Agile vs. Lean vs. Scrum - What's the difference and which project management methodology should you use
As project managers, choosing the right methodology can save you time and money, and make a big difference in the success of your project. However, with so many project management frameworks and methodologies available today, it can be challenging to pick the right one. In this blog post, we'll compare three popular methodologies: Agile, Lean, and Scrum, and discuss the key differences between them to help you make an informed decision.
Agile
Agile is a software development methodology where requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of cross-functional teams and their customers. The Agile approach emphasizes delivering working software frequently, with a preference for face-to-face communication. Agile encourages a flexible and adaptive planning process, where changes in the project scope can be easily accommodated. According to the latest State of Agile report, 95% of surveyed organizations practice Agile in some form.
Lean
Lean is a methodology that focuses on the continuous elimination of waste in the production process, with the goal of delivering maximum value to the customer. Lean emphasizes creating a culture of continuous improvement by empowering employees to identify and solve problems. In contrast to Agile, Lean aims to minimize inventory and reduce lead times by producing just-in-time, as a way to optimize the flow of work. Lean also emphasizes the importance of visual management, where the status of work is visible to everyone.
Scrum
Scrum is a framework that is often used in Agile software development, focusing on the iterative and incremental delivery of software. Scrum emphasizes frequent inspection and adaptation, creating a culture of continuous improvement. The Scrum framework includes predefined roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team), events (Sprint, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective), and artifacts (Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment).
Agile vs. Lean vs. Scrum - The differences
While Agile, Lean, and Scrum share some similarities, there are significant differences between the three methodologies.
Focus
Agile focuses on delivering working software frequently, with an adaptive planning process. Lean focuses on eliminating waste in the production process, with a preference for just-in-time production. Scrum focuses on the iterative and incremental delivery of software, with a focus on inspection and adaptation.
Team structure
Agile typically has a self-organizing team structure, where team members collaborate and communicate face-to-face. Lean emphasizes continuous improvement and visual management, with team members empowered to identify and solve problems. Scrum has predefined roles, events, and artifacts.
Planning
Agile planning is adaptive and flexible, with changes easily accommodated. Lean planning is focused on optimizing the flow of work, with just-in-time production. Scrum planning is based on the sprint cycle, with a focus on achieving a sprint goal.
Delivery frequency
Agile emphasizes delivering working software frequently, with a preference for face-to-face communication. Lean aims to optimize the flow of work by delivering value just-in-time. Scrum emphasizes continuous iteration and incremental delivery, with a potentially shippable increment at the end of each sprint.
Which methodology should you choose?
Choosing the right methodology depends on the needs and characteristics of your project. Consider the project scope, team structure, and stakeholder needs before choosing the methodology that fits best. If your project requires a flexible planning process and emphasizes frequent inspection and adaptation, Agile may be the right choice. If your goal is to eliminate waste and optimize the flow of work, Lean may be the best fit. If your project requires an iterative and incremental delivery approach, with predefined roles and events, Scrum may be the way to go.
Conclusion
Agile, Lean, and Scrum are three popular project management methodologies, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. Understanding the differences between the methodologies can help you make the right choice for your project. Remember that the key is to choose a methodology that fits the needs of your project, not the other way around. By doing so, you can increase the chances of project success and deliver maximum value to your customers.