What Is Agile Scrum Methodology?

By Susan May

The 9th Global Project Management Survey by PMI revealed some astounding facts. 71%, which means 7 out of 10 companies, reported that they were using Agile methods in one way or another in their projects. This indicates the popularity of Agile and Scrum as a framework that companies are adopting as a proven approach to realising business benefits.So, what is the agile methodology and why use the agile scrum methodology? We have attempted to answer some of these questions to help you better understand the agile scrum methodology meaning and its impact on organizations.History of Agile The Agile movement can trace its origin back to 2001. 17 engineers who had experimented with software development using iterative and incremental procedures got together and created the Agile Manifesto, which outlined the 4 values and 12 principles of software development the Agile way. “We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value”—Agile Manifesto What is Agile? Agile is a philosophy, and a way of working that represents a culture change from the traditional project management. It encompasses a set of frameworks that focus on iterative development of a product. Introduction to Agile Methodology The Agile methodology is a method of software development that is based on continuous iterations and incremental development and testing of a product. It follows the principle of ‘failing fast’, which helps cut losses as the defect is recognized early and corrected.The Agile methodology focuses on 4 core Agile values that encourage fast responses to change by focusing on collaboration, continuous planning and learning and early delivery.Agile Values The Agile Manifesto lays out the four core Agile values that need to be followed during the software development lifecycle. These values outline how software development using Agile is fundamentally different from the traditional waterfall method in terms of flexibility, response to change and individuals. The agile values lay emphasis on: Individuals and Interactions, over Processes and Tools Working Software, over Documentation Customer Communication and Collaboration, over Contract Negotiation Quick Response to Change, over Sticking to a PlanWhat are the 12 principles of agile? The Agile Manifesto also defines 12 principles. These principles along with the Agile values help teams and organizations successfully transition to Agile.The 12 Agile principles are encapsulated in the image below.What are the various Agile Methodologies?The most popularly-practiced Agile methodologies include: Agile Scrum Methodology Lean Software Development Kanban Extreme Programming (XP) Crystal Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) Feature Driven Development (FDD) These methodologies may differ in the way they are implemented but they all share the core philosophies of Agile.What is Scrum?Scrum is a framework that uses an iterative and incremental structure for project management used in Agile software development. In other words; it delivers large projects in small chunks. The Scrum framework has brought in immense benefits in creating, delivering and managing complex projects/products that are of the highest value. According to Scrum Alliance, Scrum is the most widely used Agile framework. Who can benefit from Scrum? The benefits of Scrum are not just confined to the IT sector. Industries across sectors are now realising the benefits of the Scrum approach in delivering results on time and being adaptive enough to change when needed. Some of the industries using the Scrum framework include: Education Military Marketing Automotive Governments InfrastructureIntroduction to Scrum Methodology Scrum methodology refers to using the Scrum framework in the agile development process. Scrum methodology steps follow the incremental approach outlined by Agile and helps address the issues that arise when working with complex project problems. Scrum iterations are called Sprints. Each sprint is around two-to-four weeks in duration, and focuses on coming up with a deliverable product.With each successive sprint more features of the product get built and improved upon by taking continuous feedback from the customer.What are the benefits of Agile Scrum methodology? The incremental and iterative approach of Scrum helps bring in a lot of benefits: Helps break down complex projects into small chunks called sprints Creates self-organizing teams Helps complete work efficiently on time and budget Helps implement customer feedback at the time of development Testing is conducted concurrently with development Daily Scrum meetings give visibility to all team members You can learn more about the benefits of this methodology by accessing the Scrum Guide™ (agile scrum methodology pdf.) What are the different roles in Agile Scrum methodology? Scrum Project Management involves 3 roles: Product Owner: Represents the business and helps the development team understand what is to be built. Scrum Master: Is the servant leader and Agile coach, who removes impediments that may hinder the development team’s work. Development team: Represent the engineers who do the actual work of building, designing and testing.Activities Done in SCRUM Methodology Scrum requires that every sprint must have some essential activities called events. These five events are: Sprint Planning Daily Scrum Sprint Review Sprint Retrospective The Sprint Using the Scrum Process Flow, teams can minimize risks and enhance product quality and delivery. Every event is needed for the smooth functioning of a Scrum event What are Scrum requirements? Scrum handles requirements very differently from traditional project management. There are no extensive documentations prepared for requirements, instead Scrum uses product backlog items. These are placeholder requirements and living artifacts, that can be refined and improved upon through the development lifecycle.The most common form of representing product backlog items are user stories that help convey the business requirements.What are the differences between Scrum and Agile? Agile is a mind-set, while Scrum is a framework based on that mind-set. Scrum vs Agile Agile is an umbrella-term for practices, frameworks and methods that are described in the Agile manifesto. The goal of these practices is to make teams and organizations agile with quick innovation, fast response and quality end products. Scrum is a framework in the Agile umbrella that helps us implement the Agile philosophy through use of roles, events, artifacts and guidelines.The Agile Umbrella ConclusionThe Agile revolution has swept the business world, helping organizations across sectors reap the benefits of satisfied customers, better products, faster response times and motivated teams. Scrum is the most popular Agile methodology and it is fast becoming the de facto standard for software development. The popularity of these frameworks has driven the need for hiring competent and certified Agile and Scrum professionals who can successfully help an organization transition and become truly Agile. Check out our agile scrum methodology tutorial if you want to pursue among the most lucrative careers of the decade.

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What Is Agile Scrum Methodology?

By Susan May 23rd Mar, 2021

Susan May

Blog

Category: Blog
8627 541

8627 541 23rd Mar, 2021

So, what is the agile methodology and why use the agile scrum methodology? We have attempted to answer some of these questions to help you better understand the agile scrum methodology meaning and its impact on organizations.

