What Are the Different Types of Agile Methodology?

Agile methodologies have transformed the way a team works, with the main focus on collaboration, adaptability, and gradual movement. This process allows the teams to deal with changes in an effective manner while delivering results most of the time. It has become a very good option for companies in increasing productivity and adaptability.

Multiple frameworks are available in agile methodologies; they are not all-for-one. Each framework will be fit for a different kind of project. Agile would cater to small teams to big operations, a one-size-fits-all in an adaptable industry.

We will talk about the 10 major Agile methodologies, their advantages, and when one should use them in this post. By the conclusion, you will be on the way to learning a bit more and being able to decide what to use for your projects.

What are Agile Methodologies?

Agile methodologies favour flexibility, collaboration, and value delivery as small increments that can be managed easily and adapted to changing requirements or new directions. This approach ensures that work aligns with the needs of the users and stakeholders.

Agile addresses requirements in a customer-focused manner but also emphasises teamwork, transparency, and breaking down large-unit tasks into manageable chunks, rather than resorting to rigid processes. They foster better communication, allowing teams to deliver consistent results while accommodating necessary adjustments during a project.

Of course, agile covers many methods, each tailored to specific project needs. These include kanban, scrum, lean, and so forth. Their principles, advantages, and use cases will be discussed, giving you a better understanding of what it takes to make these methodologies work in their modern-day workflows.

Agile methodologies are diverse, each offering unique frameworks to manage projects effectively. Below, we’ll dive into the ten most popular Agile methods, starting with Kanban.

Scrum

Scrum is one of the most popular Agile methodologies, designed to enhance teamwork, accountability, and iterative progress. It follows a structured approach with defined roles, ceremonies, and time-boxed iterations called sprints. This method is best suited for teams working on complex, adaptive problems.

Key Components of Scrum

• Roles:
  1. Product Owner: Manages the product backlog and prioritises tasks.
  2. Scrum Master: Ensures adherence to Scrum practices.
  3. Development Team: Works on tasks during sprints.
• Artifacts:
  1. Product Backlog: List of tasks and features.
  2. Sprint Backlog: Tasks selected for the current sprint.
  3. Increment: The finished product at the end of a sprint.
• Ceremonies:
  1. Sprint Planning
  2. Daily Standups
  3. Sprint Review and Retrospective

How Scrum Works

1. The Product Owner prioritises tasks in the backlog.
2. Teams plan and commit to tasks during sprint planning meetings.
3. Daily standups ensure communication and progress tracking.
4. At the sprint’s end, completed work is reviewed, and feedback is incorporated.

Benefits of Scrum

• Enhances transparency with daily communication and reviews.
• Breaks large projects into manageable parts, improving focus.
• Encourages team collaboration and self-organisation.

Use Cases for Scrum

• Ideal for software development projects.
• Works well with small to medium-sized teams focusing on iterative product delivery.

Example Tools for Scrum

• Jira Scrum Boards
• Asana
• Microsoft Azure DevOps

Scrum’s structured yet adaptive nature makes it an excellent choice for teams needing clarity and steady progress. Its defined roles and regular check-ins ensure that projects stay on track and meet expectations.

Lean

Lean focuses on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and maximising value for the customer. Originating from Toyota’s production system, it’s widely applied in software development and other industries to streamline processes.

Principles of Lean

• Eliminate Waste: Identify and remove unnecessary tasks or processes.
• Amplify Learning: Foster a culture of experimentation and feedback.
• Deliver Fast: Focus on shorter cycles to provide value quickly.
• Respect People: Empower team members to make decisions.

How Lean Works

1. Teams identify and prioritise value-adding tasks.
2. Continuous delivery ensures frequent releases and feedback.
3. Processes are regularly evaluated to reduce waste.

Benefits of Lean

• Enhances efficiency by focusing on high-value activities.
• Promotes continuous learning and adaptation.
• Encourages teamwork and employee empowerment.

