The original address: www.knowledgehut.com/blog/agile/…

Scrum is a framework based on Agile values and principles, and SAFe is a framework for implementing Scrum at the enterprise level, both of which are based on Agile values and principles. The differences between Scrum and SAFe are limited, but there are significant ones. In short, Scrum is primarily based on agile principles and values and focuses on a small number of teams, while SAFe implements Agile at the enterprise level.

The main differences between Scrum and SAFe

Let’s look at the main differences between Scrum and SAFe:

Sr. No. Scrum SAFe
1. Suitable for small, array, cross-functional teams Suitable for large, multi-area teams
2. It is primarily adopted by agile teams Adopted by the entire enterprise, not just one team. (Extensions to Scrum)
3. Middle management doesn’t make any difference The project cluster and portfolio layers are two important layers of SAFe
4. The basic component is the Scrum team. The basic building blocks are agile release trains (ART)
5. Scrum misses all the basics. Almost all features and aspects of an entire organization can be managed through SAFe.

Scrum is an agile method for managing software development, while SAFe is an enterprise agile establishment method.

The main difference between the two depends on the way they choose to approach their work. In short, Scrum is basically for organizing small teams, while SAFe is for organizing entire large teams or even enterprises. In addition, SAFe fills a significant gap in Scrum.

Scrum sounds simple in concept, but is difficult to implement from the core.

Scrum

Scrum is an iterative approach to product development that breaks a project into small chunks that are then completed by a small cross-functional team within a defined time frame. It focuses on a regular delivery rhythm and relies on cross-functional teams, specific support roles, and a set of processes to complete project delivery.

To plan, organize, manage, and optimize processes, Scrum depends heavily on three roles:

  • Product Owner: He is responsible for planning, organizing the team and communicating with the company.
  • Scrum Master: The Scrum Master is responsible for focusing on a specific task during the sprint.
  • Scrum Team: The primary goal of the Scrum team is to work on the plan specified for each sprint.

SAFe

SAFe is a “large-scale Agile framework”, an approach built on the entire organization/enterprise, not just the teams in Scrum, and it extends Scrum. SAFe describes three levels in an organization: the portfolio layer, the project group layer, and the team layer. This structure, widely accepted in large organizations, takes a layered approach to delivering work. Unlike Scrum, it focuses on reviewing and releasing plans so that improvements can be made.

The three important parts of SAFe are:

  • Lean Product development
  • Agile software development
  • System thinking

SAFe’s development approach fills in the gaps left by Scrum and focuses on release planning and improvement reviews that Scrum lacks.

conclusion

In short, agile is a mindset and a way of working. Scrum is a framework based on agile values and principles, and SAFe is an extended framework for implementing Scrum at the enterprise level.

This post is written by Chai Xiaoyan from the Toothfish community of Choerodon.