Comparing Agile frameworks can be challenging. Even experts often disagree on the components of each approach or the criteria for their comparison. Many of these frameworks have evolved naturally without formal documentation, so attempting to compare them might seem like a futile exercise.

Scrum vs. Kanban

Scrum typically operates on a two-week Sprint cycle during which work items are largely fixed based on the team’s agreed-upon Sprint goals. Kanban, by contrast, offers greater flexibility by allowing work items to be replaced or re-prioritized at any time.

Agile Coach Murray Robinson highlighted Scrum’s rigidity by noting that if an urgent task arises mid-Sprint, the team cannot immediately pivot to the new task. Instead, they must wait until the Sprint concludes—meaning it might take about three weeks before addressing the new priority.

Key differences between Scrum and Kanban include:

• Workflow Focus: Scrum centers on meeting a specific goal every two weeks, while Kanban allows for a continuous flow of work without a strict directional focus.
• Estimation: Kanban predicts delivery times by averaging the duration of tasks, whereas Scrum provides clear estimates at the beginning of each Sprint through planning sessions and techniques such as Planning Poker.
• Reprioritization: Scrum’s fixed Sprint commitments make it hard to adjust priorities on short notice. Kanban, however, enables stakeholders to see new requests addressed on the same day.
• Roles and Meetings: Kanban does not prescribe specific roles or regular meetings, which can sometimes confuse responsibilities. In contrast, Scrum defines distinct roles like Product Owner and Scrum Master.

Comparing SAFe to Scrum is like comparing a truck to a car. While both share some basic components, such as wheels and an engine, their size, purpose, and operation are vastly different. Scrum is designed for small, self-managing teams of three to nine members, whereas SAFe incorporates elements from Scrum to offer a comprehensive Agile solution for large enterprises with hundreds or thousands of employees.

Essential differences include:

• Team Dynamics: Scrum works well in flat, empowered organizations where teams are self-managed. SAFe, on the other hand, is geared toward traditionally managed enterprises that are less inclined to change their structure.
• Prescriptiveness: Scrum is a lightweight framework that leaves room for flexibility, whereas SAFe integrates aspects from various methodologies to prescribe clear practices.
• Planning Cycles: Scrum emphasizes short planning and work cycles, while SAFe often adheres to a quarterly planning rhythm. This longer cycle can sometimes result in fixed-scope projects even if individual teams work in two-week Sprints.

SAFe vs. LeSS

LeSS maintains the core elements of standard Scrum while introducing a few additional aspects to scale the process for an entire organization. In contrast, SAFe seems to stem from traditional management practices by taking a top-down approach and then incorporating Agile elements.

If these frameworks were people, LeSS would be the casually dressed executive of a dynamic startup, while SAFe would resemble the formal head of a traditional corporate department.

Key distinctions are:

• Approach to Agile Practices: SAFe formalizes many Agile practices into a detailed, prescriptive framework. LeSS, however, strives to keep Scrum’s lightweight, adaptive approach even as it scales.
• Organizational Fit: LeSS is ideal for flat organizations with empowered teams, whereas SAFe tends to suit hierarchical enterprises that are less willing to alter their established structures.

The proof is in the implementation

Working with Agile frameworks is much like cooking. When you’re a beginner, you might follow a recipe to the letter. But as you gain experience, you start blending elements from various recipes, tweaking steps, and finding ways to speed up the process. Most importantly, you adapt the recipe to suit your tastes and those of your guests. The goal isn’t merely to follow the recipe but to create a dish that is both delicious and satisfying.

Similarly, the effectiveness of an Agile framework is less about strictly adhering to a particular method and more about how well it is implemented and continuously adapted to deliver the desired results.

Would you like to continue comparing Agile frameworks? Let’s talk!

Inspired by Parabol