Use Cases for Lean

• Suitable for startups and organisations seeking to optimise resource usage.
• Effective in projects requiring quick turnaround times.

Example Tools for Lean

• Kanban Boards
• LeanKit
• Targetprocess

Lean’s focus on waste reduction and customer value makes it a powerful choice for businesses aiming to optimise processes without compromising quality.

Kanban

Kanban is a visual project management approach, aimed at achieving effective workflows while being open to innovations throughout the delivery process. With this, teams are able to see tasks, and constraints and change processes for the better. Kanban is of Japanese origins but has its roots in Toyota’s production systems, and it is popular today in different sectors.

Key Principles of Kanban

• Visualise Workflow: Represent tasks on a board for clarity.
• Limit Work in Progress (WIP): Avoid overburdening team members by setting task limits.
• Continuous Improvement: Focus on refining processes over time.

How Kanban Works

1. Tasks are added to a board, typically divided into columns: To Do, In Progress, and Done.
2. Team members pull tasks from the To Do column based on capacity.
3. Progress is tracked visually, providing transparency.

Benefits of Kanban

• Increases team focus by limiting multitasking.
• Enhances communication through visual representation.
• Improves adaptability with no fixed iterations or deadlines.

Use Cases for Kanban

• Ideal for teams with a high volume of incoming work, like support or operations.
• Effective for projects requiring continuous delivery rather than fixed cycles.

Example Tools for Kanban

• Trello
• Jira
• com

What is remarkable about Kanban is its simplicity and extensibility. It maintains a level of work balance by ensuring that everyone has a clear view of the tasks and that the system is not overburdened.

Also Read: Agile vs. Scrum: Differences and Similarities Explained

DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method)

DSDM is an Agile method in which one of the focuses is delivering solutions quickly without losing time, accuracy and unity with business objectives. It provides a detailed framework for managing projects with defined roles, phases, and principles.

Principles of DSDM

• Focus on business needs.
• Deliver on time.
• Collaborate for success.
• Never compromise quality.
• Develop iteratively.

How DSDM Works

1. Projects are divided into phases: Feasibility, Foundations, Evolutionary Development, and Deployment.
2. Teams follow strict timeboxing to ensure deadlines are met.
3. Continuous user involvement ensures alignment with business goals.

Benefits of DSDM

• Balances flexibility with structure.
• Ensures stakeholder involvement for better outcomes.
• Focuses on delivering value within tight deadlines.

Use Cases for DSDM

• Best for large projects requiring detailed planning and control.
• Ideal for organisations seeking clear alignment between IT and business objectives.

Example Tools for DSDM

• DSDM Project Management Tools
• Jira
• Confluence

DSDM’s structured approach and emphasis on collaboration make it suitable for projects where business alignment and timely delivery are critical. Its focus on iterative development ensures adaptability while maintaining high-quality standards.

Also Read: Agile vs. Waterfall: Which Methodology is Right for Your Project?

XP or Extreme Programming

Extreme Programming (XP) is a form of agile which is less formal and targets better software quality as well as improved teams. It believes in quick, regular feedback, close collaboration and customer spirit in all developers. XP is widely applicable in many projects due to its ability to respond to rapidly changing needs.

Key Practices of XP

• Pair Programming: Two developers work together to improve code quality.
• Continuous Integration: Code is integrated and tested frequently.
• Test-Driven Development (TDD): Write tests before the actual code.
• Simple Design: Focus on simplicity to meet current needs without overcomplicating.
• Frequent Releases: Deliver smaller chunks of the product quickly.

How XP Works

1. Teams collaborate closely with customers to define user stories.
2. Developers write tests first, then build code to pass those tests.
3. Code is reviewed and improved through pair programming and refactoring.

Benefits of XP

• Enhances code quality with continuous testing and integration.
• Promotes close collaboration between developers and stakeholders.
• Encourages adaptability with frequent feedback loops.

