What are the differences between SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus?

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), LeSS (Large Scale Scrum), and Nexus are different frameworks for scaling Agile. SAFe is comprehensive, providing roles, ceremonies, and artifacts at scale. LeSS is a lightweight framework that extends Scrum principles. Nexus is a Scrum-based framework designed for scaling Scrum by providing additional practices for managing dependencies among multiple Scrum Teams. Each framework has its own approach to scaling Agile practices to large organizations.

SAFe offers a clear and organised way to manage huge piece of work across multiple teams, making sure everyone is aligned with the company’s goals. This approach helps organisations keep the benefits of Agile—like being flexible, quick to respond, and able to develop in stages—while handling the challenges and team dependencies that come with large projects involving many teams and stakeholders. It is a very powerful tool when properly used.

SAFe: Tiene una estructura jerárquica y es más complejo, con múltiples niveles de implementación y roles adicionales. Introduce muchos roles adicionales como Release Train Engineer, Product Manager y System Architect. Utiliza múltiples backlogs a diferentes niveles (equipo, programa, portafolio). Tal vez para PYMES o StartUps no es la mejor estructura, ya que requiere multiple división de roles y estadíos.Una de sus mayores fortalezas es que se centra en la sincronización de todos los equipos y ARTs en torno a un calendario común.

LeSS: Mantiene una estructura plana y es más simple, con pocos roles y ceremonias adicionales. Mantiene los roles básicos de Scrum, solo a?ade roles de coordinación cuando es necesario. Fomenta la sincronización natural a través de reuniones conjuntas y coordinación directa entre equipos. Una de sus mayores fortalezas es que fomenta la sincronización natural a través de reuniones conjuntas y coordinación directa entre equipos.

Nexus es una extensión directa de Scrum, dise?ada para equipos que trabajan juntos en un solo producto y compartiendo un backlog. Se sitúa entre SAFe y LeSS en términos de complejidad, a?adiendo un equipo de integración y eventos específicos sin crear una jerarquía compleja.

SAFe and LeSS are more or less overlapping, most organizations that I have consulted have actually been unknowingly using the combination of baseline Scrum and LeSS in a hybrid mode (I can only talk about large financial organizations as that is where my experience lies). Having said that, Nexus is tough. The Nexus Integration team above the Less team is a very difficult placement, especially from the authority and definition of work / Prioritization perspective

SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum), and Nexus are frameworks for scaling agile practices in large organisations, but they differ in structure & approach – SAFe is comprehensive, encompassing a broad range of agile practices with a strong emphasis on alignment, transparency & program execution across multiple teams. LeSS is a minimalistic framework that extends Scrum principles to large-scale operations, focusing on simplicity and the idea of 'descale' rather than 'scale'. Nexus is a framework built directly on Scrum, designed to coordinate the work of multiple Scrum teams working on a single product backlog to deliver an integrated product increment. Each framework has its unique methodologies & tools

For me the vital difference is the overhaed they produce. LESS - name ;) - ist the leanest one, imho is SAFe only suitable for bigger corporations.