What are Agile Frameworks?
Agile software development is a generic methodology that relies on iterative process and constant cross-functional team’s collaboration and learning. Since its emergence in the 1990s, it has given birth to numerous Agile frameworks, which are unique methods or techniques adopting Agile values and principles in a slightly different manner. For Agile to work in your organization, you need to choose a framework which suits your needs best.
Most Popular Agile Frameworks
Scrum
Scrum is by far the most popular Agile framework that is based on dividing a project into a sequence of sprints. Each sprint takes one to four weeks and aims at delivery of an improved working version of the project’s final product.
It is versatile enough to be used on any product in any industry, but it’s particularly effective when it produces something tangible rather than a service. Its main drawback is a steep learning curve since mastering Scrum might be quite tricky.
Focus area: Team-led projects
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
SAFe is gaining momentum now, as businesses apply it for scaling Agile through organizations while they grow in size. SAFe accelerates time-to-market while delivering value on a stable basis, and at the same time improves the product quality and employee engagement.
Scaled Agile Framework principles include:
- planning at all levels of the organization,
- breaking down work into smaller batches so that developers can identify issues faster, and
- timely information flow both top-down and bottom-up.
Focus area: Scaling Agile principles
Kanban
Kanban constitutes a basic but successful approach to software creation. It visualizes the workflow with Kanban Board and highlights work in progress (WIP), allowing a team to efficiently adapt to its capacity. Every task is assigned its tile in the board and passes predefined stages along its progress. When a task is finished, the team moves on to the following file in the pipeline. This results in planning flexibility, transparency, accountability, and efficient prioritization.
Focus area: Streamlining workflow
Crystal
The Crystal framework comes in numerous flavors: Crystal Orange, Crystal Clear, Crystal Red, Crystal Yellow, to name a few. This framework focuses on the project team, and their ability to independently make key decisions on the best options for the project development. It is particularly effective for small teams who prefer lightweight processes with less micromanagement and documentation.
Focus area: Self-Managing team
Extreme Programming
Extreme programming (XP) is a framework created specifically for the software development industry. It has introduced may innovative regulation that now have become a common practice:
- iterations,
- pair-programming,
- test-driven development, and
- continuous integration.
Like Scrum, XP employs sprints and centers on continuous development and client delivery.
Focus area: Value delivery
Lean
Lean Development originated from Toyota’s Lean Manufacturing methodology is aimed at eliminating waste and refining processes. It promotes effectiveness, efficiency, and continuous improvement. It rests on 5 Lean Agile Principles that describe a five-step process of Lean implementation in manufacturing, software development teams, and other industries:
- Value
- Value stream
- Flow
- Pull
- Perfection
Focus area: Eliminating waste
Takeaways
There exist hundreds of Agile frameworks with different flavors that are beneficial in software development and in any other industry that requires fast delivery and prompt adaptation to the changing markets. While it is possible to find a single best-suiting approach, most companies practice a combination of frameworks, taking the most powerful tools of Scrum, Kanban and other methodologies.
