Managing complex projects and aligning multiple teams around shared goals requires the right Agile framework. For many organizations, that choice is between Scrum and SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework). Each framework brings Agile principles to life in its own way: Scrum works well for smaller, focused teams aiming for adaptability and rapid delivery, while SAFe scales these principles across entire organizations, ensuring alignment and coordination across teams.
Let’s explore the core differences between SAFe and Scrum—from their structures and roles to their ceremonies and use cases—to help you choose the framework that best suits your team size, project complexity, and business goals.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is a lightweight Agile framework that small teams use for project management.
Scrum promotes continuous development and steady productivity through short cycles called “sprints,” usually lasting two to four weeks. Incremental updates shipped at the end of every sprint drive continuous development and delivery.
With minimal roles and ceremonies, Scrum is less set up for scalability. It promotes productivity on a project basis, helping Agile teams collaborate more intimately to move updates across the line in the short term. This helps drive steady progress in the long term while monitoring and staying true to project objectives.
Scrum teams are typically self-organizing, proficient with self-management, and focused on continuous improvement.
Key roles in a Scrum team
| Product Owner | The Product Owner is responsible for defining the product backlog and prioritizing tasks based on impact and alignment with team goals. They are generally required to adapt strategies based on progress and goal alignment. |
| Scrum Master | The Scrum Master facilitates team processes by following proper Scrum practices and removing any blockers the team might have. As servant leaders, Scrum Masters promote team collaboration, lead daily Scrum meetings, and empower teams with powerful ceremonies and resources. |
| Development Team | The Development Team does the work. The cross-functional contributors are responsible for driving team commits and ensuring that the expected output is shipped by the end of each sprint. |
Scrum ceremonies
Sprint Planning – Before each project launches, the team collaborates to set sprint goals and identify the specific items they’ll tackle from the product backlog. The goal of sprint planning is to align deliverables and objectives per sprint.
Daily Stand-up – Each day, the team holds a 15-minute meeting to discuss deliverables progress, share what will be worked on, and address blockers. Daily stand-ups promote transparency and keep individual team members focused on deliverables.
Sprint Review – At the end of each sprint, team members showcase their completed work, first to show progress and then to gain feedback from stakeholders. Sprint reviews help identify any needed adjustments for future sprint expectations.
Sprint Retrospective – Sometimes held separately or as part of the sprint review, the retrospective is a session during which the team reflects on what went well and what could be improved. This is crucial for continuous improvement and process iteration.
Top 5 benefits of Scrum for Agile teams
Promotes Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
Scrum is built for teamwork. With regular sprints and ceremonies, team members share updates, give feedback, and adapt their approach. This constant communication fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Builds Transparency Through Frequent Inspections and Reviews
Scrum emphasizes transparency. Regular sprint reviews, retrospectives, and stand-ups keep team members and stakeholders aligned on progress, fostering accountability and quick issue resolution.
Enables Rapid Feedback Loops and Adaptation
The sprint-based structure of Scrum creates fast feedback cycles. After each sprint, teams review and refine their approach, allowing for quick pivots and minimizing the risks of costly setbacks.
Ideal for Complex, Small-to-Medium-Sized Projects
Scrum is perfect for complex, smaller projects that require agility. It provides structure without rigidity, allowing teams to tackle challenges incrementally while staying responsive to changes.
Empowers Teams with Ownership and Accountability
Scrum emphasizes self-management, giving teams ownership of their work. Setting their sprint goals makes team members feel more engaged and accountable, boosting motivation and productivity.
What is SAFe?
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a structured framework designed to extend Agile practices across large organizations. Unlike traditional Agile approaches, which typically focus on team-level practices, SAFe integrates Lean, Agile, and DevOps principles to create alignment across teams and business units. This alignment ensures that all teams work toward shared strategic objectives, even in complex, enterprise-level environments.
