What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

What is an Agile Framework?

Agile represents an overarching philosophy for software development, emphasizing the value of iterating quickly and often to satisfy customers. Therefore, an agile framework can be defined as a specific software-development approach based on the agile philosophy articulated in the Agile Manifesto.

You can refer to any of these frameworks as methodologies or even processes. Though, as you may recall that one of the manifesto’s four values states the philosophy prioritizes “Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.” Most agile teams use frameworks only as a starting point for their agile transformation, eventually customizing elements to meet their unique needs.

Various organizations use many popular frameworks. Often these organizations modify parts of the frameworks as they see fit and iterate on their own agile processes. Below you’ll find our overviews of several commonly used and well-document frameworks for agile software development.

  • Scrum
  • eXtreme Programming (XP)
  • Dynamic Systems Development Method (DDSM)
  • Feature Driven Development (FDD)
  • Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
  • The Crystal Method
  • Lean Software Development (LSD)
  • Disciplined Agile (DA)
  • Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
  • Rapid Application Development (RAD)

Which Agile Framework is Best?

With so many different approaches to structuring agile processes within your organization, you’re probably wondering how to go about choosing one. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all way to practice agile software development. Many factors may influence which framework you choose to work with. Such as:

  • Company size
  • Team structure
  • Available resources
  • Needs of stakeholders
  • Structure/size of your product portfolio

Each framework has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. And the framework that works for someone else’s team might not be the right one for you. So ultimately, you’ll have to experiment a bit and figure out what works best for you.

Keep learning how to set balanced priorities of both planned and unplanned work in our webinar below.

Agile Frameworks: An Overview

  • What is an Agile framework?
  • Agile Methodology
  • 4 benefits of Agile development
  • Agile team structures
  • FAQs

What is an Agile framework?

An agile framework incorporates elements of continuous planning, testing, integration, and other forms of continuous development. Agile frameworks are lightweight compared to traditional development methods, which means that rules and practices are kept to a minimum.

  • Scrum

    Scrum breaks down big projects into small tasks that can be completed in short development cycles.

  • What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

    Crystal

    The Crystal framework is used for short-term projects involving teams located in the same workspace. There are no firm rules to follow with this approach.

  • Kanban

    Kanban is visual and incremental. Transparency into project statuses is key, so tasks are laid out on a board and categorized as to do, in progress, or done.

  • Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)

    DSDM is a project management and product delivery method used by large organizations. DSDM follows disciplined processes for a strong governance foundation. 

  • Feature-Driven Development

    FDD is laser focused on the development team. Unlike other frameworks, FDD requires thorough documentation and strict organization.  

  • What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

    Learn how to ease the transition to Agile with low-code development

    Low-Code Guide

    Low-Code Guide

Agile methodology overview

Agile is an iterative and responsive software development methodology. Features of Agile development include high levels of communication and collaboration, fast and effective responses to change, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement.

Agile teams build applications in small increments rather than delivering the finished product all at once at the end of the development lifecycle. This allows for frequent testing while giving end users, stakeholders, and the business the chance to provide feedback on the work in progress. It’s common for business requirements and user needs to evolve during development, and Agile keeps teams flexible and responsive to change.

The core values of Agile frameworks

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

Working software over comprehensive documentation

Responding to change over following a plan

Source: Agile Manifesto

4 Benefits of Agile development

Agile Team Structures

  • Scrum Master
  • Product Owner
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Business Owner
  • Development Team

Scrum Master

What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

The coach and gatekeeper

This dual role establishes responsibility for following the Agile framework by providing guidance, educating the team, and removing productivity blockers.

The Scrum Master works directly with the Product Owner to decide which user stories will be taken on in a sprint.

Product Owner

What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

The liason

This role defines the project and its criteria, ensures that objectives are sufficiently understood by the team, and manages and prioritizes the product backlog.

In collaboration with the other team members, the product owner sizes and assigns the highest priority items to the next sprint.

Subject Matter Experts

What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

The knowledge

SMEs have the knowledge the team needs for a successful product delivery. Examples include a Systems Admin as an “Infra SME” or a UX expert as the “UX SME.”

SMEs are also considered stakeholders for the project, but not all stakeholders have to be SMEs. Although SMEs are not part of the Scrum team, they can act as an additional expert to help on an activity for the product, that person is engaged throughout the project.

Business Owner

What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

The revenue driver

The business owner is the Scrum team’s sponsor. They act as a primary stakeholder and rely on the product owner to assign all work. They also represent the sponsorship of the product and guide the product owner on what the business needs.

Development Team

What is a framework that allows the implementation of agile in an organization?

The creators

This is the group of people who are building the software. Development teams tend to be small, typically with less than seven team members. Developers help the Scrum team align application delivery with business and customer expectations.

Agile Development Resources

  • What is Agile?

    Agile is a software development mindset that promotes a highly iterative process with multiple development cycles called sprints. Agile is designed so all parties can provide feedback as software is developed in an efficient and effective manner.

  • What are examples of Agile frameworks?

    Scrum is the most common Agile framework. Others include the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Crystal, and Feature-Driven Development (FDD).

  • How does Agile compare to DevOps?

    DevOps and Agile prioritize the facilitation of communication between software developers and IT personnel. However, Agile refers to a software development process while DevOps is more of a working culture. DevOps practices are often incorporated into Agile development, and low-code development platforms feature tools to support both.

  • What is Scrum?

    Scrum is an Agile process framework for software development. Scrum follows iterative and incremental practices that empower organizations to respond quickly to changing requirements. Under this framework, organizations can maintain more control of the project to deliver high-quality apps and software faster than with non-Agile development methods.

  • How does Agile relate to design thinking?

    While Agile targets the way software is developed, design thinking is focused on making sure that what is developed is what the customer expects. The basic concept of design thinking is to start with the customer and work the requirements in from there.

    Read more on this topic here: Design Thinking vs. Agile: Combine Problem Finding & Problem Solving

  • How does low-code support Agile software development?

    Low-code development fits well with Agile frameworks because the foundation of low-code is collaboration. Development platforms incorporate the necessary collaboration tools and services to support Agile teams through project management, feedback loops, sprint reviews, and the entire development lifecycle.

What are 3 frameworks for agile?

Scrum is the most common Agile framework. Others include the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Crystal, and Feature-Driven Development (FDD).

What is the best agile framework?

1. Scrum. Scrum is, undoubtedly, the most used of the many frameworks underpinning Agile methodology. Scrum is characterised by cycles or stages of development, known as sprints, and by the maximisation of development time for a software product towards a goal, the Product Goal.

What are the two frameworks in agile?

As most agile teams follow two basic frameworks, i.e., scrum or kanban, the road to attaining “agile maturity” begins by understanding these two frameworks.

Which is an agile method that provides a framework for organizing Agile projects?

Agile scrum methodology is a project management system that relies on incremental development. Each iteration consists of two- to four-week sprints, where the goal of each sprint is to build the most important features first and come out with a potentially deliverable product.