Use Cases for XP

• Ideal for teams working on software with dynamic and evolving requirements.
• Suited for projects where quality and rapid delivery are critical.

Example Tools for XP

• Jenkins for continuous integration.
• JUnit for automated testing.
• Version control systems like Git.

XP’s focus on quality and collaboration makes it an excellent choice for dynamic environments. By integrating testing and feedback into every stage, it ensures a robust final product.

FDD (Feature-Driven Development)

Feature-Driven Development (FDD) is an Agile methodology focused on delivering specific features in a structured manner. It combines iterative development with model-driven techniques to ensure clear and actionable goals.

Core Phases of FDD

1. Develop an Overall Model: Understand project scope and design.
2. Build a Feature List: Define the features to be delivered.
3. Plan by Feature: Assign priorities and deadlines for each feature.
4. Design by Feature: Create a design specific to the feature.
5. Build by Feature: Develop and deliver the feature.

Benefits of FDD

• Provides clear deliverables with a focus on features.
• Promotes structured planning and development.
• Supports scalability for large and complex projects.

Use Cases for FDD

• Effective for large teams handling complex software systems.
• Best suited for projects requiring detailed documentation and planning.

Example Tools for FDD

• Jira for task management.
• Lucidchart for modeling.
• Git for version control.

FDD’s structured approach ensures clarity and focus, making it a preferred choice for large-scale projects requiring well-defined deliverables.

Crystal

Crystal is a family of Agile methodologies, each tailored to specific team sizes and project complexities. It focuses on flexibility, communication, and prioritising people over processes. Crystal’s adaptability makes it suitable for a variety of projects.

Types of Crystal

• Crystal Clear: For teams with up to 6 members.
• Crystal Yellow: For teams of 7–20 members.
• Crystal Orange: For larger teams with up to 40 members.

Key Principles of Crystal

• Frequent delivery of usable code.
• Continuous improvement through reflection and feedback.
• Direct and clear communication within teams.

How Crystal Works

1. Teams select a Crystal type based on project size.
2. Emphasis is placed on people, interaction, and shared understanding.
3. Frequent iterations and reflective reviews improve outcomes.

Benefits of Crystal

• Highly adaptable to team size and project needs.
• Prioritises team well-being and collaboration.
• Simple and lightweight framework with minimal overhead.

Use Cases for Crystal

• Best for small to medium teams with dynamic project requirements.
• Suitable for creative projects where flexibility is key.

Example Tools for Crystal

• Trello for collaboration.
• Slack for communication.
• GitHub for version control.

Crystal’s emphasis on people and adaptability ensures it works well in varied scenarios, particularly when team communication and simplicity are priorities.

Also Read: Agile vs DevOps – Difference between Software Development Practices

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a systematic approach to the implementation of agile practices in the context of large organisations. This approach helps in providing coordination across several teams, consistency across teams lineage, as well as projectwise value creation in huge and complicated projects. SAFe integrates the agile way of thinking and lean concepts within one framework for the purpose of project management at the enterprise level.

Key Components of SAFe

• Lean-Agile Leadership: Leaders guide and empower teams.
• Team and Technical Agility: Emphasis on team skills and quality.
• Agile Product Delivery: Focus on delivering value consistently.
• Continuous Learning Culture: Encourages improvement and innovation.

How SAFe Works

1. Team Level: Small Agile teams operate using methods like Scrum or Kanban.
2. Program Level: Teams collaborate through Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to deliver solutions.
3. Portfolio Level: Aligns organisational strategy with execution.

Benefits of SAFe

• Ensures alignment between teams and business goals.
• Enhances collaboration across multiple teams.
• Scales Agile practices to handle enterprise-level challenges.

Use Cases for SAFe

• Effective for organisations with multiple teams working on interconnected projects.
• Best suited for large enterprises aiming to implement Agile at scale.

SAFe is ideal for organisations needing a structured approach to manage large-scale projects without losing the flexibility of Agile practices.