SAFe configurations
- Essential SAFe
The basic setup for scaling Agile teams, providing core tools and practices to get started. - Large Solution SAFe
Designed for complex projects that need multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to work together seamlessly. - Portfolio SAFe
Connects Agile projects to high-level business goals and funding so priorities stay focused. - Full SAFe
A comprehensive setup that brings together all configurations to support large organizations with many teams.
Key roles in SAFe
| Release Train Engineer (RTE) | Coordinates Agile Release Train (ART) events and processes, keeping teams in sync and on track. |
| Product Manager | Oversees product vision and roadmap, aligning multiple teams to achieve shared goals. |
| Solution Architect | Defines the technical direction so that all teams work toward a unified system. |
SAFe ceremonies
PI Planning (Program Increment Planning) – PI Planning is a two-day event that brings together all Agile Release Train (ART) teams to set shared goals and align priorities for the upcoming 8-12 weeks, or “program increment.” During this session, teams plan their work, identify dependencies, and establish a value-delivery roadmap.
System Demo – The System Demo occurs at the end of each program increment to showcase the integrated work of all teams involved in the Agile Release Train. During this event, teams present their combined outputs, providing stakeholders a clear view of the current product state and progress.
Inspect and Adapt – The Inspect and Adapt session is a key SAFe ceremony dedicated to continuous improvement. During this event, teams review and assess the program increment’s outcomes, reflecting on successes and identifying areas for improvement.
Top 5 Benefits of SAFe for Scaling Agile Across Enterprises
Aligns Teams with Strategic Business Goals
SAFe connects the work of multiple teams to high-level business objectives. By aligning everyone’s efforts with strategic goals, SAFe ensures that teams stay focused on initiatives that drive real value for the organization.
Improves Cross-Functional Collaboration
SAFe’s structure breaks down departmental silos and fosters coordination across cross-functional teams. This collaboration allows teams to tackle complex projects more effectively, with everyone working toward the same vision.
Supports Large-Scale Agile Delivery
SAFe is built to scale. With configurations like Large Solution SAFe and Portfolio SAFe, it’s well-suited for complex, enterprise-level projects that involve multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs) working in sync to deliver high-impact results.
Drives Continuous Improvement
SAFe emphasizes ongoing improvement with regular Inspect and Adapt ceremonies, where teams assess their work and processes. This culture of reflection helps teams optimize their workflows and address any challenges, boosting overall productivity.
Incorporates DevOps for Faster Releases
With its integration of DevOps practices, SAFe enables faster, more reliable delivery. Continuous integration and delivery streamline the release process, so organizations can roll out updates and improvements more frequently and efficiently.
Key differences between SAFe and Scrum
Team size and scalability
- Scrum
Works best for small, cross-functional teams of 5-9 members, focused on close collaboration and rapid iteration. - SAFe
Built for large organizations needing coordination across multiple teams, aligning everyone around shared objectives.
Structure and processes
- Scrum
Relatively straightforward, with a small set of roles, artifacts, and ceremonies that keep the framework light and flexible. - SAFe
More complex, with multiple layers of roles, teams, and governance to manage the needs of large-scale, enterprise-level projects.
Focus and scope
- Scrum
Prioritizes delivering working software in short, iterative cycles, allowing teams to respond quickly to feedback and changes. - SAFe
Focuses on aligning team-level execution with broader business strategy, ensuring that all teams contribute to strategic goals.
Governance and alignment
- Scrum
Emphasizes minimal governance, giving teams the autonomy to self-manage and make decisions on the ground. - SAFe
Brings in portfolio management and governance structures to drive strategic alignment and maintain a clear direction across the organization.
SAFe and Scrum bring Agile principles to life, but their approaches differ significantly based on team size, complexity, and the level of structure needed. While Scrum is ideal for smaller, flexible teams, SAFe is designed to coordinate Agile practices across larger, interconnected teams in complex environments.
