🚀 Common Agile Frameworks
Source: Dev.to
Scrum
What it is
Scrum is the most popular Agile framework. Work is delivered in short, fixed‑length iterations called Sprints (usually 2 weeks).
Roles
- Product Owner
- Scrum Master
- Development Team
Events
- Sprint Planning
- Daily Scrum
- Sprint Review
- Sprint Retrospective
Artifacts
- Product Backlog
- Sprint Backlog
- Increment
Typical use
- Small to medium teams
- Products with frequently changing requirements
- Teams that need structure and cadence
Pros
- Predictable delivery
- Strong feedback loops
- Clear ownership
Cons
- Less flexible during a sprint
- Can feel heavy if followed mechanically
Kanban
What it is
Kanban focuses on a continuous flow of work instead of time‑boxed sprints.
Key practices
- Visualize work (To Do, In Progress, Done)
- Limit Work In Progress (WIP)
- Measure flow (lead time, cycle time)
Typical use
- Operations, support, DevOps, and SRE teams
- Work with unpredictable priorities
Pros
- Extremely flexible
- Easy to adopt
- Great for continuous delivery
Cons
- Less predictability
- No built‑in planning cadence
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)
What it is
SAFe is designed to scale Agile across large enterprises with many teams.
Core elements
- Agile Release Trains (ARTs)
- Program Increment (PI) Planning
- Alignment across teams, portfolios, and leadership
Typical use
- Large organizations, regulated industries, complex systems with dependencies
Pros
- Strong governance
- Enterprise‑wide alignment
- Works at scale
Cons
- Heavy process
- Can feel like “Agile Waterfall” if misused
XP (Extreme Programming)
What it is
XP emphasizes engineering excellence and code quality.
Practices
- Pair Programming
- Test‑Driven Development (TDD)
- Continuous Integration
- Refactoring
- Small releases
Typical use
- Teams with high technical complexity
- Projects where quality is critical
Pros
- Very high code quality
- Fast feedback
- Fewer production defects
Cons
- Requires discipline
- Not ideal for non‑technical teams
Lean
What it is
Lean is about maximizing value and eliminating waste, adapted from Toyota manufacturing.
Principles
- Eliminate waste
- Build quality in
- Deliver fast
- Respect people
- Optimize the whole
Typical use
- DevOps and platform teams
- Organizations focused on efficiency
Pros
- Cost‑effective
- Strong focus on value
- Works well with DevOps
Cons
- Less prescriptive
- Requires maturity to apply correctly
Crystal
What it is
Crystal is a family of Agile methods tailored by team size and criticality (e.g., Crystal Clear, Crystal Orange).
Core values
- People over processes
- Communication
- Safety and trust
Typical use
- Small, co‑located teams
- Low‑risk projects
Pros
- Lightweight and highly adaptable
Cons
- Not suitable for large or distributed teams
- Minimal structure
DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method)
What it is
DSDM is an Agile project‑management framework with strong governance.
Key features
- Fixed time and cost
- Flexible scope
- Active user involvement
Typical use
- Project‑based organizations
- Fixed‑budget environments
Pros
- Strong control
- Business‑focused delivery
Cons
- Heavier documentation
- Less common today
Framework Comparison
| Framework | Best Use Case | Structure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Scrum | Product development | Medium |
| Kanban | Ops, DevOps, Support | Low |
| SAFe | Large enterprises | High |
| XP | High‑quality engineering | Medium |
| Lean | Efficiency and flow | Low |
| Crystal | Small teams | Very Low |
| DSDM | Fixed‑budget projects | High |
Summary
- Scrum: Structured product delivery.
- Kanban: Flow‑focused work and operations.
- SAFe: Enterprise‑scale coordination.
- XP: Technical excellence.
- Lean: Efficiency and waste reduction.
- Crystal and DSDM: Niche methods useful in specific contexts.