Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) have recently become very popular. More and more companies are adopting them to deliver high-quality value to the customer in the least possible time. The awareness about these frameworks is increasing rapidly. Although both are based on Agile and Lean values and principles and look similar on the surface, there are differences between them. It is essential for every stakeholder to explicitly understand these differences to make the right choice according to organizational requirements and goals. In this article, we will highlight the differences between Scrum and SAFe so that you understand what these two frameworks stand for, whether you are a newbie or a professional. But before we move on to the Scaled Agile Framework vs. Scrum debate, let us look at how Scrum and SAFe are defined individually and how they work practically.

Scrum

According to the Scrum Guide, Scrum is a framework within which people solve complex problems while productively building and delivering products of the highest possible value. Scrum’s roles, events, artifacts, and the rules that bind them together are all covered under this definition. It is a simple framework. In fact, it is a simple process of product development where the tasks in any given project are divided into small, practically achievable segments and then assigned to different cross-functional teams to complete in a fixed time frame. The focus is on maintaining the delivery flow, so the dependence is on the cross-functional teams, some other roles that support the project, and a set of events to deliver the project on time.

Stakeholders regularly review the output of these iterations (small segments), get feedback, make changes, and incorporate features. The project or product is expected to be delivered in the shortest possible time. There are three essential roles in Scrum process planning, organizing, and optimization.

Product Owner

The Product Owner is responsible for planning, organizing, and communicating with the leadership and other stakeholders to maximize the product value.

Scrum Master

A Scrum Master is assigned to look after specific tasks during the Sprints.

Scrum Team

The Scrum Team is tasked with the execution of the prescribed jobs for every Sprint. This is the main objective of the Scrum Team.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

The SAFe framework details a method for scaling agile in large organizations or big teams that work on the same project. It covers a whole enterprise instead of just one team. In simpler terms, SAFe is a framework designed for implementing Scrum at the enterprise level. It helps Scrum work for bigger organizations. SAFe is a knowledge base that takes from three knowledge bodies viz. Agile principles, Lean principles, and Systems thinking. And there are three levels described by SAFe in an organization. They are Portfolio, Program, and Team. Bigger organizations readily accept and adopt this structure as it has a tiered approach to delivering the work.

So, the Scaled Agile Framework focuses mainly on portfolio management, program management, and team management. In SAFe, Agile and Lean frameworks are absorbed into a larger framework for bigger and more critical projects to get better outcomes. In short, SAFe for lean enterprises is a knowledge base of integrated principles, practices, and competencies for Lean and Agile frameworks. It is a body of knowledge that provides structured guidance for roles and responsibilities, ways to plan and manage the work, and values to uphold. SAFe encourages alignment and collaboration among many Agile teams to facilitate a smooth delivery. Over the years, SAFe has become popular with large organizations that desire to scale agile at the enterprise level for faster delivery of high-quality value.

To sum up, while agile is a mindset and an approach to work, Scrum is a framework based on the principles and values of agile, whereas SAFe is a framework designed to implement agile at the enterprise level.

Having learned what Scrum and SAFe are, let us understand the differences between the two. As we said earlier, there are small differences between Scrum and SAFe, but it is essential to understand these differences to ensure everything is clear. The aim is to establish a clear distinction between the two frameworks.

Difference between Scrum and SAFe

The biggest difference between Scrum and SAFe lies in their approach. Scrum is used to organize small teams. On the other hand, SAFe is used to organize an entire enterprise.

Other differences between the two frameworks are listed below for clear understanding:

• The focus of the Scrum framework is on developing iteratively. It means teams are encouraged to self-organize. It helps in the delivery of high-quality products. SAFe is more professional. It helps define the objectives and fulfill customers’ demands.
• Compared to Scrum, which is flexible and aids in implementing different projects, the Scaled Agile Framework approach is not as flexible as it is implemented at the enterprise level.
• Another critical difference between the two frameworks is that Scrum ignores some essential facets, and SAFe is more detailed in its approach.
• The scope of Scrum is limited to the working of a particular team because it is used for small teams only. But in SAFe, all the elements and features of an organization are involved and can be implemented for all the organization’s work. Thus, it encompasses the principles of transparency, alignment, program execution, and in-built quality.
• Scrum is suited to small organizations, while the SAFe framework is suitable for large organizations since it is an enterprise-level framework.
• There is a basic difference in the teams and the team structure between the two frameworks. While Scrum uses small teams comprising of 7-11 members and has three main roles in Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Scrum Team, SAFe uses several large teams and goes to the extent of using teams of teams and has multiple levels that include Release Train Engineers (RTEs), Value Stream Engineers (VSEs), Project Managers, Solution Architect, and Epic Owner (EO).
• Scrum is a lightweight framework that uses iterative methods in which complex projects are broken into small parts for simplification, and the delivery is monitored continuously. SAFe, on the other hand, is unlimited by the team size. It is a comprehensive framework targeted at the business agility of an enterprise. Its primary purpose is to guide companies in scaling agile and Lean practices to the enterprise level.
• Scrum and SAFe differ in their core values also. Scrum prefers iterations over processes and promotes collaboration with the customer, while SAFe is more in line with the organization’s overall strategy. Other core values of Scrum are the requirement of heavy documentation and quick response to change. The other core values of SAFe are program execution, and the product quality is in-built. A significant hallmark of SAFe is that it is pretty transparent.
• While in Scrum, every team is independent of others and self-organized in SAFe. All teams are dependent on each other and need close coordination. It also requires a high understanding between the organization’s top leadership and the teams.
• Both frameworks work within different time frames. Generally, Scrum works in a time frame of 1-4 weeks, but the usual time frame for SAFe is about two weeks.
• Scrum is more flexible and adaptable to any situation, but even though it has a simple concept, it sometimes needs to be revised to implement. SAFe, on the other hand, is easier to implement and maintains the characteristics of the enterprise. But it is not as adaptable as Scrum.

We have been able to bring out a clear distinction between Scrum and SAFe. The main difference between the two is how they are put into practice. Even though both frameworks are based on Agile and Lean principles, their level of implementation is different. The Scaled Agile Framework has been so developed that it fills whatever shortcomings are left by Scrum. Interestingly, middle management has almost no role in Scrum but the SAFe framework encompasses every level of people in the organization.