I recently concluded my PSM 1 training from Agilemania with Piyush being the instructor. I have had multiple trainings before but this one was very different - Good different. For many reasons : 1. Piyush’s content delivery was by far the best I have seen. This tells he has done this many times or to be short, is an expert at this. 2. Unique way to present. I won’t break the surprise but there were no slides or ppt's during the training. And yet, it was so engaging, I felt as active throughout as at the start. This also gave me inspiration to do something different when it comes to your presentation. 3. Different types of activities in breakout rooms. This gave me the opportunity to interact with fellow trainees like myself who were there to learn. You got to try out those. P.S. - there will be always a catch. 4. Full of real life examples. Piyush gave real life examples from his experience that helped me to understand the concepts better. 5. Lastly, there were optimum breaks in 2 days that helped me to remain focused throughout. When I was choosing the trainer for PSM 1 from Scrum.org, I read a lot of reviews for many trainers. I chose Agilemania after careful evaluation. I was right. Hope this honest review helps others in line.
Have you ever felt lost hearing the terms Agile and Scrum used interchangeably? You're not alone. Many people mix up these concepts, but while they're related, they are far from identical.
At its heart, Agile is an approach or philosophy focused on iterative development, while Scrum is a specific framework that operates under the Agile umbrella with clearly defined roles, processes, and events.
Understanding the difference between these two can help teams make informed decisions about which approach or combination of approaches will best serve their projects and business objectives.
What is Agile?
Agile is a methodology designed to improve collaboration, flexibility, and customer satisfaction. It breaks down large projects into smaller, iterative cycles, enabling teams to deliver value quickly while continuously improving.
Key Characteristics of Agile:
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Focuses on customer satisfaction through continuous delivery of valuable software.
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Encourages cross-functional teams and open communication.
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Prioritizes adaptability by responding to change rather than rigidly following a plan.
Popular Agile Frameworks Include:
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Scrum: A framework emphasizing teamwork and iterative delivery.
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Kanban: A visual workflow management system for just-in-time delivery.
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Extreme Programming (XP): Focuses on engineering practices and customer involvement.
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Lean Software Development: Inspired by Lean manufacturing principles.
For a better understanding, read our blog on 'Scrum vs Kanban'
What is Scrum?
Scrum is a framework within Agile designed to help teams tackle complex problems while delivering high-value products efficiently. It operates in Sprints—time-boxed iterations lasting 1-4 weeks.
Key Components of Scrum:
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Defined Roles:
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Product Owner: Manages the Product Backlog and ensures the team focuses on high-value tasks.
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Scrum Master: Facilitates the process, removes impediments, and ensures adherence to Scrum principles.
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Development Team: Cross-functional and self-organized members responsible for creating the product increment.
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Core Events:
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Sprint Planning: Defines goals and tasks for the Sprint.
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Daily Scrum: Short meetings to track progress and address blockers.
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Sprint Review: Demonstrates the product increment to stakeholders for feedback.
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Sprint Retrospective: Reflects on the Sprint to identify improvements for the next cycle.
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Artifacts:
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Product Backlog: A dynamic list of prioritized tasks.
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Sprint Backlog: Tasks chosen for the Sprint.
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Increment: The output of the completed work meeting the Definition of Done.
Ready to elevate your skills?
Understanding Agile and Scrum is essential for driving innovation and improving project outcomes.
Explore Now!Agile vs. Scrum: The Core Differences
| Definition |
An overarching philosophy or methodology.
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A specific Agile framework with defined roles and processes.
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|---|---|---|
| (1) Scope |
Includes various frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, XP, etc.
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Focused exclusively on its framework and Sprints.
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| (2) Team Dynamics |
Requires strong leadership for decision-making.
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Promotes self-organizing, cross-functional teams.
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| (3) Flexibility |
Broader and less prescriptive, but requires upfront planning.
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Highly adaptable due to short, iterative cycles (Sprints).
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| (4) Meetings/Feedback |
Open communication across teams and phases.
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Structured events like Daily Standups, Reviews, and Retrospectives.
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| (5) Implementation |
May require organizational changes before adoption.
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Requires minimal structural changes for implementation.
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Should You Use Agile or Scrum?
The decision depends on your project needs:
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Choose Agile if you’re seeking a broader philosophy that can be tailored with multiple frameworks.
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Opt for Scrum if you want a straightforward, lightweight framework with well-defined practices to manage your team effectively.
