Agile vs. Scrum: Unpacking their differences

Agile and Scrum are so often mentioned together that some people don’t know there’s a difference. While these two concepts popular in the world of software development are related, understanding the difference between them is vital to implementing them properly. The two can work together in harmony, but each has a unique purpose.

In this article we’ll settle your Agile vs. Scrum confusion once and for all. We’ll define each approach, go over their advantages and disadvantages, and compare them to other methodologies. Lastly, we’ll introduce the versatile product development software monday dev, and explain how it can allow you to get the most out of using both Agile and Scrum methodologies.

What is Agile?

Agile is a project management methodology that takes an iterative, collaborative, and flexible approach to completing a project while employing a fundamental set of values and principles. While it was originally designed for managing software projects, it’s now common across various industries, but is built upon the belief that software can be delivered quickly, and iterated constantly. Gaps and errors are seen as opportunities for learning rather than abject failures.

There are four Agile values, stated in the Agile Manifesto, that summarize this framework as a whole and differentiate it from traditional waterfall project management. For a more indepth comparison, read our Agile vs Waterfall guide

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.

Earlier project management methodologies stressed the importance of regular practices and consistent tools. Every team was required to use the same tools and processes, no matter who was on the team or what they were trying to do. Agile methodology recognizes that every team and project is subtly different. Instead of finding a one-size-fits-all tool for every project team — which doesn’t always exist — an Agile process constantly adapts to help team members reach their full potential. 

2. Working software over comprehensive documentation.

Traditional software development approaches demanded enormous amounts of documentation.

UX researchers documented customer requirements, engineers documented technical specifications, technical writers documented procedures for end-users, and QA testers documented bugs.

This was all a holdover from the days when most engineers focused on hardware. Agile still values documentation but emphasizes the importance of changing your priorities. By focusing on working code over documentation, you give your developers the freedom to best employ their skills and get the job done.

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.

Under the old systems of software development, customers would have very little input on the final product. The relationship was often adversarial: clients got annoyed at the lack of transparency, while developers grew frustrated whenever the client made requests that internal processes couldn’t meet. The Agile Manifesto promoted a seemingly simple concept: the best way to fulfill your stakeholders’ requirements is to talk to them. Instead of working to the confining terms of a negotiated contract, Agile development becomes a conversation between clients and developers.

4. Responding to change over following a plan. 

The old attitude held in project/ product management was that change was a liability. It cost money, and so was to be avoided no matter what. The best project was the one that changed the least between inception and conclusion. The Agile mindset argues that change is inevitable —  The market will change, the tools will change, and customers will change their minds. Instead of avoiding change — which is impossible — an Agile project team builds systems to reduce the cost of change. If you anticipate change, it doesn’t need to cause expensive delays.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is the most popular of the several frameworks under the Agile methodology — each meant to implement Agile principles through a structured approach. The Scrum framework allows teams to manage their workflows through short iterative cycles known as sprints; it follows a rigid set of roles, rituals, and responsibilities so teams can work as efficiently and timely as possible. 

What are the differences between Agile and Scrum?

The concepts of Agile and Scrum overlap in many ways, but it’s important to recognize the nuances between the two. In a nutshell, Agile is a mindset and Scrum is a specific way of achieving that mindset. Here are the main things that set the two apart: 

Agile is a philosophy, while Scrum is a specific framework 

It’s best to look at Agile methodology as a belief system — It’s an all-encompassing philosophy of project management, but it doesn’t contain exact instructions for how to use it. Scrum, however, is a framework that gives the Agile method form in the real world.

Agile is a philosophy, and Scrum is a way to put that philosophy into practice.

Agile doesn’t have any set rules while Scrum has many

Agile follows a set of values, but there are no specific rules that teams must follow. Scrum, however, has many rules that are absolute non-negotiables. For example, Scrum teams must have daily Scrum meetings, and teams must organize their workflows into sprints lasting one week to one month. 

Agile emphasizes self-organizing teams, while Scrum prescribes specific roles 

Agile is a broader, adaptable approach to project management, and teams can decide what their roles and responsibilities will be —  as long as it falls under the Agile framework. Scrum teams on the other hand have three specific roles — the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team. 

What are the similarities between Agile and Scrum?

Scrum is a part of the Agile methodology, so the two will inevitably have overlapping similarities. 

Overall, they both follow Agile principles. Some of the main similarities of the two are: 

They both follow an iterative approach to delivery

Both Agile and Scrum focus on managing work by breaking it up into short-term, iterative, developmental cycles. These cycles allow room for change, flexibility, clear prioritization, and effective project organization. Under the Agile methodology, iterations can be planned however a team chooses, while in Scrum the cycles are distinct sprints with an exact timeframe.  

They both value collaboration 

At the heart of both Agile and Scrum is consistent, team-wide communication to obtain effective results. This includes collaboration between everyone from the developers, stakeholders, designers, and more. Scrum uses the specific method of a daily standup meeting to ensure team members are interacting each day.

They both incorporate the concept of continuous improvement 

Both Scrum and Agile prioritize the importance of implementing direct feedback into the product or project cycle. Under general Agile methodology, feedback can be incorporated at any point to improve process, but Scrum does this through planned retrospectives held at the end of each sprint, — each one being an opportunity to get feedback from customers and other stakeholders, making sure the product stays pointed toward a unified goal.

Agile vs. Scrum: Advantages and disadvantages

Before deciding if you want to implement an Agile or Scrum methodology for your team, it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each. 

Advantages of Agile

An overwhelming amount of teams across various industries are going Agile. This is because the framework really works, providing various benefits that outshine traditional project management techniques. Here are some of the advantages that set it apart from traditional waterfall project management. 

