Project managers are incredibly in demand right now. This field will have tens of thousands of job openings available in the next ten years.
If you’re thinking about joining the field, you’re setting yourself up for career success down the road. But first, you have to know how project management works, and you particularly need to know Agile vs. Scrum, and what the differences are between the two.
If these are totally new words to you, don’t worry. We have all the information you need here. Keep reading to learn the differences between Agile and Scrum.
What is Agile?
Agile is a project management framework.
It was created in the early 2000s to align with the emerging field of software development. At the time, programmers were discovering that traditional project management frameworks, such as Waterfall, were too slow for the pace of product delivery that they needed. They also found that Waterfall did not have enough flexibility to respond to emerging trends in the tech industry.
Agile addresses these issues. There are four main values and twelve guiding principles for Agile. While you can read more about these on the Agile Manifesto website, the main takeaway is that this form of project management prioritizes collaboration and flexibility over adherence to process and documentation.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is one of several Agile methodologies that offers a way for project teams to implement Agile principles in their day-to-day work.
In a Scrum framework, teams structure their work in short timeframes called Sprints. Sprints generally last anywhere from two to four weeks. All Scrum teams consist of a Scrum Master, a Product Owner, and several members of the development team.
All pending tasks are listed in a product backlog, with an estimate of how much effort it will take to complete each task. For each Sprint, the team, led by the Scrum Master, decides on a specific set of priorities to complete.
Much like Agile, Scrum focuses on collaboration within the team, adaptability in relation to the product, and clear and open communication. However, unlike Agile, Scrum has a specific structure for how to complete work.
Still Confused About Agile Vs. Scrum?
If you’re still confused, think of Agile as the project management umbrella. Under that umbrella is Scrum, as well as other methodologies like Kanban and Extreme Programming (XP). All of these methodologies and more can be used to implement an Agile approach to your projects.
Ultimately, the best way to learn about these and other project management frameworks is by gaining experience in the field. Get a job in an Agile-aligned field (such as software development, tech, or marketing). Tell your employer that you want to gain experience as a Scrum Master.
If you’re not ready just yet to jump right in, you can always look up a Scrum guide or take an Agile and Scrum course. Gain some credentials, and you’ll be ready to take the field by storm!
Continue Your Project Management Learning
Now you know the key differences between Agile vs. Scrum! While Agile can be compared to other project management methods likes Waterfall, Scrum can be compared with other Agile methodologies, like Kanban and XP. When you use Scrum, you are also by definition using Agile!
This is just the beginning of all there is to learn in the field of project management. Interested in learning more about it and how to earn your project management certification? Take a look at the articles in our Certification section to learn more!