Key similarities between SAFe and scrum
Agile principles at the core
Both SAFe, or the Scaled Agile Framework, and Scrum are grounded in the foundational values of the Agile Manifesto, including customer collaboration, adaptability, and incremental delivery. These agile frameworks help teams stay aligned with customer needs and organizational objectives by prioritizing open communication and responsiveness. Integrating Agile and Lean principles into day-to-day interactions creates a culture where adaptability and collaboration drive every decision, keeping work focused and customer-centric.
Focus on continuous improvement
Continuous improvement is a central practice in both SAFe and Scrum, providing structured opportunities to assess and refine processes for greater efficiency:
- Scrum teams conduct retrospectives at the end of each sprint, giving teams—often led by a Scrum Master—the chance to reflect on successes and identify areas for immediate improvement. This routine supports rapid adjustments and encourages a learning-focused environment.
- SAFe extends the improvement process across the organization with Inspect and Adapt sessions. These sessions allow teams to address larger systemic issues and adjust processes to boost productivity and quality on a broader scale.
Whether in small adjustments within sprints or larger changes across teams, continuous improvement cultivates an agile software development environment where teams are empowered to enhance workflows as they progress.
Delivery through iterations
Both SAFe and Scrum rely on iterative cycles to deliver working solutions incrementally, allowing for regular feedback and adaptation:
- Scrum uses short sprints (typically 2-4 weeks) for fast-paced development, which ensures frequent delivery and feedback, helping teams stay responsive.
- SAFe employs longer program increments (usually 8-12 weeks) of multiple sprints to coordinate and deliver on larger projects. This structure helps align work across multiple teams and departments, allowing large-scale organizations to make steady progress on strategic goals.
This iterative approach is key to agile software development, supporting teams as they evolve solutions and maintain momentum. Short sprints keep projects nimble for smaller, focused teams. In larger organizations, program increments maintain alignment with high-level objectives, ensuring every sprint contributes to broader strategic goals.
The Scaled Agile Framework and Scrum are committed to Agile and Lean principles, continuous improvement, and iterative work cycles. This focus on adaptability empowers teams to achieve meaningful results in dynamic, fast-paced environments, whether they’re handling single-team projects or coordinating efforts across the enterprise.
When to use SAFe vs scrum
When to choose Scrum
The Scrum framework is well-suited for small, autonomous teams focused on delivering software quickly and adapting to feedback as they go. Scrum’s lightweight structure and rapid iteration cycles work best for projects with well-defined goals and minimal dependencies. This makes it an ideal choice for startups or small businesses, where speed and flexibility are crucial, and team members can manage tasks without extensive oversight. Scrum relies heavily on short sprints, typically 2-4 weeks, to keep progress steady and deliver regular updates.
For companies aiming to bring a product to market quickly or improve an existing one, Agile Scrum’s sprint cycles provide a rapid feedback loop, helping teams stay responsive to evolving user needs. Teams that rely on Scrum can concentrate on delivering high-quality results with limited resources, often guided by a Scrum Master who promotes continuous improvement and keeps the team on track.
When to choose SAFe
SAFe, or the Scaled Agile Framework, is designed for large enterprises where multiple teams must coordinate across departments to work toward shared strategic goals. Unlike Scrum, which is optimized for smaller teams, SAFe can scale Agile practices across the entire organization. This makes it especially valuable for companies in complex finance, healthcare, and government industries, where strong alignment between business units and development teams is crucial.
With its longer program increments and structured approach to governance, SAFe supports large-scale collaboration and ensures that every team aligns with high-level objectives. By enabling coordination across multidisciplinary teams, SAFe provides a framework for complex projects that require strategic alignment and rigorous oversight, making it an effective choice for organizations managing intricate dependencies across multiple teams and departments.
Pros and cons of SAFe vs scrum
Pros and cons of Scrum
Pros
- Simple to implement and manage: Scrum’s lightweight nature makes it easy to adopt, even for teams new to Agile.