Speedy delivery

The iterative nature of Agile ensures that tasks and products will be delivered in a timely manner. Working in iterations allows teams to break down complex issues into manageable pieces, boosting overall efficiency. Iterations also allow developers to release products more frequently.

Consistent improvement 

The focus on using feedback to improve processes is integral to the Agile methodology. Agile teams are constantly reflecting and reviewing their data to see where they can make refinements for the future. Agile teams can truly learn from their mistakes and evolve for the better. 

Adaptability 

Agile is far more flexible than traditional project management, allowing teams to consistently pivot and respond to change in real-time. Plans are not set in stone but are encouraged to be changed based on knowledge gained throughout the project’s cycle. This even reduces risk since teams are working with real-time information rather than predictions.

To fully reap all the benefits of Agile, it’s important to adopt a collaborative Agile product management software to keep your team on track. 

Disadvantages of Agile 

While Agile has many redeeming qualities that make it so attractive to numerous teams, it also poses some disadvantages. 

Scope creep 

Scope creep, or when a project’s demands increase beyond its limitations, is a risk in Agile projects. Since there is so much room for flexibility and changes within the Agile methodology, too many changes can lead to projects falling off track. 

Insufficient documentation

As stated in the Agile Manifesto, there’s an emphasis in “working software over comprehensive documentation.” This often leads Agile teams to neglect documentation, making it difficult for new team members to learn processes. 

Advantages of Scrum

It’s no surprise Scrum has many benefits given its popularity. according to Digita.ai’s 16th annual report, 87% of organizations using an Agile framework use Scrum, and for good reason. Here are some of the unique advantages of Scrum teams. 

Daily collaboration is guaranteed

Collaboration is key to a team’s ability to reach their goals and ensure everyone is on the same page. Part of the Agile Scrum framework is daily Scrum meetings which essentially force fifteen minutes of collaboration each day no matter what. This promotes team transparency and open communication, often minimizing team conflict and misalignment. 

Release dates and schedules are predictable 

Since Scrum sprints are broken down ahead of time, everyone knows the exact timelines of when tasks or product releases will be delivered. Stakeholders know when to expect deliverables, and the course of a project is certain to stay on track as long as sprints are completed. 

It’s a straightforward, adaptable framework 

The Scrum framework has many specific, well-defined rules and processes, creating a clear blueprint on how to adopt the Agile framework. The concepts of Scrum are relatively simple to understand, and teams new to Agile have many available tools, resources, and certification options to successfully adopt and benefit from this framework.

Disadvantages of Scrum

While Scrum is wildly popular, there are some disadvantages of using this framework that make it unsuitable for all teams.  Some of these disadvantages are: 

The framework requires a serious, team-wide commitment  

Since the Agile Scrum framework is so rigidly detailed, it requires a lot of effort, resources, and cooperativity to implement in new teams. Teams must commit fully to the framework for it to be effective — they can’t just take on some aspects of it and not others. It’s a big shift in mindset from regular project management techniques and some teams may find this challenging, or even find themselves unable to fully adopt all parts of the framework.

It’s difficult for large teams to adopt the framework

The Scrum framework isn’t particularly scalable and works best for smaller teams. There are too many intricacies within the framework that make adopting it to larger, complex projects ineffective.

The emphasis on speed can negatively affect teams 

Time-boxed sprints are great for ensuring work is done quickly, but they can also lead teams to feel rushed, which compromises quality. 

Scrum vs. Kanban

While it’s the most popular, Scrum isn’t the only Agile framework — there are other methods like Kanban, Extreme Programming, Feature-driven Development, and Lean Software Development.

Kanban is a widely used Agile framework, supported by many product development platforms. While both Kanban and Scrum have the same goal of improving workflows, Kanban focuses on the use of visual goals and tasks to manage workflows. This is done through Kanban Boards, or series of cards and columns representing individual tasks and their stages.

Instead of breaking up projects into time-boxed sprints, Kanban emphasizes a continuous flow of work. Take a look at the basic differences between the two here, and dive further into the frameworks in our blog post specifically about Kanban vs. Scrum.

Empower both Agile and Scrum teams to succeed with monday dev

It’s clear that both Agile and Scrum can be extremely effective approaches to project management if implemented correctly. That’s why it’s crucial to use product development software that allows teams to manage their entire Agile product lifecycle in one place. 

monday dev is a powerful Agile solution that streamlines the entire product lifecycle from project strategy to launch, no matter which Agile framework they’re using — whether it’s Scrum, Kanban, or something else.  

Here are a few monday dev features that set up Agile teams up for success. 

• Agile templates: monday dev provides teams with ready-to-go templates for Agile planning. Set up your project with different templates like the Agile Project Management template,  Sprint Management template,  or Sprint Retropective template, and customize the template to fit your needs.

• Sprint management: Directly manage all aspects of your sprints in monday dev, from sprint planning, daily standups, to retros.

• Updates and communication: Team members can add updates, files, and notes and tag others within each task, facilitating collaboration and communication. Align your entire organization on one collaborative platform that syncs across every department, ensuring all teams are moving forward.

• Burndown charts for advanced reporting: Easily detect any potential problems or bottlenecks by tracking your sprint progress by comparing the actual remaining effort with the ideal progress.

monday dev is an intuitive platform your team will actually enjoy using. It was designed with Agile teams in mind, so is flexible enough to meet your team’s needs and adapt as those needs change. Speed up your product development processes and empower your Agile team to exceed their goals by equipping them with the tools for success.