Adaptive Software Development (ASD)

Adaptive Software Development (ASD) is an Agile methodology focused on adaptability and iterative development. It encourages teams to embrace changes and create software that aligns with evolving user needs. ASD is particularly effective in dynamic environments with uncertain requirements.

Phases of ASD

1. Speculate: Establish initial goals and create a broad plan.
2. Collaborate: Foster teamwork and communication to address changing requirements.
3. Learn: Continuously evaluate results and refine processes.

Key Principles of ASD

• Emphasis on continuous learning and feedback.
• Adaptive planning to accommodate change.
• Strong focus on teamwork and stakeholder involvement.

Benefits of ASD

• Encourages innovation and creativity.
• Reduces risks by focusing on iterative development.
• Enables quick responses to changing requirements.

Use Cases for ASD

• Suitable for projects with high uncertainty or frequent changes.
• Effective in industries where innovation and flexibility are critical.

ASD’s dynamic nature makes it a strong choice for teams needing to adapt quickly and deliver user-centric solutions.

Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)

Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is an Agile approach focusing on the collaboration of developers, testers, and business people. The emphasis is placed on specifying the behaviour of software using non-technical language, which allows all who are concerned to have a precise understanding of the expectations.

How BDD Works

1. Define Behavior: Stakeholders and teams describe expected software behaviour using simple language.
2. Write Scenarios: Use Gherkin syntax (e.g., Given, When, Then) to outline use cases.
3. Automate Tests: Create automated tests based on defined behaviours.

Key Principles of BDD

• Collaboration across all roles to align expectations.
• Test scenarios act as documentation.
• Focus on delivering business value.

Benefits of BDD

• Reduces misunderstandings between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Enhances software quality by defining clear acceptance criteria.
• Encourages automation and continuous testing.

Use Cases for BDD

• Ideal for projects requiring close collaboration between teams.
• Works well in environments focused on delivering high-quality software.

Example Tools for BDD

• Cucumber
• SpecFlow
• Behave

BDD bridges the gap between business goals and technical execution, making it an effective methodology for teams prioritising clarity and quality.

When to Use the Agile Model?

The Agile model is the right approach for projects that require a great degree of flexibility, cooperative work, and development in stages. This is especially helpful in situations where the requirements are vague or are constantly changing. The advantage of Agile is that it allows teams to be more flexible and still concentrate on providing value.

Key Scenarios for Using Agile

1. Dynamic Requirements

• Agile is ideal when project requirements are unclear at the start.
• Frequent changes or updates from stakeholders can be handled effectively.

2. Customer-Centric Projects

• Projects that require regular feedback and involvement from end-users benefit greatly from Agile.
• Agile ensures the final product aligns closely with user expectations.

3. Short Timelines

• Agile breaks work into smaller iterations, allowing for quicker delivery of usable features.
• It works well when teams need to showcase progress frequently.

4. Collaborative Environments

• Agile thrives in projects that require high levels of teamwork and communication.
• It ensures transparency and accountability among team members.

Industries and Projects That Benefit

• Software Development: Handles evolving technology needs effectively.
• Startups: Ideal for iterative product development and rapid market feedback.
• Creative Projects: Helps adapt to changing client demands in design or content creation.

The Agile model is a powerful approach when adaptability and collaboration are critical. By focusing on delivering value in iterations, it ensures projects stay on track even as priorities shift.

Final Thoughts

Agile methodologies have changed the perception of managing projects by creating an environment for adaptability, cooperation, and progress. Including Kanban, Scrum, etc., each methodology has advantages depending on the size of a team and the project requirements. Incorporating Agile will improve productivity within the organisation and the overall product quality and will make such products adapt to changes.

A suitable Agile methodology should be selected based on the particular characteristics of the project and the team. Whether you are a new business or a large organisation, Agile gives you an excellent structure for managing a fast-changing environment to quickly create value and satisfy people’s needs. Enrol in the free Agile Methodology course by Hero Vired and get professional guidance with a certification.