Introduction:
The agile approach introduced many benefits which were not possible in the traditional waterfall development approach such as delivering high-value features within short delivery cycles. Agile helps to improve the levels of customer satisfaction and customer retention. The testing is integrated with development in agile which helps to deliver high-quality software. The many benefits offered by agile made it increasingly popular and led to a widespread adoption. Even though a large number of software vendors are using agile, there is still clouds of confusion around the Difference between Agile and Scrum.
In this article, we’ll outline the difference between Agile and Scrum. We’ll offer guidance and proposals on choosing the right training and certification for your needs.
Agile Project Management
Agile project management is an iterative approach to project management that focuses on breaking down large projects into more manageable tasks, which are finished briefly iterations throughout the project’s life cycle. Teams that adopt the Agile Project management methodology are able to finish work quicker, adapt to changing project requirements, and optimize their workflow.
As the name suggests, the agile project management allows teams to be better equipped to rapidly change direction and focus. Software companies and marketing agencies are especially aware of the tendency for changes from project stakeholders to happen from week-to-week. The Agile methodology allows teams to reconsider the work they’re doing and adjust in given increments to make sure that because the work and customer landscape changes, the most target also changes for the team.
If you’re new the Agile project management, it’d check out first sort of a complex and difficult-to-manage system. But, whether you know it or not, you’re already doing many of the products Agile requires. With a few of changes, you’ll get on your because of shorter development cycles and smaller, more frequent product releases.
Scrum Project Management
Scrum is one of the most popular agile frameworks in use today and rightly so- it’s wont to develop complex products and systems. The name scrum is originally a rugby term. In rugby, a scrum may be a cluster of players trying to get the ball. within the field of project management, “scrum” refers to the brief meetings where team members close to talk about their successes relating to a project, how far they’ve come, what the next steps are and any future challenges they anticipate. The meetings are brief and focused, they result in an expedited product delivery that boasts of upper quality.
To fully appreciate its importance, you first got to understand how the Agile development process works. Agile isn’t a specific way of developing software, neither is it a framework, instead it’s a group of principles that give support to the continual evolution of software development methods. Agile development houses variety of methodologies for software development built on iterative development.
In other words, it’s all about following various methods and using certain tools to develop software. Scrum is one among these methods. Scrum’s main application is that the development of complex products and systems. It’s grounded within the “do, check and adapt” principle which is more of an empirical process. This process ensures optimum productivity and leads to greater control over any risks which will arise and this is often only possible when using two approaches – iteration and incrimination.
The whole idea behind Agile Project Management with Scrum is to offer the top users exactly what they need. This will be achieved through “Sprints” or continuous feedback and iterations. Sprints are meant to be short, but regular, cycles of no more than four weeks for which a significant product increment is predicted to be presented.
What are the advantages of Agile and Scrum?
You can see that the most difference between Agile and Scrum is that one is that the parent and one is that the child. There are many benefits you’ll gain from working with Agile and Scrum. Here are 5 important benefits:
Flexibility:
You’ve probably gathered by now that these are two approaches designed for flexibility and adaptableness. Given the fast pace and fast evolution of today’s business world, it’s reassuring to understand that you simply can respond easily to change in your projects.
Fast Value Delivery:
Both Agile and Scrum are focused on early and frequent value delivery throughout a project. This eliminates having stakeholders await results until the project ends. It also means things that aren’t working can be spotted and addressed early.
Collaboration:
Both approaches encourage the sharing of ideas and solutions. Regular communication throughout the project / sprint and transparency enables this sharing.
Better Stakeholder Relationships:
With Agile and Scrum, all stakeholders are kept informed and given a chance for feedback and input. This fosters better stakeholder relationships.
Lower Risk:
The combination of transparency, clear and more frequent communication, ability to handle change, and early value delivery all combine to lower the risk of every project significantly.
Agile vs. Scrum: Choosing the proper Project Approach
Once you’ve a transparent understanding of what Agile and Scrum are and the way they work together, you’ll begin to believe applying these approaches to your own projects. But, given the differences between the two, this shouldn’t be an issue of whether you ought to take an Agile or a Scrum approach.
Instead, if you opt that an agile approach is true for a specific project, the question is: Which Agile methodology does one need to use? The answer could be Scrum, or it’d be one of the opposite various agile methodologies that exist.
To make a decision if Agile is right for your project, you’ll need to check out the specific requirements and constraints involved. Agile was originally created within the context of software development projects and is particularly effective during this arena. With this in mind, an agile approach won’t be effective for projects with very strict scope and development requirements. However, the guiding principles of the agile philosophy are widely used across many different types of projects.
If an Agile approach is true for your project, you’ll then need to determine whether or not Scrum is that the simplest agile methodology for your specific needs and goals. Scrum is typically best suited to projects which don’t have clear requirements, are likely to experience change, and/or require frequent testing.
It’s important to remember that the key to a successful project isn’t almost choosing the right methodology, but executing that methodology during a skillful manner. Doing so requires an expert understanding of the methodology you ultimately plan to employ in conjunction with other critical project management skills. To achieve success in their roles, project managers also got to skills to communicate effectively, lead a team, apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and be adaptable to the organizational dynamics and complexities around you.
This is why you should consider technical skills as only one component of the skills necessary to lead projects successfully. The Northeastern’s project management program doesn’t focus solely on technical skills, but pays significant attention to developing competencies in teamwork, communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational awareness.
More importantly, students learn how to execute the projects during a skillful and mature manner from experienced professionals who have dedicated years to refining their own skills within the planet.
Conclusion:
It’s a comfort to understand that no matter which you select to study further, there is no wrong option. You can’t fail to improve how you manage projects by utilizing an Agile or Scrum approach.
