of features or goals. It represents a larger-scale version of Scrum, allowing teams to synchronize and align their efforts towards a common objective.

What are the different levels in the SAFe framework?

SAFe includes several layers based on the scale of agile adoption within an organization. These layers include Essential SAFe (for a single program or set of teams), Large Solution SAFe (for larger solutions across multiple programs), and Portfolio SAFe (for integrating agile practices at the portfolio level), with Full SAFe encompassing all levels from top to bottom.

How does SAFe improve value delivery in organizations?

SAFe improves value delivery by enabling organizations to break down large, rigid plans into smaller, manageable cycles. It encourages continuous feedback, reduces waste, and creates realistic expectations, which leads to faster and more efficient delivery of value in response to changing needs.

What is the benefit of SAFe's agile portfolio management?

SAFe's agile portfolio management allows organizations to plan and execute initiatives in a more flexible and responsive way. By applying agile principles at the portfolio level, organizations can better prioritize projects, manage resources, and adjust to changing market demands while maintaining alignment with strategic goals.