What are Agile/Scrum methodologies?

**Agile** and **Scrum** are popular methodologies used in project management, particularly in software development, that emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and iterative progress. They were designed to improve productivity, adaptability, and communication within teams. Here’s a breakdown of both: ### **Agile Methodology** Agile is an overarching approach to project management that focuses on delivering work in small, manageable increments, rather than a single large release. The key principles of Agile, as outlined in the **Agile Manifesto**, include: - **Customer collaboration** over contract negotiation - **Responding to change** over following a plan - **Individuals and interactions** over processes and tools - **Working software** over comprehensive documentation The core idea is that by delivering work in small, usable segments and involving the customer at every step, teams can adapt to changing requirements and improve the final product. ### **Scrum Methodology** Scrum is a specific framework within Agile that provides more structure. It is built around a **Sprint**—a set period (typically 2-4 weeks) during which a team works on specific tasks. Here’s how it works: 1. **Roles in Scrum**: - **Product Owner**: Responsible for defining the features and functionality of the product and prioritizing the work. - **Scrum Master**: Ensures the team follows Scrum practices, removes obstacles, and facilitates communication. - **Development Team**: The people doing the work (developers, testers, designers, etc.). 2. **Artifacts in Scrum**: - **Product Backlog**: A list of all the features, enhancements, fixes, and other tasks the team needs to complete. The Product Owner manages this. - **Sprint Backlog**: A subset of the Product Backlog that the team commits to completing during a sprint. - **Increment**: The sum of all completed backlog items at the end of a sprint—usually a working version of the product. 3. **Ceremonies in Scrum**: - **Sprint Planning**: A meeting at the start of each sprint where the team decides what work to focus on. - **Daily Standup**: A short daily meeting where team members update on their progress and discuss any challenges. - **Sprint Review**: A meeting at the end of the sprint where the team demonstrates what they've accomplished to stakeholders. - **Sprint Retrospective**: A reflection meeting where the team discusses what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve in the next sprint. ### Differences Between Agile and Scrum: - **Agile** is a broad philosophy or set of principles, whereas **Scrum** is a specific methodology that implements Agile practices. - **Scrum** provides more structure (roles, events, and artifacts) than Agile alone. Both Agile and Scrum prioritize delivering value quickly, adapting to changes, and maintaining close communication with stakeholders throughout the development process. read less

Agile and Scrum are methodologies commonly used in software development to improve efficiency and adaptability. Agile is an approach that values flexibility, collaboration, and responding to change over following a strict plan. Scrum, on the other hand, is a specific framework within the Agile methodology that defines roles, events, and artifacts to help teams work together effectively. In Scrum, work is divided into iterations called sprints, usually lasting 2-4 weeks, where the team delivers a potentially shippable product increment. Daily stand-up meetings, sprint planning, sprint review, and retrospective are key Scrum events that facilitate communication and progress tracking.

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