Scrum and Agile: How different are they?

In today's fast-paced business landscape, traditional project management methods are struggling to keep up with changing scenarios such as evolving customer demands, shifting project requirements, and support-related challenges. As a result, Agile software development methods have gained popularity, even prompting organizations like the US Department of Defense to move away from the 'Waterfall model' approach. Some well-known Agile methods include Rational Unified Process, Scrum, Extreme Programming, and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM).

Agile Methodology Overview: The Agile Manifesto, formulated in 2001, outlines twelve essential principles, emphasizing customer satisfaction, communication, cooperation, working software, and adaptability. Agile methods break down complex tasks into smaller increments with minimal planning. Iterations, typically lasting one to four weeks, involve cross-functional teams handling planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, unit testing, and acceptance testing collaboratively. At the end of each iteration, a working product is presented to stakeholders, reducing overall risk and enabling swift adaptation to changes.

Scrum Framework Overview: Scrum is a popular Agile methodology characterized by its adaptability, iteration, speed, and flexibility. It aims to deliver significant value quickly while ensuring transparency, collective accountability, and continuous progress.

A typical Scrum project follows these steps:

1. Project Vision: Created during a Business Stakeholder Meeting, the Product Owner develops a Prioritized Product Backlog containing ranked business requirements in the form of User Stories.
2. Acceptance Criteria: The Product Owner approves deliverables only if they meet agreed-upon Acceptance Criteria.
3. Sprint: Each Sprint concludes with a Retrospect Sprint Meeting, where the team discusses process improvements for future Sprints.
4. Sprint Planning: The Sprint starts with a planning meeting where high-priority User Stories are selected from the Product Backlog.
5. Sprint Duration: Sprints typically last one to six weeks, during which the Scrum Team creates theoretically shippable Deliverables or product increments.
6. Daily Standup Meetings: Short, focused daily meetings, coordinated by the Scrum Master, facilitate progress discussions within the team.
7. Sprint Review: At the Sprint's end, a Sprint Review Meeting showcases Deliverables to the Product Owner and relevant stakeholders.

This framework allows for efficient project management, adaptability to changing requirements, and the rapid delivery of value to stakeholders.