Agile Vs Scrum – Fundamental Understanding and Differences

Agile is a set of principles for software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer value. Scrum is a specific framework within Agile that has a structured approach with defined roles, ceremonies, and artifacts. While Agile outlines the overarching philosophy and values, Scrum offers a concrete methodology to implement those principles in practice.

While comparing agile vs scrum, one must understand that Scrum is an Agile process framework in a very specific arrangement. Scrum and Kanban in software development are frameworks of Agile methodology with different arrangements. In short, if Agile is the fundamental principle, then Scrum is a specific type of those principles.When compared with other methodologies, Scrum has one advantage. In case, a feature in an iteration fails, it doesn’t impact other features. So, planning and execution of other features in an iteration continues and the end iteration can still be released.

Table of Contents

• Agile vs Scrum
• What is Agile?
  • Process of Agile
• What is Scrum?
  • Process of Scrum

Agile vs. Scrum

Aspect	Agile	Scrum
Definition	A set of principles for software development emphasizing flexibility and customer value.	A specific framework within Agile with a structured approach to project management.
Nature	Philosophical approach to software development.	Practical methodology with specific roles, ceremonies, and artifacts.
Scope	Broad umbrella term encompassing various methodologies.	One of the methodologies under the Agile umbrella.
Key Concepts	Continuous feedback, iterative development, collaboration.	Sprints, Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team, ceremonies, and artifacts.

What is Agile?

Agile is distinct from Scrum in terms of certain concepts and practices. These are segregated into 3 classes namely Roles, Artifacts, and Time Boxes. It contributes towards achieving organizational goals by enhancing the quality of deliverables, adapting to changes, offering better estimates through a reduced time span. Overall, it controls the project schedule in a better way. Agile progresses with every iteration comprising a team that serves towards a complete software development cycle. This cycle includes planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, unit testing, and acceptance testing at the time of the finished product’s demo.

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Process of Agile

Agile is a set of principles for software development under which requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of cross-functional teams. Here’s a general step-by-step process:

1. Project Initiation:

• Define the project vision.
• Identify stakeholders and users.
• Create a product roadmap.

2. Product Backlog Creation:

• List all features, enhancements, and requirements for the product.
• Prioritize the backlog items based on business value and user needs.

3. Release Planning:

• Decide on a goal for the release.
• Select a set of backlog items that will achieve the release goal.
• Estimate the effort required for each item.

4. Iteration Planning:

• Choose a duration for the iteration (usually 1-4 weeks).
• Select backlog items for the iteration based on priority and estimated effort.
• Break down items into tasks and estimate effort for each task.

5. Iteration Execution:

• Develop, test, and integrate the product incrementally.
• Hold daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and obstacles.
• Continuously integrate and test changes.

6. Iteration Review:

• Demonstrate the completed work to stakeholders.
• Gather feedback.

7. Iteration Retrospective:

• Reflect on the iteration.
• Identify areas of improvement.

8. Release:

• Once enough iterations are completed and the product is ready, release it to users.

9. Feedback and Maintenance:

• Gather feedback from users.
• Maintain and update the product based on feedback and changing requirements.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is one of the methodologies in Agile. It is a set of practices that should be implemented and adhered to keep the process in sync with the framework. It consists of a Sprint, which is a basic unit of development. Every Sprint commences with a planning meeting, wherein the relevant responsibilities are recognized and an assessment of obligations for that Sprint are outlined. It is followed by the conduct of reviews for reflective meetings to consider growth and establish accountabilities for the following Sprint. Each Sprint ends with a portion of the final product.

Process of Scrum

Scrum is a specific Agile framework with its own set of practices and roles. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Product Backlog Creation:

• The Product Owner develops a prioritized list having features, enhancements, and fixes called the product backlog.

2. Sprint Planning:

• The team selects a set of highest-priority items from the product backlog.
• These items are broken down into tasks and estimated.
• A sprint goal is defined.

3. Sprint (usually 2-4 weeks):

• The Development Team works on the tasks.
• Daily Scrum (or stand-up) meetings are held to discuss progress and obstacles.

4. Sprint Review:

• In the end of sprint, the team will demonstrate completed work to Product Owner and stakeholders.
• Feedback is collected.

5. Sprint Retrospective:

• The team reflects on the sprint.
• They discuss what went well, what can be improved, and how to implement improvements in the next sprint.

6. Product Increment:

• The result of each sprint is a potentially shippable product increment.

7. Repeat:

• The process returns to Sprint Planning and repeats for the next set of backlog items.

8. Release:

• Once the product reaches a release-worthy state, it can be released to users.