SAFe vs scrum holds popularity among organizations owing to the multitude of associated benefits. Moreover, their awareness is increasing, combined with a lack of exact or practical knowledge. It results in assumptions concerning the lack of difference between the two. The assumption will hamper the appropriate functioning and performance of job roles, especially among the candidates working in posts of Product Owners, Stakeholders, Scrum Masters, and teams. The article enlists the definition followed by a SAFe vs scrum comparison.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is a structure or framework that helps ease framing a solution. It is a simple method that requires constant practice, application, and an active mindset to master. It increases productivity and creativity to deliver the highest value even on complex problems. Scrum is considered most suitable for teams and small-scale organizations.
In other words, it is an iterative method that categorizes the procedure into small steps, making the task more achievable. It maintains regular delivery and incorporates results from cross-functional teams obtained through a particular rule set. The procedure is made possible by three lead roles in the organization, product owner, scrum master, and scrum team.
The product owner plays a primary role by planning, organizing, and communicating the schedule based on the product. The scrum master ensures the completion of the job during sprints, and the scrum team acts to complete the project.
What is SAFe?
SAFe is an acronym for Scaled Agile Framework or Scalable Agile Framework that provides the methods to execute the business strategy. It is an organization-based framework rather than a team or individual focussed that scales the scrum framework to yield the results. Safe considers previous tasks or products along with planning. It indicates the ability of SAFe to consider the company's past and future situations. The act is crucial for the progress and development of the company by helping it on an overall basis rather than focussing on its position at a specific time.
SAFe is divided into three components, lean product and agile software development, and system thinking. It is considered a mindset, while scrum is a framework formed according to agile.
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Key Differences Between Scrum and SAFe
SAFe vs scrum holds differences, yet we find similarities among the two in following agile. The differences lie in numerous aspects, such as scaling, the actual endeavor they both are, and the manner of functioning. Their suitability for individuals and teams also varies along with ease in handling and application. The comparison between SAFe vs scrum is tabulated:
|
Scrum |
SAFe |
|
Associated with small-scale teams for cohesion and efficiency |
Associated with organizational scale |
|
Adopted by agile teams |
Adapted by the organizations, not a team |
|
Teams and small organizations can use it |
Suitable for enterprises |
|
Acting members are Scrum Team |
Acting members are Agile Release Train |
|
The scrum team has 7 to 11 members |
SAFe involves multiple teams and teams of teams |
|
Important job roles are Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Scrum Team |
Important job roles handling SAFe are Solution Architect, Value Stream Engineer, Release Train Engineer, Epic Owner, and Program Managers |
|
Does not deal with middle management |
SAFe deals with Program and portfolio management |
|
Provides structure or framework for adaptability and inspection |
States the mindset for the unity of cross-functional multiple teams. |
|
Misses on several aspects |
Covers past and future aspects of the organization through retrospectives and planning |
|
It uses iterative methods and focuses on breaking complex problems or projects into small tasks and handling each of them. |
Regardless of team size, SAFe helps organizations scale up or increase the implementation of Agile and Lean practices for efficient functioning. |
|
It is focused on a product or project. |
Targets agility of teams of teams, business, portfolio management, and large solutions |
|
It results in rapid response and encourages collaboration and iteration. |
It is associated with in-built quality, transparency, and program execution in alignment with organizational strategy. |
|
Independent working of different teams with self-organization |
Close coordination, alignment, and interdependency among teams |
|
The usual time range is one to four weeks. |
The usual time range is about two weeks. |
|
Events include daily scrum, sprint planning, review, and retrospective |
Events include planning, acting, analyzing, and adjusting |
|
Customer-oriented |
Business oriented |
|
Optimizes development processes |
Enhances organizational productivity and competency and reduces inefficiencies |
|
Easy collaboration and coordination due to the small team size |
Increases employee engagement |
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Conclusion
SAFe vs Scrum, though they seem similar, there are numerous distinctions between them. They both follow the agile framework and aim to provide benefits to the companies. However, they differ in scale and variety of other elements. They provide different benefits to the team and organization.
Scrum offers a streamlined and adaptable framework ideal for small teams, focusing on collaboration and ongoing enhancement of processes. It is particularly effective in environments where project requirements are fluid and team autonomy is valued. On the other hand, SAFe provides a comprehensive and methodical approach designed to manage large-scale projects involving multiple teams. It emphasizes stringent coordination and alignment at various organizational levels, making it suitable for complex initiatives where consistent execution and scalability are critical.
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