- Promotes team autonomy: Teams are encouraged to self-organize and make decisions, fostering ownership and accountability.
- Rapid feedback cycle: Short sprints (usually 2-4 weeks) allow for frequent deliveries and immediate feedback, keeping teams responsive to user needs.
Cons
- Limited scalability: Scrum can be challenging to scale across multiple teams working on large, interconnected projects.
- Lacks focus on strategic alignment: Scrum primarily focuses on team-level goals, which may lead to disconnects from broader business objectives.
- Not ideal for regulated industries: Scrum may struggle in environments with strict compliance requirements without built-in governance.
Pros and cons of SAFe
Pros
- Built for scaling: SAFe is specifically designed to extend Agile practices across large organizations, supporting multiple teams working together.
- Strategic alignment: SAFe integrates business strategy with development efforts, ensuring that teams work toward organizational goals.
- DevOps integration: SAFe incorporates DevOps practices, enabling continuous delivery and streamlined release cycles.
Cons
- Complex setup: SAFe has multiple layers of governance and roles, making it more challenging to implement than Scrum.
- Requires training and buy-in: Successful SAFe adoption needs significant training and commitment from the entire organization.
- Less flexibility: Compared to other Agile frameworks, SAFe can feel rigid, especially for teams used to a more adaptable structure.
FAQs
What is the main difference between SAFe and Scrum?
- Scrum is a lightweight Agile framework ideal for small, focused Agile teams. It empowers cross-functional teams to work in short sprints, enabling quick adaptability and fast delivery. SAFe, or Scaled Agile Framework, is designed to apply Agile practices at scale across large organizations, coordinating several teams around shared strategic goals. While Scrum operates on a team level, SAFe extends Agile principles across the enterprise.
Can Scrum teams work within SAFe?
- Yes, Scrum teams can absolutely work within a SAFe framework. In SAFe, Scrum teams become part of an Agile Release Train (ART), coordinating their efforts alongside other Agile teams. This structure allows Scrum teams to maintain their practices and cadence while aligning with the larger organizational goals outlined by SAFe.
Which is better: SAFe or Scrum?
- The choice between SAFe and Scrum depends on the organization’s size, goals, and project complexity. Scrum is well-suited for smaller organizations or projects that need a lightweight approach, allowing an Agile team to move quickly. For larger organizations managing complex projects with collaborative teams, SAFe provides the structure to coordinate many teams at scale. It’s less about which framework is “better” and more about which aligns best with the organization’s unique needs.
Is SAFe harder to implement than Scrum?
- Yes, SAFe is generally more challenging to implement than Scrum due to its complexity and need for additional roles, such as Release Train Engineers and governance structures. Scrum is simpler, with a straightforward setup involving a Scrum Master and Product Owner, but it can fall short when scaling across more prominent organizations. SAFe requires more initial effort but brings the coordination needed for scaling Agile effectively.
Can SAFe replace Scrum?
- SAFe doesn’t replace Scrum; it provides a framework for scaling Scrum and other Agile frameworks across various teams. While Scrum operates well on a team level, SAFe organizes these teams and supports large-scale projects, creating alignment and coordination across the organization.
Choosing the Right Agile Framework for Your Team’s Success
SAFe and Scrum each bring unique strengths to Agile project management but serve different purposes. Scrum is a lightweight framework for small, autonomous teams prioritizing quick delivery cycles and close collaboration. SAFe, on the other hand, is designed to scale Agile practices across large organizations, align development work with strategic business goals, and manage multiple teams under a cohesive structure.
Ultimately, the choice between SAFe and Scrum depends on your organization’s size, project complexity, and strategic needs. Scrum offers flexibility and speed for smaller teams with focused goals. For larger enterprises requiring cross-departmental alignment, SAFe provides the structure to coordinate at scale.
Looking to implement the right Agile framework? Start with Scrum for small teams or scale up with SAFe to align your enterprise strategy with development.