History of Agile

The Agile movement can trace its origin back to 2001. 17 engineers who had experimented with software development using iterative and incremental procedures got together and created the Agile Manifesto, which outlined the 4 values and 12 principles of software development the Agile way.

“We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value”—Agile Manifesto

What is Agile?

Agile is a philosophy, and a way of working that represents a culture change from the traditional project management. It encompasses a set of frameworks that focus on iterative development of a product.

Introduction to Agile Methodology

The Agile methodology is a method of software development that is based on continuous iterations and incremental development and testing of a product. It follows the principle of ‘failing fast’, which helps cut losses as the defect is recognized early and corrected.

The Agile methodology focuses on 4 core Agile values that encourage fast responses to change by focusing on collaboration, continuous planning and learning and early delivery.

Agile Values

The Agile Manifesto lays out the four core Agile values that need to be followed during the software development lifecycle. These values outline how software development using Agile is fundamentally different from the traditional waterfall method in terms of flexibility, response to change and individuals.

The agile values lay emphasis on:

Individuals and Interactions, over Processes and Tools
Working Software, over Documentation
Customer Communication and Collaboration, over Contract Negotiation
Quick Response to Change, over Sticking to a Plan

What are the 12 principles of agile?

The Agile Manifesto also defines 12 principles. These principles along with the Agile values help teams and organizations successfully transition to Agile.

The 12 Agile principles are encapsulated in the image below.

What are the various Agile Methodologies?

The most popularly-practiced Agile methodologies include:

Agile Scrum Methodology
Lean Software Development
Kanban
Extreme Programming (XP)
Crystal
Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
Feature Driven Development (FDD)

These methodologies may differ in the way they are implemented but they all share the core philosophies of Agile.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a framework that uses an iterative and incremental structure for project management used in Agile software development. In other words; it delivers large projects in small chunks.

The Scrum framework has brought in immense benefits in creating, delivering and managing complex projects/products that are of the highest value.

According to Scrum Alliance, Scrum is the most widely used Agile framework.

Who can benefit from Scrum?

The benefits of Scrum are not just confined to the IT sector. Industries across sectors are now realising the benefits of the Scrum approach in delivering results on time and being adaptive enough to change when needed.

Some of the industries using the Scrum framework include:

Education
Military
Marketing
Automotive
Governments
Infrastructure

Introduction to Scrum Methodology

Scrum methodology refers to using the Scrum framework in the agile development process. Scrum methodology steps follow the incremental approach outlined by Agile and helps address the issues that arise when working with complex project problems.

Scrum iterations are called Sprints. Each sprint is around two-to-four weeks in duration, and focuses on coming up with a deliverable product.

With each successive sprint more features of the product get built and improved upon by taking continuous feedback from the customer.

What are the benefits of Agile Scrum methodology?

The incremental and iterative approach of Scrum helps bring in a lot of benefits:

Helps break down complex projects into small chunks called sprints
Creates self-organizing teams
Helps complete work efficiently on time and budget
Helps implement customer feedback at the time of development
Testing is conducted concurrently with development
Daily Scrum meetings give visibility to all team members

You can learn more about the benefits of this methodology by accessing the Scrum Guide™ (agile scrum methodology pdf.)

What are the different roles in Agile Scrum methodology?

Scrum Project Management involves 3 roles:

Product Owner: Represents the business and helps the development team understand what is to be built.
Scrum Master: Is the servant leader and Agile coach, who removes impediments that may hinder the development team’s work.
Development team: Represent the engineers who do the actual work of building, designing and testing.

Activities Done in SCRUM Methodology

Scrum requires that every sprint must have some essential activities called events.

These five events are:

Sprint Planning
Daily Scrum
Sprint Review
Sprint Retrospective
The Sprint

Using the Scrum Process Flow, teams can minimize risks and enhance product quality and delivery.

Every event is needed for the smooth functioning of a Scrum event

What are Scrum requirements?

Scrum handles requirements very differently from traditional project management. There are no extensive documentations prepared for requirements, instead Scrum uses product backlog items. These are placeholder requirements and living artifacts, that can be refined and improved upon through the development lifecycle.

The most common form of representing product backlog items are user stories that help convey the business requirements.

What are the differences between Scrum and Agile?

Agile is a mind-set, while Scrum is a framework based on that mind-set.

Scrum vs Agile

Agile is an umbrella-term for practices, frameworks and methods that are described in the Agile manifesto. The goal of these practices is to make teams and organizations agile with quick innovation, fast response and quality end products.

Scrum is a framework in the Agile umbrella that helps us implement the Agile philosophy through use of roles, events, artifacts and guidelines.

The Agile Umbrella

Conclusion

The Agile revolution has swept the business world, helping organizations across sectors reap the benefits of satisfied customers, better products, faster response times and motivated teams.

Scrum is the most popular Agile methodology and it is fast becoming the de facto standard for software development.

The popularity of these frameworks has driven the need for hiring competent and certified Agile and Scrum professionals who can successfully help an organization transition and become truly Agile.

Check out our agile scrum methodology tutorial if you want to pursue among the most lucrative careers of the decade.

Agile methodology

Susan May

Writer, Developer, Explorer

Susan is a gamer, internet scholar and an entrepreneur, specialising in Big Data, Hadoop, Web Development and many other technologies. She is the author of several articles published on Zeolearn and KnowledgeHut blogs. She has gained a lot of experience by working as a freelancer and is now working as a trainer. As a developer, she has spoken at various international tech conferences around the globe about Big Data.